Experimental use of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) wetland for treating flowing waters in an urban park in Brazil

Autores

  • Luciana Capuano Mascarenhas Universidade de São Paulo
  • Arisvaldo Vieira Mello Junior Universidade de São Paulo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14210/bjast.v20n2.7259

Resumo

This study tested water treatment wetlands in an urban park located in São Paulo, Brazil. Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) was introduced into two creeks inside the park, to assess the efficacy of wetlands in treating flowing waters. The plant adaptation to local conditions was very good. Higher removals were obtained in Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity and Color (maximum removal > 70%); TKN, Total Phosphorus and Fecal Coliforms had satisfactory removals (maximum removal > 50%). BOD presented low removals and Dissolved Oxygen was consumed, indicating that aerobic processes occurred. Despite the experiment’s difficulties and results’ variance, the study shows that water hyacinth has potential to treat flowing water, especially when there’s an urgent need for meeting sanitary and aesthetical standards in urban parks. 

Biografia do Autor

Luciana Capuano Mascarenhas, Universidade de São Paulo

Engenharia Ambiental - departamento de Engenharia Hidráulica e Ambiental da Escola Politécnica da USP

Arisvaldo Vieira Mello Junior, Universidade de São Paulo

PhD in Civil Engineering, professor from the Hydraulics and Environmental Department (PHA) of Escola Politécnica, USP.

Downloads

Publicado

2016-10-13

Edição

Seção

Artigos