EFFICIENCY OF PISTIA STRATIOTES IN THE TREATMENT OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE LEACHATE IN AN UPWARDS FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND SYSTEMMukesh Ruhela, Binod Kumar Jena, Sweta Bhardawaj, Rakesh Bhutiani and Faheem AhamadAbstract Constructed wetlands (cw) are one of the effective treatment technologies that have been used to treat various kinds of wastewater and leachate and are very economical and cost-effective, simple and easy to operate, without any complex technology. The BOD5/COD ratio of raw leachate was observed as low (0.27), indicating it as biodegradable leachate. That's why for the treatment of this leachate, CW's methods are used. The main objective of the present study is to assess the efficiency of CW's for the treatment of landfill leachate. To fulfill the objectives of the present study an upwards flow engineered wetland was constructed using gravel, sand and plant (Pistia stratiotes). The efficiency of CW's was assessed for 21 parameters such as TDS, COD, BOD, NH4-N, Fluoride, TKN, and Heavy metals, etc. The maximum removal efficiency was observed in the case of BOD (97.58%) followed by COD (97.03%), Turbidity (87.09%) and Sulphate (85.89%) while minimum efficiency was observed in case of pH (8.24%). Due to the large removal efficiency observed in the present study and based on literature, it can be said that CW's methods would play a major role in the sustainable management of wastewater. |