Laboratory investigation of the phosphorus removal of two aquatic plants

Two aquatic macrophytes (Lythrum salicaria and Alisma plantago-aquatica) were grown in monoculture to test the relative growth rate(RGR) and abilities of removing total phosphorus (TP) by the manipulative indoor experiment. A nutrient treatment consisted of two levels of phosphorus [ low (3 mg L-1 N) and high (12 mg L-1 N)]of nutrient solution. Result revealed that nutrients had significant affect on the RGR, however the RGR of the species was non-significant. The results showed that TP in wastewater were significantly higher from unvegetated microcosms compared to vegetated. L. salicaria was shown to be best removal effect with the removal rates of 81.7% and 91.1% at low and high concentrations of TP.