Performance of <i>Limoniastrum guyonianum</i> in nutrient removal and tolerance in Halloufa Wetland, Algeria

Phytoremediation is an effective and sustainable method for removing pollutants from wastewater. This study investigates the phytoremediation capabilities of <i>Limoniastrum guyonianum</i>, a halophytic Saharan plant species, for excess phosphorus and nitrogen in domestic wastewater. The plants were sourced from the "<i>Halloufa</i>" wetland, a wastewater discharge area in the north of El-Oued, south-eastern Algeria. The research was conducted using pilot-scale circular beds designed for phytoremediation, each with an 18-liter capacity, filled with layers of gravel and a clay-sand mixture. These beds were part of a vertical surface flow system at the National Sanitation Office (ONA) domestic wastewater treatment facility in El-Oued, Algeria. The results demonstrated significant improvements in water quality parameters. Treatment with <i>L. guyonianum</i> reduced pH values from 8.07 to 7.64 and decreased turbidity from 116.25 NTU to 8.87 NTU. The mean concentration values of ammonia, phosphate, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅) were reduced by 99.22%, 55.58%, and 78.6%, respectively. The study concludes that <i>L. guyonianum</i> is highly efficient in remediating nitrogen contaminants, effective in reducing phosphorus levels, and capable of lowering biochemical oxygen demand. <i>L. guyonianum</i> presents a nontoxic, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative for wastewater treatment in the "<i>Halloufa</i>" wetland, highlighting its potential for application in bioremediation processes.