Heavy metal (iron) removal from landfill eachate by using two-stage constructed wetlands planted with Limnocharis flava and Eichhornia crassipes

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to treat heavy metal present in landfill leachate by the use of two-stage constructed wetland and planted with Limnocharis flava and Eichhornia crassipes. This study also examine the amount of heavy metal (Fe) taken off by roots and leaves of Limnocharis flava and Eichhornia crassipes in constructed wetland system. The system were arranged in series and operated at a flow rate of 0.014 m3/s and hydraulic retention times of 7 hours and 10 hours in subsurface flow (SSF) and free water surface (FWS) constructed wetland, respectively. The performance of constructed wetlands were analysed with compared to unplanted system (as Control). Removal of heavy metals by SSF-FWS constructed wetlands were achieved more than 95% after end of treatment. And, Limnocharis flava had higher capacity to accumulate heavy metals (Fe) in leachate constituents compared than Eichhornia crassipes.