Assessment of the Impacts of Phyto-Remediation on Water Quality of the Litani River by Means of Two Wetland Plants (Sparganium erectum and Phragmites australis)

Water pollution from human activities is largely a result of the discharge wastewater and industrial waste into rivers. Phytoremediation, technique that uses plants to remove pollutants polluted waters, growing field research because its various environmental advantages. This study aims evaluate efficiency constructed wetland in removing treating waters Litani River Lebanon, by means two aquatic plants, Phragmites australis Sparganium erectum. Results showed levels physicochemical biological parameters measured on water samples at downstream were lower than those obtained upstream. revealed average removal was 41% for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 54% (BOD5), 97% nitrate (NO3−), 40% nitrite (NO2−), 67% phosphate (PO43−), while it negative (−62%) sulfate (SO42−), indicating an increase content treated effluent returning river. On other hand, most characteristics within provisional limits body set Ministry Environment (MoE) Lebanese Wastewater Reuse Guidelines Food Agricultural Organization United Nations (FAO). Statistical analyses also significant variations (p < 0.5) among sampling sites along wetland. Our findings clearly demonstrate phytoremediation viable solution competitive environment improve quality contaminated acting as sink contaminants. The gained experience may be scalable environments across country.