Biosorption Potentials of Selected Aquatic Plants in the Remediation of Fertilizer Contaminated Water

The aim of this study was to investigate the biosorption potentials of duckweed (Lemma minor) and water lettuce (Pistia stratoites) in the treatment of water contaminated with synthetic fertilizer. The complete randomized design (CRD) was used with 34 experimental units and 5 independent sections that lasted for 5 weeks. Experimental water samples containing test plants were analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Mn), nutrient enrichment (N, P, K) and physicochemical parameters while test plants were evaluated for growth features. Indices of aquatic phytoremediation were computed including HPI (heavy metal pollution indices), PRI (phytoremediation index) and PE (phytoremediation efficiency). Data analysis was done using multivariate analysis tool while mean separation of ANOVA was done using Fisher LSD at P≤005. Plant-fertilizer interaction showed a significant reduction in the concentrations of heavy metals and nutrient content of experimental water. Result showed that water lettuce was excellent at reducing Pb and Mn, characterized with a high PE of 76% and 99.3%) respectively. HPI in water lettuce treated water was <1.0. Water lettuce caused a significantly lower reduction (P< 0.05) in level of K and N than duckweed. There was no effect of the on pH of water. Duckweed was found to possess a reducing effect on TDS and EC. and increasing effect on temperature and DO. Among the plant growth parameters, height and root sizes were more enhanced in duckweed than water lettuce. However, stem diameter, biomass and leaf sizes were more enhanced in water lettuce. The two test plants demonstrated capacity to improve physicochemical properties of water contaminated with fertilizer. They also showcased high stability and adaptability in their growth features in polluted water.