Determination of the potential for bioremediation and nutrient bioindicator of swine wastewater by floating macrophytes (Lemna minuta) - Effect of high rates of ammoniacal nitrogen

• Main Authors: Marlen Erika Caris, André S. P. de Andrade, Luiz Sérgio Philippi
• Format: Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina 2008-01-01
• Series: Evidência
• Subjects: Lemna minuta; Pig farming wastewater; Bioremedy; Bioindication; Ammoniacal nitrogen.
• Online Access: http://editora.unoesc.edu.br/index.php/evidencia/article/view/1874/946
• ISSN: 1519-5287; 2236-6059

This study aimed to contribute to the sustainability of pig farming in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil by proposing to use Lemna minuta as a bioremedy and bioindicator of wastewater. The efficiency of Lemna minuta was tested in different concentrations of ammonia nitrogen. The experiment was executed in five tanks with 5 liters each, that were feed with 2 liters of wastewater from the treatment processes in different concentrations: 100% of wastewater (Lemna 1); 75% of wastewater (Lemna 2); 50% of wastewater (Lemna 3); 25% of wastewater (Lemna 4) and the last received 100% of distilled water (Lemna 5), added floating macrophytes.. The results show that the macrophytes in the tanks Lemna 3 and 4 had better development, achieving the greatest growth and biomass formation, besides the best removal of nutrients from the liquid environment. The best overall performance was in a range of concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen between 20mg.L e 50 mg.L, the best removal efficiency was of 60% (Lemna 3). To the orthophosphate, the best remotion was 51% (Lemna 4). The increase in oxidized nitrogen indicated the nitrification and nitration process. Lemna minuta shows potential as a bioremediation for water suffering from the impact caused by pig farming, so a bioindication of pollution of this type.