Kalibbala, Martin; Mayo, Aloyce W.
Description:
The effects of various environmental factors, sedimentation and attachment of faecal coliforms on
water hyacinths, Eichhornia crassipes, were investigated in a pilot-scale water hyacinths pond.
This investigation was conducted to evaluate the role of solar intensity, pH, dissolved oxygen,
temperature, sedimentation, and attachment of faecal bacteria on Eichhornia crassipes on
disappearance of bacteria in a water hyacinths pond. A mathematical model that used the plug
flow philosophy and incorporated aforementioned factors to predict faecal coliform mortality rate
was developed. The proposed multifactor model satisfactorily predicted mortality rate of faecal
coliforms in a pilot-scale water hyacinths constructed wetland. The environmental factors such as
solar intensity and pH were the key factors if the coverage of water hyacinths is minimum, but
attachment of bacteria to water hyacinths played a major role in a wetland fully covered with
water hyacinths.