ABSTRACT
The performance of Pistia Stratiotes for organic matter and ammoniacal nitrogen removal was monitored in a surface sequencing baffled steep flow constructed wetland reactor at various intensity of sunlight. The reactor has 5 compartments of various sizes (C1–C5). Pistia Stratiotes were planted in all the compartments of the reactor. Influent wastewater was applied to compartment 1 (C1) at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 10.2m3/m.d−1 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 6 hours. The average organic loading rate (OLR) and ammonia loading rate (ALR) were in the range 6–8 gCOD/m3.m.d−1 and 0.15–0.25 gNH+ −N/m3.m.d−1 respectively. Reactor temperature was daily monitored alongside sample collection at 9 AM, 12 PM, 3 PM and 7 PM respectively for 7 days. On day 4, (3 PM at 35.9°C) NH+ 4-N removal reached 94%. COD removal reached 50–55% between 9 AM and 12 PM but fluctuated between 5–14% at 7 PM from day 1 to day 7. This study demonstrates that temperature can influence the performance of Pistia Stratiotes.
