• Hala Arshad Ali
  • University of Anbar, Upper Euphrates Basin Developing Centre, Iraq.
  • Email: halah.ali267@uoanbar.edu.iq.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study investigated the potential of Phragmites australis (common reed) for phytoremediation of fertilizer manufacturing effluent contaminated with nitrogen and phosphorus. Our primary objective was to assess the efficiency of P. australis in removing these nutrients under varying concentrations. Methods: We conducted a 16-week experiment using wastewater samples from a local fertilizer plant, with treatments including control, low load (50 mg/L N, 10 mg/L P), and high load (100 mg/L N, 20 mg/L P). Results: Results demonstrated remarkable removal efficiencies, reaching 96.8% for nitrogen and 98.3% for phosphorus at moderate loads. Even at higher concentrations, P. australis showed substantial removal capabilities. Temporal analysis revealed that the majority of nutrient removal occurred within the first 8 weeks. The reed exhibited enhanced growth and biomass production under nutrient-rich conditions, with total biomass increases of up to 119.3% compared to the control. Conclusion: We conclude that P. australis is a highly effective phytoremediation agent for fertilizer-contaminated industrial wastewater. The study recommends implementing periodic harvesting to maintain optimal performance and exploring the potential for biomass valorization. These findings have significant implications for sustainable industrial wastewater management, offering a nature-based solution that combines effective pollutant removal with potential resource recovery.

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