USE OF TROPICAL MACROPHYTES IN WASTE WATER TREATMENT

Abstract

Macrophytes in natural wetlands are the plants responsible for nutrient uptake and seem to be an efficient option in phytoremediation systems. a) Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the adaptation process of ornamental macrophytes fed with university wastewater, through physiological measurements before and after planting in a HC (constructed wetland) in a tropical climate. b) The study was divided into two stages. 0.5 x 2. 0 m, three fractions were evaluated at 50%, 75%, 100% from university wastewater and natural water (white), where the following species were placed: Strelitzia reginae, Alpinia purpurata, Canna indica, Xanthosoma robustum, Cyperus papyrus, Pistia stratiotes, Iris germánica, Spathiphyllum wallisii, Ruellia brittoniana, Pennisetum purpureum and Heliconia psittacorum, remaining for a period of 40 days.  Subsequently, the individuals were seeded and evaluated in an HC to finalise the adaptation period. The physiological variables measured were % survival, stem thickness, number of flowers and indirect chlorophyll. Biomass was included as a growth variable for the second stage. c) The results showed that during the first stage in the containers of the 14 initial species, a total of 11 species survived, i.e. 78.5% of the total, which made it possible to observe the type of plants with the greatest capacity to survive in high concentrations of contaminants, thus obtaining the priority in which these would be planted. d) They also indicated that there were significant differences (p=0.005) regarding physiology for all the HC species, showing better adaptation for Canna indica, Xanthosoma robustum, Ruellia brittoniana, Alpinia purpurata, Cyperus papyrus and Heliconia psittacorum. e) These results demonstrate the macrophytes with greater adaptation as phytoremediation plants in HC systems in tropical climates, resulting from the feeding of university wastewater