Restoration of polluted waters by phytoremediation using Myriophyllum aquaticum (Vell.) Verdc., Haloragaceae

The present study assessed the reduction of nutrients and organic matter in polluted waters using Myriophyllum aquaticum. Twelve experimental groups were established and distributed in six control groups (CG) and six plant treated groups (PTG). The following analyses were performed in three sampling sets and measured every three days: chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), ammoniacal nitrogen (AN), organic nitrogen (ON), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and total phosphorus (TP). Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and temperature (TEMP). The parameters that showed variation between the experimental groups were dissolved oxygen (0.1–5.0 mg L−1), pH (7.5–8.5), electrical conductivity (550–750 μS cm−1), and temperature (15–19 °C). The highest level of removal was observed on day 30 as 75.4% for BOD; 67.4% for COD; 88.3% for TKN; and 93.6% for TP. The use of M. aquaticum demonstrated its potential application in phytoremediation, showing reductions in COD, BOD, and TP at day 15, and in AN and TKN at day 30.

► Organic load and nutrients reduction in polluted waters using Myriophyllum aquaticum.
► M. aquaticum is revealed as a potential phytoremediator.
► Phytoremediation of polluted waters using M. aquaticum.