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Studying the wastewater treatment efficiency and carbon sequestration capabilities of duckweed and water hyacinth.
Organization(s):Princess Chulabhorn Science High School Trang
Country:Thailand
Student(s):Mr.Pattaphi Phithai
Mr.Papangkorn Bunma
Mr.Phonlakrit Sombut
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Member(s):SIRIKWAN NUPHUTI
Contributors:
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Dissolved Oxygen, Water Temperature, pH
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-30
This research aimed to comparatively investigate the efficiency of pig farm wastewater treatment and the carbon sequestration capacity of aquatic plants in the family Lemnaceae, namely Wolffia spp. (watermeal) and Lemna perpusilla (small duckweed). The experiment was conducted over a 28-day period under experimental conditions that varied wastewater concentrations (0%, 20%, and 40%) and planting ratios (1:1, 0:1, and 1:0). Data analysis followed the standard methodologies of the GLOBE Program (GLOBE Protocols), covering both Hydrosphere and Biosphere investigations. The results indicated that both aquatic plant species significantly improved wastewater quality, particularly by increasing dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and stabilizing pH toward neutrality. Lemna perpusilla demonstrated the highest efficiency in restoring DO levels in 20% wastewater, achieving an increase of up to 797%, whereas Wolffia spp. showed greater tolerance to pollution under critical conditions (40% wastewater). In terms of carbon sequestration, Wolffia spp. grown in 20% wastewater exhibited the highest potential as a carbon sink, storing up to 1.975 grams of carbon per experimental unit in the form of biomass. In conclusion, small aquatic plants such as Wolffia spp. and Lemna perpusilla possess high potential for livestock wastewater treatment.