Comparative Analysis of Hydrocotyle umbellata, Pistia stratiotes & Eichhorina crassipess for the Removal of Contaminants in Domestic Wastewater

The aim of the present study was to determine the performance of aquatic macrophytes in the treatment lagoons at NARC, Islamabad. The analytical procedure given by APHA (2005) was followed for the determination of physical parameters (pH, EC and TDS) and chemical parameters (Cl -1 , SO2 -1 and NO3 -1 ) of the domestic wastewater. Rhizofilteration efficiency of the experimental plants was in sequence as Pistia stratiotes>Eichhornia crassipess>Hydrocotyle umbellatta at average temperature of 33 o C while Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipess showed maximum removal efficiency at 31 o C whereas Hydrocotyle umbellatta at 35 o C. This biologically treated domestic wastewater can be used for irrigating farmlands and parks. Keyword: Hydrocotyle umbellata, Pistia stratiotes, Eichhorina crassipess, contaminants, domestic, wastewater