Using Bahia and Bermuda Grass to Remediate Municipal Solid Waste Leachate Under Hydroponic Condition

Leachate from landfills and other municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal sites poses environmental risks, particularly to groundwater and surface water. Traditional leachate treatment methods are not often cost-intensive, necessitating the exploration of cost-effective alternatives like phytoremediation. This study investigates the potential of two grass species, Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) and Paspalum notatum (Bahia grass), for phytoremediation of heavy metals in MSW leachate under hydroponic conditions. Leachate samples were collected from a compost and recycling plant in Kumasi while seedlings of the grasses for phytoremediation were sourced from the Parks and Gardens Department in South Suntreso, Ashanti Region, Ghana. Results indicate cadmium content ranges from 0.03 to 0.04 mg/l, arsenic content from 0.06 to 0.08 mg/l, and mercury and lead contents of 0.05 to 0.07 mg/l each. The findings showed Bermuda grass reduced arsenic by 52.2%, mercury by 50%, lead by 43.8%, and cadmium by 27.3% in the 80% leachate treatment, while Bahia grass and Bermuda grass achieved a reduction of over 70% for arsenic and mercury under high leachate concentrations of 80% and 100%. A comparison of means analysis showed that Bermuda grass was effective in the removal of Cd (p = 0.027) and As (p = 0.027) as compared to Bahia grass. This research underscores the potential of using indigenous grass species for phytoremediation of MSW leachate in Ghana, providing a cost-effective, environmentally friendly solution to mitigate the environmental impact of leachate contamination. The findings suggest that both Bermuda and Bahia grasses could be integrated into sustainable waste management practices to enhance leachate treatment efficiency.