Stoneworts (chara, nitella) as a tool for sustainable Treatment of low strength wastewaters

Abstract

Lack of sustainability is evident in many existing wastewater treatment technologies. Wetlands and/or plant mediated remediation (phytoremediation) seemed to be a good answer in this regard. However greatest problem with this technology is the fate of plants that going to be rich in a particular contaminant, as upon senescence the contaminant it accumulated will get released to water. Thus as an answer to this shortcoming we have tested the applicability of stoneworts for the phytoremediation of low polluted wastewaters. Two independent experimentations were conducted to check the remediation of phosphorous (P) and heavy metals (chromium and cadmium). Results suggest stoneworts managed to store considerable portion of all these contaminants in redox insensitive forms. Thus we conclude stonewort mediated phytoremediation to be promising sustainable technique within the ranges and conditions investigated.