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Aquatic Plant Systems
Aquatic systems in waste treatment are either free floating
growths harnessed in the form of built-up ponds for waste
treatment such as duckweed and hyacinth ponds or rooted
vegetations (reeds) which emerge out of shallow waters cultivated
in constructed wetlands.
Natural wetlands exists all over the world. They generally
have saturated soil conditions and abound in rooted
vegetation which emerges out of shallow waters in the
euphotic zone. They may also have phytoplankton. Natural
wetlands can be integrated with wastewater treatment
systems.
Constructed
wetlands are man-made for treatment of
wastewater, mine drainage, storm drainage, etc. They have
rooted vegetation.
Longitudinal Section Through a Typical Reed Bed With Gravel,
Sand or Selected Soil With Horizontal Flow of Wastewater

Aquatic plant ponds consisting of free floating macrophytes,
such as water hyacinths, duckweeds, etc. have been cultured
in ponds either for their ability to remove heavy metals,
phenols, nutrients, etc. from wastewaters or to assist in
giving further treatment to pretreated wastewaters to meet
stringent discharge standards while at the same time
producing new plant growths for their gas production or food
value.
Conceptual flowsheet showing waste treatment using an
aquatic plant pond