Research Projects

Macrophytes play a major role in reed beds, influencing biological, chemical and physical treatment processes. The most important function of macrophytes in reed beds has been categorized by as physical and metabolic. Physical effects include: Filtration of suspended material, protection against erosion by reducing turbulence and flow velocities stabilization of sediments and providing the surface area for micro-organisms. Metabolic functions of macrophytes include nutrient uptake and oxygenrelease from roots into the rhizosphere. It has been observed that In India BOD removal efficiency in horizontal flow varies from 80-96 per cent, TSS removals are better than 75 per cent in most cases, In Pathogen and coliform almost 100% removal can be expect. Reed bed is treat water in natural manner not requirement of much money, not requirement of much energy, not requirement of complicated set up. Since the sewage and paper and pulp mill wastewater contain many organic and inorganic pollutants, the reuse of these wastewater can be made only after removing the pollutants below the limit prescribed by the Pollution control agencies. Due to many advantages of the reed bed system , an eco friendly waste treatment method, the reed bed system is recommended as a means of polishing treatment. Screening of reeds suitable for treating organic and inorganic pollutants (domestic wastewater and paper mill effluent) , Assessing the microbial communities in the rhizosphere of selected reed plants, Assessing the root exudates of various reed plants and their impact on microbial communities through conventional and molecular techniques (DGGE), Assessing the organic, inorganic, heavy metal and pathogen removal efficiency of various reed plants and Developing microbial consortia for bioaumgmentation in reeds rhizosphere for enhanced degradation of pollutants in wastewater and evaluating their potential, Quality assessment of treated water in compliance with discharge standards and impact assessment of reuse of treated water and Performance evaluation of the improved reed plants through pilot scale studies at STPS and paper and pulp industries will be attempted through this project.