Determining the Growth and Wastewater Treatment Ability of Para Grass (Brachiaria mutica) Vegetation in the Stabilization Ponds

Abstract

The use of aquatic plants to treat wastewater is an environmentally friendly solution. In this study, Para grass (Brachiaria Mutica) is grownin a water stabilization pond. Studying the growth cycle of Para grass for 35 days showed that the grass grew relatively fast in the first 20 days, but starting from day 20 21 the grass started to blossom and grew more slowly. Para grassgrew equally in the first 12 days in both rainy and dry seasons. However, Para grass grows in the rainy season is better than in the dry season in the next 12 days. In the 24 day cycle, 1m 2 of dry grass contain the highest yield of 174.6g of carbohydrate, 18.97g of nitrogen and 2.85g of phosphorus. The stabilization pond which is covered by Para grass treated wastewater well. When the flow rate is reduced to 0, 25 m 3 /h, this system is capable of handling pollutants such as COD; total N, total P which is better than 0, 35 m 3 /h. Para grass is capable of growing rapidly, unregenerate. Para grass is also more suitable than water spinach and water hyacinth because these plants have a rotting cycle that causes secondary water pollution. This research direction is suitable for the current sustainable development trend: using the method with low cost, friendly to the environment, easy to operate and use plant species which are available in Vietnam.