Performance assessment of nitrogen pollution purification by phytodepuration: case of Temacine pilot station (Algeria)

In Algeria, much progress has been made in implementing efficient and less expensive wastewater treatment processes. Phytodepuration is one of the processes that have shown their effectiveness in this area, because of its simplicity and low costs. The only experiment in Algeria is the pilot station located in the city of Temacine. This station is designed to treat 15 m³ per day of urban wastewater. This work aims to assess the effectiveness in eliminating nitrogen pollution by phytodepuration and to verify whether it is well adapted to the studied region. For a period of one year, samples of raw and treated wastewater were collected and analyzed. The purification yields of the different pollutants were calculated. The results show that purification performance is good and exceeds 80% for all measured parameters. With regard to nitrogen pollution, the abatement rates reached 83.06% for ammonium, 70.44% for nitrites, 81.92% for nitrates and 83.20% in terms of total Kjeldahl nitrogen. These performances meet the standards recommended by the Algerian legislation. The water produced is of clean quality and can be reused in irrigation. In addition to its effectiveness in reducing nitrogen pollution, phytodepuration treatment seems to be very beneficial and well adapted to the study area, as the absence of noise, bad odors and the good coverage of the basin by flowers and plants, has largely allowed to preserve the environment in this region and to keep its tourist aspect. These results are encouraging to develop the use of the system in other localities.