Investigation of the Effectiveness of Aquatic Plants in Filtering Contaminated Water

Abstract

Population growth and rapid urbanization are major contributors to global clean water scarcity in 21st-century societies. Modern wastewater treatment plants and filtration systems require significant economic and land resources, which many developing countries lack. Consequently, large volumes of untreated sewage are released into the environment, leaving millions without access to clean water. To address this demand, constructed wetlands utilizing aquatic plants (macrophytes) have emerged as a sustainable solution. These systems filter contaminated water through natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils, and associated microbial communities. In this study, Typha (cattail) and Pontederia crassipes (water hyacinth) were tested in a simulated constructed wetland to evaluate their pollutant removal efficiency (nitrates, ammonium, pH, and dissolved oxygen). Results demonstrated that both species effectively filtered contaminants and improved water quality via phytoaccumulation. However, no clear correlation emerged between dissolved oxygen levels and root contact time, possibly due to environmental factors. Further research is needed to quantitatively understand phytoaccumulation processes-including contaminant uptake limits and plateau points-to optimize Typha and Pontederia crassipes applications in practical constructed wetlands.