Investigating the capacity of hydroponic system using lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in the removal of pollutants from greywater while ensuring food security

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the removal of nutrients, organic pollutants and fecal bacteria from greywater while evaluating the growth and yields of lettuce using hydroponic system. Lettuces grow in hydroponic systems irrigated with untreated greywater, and fresh well water, separately. Nutrients, organic pollutants, and fecal bacteria of dishwashing greywater were monitored. Agronomical and microbiological parameters of lettuce were investigated. The results showed that removal efficiencies forammonia (NH4 + ), nitrate (NO3 -), and total phosphorus (TP) were 78 %, 87 % and 56 %, respectively. The organic pollutants removal efficiencies were higher than 50% for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), 5days Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The removal efficiencies are 88.68 % and 81.94 % for E. coli, and fecal coliforms, respectively. The fecal bacteria were not observed in the lettuce leaves. Besides, the lettuces irrigated with greywater produced higher biomass than the ones irrigated with fresh well water. The hydroponic system could be an alternative for greywater treatment and ensuring food security.