Effectiveness of Sagittaria lancifolia as Detergent Phytoremediator

Abstract

The extensive use of detergent causes a high level of it to contaminate water body. This study was aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Sagittaria lancifolia plant as a phytoremediator for water contaminated with detergents. Sagittaria lancifolia was planted in medium exposed to detergent at various levels (10, 50, 75 ppm) with two different detention times (7 and 14 days). Remediated water was tested of its toxicity using Xiphophorus maculatus. LAS removal rate, BOD, plant morphology, and mortality of X. maculatus were recorded. The result showed that S. lancifolia had a high level of LAS removal rate, the longer detention time (81.53 ± 0.37% at 14 days) with significantly lower BOD (27.48 ± 0.78mg/L). Plant leaves showed signs of necrosis and chlorosis during detergent exposure. Detergent water remediated for 14 days induced the lowest rate of mortality in Xiphophorus maculatus. Thus, Sagittaria lancifolia can be applied to remove the organic contaminant from the water body.

Keywords

• environment