The role of egeria in removing nitrogen and phosphorus from nutrient enriched waters

The growth of Elodea deusa (Planch) under non-limiting nutrient conditions was studied in outdoor tanks. The nutrient medium simulated nutrient concentrations commonly observed in sewage effluents. The preferential uptake of nitrogen by egeria when supplied with equal amounts of ammonium and nitrate...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aquatic plant management 1987-01, Vol.25 (1), p.14-19
Main Authors: Reddy, K R, Tucker, J C, Debusk, W F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Elodea densa
Freshwater
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Summary:The growth of Elodea deusa (Planch) under non-limiting nutrient conditions was studied in outdoor tanks. The nutrient medium simulated nutrient concentrations commonly observed in sewage effluents. The preferential uptake of nitrogen by egeria when supplied with equal amounts of ammonium and nitrate was also studied. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal coefficients for summer were about twice those for winter. Ammonium was preferred to nitrate. Plant uptake removed 25-50 per cent of added nitrogen and 53-56 per cent of added phosphorus removal was 30-70 per cent. Nitrogen removal rates were 186 mg per m2.day in winter and 408 mg in summer. Phosphorus removal rates were 122 mg per m2.day in winter and 228 mg in summer. The submersed aquatic macrophyte, egeria, had potential for stripping nitrogen and phosphorus from nutrient rich waters.
ISSN:0146-6623