Nature-Based Solution for Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Using Phytoremediation with Floating Plants

Effective wastewater management is a critical environmental challenge, particularly in industrial regions like Faisalabad, where untreated textile effluents contribute to severe water pollution. This study evaluates the potential of phytoremediation using floating aquatic plants—Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce), and Lemna minor (common duckweed)—for the treatment of industrial textile wastewater. A controlled laboratory-scale experiment was conducted to assess pollutant removal efficiency over a 10-day retention period. The initial effluent concentrations of key parameters were measured before treatment to establish baseline conditions. The results demonstrated that Eichhornia crassipes exhibited the highest removal efficiency, achieving reductions of 36.12% (TDS), 36.14% (EC), 36.30% (salinity), 6.12% (pH), 34.30% (total hardness), and 44.52% (chloride). Furthermore, Pistia stratiotes and Lemna minor were particularly effective in removing nitrate (99.76%), ammonium (52.11%), and sodium adsorption ratio (46.29%), indicating species-specific phytoremediation potential. These findings highlight the viability of a low-cost, eco-friendly, and sustainable nature-based solution for wastewater treatment in industrial clusters, offering a practical alternative to conventional treatment technologies.