Preliminary Test of Mining Wastewater Containing Iron (III) and Aluminium (III) on Scirpus grossus in Phytoremediation Process

Abstract

Preliminary test was conducted to physically observe and determine the range of Fe and Al concentrations that Scirpus grossus can grow and survive. Pails of 3 L containing 3 kg of sand and 42 days old S. grossus were exposed to different concentrations of Fe and Al solution mixture for 21 days. The mass ratio between Fe and Al in the solution mixture was 3:1. After 21 days of exposure, the plants had shown that they could grow and survive in concentrations up to 300 mg/L Fe + 100 mg/L Al. Effect concentration (EC 50 ) value for single Fe and Al toxicity to S. grossus was predicted between 300 mg/L Fe + 100 mg/L Al and 450 mg/L Fe + 150 mg/L Al. Therefore, it is suggested for the next study of phytotoxicity the Fe and Al concentrations range may start as low as 30 mg/L Fe + 10 mg/L Al up to 450 mg/L Fe + 150 mg/L Al.