Abstract:
Three experiments were conducted to study the potential use of
vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) to remediate wastewater discharged from
a tapioca factory. Two experiments studied the tolerance of vetiver to
grow in wastewater, and the other studied the factors influencing the
effectiveness of vetiver for the remediation of the wastewater. Vetiver
grew well in all wastewater preparations and was able to improve
wastewater quality. However, the efficacy of remediation was a function
of the remediation system used (wetland or hydroponic) and the density
of the plants at the start of the remediation. Vetiver remediation was
more efficient in a wetland system. To achieve the water quality standard
of the East Java Province, wastewater could be remediated within 30
days using a plant density of approximately 86 g dry biomass=1256 cm2
at the time of starting the remediation, the equivalent of 6.85 t=ha.