Abstract:
Phosphorous is one of the major nutrients, which contribute for increased eutrophicationof
lakes and natural waters. Aquatic plants can be used to reduce the phosphorus in water and
commonly used in wastewater treatment plants. In this experiment, Limnocharis flava, Pistia stratiotes
and Ipomea aquatica were used, which are common invasive plants in Sri Lanka. The batch
experiment demonstrates that the nutrient removal efficiency at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 5 day
is best suit for phosphorus treatment from nutrient enriched water using constructed wetlands with
mixed plant cultures. Continuous flow constructed wetland with Limnocharis flava: Ipomoea
aquatica (3:1) mixed plant culture where it obtained the highest total phosphorus removal efficiency as
67%. So, this research is an application of continuous flow constructed wetland for removing
Phosphorus nutrient enriched water using emergent- floating plant combination of Limnocharis flava:
Ipomea aquatica (3:1) at HRT of 5 day.
