Feasibility of Treatment of the Waters of a Wadi Charged in Iron by Filters Planted of Macrophytes (Phragmites australis)

Abstract

Problem statement: The context is summarized by the presence of important Steel manufactory close to the wadi Meboudja and its effluents rejected into the wadi which contaminate the water used for irrigation by the local farmer. Approach: The goal is to determine the usefulness of Macrophytes (Phragmites australis) to filter some specific industrial effluents (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn and Cr) present into water of wadi Meboudja. The use of Reeds (Phragmites australis) can be considered as a biologic and an economic solution to minimize the concentration of some industrial effluent, especially Iron which is highlighted in this article. An experimental device was built, and considered as pilot, formed of three basins plus reservoir. We use the water of Wadi to irrigate the "Phragmites australis" which are initially appropriated from Oubaiira Lake in a natural medium. Water and Reeds samples are selected for analyses. Results: Iron is found in important concentration compared to the other Elements Metal Traces (ETM). Such a variation seems to be directly related to the rate of industrial production, fluctuations of the climatic factors and the capacities of assimilation of the plants crop. It is essentially concentrated into the roots of Reeds compared to stems and leafs. For example, in one repetition we found difference between the exit sample and the entry one in basin-1of (60-23=) 37 mg g^-1 into roots. Conclusion: Plantation of Reeds (Phragmites australis) seems a natural solution to reduce elements metal traces, in particularly Iron, into water of wadi Meboudja. Other analysis on the garden products of local farmers should be conducted in order to quantify possible hazards on the health of consumers.