Phytoremediation Potential of Typha orientalis and Scirpus littoralis in Removal of Nitrogen and Phosphorus from Intensive Whiteleg Shrimp Wastewater

¹ College of Environment and Natural Resources, Can Tho University, Vietnam
² Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ole Worms Allé, Building 1135, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

^* Corresponding author: ntdtrang@ctu.edu.vn
^* Corresponding author’s address: Can Tho University, College of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Environmental Sciences, Campus II, 3/2 Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, Vietnam. Cell: +84 (0) 909 243 703; Fax: +84 (292) 730392
(hans.brix@biology.au.dk)

Abstract

The rapid development of whiteleg shrimp farming in the Mekong delta of Vietnam has an adverse impact on the environment due to large amount of nitrogen and phosphorus content in wastewater and pond sludge/sediment. Phytoremediation is a promising technique to use plant for mitigating environmental impacts from intensively whiteleg shrimp culture. Growth responses, nitrogen and phosphorus removal of Typha orientalis and Scirpus littoralis were assessed at three water levels of +15 cm, +30 cm and +45 cm. They were arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. The plants were supplied wastewater from intensive whiteleg shrimp tanks once every two weeks. Waterlogged assessment was conducted for 71 days. Water levels significantly affected plant growth rate and nutrient removal capacity. S. littoralis grew well with a lower mortality rate and had no statistical reduction of biomass compared to T. orientalis at the highest water level of +45 cm. T. orientalis had the best perfromance in growth and biomass responses to waterlogged at water levels of +15 cm and +30 cm. The results indicated that S. littoralis was the best of choice to grow in waterlogged condition of the shrimp pond for maintaining water quality.