Phytoremediation of Sembrong river waters using Neptunia oleracea and Pistia stratiotes
Water quality of Sungai Sembrong is in poor condition but it is an important source of water for people in Parit Raja. Water has to be treated intensively resulting in high cost. This study aims to determine the water quality index (WQI) and the efficiency of phytoremediation as well as the effect o...
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| Format: | Thesis |
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2017
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/9932/ http://eprints.uthm.edu.my/9932/1/Mohamed.B.E.BOGELIL.pdf |
| Summary: | Water quality of Sungai Sembrong is in poor condition but it is an important source of
water for people in Parit Raja. Water has to be treated intensively resulting in high cost.
This study aims to determine the water quality index (WQI) and the efficiency of
phytoremediation as well as the effect on the two plant species (Neptunia oleracea and
Pistia stratiotes) due to bio mineralization of heavy metals. Water quality parameters
measured were conductivity, turbidity, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen
Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), NH3N, TP, Zn, Fe, and Al. From
this study, Sungai Sembrong is classified as Class IV according to DOE-WQI. Elements
with high concentration were Al (61mg/L), Fe (33mg/L), and Zn (1.5mg/L) making it
one of the most contaminated river in Malaysia. The condition for the water quality of
the river was related to various land use along the river banks. N. oleracea performed
better because for example on day 10 the COD is 60 mg/L as compared to P. stratiotes
with COD at 78 mg/L N. oleracea was also in good condition for longer period of time.
Uptake of the three trace elements (Al, Fe and Zn) in plants tissues were shown using
AAS. The concentration of elements in plant tissue that were cultivated in river water
were up to 254 times higher than the control plants except for Zn. Results of the
biological studies suggested that the plants could be used for phytostabilization and
phytoextraction of Al and Fe. However, the plants were not hyperaccumulators of Zn.
Using photomicrography transverse sections of plant tissues cultivated in river water
showed toxic symptoms like distortion, increase in the number of layers of cells and
damages. The control plants did not exhibit any symptoms of damage. SEM-EDS
analysis showed bio mineralized heavy metals distribution in different plant tissues
which was supported by results from morpho-anatomical changes. The study concluded
that cheaper ways of water treatment could be possible with the two species; N. oleracea
and P. stratiotes. |
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