- By Leane C. Armada, Mel Rose A. Figueroa, Sophia B. Ormides, Jeremy Jan L. Plagata, Annel Nicole L. Romero, John Danielle Y. Sobretodo, and Stella G. Fernandez (Co-Researcher/Adviser)
ABSTRACT
This experimental study aimed to develop a household wastewater phytoremediation system using Pistia stratiotes and Eichhornia crassipes as natural purifiers. The surfactant removal efficiency from household wastewater was determined in the study. Wastewater was collected in three replicates through random sampling on days 1, and 6th day from the constructed wastewater phytoremediation system. Findings indicated that after a six-day treatment, the average surfactant decreased to 0.001mg/L for both P. stratiotes and E. crassipes. Additionally, there were reductions pH levels (7.1 and 6.5), BOD levels (9 mg/L and 10 mg/L), oil and grease levels (2 mg/L and 3 mg/L), while DO levels increase (9 mg/L and 9 mg/L) for both species. Conducting a dependent t-test for the pre- and post-tests for both plants revealed a notable disparity in the pH, BOD, oil and grease, and surfactant levels at a significant level of 0.05. Following a three-day period, P. stratiotes exhibited an 84.825% removal efficiency for surfactants, while E. crassipes demonstrated a higher efficiency at 95.42%. By the sixth day, the removal efficiency for both setups reached 99.94%. Through the application of ANOVA and Bonferroni Post-Hoc Analysis, there was a significant difference in the amount of surfactants when compared to DAO-2016-08, with p-values of P. stratiotes = 9.387×10-6 and E. crassipes = 1.112×10-5. The efficiency of the designed household wastewater treatment system was proven, as the tested parameters aligned with DAO-2016-08 on Day 6 of the treatment in both setups.