Salvinia auriculata in post-treatment of dairy industry wastewater

The present study aimed to evaluate the aquatic macrophyte Savinia auriculata in post-treatment of wastewater from a dairy industry. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse between February and March 2015. A batch system was used, each reactor was composed of polyethylene and had capacity of 250 liters of post-treated effluent. Every seven days, pH, turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand and series of solids (total, fixed and volatile) were determined in the wastewater. Besides that, the concentration of macro and micronutrients (P, N, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) were determined in the wastewater and in plant tissue before and after the experiment. The results showed efficiency in the decrease of N, P, turbidity, pH, solids (ST, SF) and inefficiency in the reduction of volatile solids in the wastewater. The concentration of COD, Ca, Mn, Mg, and Fe increased at the end of the experiment. Due to the absorption of some nutrients such as N and P it is possible to conclude that Salvinia auriculata is a good option for the post-treatment of the wastewater from dairy industry. However, plant senescence promotes the elevation of some elements in the effluent because in this process, nutrients that were previously retained in the plant tissue are inserted into the wastewater again. Because of this it is necessary to remove plants of the reactor in the beginning of the process of senescence.