Efficiency of Canna indica, Phragmites australis and Eichhornia crassipes in Remediation of Leachate Through a Vertical Flow Constructed Wetland

Leachate treatment and disposal from landfills is one of major environment concern. Leachate contains various pollutants which may cause various environmental and health problem to terrestrial and aquatic living bodies. In the Present study, Landfill leachate was collected from Okhla landfill, New Delhi and treatment of leachate was done by using laboratory scale vertical flow treatment grown with Canna indica, Phragmites australis and Eichhornia crassipes, respectively. The experimental plots were obtained by set up of four different flow rates by balancing the inflow manipulations to obtain detention times of 1,7,14 for 21 days. The reduction of COD, BOD, NH4-N, TSS and heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, As, Pb, Ni, Fe, Zn and V) were investigated for 21 days. Average removal efficiency (%) for VCW (W1) planted with Canna indica showed 77.7%, 78.7%, 63.6%, and 76.7% for COD, BOD, NH4-N and TSS, respectively. Heavy metal removal (%) efficiencies of W1 planted with Canna indica was 60%, 82.5%, 100%, 29.37%, 27.9%, 62.67%, 13.33%, 44.5%, 75.2% and 78.85% for As, Cr, Cd, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn and V, in given order. VCW(W2) planted with Eicchornia crassipes species has shown reduction efficiency (%) of COD (68.5%), BOD (52%), NH4-N (45.4%), TSS (92.75%), respectively and in case of heavy metal 89.9% Cr, 100% Cd, 53.49% Cu, 62.7% Co, 85.2% Fe, 67.9% Ni, 76.2% Pb, 83.08% Zn, 65% As and 61.15% V, respectively. VCW (W3) planted with Phragmites australis exhibited removal efficiency (%) of COD (68.5%), BOD (52%), NH4-N (45.4%) and TSS (92.7%), respectively. Phragmites australis was able to remove As (100%), Cd (100%), Cr (89.9%), Cu (53.49%), Co (62.7%), Fe (85.82%), Ni (67.9%), Pb (76.2%), V (61.15%) and Zn (83.08%), respectively. All the three species were able to remove Cd (100 %). However, Canna indica (W1) has highest removal efficiencies (%) of COD (77.7%), BOD (78.7%) and NH4-N (63.6 %), respectively. Eicchornia crassipes has highest reduction efficiency (%) of TSS (92.75%), Cr (89.9%), Cd (100%), Cu (53.49%), Co (62.7%), Fe (85.2%), Ni (67.9%), Pb (76.2%) and Zn (83.08%), respectively. Phragmites australis was found good for removal of As (100 %) and Cd (100%). The result highlighted that these plant species can be used as single in lab scale Constructed wetland for the treatment Organic pollutants and heavy metals from landfill leachate.