Phytoremediation of Aquaculture Wastewater: Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a Phytoremediator

Year : 2025 | Volume : 03 | Issue : 01 | Page : 13 19
    By

    Davies R. M.,

  • Kari W.,

  • Davies O.A.,

  1. Professor, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, PMB 071, Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
  2. MSc Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, PMB 071, Niger Delta University KariWilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, N
  3. Professor, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aquaculture systems discharge huge quantities of waste into the aquatic ecosystem, in the form of excretory products and excess feed. These have grave implications on physicochemical and biological quality of the receiving environment. The study aimed to determine potential of duckweed (Lemna minor L.) for phytoremediation of aquaculture effluent. Hundred grams (100 g) of duckweed was grown in 10 L aquaculture effluent for 7-, 14-, 21-, and 28-day retention period in 15-L plastic containers. Effluent samples were analyzed for some physicochemical parameters (phosphate, nitrate, ammonia, chemical oxygen demand, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and pH). The evaluations were conducted using established and recognized methodologies. The characterization of aquaculture effluent revealed high pollution level. It was found that duckweed reduced aquaculture effluent pollution concentration load to a great extent. Nitrate, ammonia-nitrogen, chemical oxygen demand, and pH were within permissible limits. Discharging aquaculture effluent without prior treatment will be detrimental to the environment and water bodies. This study evaluates the phytoremediation potential of duckweed (Lemna minor L.) for treating aquaculture wastewater. Duckweed was cultivated in aquaculture effluent for varying retention periods (7–28 days) in controlled conditions. Physicochemical analyses of the effluent showed significant reductions in pollutants such as phosphate (68.92%), nitrate (66%), ammonia-nitrogen (79.11%), and chemical oxygen demand. While pH levels were stabilized within permissible limits, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids exceeded acceptable thresholds for drinking and domestic use. The findings highlight duckweed’s cost-effective and sustainable utility for mitigating aquaculture effluent pollution, supporting environmental conservation and resource management.

Keywords: Aquaculture, bioremediation, effluent, physicochemical parameters, macrophytes

[This article belongs to International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control ]

How to cite this article:
Davies R. M., Kari W., Davies O.A.. Phytoremediation of Aquaculture Wastewater: Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a Phytoremediator. International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control. 2025; 03(01):13-19.
How to cite this URL:
Davies R. M., Kari W., Davies O.A.. Phytoremediation of Aquaculture Wastewater: Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) as a Phytoremediator. International Journal of Pollution: Prevention & Control. 2025; 03(01):13-19. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijppc/article=2025/view=199307


References

  1. Abu HC, Davies RM, Davies O Phytoremediation of cassava wastewater by water hyacinth. Trends Appl Sci Res. 2022; 17 (1): 1–6.
  2. Adeniran KA, Bello AS. Relative effectiveness of water hyacinth, bacteria and fungi in purifying sewage. Ethiopian J Environ Stud Manage. 2014; 7 (2): 171–17
  3. Al-Hafedh YS, Alam A, Buschmann A Bioremediation potential, growth and biomass yield of the green seaweed, Ulva lactuca in an integrated marine aquaculture system at the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia at different stocking densities and effluent flow rates. Rev Aquac. 2015; 7 (3): 161–171. doi: 10.1111/raq.12060.
  4. American Public Health Association (APHA). Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Waste Water. 20th edition. Washington, DC, USA: American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association Water Pollution Control Federation; 1998.
  5. American Public Health Association (APHA). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 21st edition. Washington, DC, USA: American Public Health Association; 2005.
  6. Ansari FA, Singh P, Guldhe A, Bux F. Microalgal cultivation using aquaculture wastewater: integrated biomass generation and nutrient remediation. Algal Res. 2017; 21: 169–177. doi: 1016/j.algal.2016.11.015.
  7. Ari N, Halim FD, Hanafiah AA, Ramlee N Phytoremediation capability by Azolla pinnata in aquaculture wastewater treatment. Sains Malays. 2019; 48: 281–289.
  8. Ayaz T, Khan S, Khan AZ, Lei M, Alam M. Remediation of industrial wastewater using four hydrophyte species: a comparison of individual (pot experiments) and mix plants (constructed wetland). J Environ Manage. 2020; 255:
  9. Aziz HA, Adlan MN, Zahari MS, Alias S. Removal of ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH3) from municipal solid waste leachate by using activated carbon and limestone. Waste Manage Res. 2004; 22 (5): 371–37
  10. Carlozzi P, Padovani G. The aquatic fern Azolla as a natural plant-factory for ammonia removal from fish-breeding fresh wastewater. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2016; 23: 8749–87
  11. Crab R, Avnimelech Y, Defoirdt T, Bossier P, Verstraete W. Nitrogen removal techniques in aquaculture for a sustainable production. Aquaculture. 2007; 270 (1–4): 1–4. doi: 1016/j.aquaculture.2007.05.006.
  12. Davies RM, Davies OA. Development and performance evaluation of manually operated fish pelleting machine. Innov Sci Eng. 2011; 1 (1): 9–16.
  13. Davies RM, Davies OA, Bekibele DO. Fish processing technologies in Rivers State Nigeria. J Eng Appl Sci. 2008; 3 (7): 548–552.
  14. De-Bashan LE, Bashan Y. Immobilized microalgae for removing pollutants: review of practical aspects. Bioresource Technol. 2010; 101 (6): 1611–16 doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.09.043.
  15. Jothinathan H, Singh AP. A comprehensive study on the physicochemical characteristics of faecal sludge from septic tank and single pit latrine facilities in a typical semi-urban Indian town: a case study of Rajasthan, India. Environ Sci Water Res Technol. 2024; 10 (11): 2906–29
  16. Alam J. A critical assessment of the ethical approaches to environmental legislation in Bangladesh with an emphasis on biodiversity. Eubios J Asian Int 2016; 26 (2): 60–87.
  17. Dhote S, Dixit S. Water quality improvement through macrophytes—a review. Environ Monitor Assess. 2009; 152: 149–1
  18. Pillay TV. Kyoto 1976 to Bangkok 2000. Aquac 2000; 5 (3): 10–12.
  19. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Responsible Use of Antibiotics in Aquaculture. Serrano PH, Chief, Food Microbiology Chair, Faculty of Pharmacy Central University of Venezuela Caracas; 2005.
  20. Food and Agriculture Organization of the Unites Nations. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture, Opportunities and Challenges. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the Unites Nations; 2014. 223 Available at http://www.fao.org/3/ai3720e.pdf
  21. Wang G, Xie J, Yin G, Yu D, Yu E, Wang H, Gong W. Influences of aquiculture on ecological environment. Int J Biol. 2010; 2 (2):
  22. George GT, Gabriel JJ. Phytoremediation of heavy metals from municipal waste water by Salvinia molesta Haya Saudi J Life Sci. 2017; 2: 108–115. doi: 10.21276/haya.
  23. Gephart JA, Troell M, Henriksson PJ, Beveridge MC, Verdegem M, Metian M, Mateos LD, Deutsch L. The seafood gap in the food-water nexus literature—issues surrounding freshwater use in seafood production chains. Adv Water Resour. 2017; 110: 505–5 doi: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2017.03.025.
  24. Gichana ZM, Liti D, Waidbacher H, Zollitsch W, Drexler S, Waikibia J. Waste management in recirculating aquaculture system through bacteria dissimilation and plant assimilation. Aquac Int. 2018; 26: 1541–15 doi: 10.1007/s10499-018-0303-x.
  25. Hasan MK, Shahriar A, Jim KU. Water pollution in Bangladesh and its impact on public health. Heliyon. 2019; 5 (8): e02145. doi: 1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02145.
  26. Han P, Lu Q, Fan L, Zhou W. A review on the use of microalgae for sustainable aquaculture. Appl Sci. 2019; 9 (11): doi: 10.3390/app9112377.
  27. Hazmi NI, Hanafiah MM. Phytoremediation of livestock wastewater using Azolla fili culoides and Lemna minor. Environ Ecosyst Sci. 2018; 2 (1): 13–1 doi: 10.26480/ees.01.2018.13.16.
  28. Islam MS, Afroz R, Mia MB. Investigation of surface water quality of the Buriganga river in Bangladesh: laboratory and spatial analysis approaches. Dhaka Univ J Biol Sci. 2019; 28 (2): 147–1 doi: 10.3329/dujbs.v28i2.46501.
  29. Jana BB, Jana S. The potential and sustainability of aquaculture in India. J Appl Aquac. 2003; 13 (3–4): 283–316. doi: 1300/J028v13n03_05.
  30. Jin G, Xu J, Mo Y, Tang H, Wei T, Wang YG, Li L. Response of sediments and phosphorus to catchment characteristics and human activities under different rainfall patterns with Bayesian networks. J Hydrol. 2020; 584: doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.124695.
  31. Khan HN, Faisal M. Phytoremediation of industrial wastewater by hydrophytes. Phytoremediat Manage Environ Contaminants. 2018; 6: 179–200. doi: 1007/978-3-319-99651-6_8.
  32. Khan S, Shamshad I, Waqas M, Nawab J, Ming L. Remediating industrial wastewater containing potentially toxic elements with four freshwater algae. Ecol Eng. 2017; 102: 536–5 doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2017.02.038.
  33. Mustafa HM, Hayder G. Evaluation of water lettuce, giant salvinia and water hyacinth systems in phytoremediation of domestic wastewater. H2Open J. 2021; 4 (1): 167–1 doi: 10.2166/h2oj.2021.096.
  34. Morrice JA, Danz NP, Regal RR, Kelly JR, Niemi GJ, Reavie ED, Hollenhorst T, Axler RP, Trebitz AS, Cotter AM, Peterson GS. Human influences on water quality in Great Lakes coastal wetlands. Environ Manage. 2008; 41: 347–3doi: 10.1007/s00267-007-9055-5.
  35. Oh YM, Nelson PV, Hesterberg DL, Niedziela Jr CE. Efficacy of a phosphate‐charged soil material in supplying phosphate for plant growth in soilless root media. Int J Agron. 2016; 2016 (1): doi: 10.1155/2016/8296560.
  36. Okpozu OO, Ogbonna IO, Ikwebe J, Ogbonna JC. Phycoremediation of cassava wastewater by Desmodesmus armatus and the concomitant accumulation of lipids for biodiesel production. Bioresour Technol Rep. 2019; 7: doi: 10.1016/j.biteb.2019.10025.
  37. Suleiman RM, Raimi MO, Sawyerr OH. A deep dive into the review of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) act. Int Res J Appl Sci. 2019; 1 (4): 108–125.
  38. Ng YS, Chan DJ. Phytoremediation capabilities of Spirodela polyrhiza, Salvinia molesta and Lemna sp. in synthetic wastewater: a comparative study. Int J Phytoremediat. 2018; 20 (12): 1179–11
  39. Nuraini Y, Felani M. Phytoremediation of tapioca wastewater using water hyacinth plant (Eichhornia crassipes). J Degraded Mining Lands Manage. 2015; 2 (2):
  40. Pittman K, Hansen MC, Becker-Reshef I, Potapov PV, Justice CO. Estimating global cropland extent with multi-year MODIS data. Remote Sensing. 2010; 2 (7): 1844–18
  1. Richardson AE, Barea JM, McNeill AM, Prigent-Combaret Acquisition of phosphorus and nitrogen in the rhizosphere and plant growth promotion by microorganisms. Plant Soil. 2009; 321: 305–339.
  2. Sarkar M, Islam JB, Akter S. Pollution and ecological risk assessment for the environmentally impacted Turag River, Bangladesh. J Mater Environ Sci. 2016; 7 (7): 2295–2
  3. Sayago UF. Design of a sustainable development process between phytoremediation and production of bioethanol with Eichhornia crassipes. Environ Monitor Assess. 2019; 191 (4): doi: 10.1007/s10661-019- 7328-0.
  4. Tom AP, Jayakumar JS, Biju M, Somarajan J, Ibrahim MA. Aquaculture wastewater treatment technologies and their sustainability: a review. Energy Nexus. 2021; 4: doi: 10.1016/j.nexus.2021.10002.
  5. Turcios AE, Papenbrock J. Sustainable treatment of aquaculture effluents—what can we learn from the past for the future? 2014; 6 (2): 836–856.
  6. Uddin MJ, Jeong YK. Urban river pollution in Bangladesh during last 40 years: potential public health and ecological risk, present policy, and future prospects toward smart water management. Heliyon. 2021; 7 (2): e06107.
  7. United Nations (UN). General Assembly Declares Access to Clean Water and Sanitation Is a Human Right. UN News Centre. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), 2012. Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories. Office of Water, USEPA. Washington, DC, USA: USEPA; 2016.
  8. United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Edition of the Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories. Office of Water, USEPA. Washington DC, USA: USEPA; 2012.
  9. Whitehead P, Bussi G, Hossain MA, Dolk M, Das P, Comber S, Peters R, Charles KJ, Hope R, Hossain MS. Restoring water quality in the polluted Turag-Tongi-Balu river system, Dhaka: modelling nutrient and total coliform intervention strategies. Sci Total Environ. 2018; 631: 223–2 doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.038.
  10. World Health Organization (WHO). UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) 2017 Report: Financing Universal Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene under the Sustainable Development Goals. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2017.
  11. Şener E. Appraisal of groundwater pollution risk by combining the fuzzy AHP and DRASTIC method in the Burdur Saline Lake Basin, SW Turkey. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2023; 30 (8): 21945–219
Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 03
Issue 01
Received 06/11/2024
Accepted 21/12/2024
Published 10/01/2025
Publication Time 65 Days
406

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics