IMPROVING THE WASTE WATER QUALITY OF CATFISH FARMING POND THROUGH PHYTOREMEDIATION PROCESS BATCH CULTURE SYSTEM USING VARIOUS TYPES OF LOCAL HYDROMACROPHYTES

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the batch culture phytoremediation model conducted in a 30 L bucket with sand and gravel as a substrate in reducing pollutants from post-harvest catfish farming ponds. This true experimental study used a completely randomised design with the treatments of hydromacrophytes of emergent, floating, submerged, and polycultures of the three hydromacrophytes and controls without hydromacrophytes. Each treatment was repeated three times. The effectiveness of this model was monitored using physicochemical water parameters, Chironomidae density, and the biotic index of diatom [Trophic Diatom Index (TDI) and Percentage of Pollution Tolerant Value (%PTV)]. After incubation, monitoring was done on days 10, 15, 20, and 25. The results showed that the phytoremediation process had successfully reduced the suspended solid and nitrate levels in the water starting from day ten after incubation. The levels of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) decreased significantly after 25 days. The level of organic matter pollution based on the %PTV and density of Chironomidae was significantly reduced after 15 days of incubation. However, the phosphate level was still high, and the water trophic status was hypereutrophic. The most effective treatment for the phytoremediation process in this study is submerged hydromacrophytes.