Use of Aquatic Plants in Mine Wastewater Purification

Abstract

A comparative study of the role of some aquatic plants in the biological treatment of wastewater from the “Koch-Bulak” mine of the Angren mining department were carried out. The experiments were taken in laboratory conditions in aquariums. Hydrochemical and elemental analyses of wastewater from the Koch-Bulak mine of the Angren mining department were carried out  before and after the cultivation of Carolina azolla, Pistis teloreous and Eichhornia crassipes. Features of the growth and development of the studied plants in the mine wastewater are identified. The smallest increase in biomass in the laboratory showed Carolina azolla, the largest - Pistis teloreous. Elemental composition of the studied plants was carried out by the neutron activation analysis. Specific and organ-specific differences in the accumulation of chemical elements in the biomass of aquatic macrophytes are revealed as well. The study results revealed possibilities of use of the aquatic plants: Carolina azolla, Pistis teloreous and Eichhornia crassipes for the purpose of mine waters’ purification with high effectiveness.