Potential of local plant Eleocharis dulcis for wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands system: review

Plants have a vital role in constructed wetlands because they provide oxygen in removing pollutants, as a medium of microorganisms, as absorbers of nutrients and other pollutants, must be resistant to high levels of pollutant loads and stressful conditions. Several plants have potential for constructed wetland, namely Phragmites sp., Typha sp., Canna indica, Colocasia esculenta, Eichornia crassipes, Eleocharis dulcis , and others. Eleocharis dulcis is a local plant commonly found in South Kalimantan. Eleocharis dulcis in the local, namely Purun tikus, grows in tidal swamps and grows in areas of high soil acidity (pH 2.5 – 3.5). Eleocharis dulcis can be used in tackling reclamation waste of acid sulfate soil which can absorb 1.45% of N elements; Cu 15 ppm; P 0.08%; Zn 48 ppm; Mg 0.16%; Fe 1.386 ppm; S 0.18%; Mn 923 ppm; K 2.05%; and Ca 0.22%. According to several studies that have been carried out, Eleocharis dulcis have been shown to reduce several pollutant loads such as Hg 99.84%; Pb; Cd; Fe 85.68%; SO 4 ; Mn 78.94%; BOD 98.74%; COD 98.73%; and turbidity 80% also. The local plant Eleocharis dulcis can be potentially used as wastewater treatment, especially in a constructed wetland systems.