Growth characteristics and efficiency of duckweeds (Lemna minor) in swine wastewater treatments

Abstract

The growth characteristics and efficiency of duckweeds in treatment and removal of swine wastewater contaminants was investigated. The present study finds out that duckweeds (Lemna minor) have the potential in treating swine wastewater through reduction of the Chemical oxygen demand as indicated in all the dilutions used as treatments. Results also showed the potential of duckweeds in nitrogen accumulation which has a potential to be used as an organic fertilizer to be used for crop production since chemical fertilizers increases production cost compared to organic fertilizers such as decomposed duckweeds. However, in metals like lead and mercury no significant results were noted. Thus, duckweed may effectively help to reduce water eutrophication by utilizing nitrogen, phosphorus, and inorganic nutrition in wastewater enhancing also the water quality. The use of duckweed as potential accumulator of nutrients can also be used later as organic fertilizers which can enhance crop production and reduced costing of inputs especially in production of horticultural crops like vegetables.