author(s)
KKT Nuwansi, AK Verma, Chandra Prakash, GPWA Prabhath and RM Peter

abstract
An experiment was carried out to evaluate the phytoremediation efficiency of six aquatic macrophytes, three floating (Ipomoea aquatica, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Eichhornia crassipes) and three submerged (Cabomba caroliniana, Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum) on aquaculture effluent. Considering the nutrient dynamics of the experimental time period, all aquatic macrophytes were found to be effective when compared with the control. Floating aquatic macrophytes showed better performance till the first 28 days’ period when compared with submerged aquatic macrophytes. At the end of the experiment, lowest total solids (TS), turbidity, total hardness, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels, as well as the highest dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were observed in C. demersum followed by H. verticillata. Considering the overall time period, nutrient removal, and performances of other water quality parameters, C. demersum and H. verticillata can be suggested as the best macrophytes to treat aquaculture effluent among the selected aquatic macrophytes.