Nutrient removal efficiency and biomass production of different bioenergy plants in hypereutrophic water

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and efficiency of nutrient removal from eutrophic water along with biomass production by standing plants grown on floating beds. Results indicated that the average removal efficiency for total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen and total phosphorus by six standing plant species were respectively 50.3%, 59.4%, 82.4% and 86.5%, during a 16-day experiment on floating beds. Among six tested plant species grown on floating beds in the field experiment, Miscanthus sinensis Anderss (sp.) and Vetiveria zizanioides were dominant in growth, annual biomass production, nitrogen phyto-uptake, phosphorus phyto-uptake, sulfur phyto-uptake and carbon sequestration. Neutral-detergent fiber, acid-detergent fiber, acid-detergent lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose contents of these species were similar to swithgrass. M. sinensis Anderss (sp.) and V. zizanioides were most promising plant species for biomass production and nutrient removal grown on eutrophic water with floating beds.

► The tested plants showed great ability of nutrient removal from eutrophic water.
► Silvergrass and vetiver are preferential plant species for bioenergy feedstock.
► Biomass production on floating beds is a promising approach for nutrient removal.