Phytoremediation relationship of lead (Pb) by Eichhornia crassipes on pH, BOD and COD in groundwater

Eichhornia crassipes is an effective plant to overcome the issues of lead (Pb) contamination in groundwater. This study aims to analyze the relationship between the effectiveness of using E. crassipes to absorb Pb and the changing of pH, BOD, and COD. The treatment was applied by adding one E. crassipes plant to a container containing groundwater and Pb with concentration of 2 ppm and 4 ppm. The results showed that E. crassipes reduced Pb concentrations by 95.95% at 2 ppm Pb treatment and 89.90% at 4 ppm Pb treatment. The study was conducted for 12 days at both treatments, the pH fluctuated and changed to optimal on the 4^th day while BOD increased and COD decreased. At the 2 ppm Pb treatment, the optimum pH was 6.79, the highest BOD was 2.09 ppm and the lowest COD was 76 ppm. Whereas at the 4 ppm Pb treatment, the optimum pH was 6.80, the highest BOD was 2.28 ppm and the lowest COD was 79 ppm. E. crassipes that absorbed Pb at lower concentrations had higher absorption efficiency and its relationship with pH, BOD and COD was better. (paper)