Assessment of the effectiveness of treatment of wastewater-contaminated aquatic systems with Lemna gibba

Lemna gibba grown on mixtures of Nile-to-wastewater ratio of 1:1 (C) and 1:3 (D) exhibited maximum gain in fresh and dry weights. The Lemna system was capable of efficient quantitative and qualitative algal reduction. Maximum efficiency in algal removal was achieved in mixture “C” (94.4%). The ammonia rate of reduction was markedly high in mixtures enriched with wastewater with a complete depletion of any detectable nitrogen. The protein content in Lemna tissue increased upon enrichment with wastewater, and reached a maximum of 47.1% in mixture “D,” with a maximum increase in all amino acids. Lys content markedly increased by 105%. The treatment showed a maximum reduction in Fe and Zn in water mixture “D,” which correlated with their maximum bioaccumulation level in L. gibba tissue. Lemna gibba performed 100% efficient Mn removal after 16 days in all treated mixtures with minimum accumulation in the tissue.