BIOTREATMENT OF WASTEWATER STABILIZATION POND USING WATER HYACINTH FOR AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS
Biofiltration of wastewater bodies has recently gained popularity in many countries, not only for domestic and municipal applications but also for agricultural purposes. Water quality is a critical factor of consideration for optimum growth, nutrient utilization, and survival of aquatic animals and plants. High concentrations of heavy elements in a pathogenic-laden water environment have led to many deaths and stunted growth of animals and plants. Using water hyacinth – a biofilter is one way of removing pollutants from a water body. This is one method by which rivers and streams are naturally purified of pollutants and contaminants. The technology of water hyacinth biofiltration of wastewater bodies was applied to treat the wastewater of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) waste stabilization pond (WSP) in the southeastern state of Nigeria. The study investigated the physicochemical properties of the UNN wastewater stabilization pond effluent using water hyacinth as a biofilter. The aim was to determine the effect of water hyacinth on the treatment of wastewater of the UNN waste stabilization pond and whether the filtrate can support farming activities around the WSP environs. The physicochemical properties of the wastewater investigated were the ammonia (NH3), Nitrate (NO3), Chlorine (CL), pH, and Copper (CU) concentration levels respectively. Wastewater from the pond was collected and subjected to laboratory analysis before and after the biofiltration processes. The results of the experimental investigation showed that the ammonia (NH3), nitrate (NO3), chlorine (CL), PH, and copper (Cu) concentrations were reduced from 1.2 mg/l – 0.80 mg/l; 2.5 mg/l – 2.1 mg/l; 99mg/l – 90mg/l; 6.8 – 6.7 and 0.011 mg/l – 0.00 mg/l respectively under 45 days of biofiltration process using water hyacinth in three replicates. Observation showed that the filtrates (treated water) could be useful in many applications like fish farming, and dry season irrigation of crops and plants around the wastewater stabilization pond environs. Useful applications of the WSP would enhance and boost economic activities within the University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus community. The use of water hyacinth biofiltration is a sine qua non recommendation for freshwater recovery from wastewater bodies, especially in areas where water is scarce for agricultural practices.
Keywords: Biotreatment, wastewater, UNN, water, hyacinth, Fish, farming
