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Nitrogen Transformations in a Waterhyacinth-based Water Treatment System

Univ. of Florida, Inst. of Food and Agric. Sci., Soil Sci. Dep., Gainesville, FL 32611.

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ABSTRACT

Fate of added ¹⁵NH₄-N and ¹⁵NO₃-N in waterhyacinth [Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms]-based water treatment system was evaluated under controlled conditions. Labeled ¹⁵NH₄-N uptake by waterhyacinth exceeded ¹⁵NO₃-N uptake. Total ¹⁵N recovery by waterhyacinth ranged from 57 to 72% for added ¹⁵NO₃-N and 70 to 89% for added ¹⁵NH₄-N. Both sediment and detritus were potential sources of N for waterhyacinths. Waterhyacinths cultured in sewage effluent removed 55% of the added ¹⁵NH₄-N and 14% of the added ¹⁵NO₃-N, respectively. Three to 44% of the added ¹⁵NH₄-N was lost through nitrification in the water column and subsequent denitrification in the underlying sediments, whereas 24 to 86% of the added ¹⁵NO₃-N was lost through denitrification. In a system without plants, 13 to 89% of the added ¹⁵NH₄-N and 48 to 96% of the added ¹⁵NO₃-N were lost from the system through a combination of nitrification/denitrification and NH₃ volatilization.

Key Words: Detritus • Nitrification • Denitrification • Volatilization • Assimilation • Eichornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms

Florida Agric. Exp. Stn. Journal Series no. 8458.

Received for publication February 25, 1987.