Phytoremediation Study and Effect of pH on Biomass Productivity of Eichhornia crassipes - Management of Natural Resources in a Changing Environment - page 195

01-Apr-12
20-Apr-12

250

200

150

100

50

0

C-1
(pH=7.6)

T-1
(pH=5)

T-2
(pH=6)

T-3
(pH=7)

T-4
(pH=8)

T-5
(pH=9)

Control & treated cultures:

Fig. 7 Fresh weight biomass of Eichhornia crassipes on initial and fi nal day of wastewater culture
study at different pH

The pH culture study was conducted at different pH range i.e. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 along
with actual pH of Hindon river for a period of 20 days. The alkaline pH (7.6) of the
wastewater was observed in our study which is due to the presence of ammoniacal
nitrogen. Wastewater culture at pH = 7, pH = 8 and pH = 7.6 represents suitable
medium for maximum nutrient removal as it seems to have commanding infl uence
on the growth of Eichhornia crassipes . The Eichhornia crassipes biomass produc-
tion on fi nal day followed the trend in treatment cultures as follows: pH 7.0 > pH 8.
0 > pH 6.0 > pH 9.0 > pH 5.0.
Our study fi nally explored the potential of using wastewater under variable pH
for the production of Eichhornia crassipes biomass and thereby conducted an array
of methods to develop the wide possibilities of developing wastewater culture
medium using different pH in order to attain maximum biomass production. This
would consequently enhance the production of biofuel from Eichhornia biomass.
The biofuel thus produced may possibly replace the traditional fuel, and ward off
our present day fuel crisis. The possible use of aquatic plants to remove nutrients
from wastewater effl uents and eutrophic water has received considerable attention
in recent years.

References

Ansar A, Khad F (2005) Eutrophication: an ecological vision. Bot Rev 71(4):449-482
APHA (1999) Standards methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 20th edn. APHA,
Washington, DC
APHA (2005) Standards methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 21st edn. APHA,
Washington, DC