Application of vetiver (Vetiveria Zizanioides) on Phytoremediation of carwash wastewater

Carwash wastewater (CW) contains potentially harmful compounds. Due to water scarcity, its reuse is indispensable. Phytoremediation is one of methods to eliminate pollutants by using plants, such as vetiver grass. This study observed the growth characteristic of vetiver in CW and its capacity in pollutant removal. Treatment with two factors and three replicates was done: Media for vetiver growth was tap water (TW) without carwash wastewater (M0), mixture of 50% tap water + 50% carwash wastewater (M1), and 100% of carwash wastewater without tap water (M2). Media grown without and with vetiver was of V0 and V1 respectively. Individual stem of vetiver was planted hydroponically in a chamber. Plant growth was observed once a week. At the harvesting (day 70), root, stem and leaf of the vetiver were collected separately Results showed that vetiver has a capacity to adapt, survive and growing in CW media. Plant generation achieved 70.1-81.8%, 60.6-75.8%, and 71.7-78.5% for stem, leaf and root respectively. Within 70 days, the pollutant that covered of 78.5 and 57.9% N, 83.5 and 69.0% P, 76.0 and 65.3% COD, 68.6 and 64.8% BOD, 81.3 and 59.5% detergent, 98.6 and 95.8% phenol, 73.3 and 61.5% Pb, and 88.5 and 82.8% Zn could be removed by vetiver, i.e. in growth media M1 and M2, respectively