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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements

Hydroponics: A Versatile System to Study Nutrient Allocation and Plant Responses to Nutrient Availability and Exposure to Toxic Elements

Published on: July 13, 2016

Hydroponics reducing effluent's heavy metals discharge.

Abdellah Rababah¹, Ahmad Al-Shuha

¹German Jordanian University, Water Engineering & Management, P.O.Box 35247, Amman, 11180, Jordan. abdellah.rababah@gju.edu.jo

Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research

|January 20, 2009

Summary

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponics can remove significant heavy metals from treated wastewater, but lettuce accumulation exceeds safety levels. Non-edible crops are recommended for this wastewater treatment method.

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Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Vegetated Treatment Systems for Removing Contaminants Associated with Surface Water Toxicity in Agriculture and Urban Runoff

Published on: May 15, 2017

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Agricultural Engineering
Water Treatment

Background:

Treated wastewater irrigation presents challenges for heavy metal removal.
Hydroponic systems offer potential for water remediation and crop production.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the heavy metal removal capacity of a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic system using primary treated wastewater.
To assess the suitability of lettuce cultivation in this system and determine heavy metal accumulation in plant tissues.

Main Methods:

A commercial hydroponic system was adapted to irrigate lettuce with primary treated wastewater.
A control system irrigated lettuce with standard nutrient solution.
Heavy metal concentrations in the effluent and plant tissues were analyzed.

Main Results:

Lettuce grew successfully with primary treated wastewater irrigation.
The NFT system demonstrated high removal efficiencies for Chromium (>92%), Nickel (>85%), Boron, Lead, and Zinc (>60%).
Removal efficiencies for Arsenic, Cadmium, and Copper were below 30%, and lettuce accumulated heavy metals exceeding European and Australian safety standards.

Conclusions:

The NFT system effectively removes certain heavy metals, but not all.
Lettuce is unsuitable for consumption due to heavy metal accumulation.
Non-edible, high-value crops like flowers or pyrethrum are recommended for wastewater remediation using NFT.