Title: Enhancement in the efficiency of existing oxidation ponds by using aquatic weeds at little or no extra cost - the macrophyte-upgraded oxidation pond (MUOP)
Abstract: All over the world, tens of thousands of oxidation ponds are in operation treating sewage and other biodegradable wastewaters. The performance of such ponds can be greatly enhanced if certain aquatic weeds are held in them. The weeds enable better treatment of wastewater in terms of greater reduction in the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorous, metals, etc., than is possible in ponds functioning without the weeds. The additional costs of this ‘upgradation’ are minimal compared to the gains, because it essentially involves introduction in the ponds of easily available plants that have no economic value. This paper presents the gist of the know-how utilizable in ‘upgrading’ existing oxidation ponds with the help of aquatic weeds but without any significant additional civil works. It also dwells upon the strategies for the management of the weeds, and their postharvest utilization. [Tasneem Abbasi and S. A. Abbasi (2010). Enhancement in the efficiency of existing oxidation ponds by using aquatic weeds at little or no extra cost - the macrophyte-upgraded oxidation pond (MUOP). Bioremediation Journal, 14(2), 67–80.]