Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewaters by phytoremediation using water hyacinth ieichhornia crassipiesy

Abstract

Water hyacinth (Eichhomia crassipes [Mart.] Solms.) is one of the most prominent freefloating aquatic weeds found throughout the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In Sri Lanka the water hyacinth was first introduced in 1904 to the Botanical Gardens. Since then it has been recognized as one of the most troublesome aquatic weeds in many freshwater bodies. However it has been documented that water hyacinth has a unique ability to remove nutrients and heavy metals from polluted waters.