Assessing the Efficiency of Phragmites australis in Wastewater Treatment as a Natural Approach to Water Quality Improvement

Laid Bouchaala, Nabil Charchar, Nedjoud Grara (), Ilham Ben Amor, Soumeia Zeghoud, Hadia Hemmami, Moussa Houhamdi, Agnieszka Szparaga (), Otilia Cristina Murariu, Gianluca Caruso and Stefano Bellucci
Additional contact information
Laid Bouchaala: Environmental Research Center (CRE), Avenue Boughazi Said, Sidi Amar, Annaba 23001, Algeria
Nabil Charchar: Biotechnology Research Center (C.R.Bt), Constantine 25016, Algeria
Nedjoud Grara: Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe Sciences, University 8 Mai 1945, Guelma 24000, Algeria
Ilham Ben Amor: Department of Process Engineering and Petrochemical, Faculty of Technology, University of El Oued, El Oued 39000, Algeria
Soumeia Zeghoud: Department of Process Engineering and Petrochemical, Faculty of Technology, University of El Oued, El Oued 39000, Algeria
Hadia Hemmami: Department of Process Engineering and Petrochemical, Faculty of Technology, University of El Oued, El Oued 39000, Algeria
Moussa Houhamdi: Laboratory of Biology, Water and Environment (LBEE), Faculty SNV-STU, University 8 May 1945 Guelma, P.O. Box 401, Guelma 24000, Algeria
Agnieszka Szparaga: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Koszalin University of Technology, Śniadeckich 2, 75-453 Koszalin, Poland
Otilia Cristina Murariu: Department of Food Technologies ‘Ion Ionescu de la Brad’, Iasi University of Life Sciences, 700490 Iasi, Romania
Gianluca Caruso: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy
Stefano Bellucci: Frascati National Laboratories, National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Frascati, 00044 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-23

Abstract: The Oued Zénati, a vital waterway in Algeria, faces severe pollution from urban discharges, hospital wastewater, and agricultural activities, threatening both the ecosystem and public health. This pollution is characterized by high nutrient levels, suspended solids, and fecal contamination indicators, jeopardizing biodiversity and human well-being. To explore natural restoration solutions, this study assessed the purification potential of reeds ( Phragmites australis ) found in the Oued Zénati riverbed. Water quality was analyzed at three sites: a non-polluted control site (S1), a wastewater discharge area (S2), and a reed-dense area (S3). Results revealed a significant deterioration in water quality at site S2, with high concentrations of nutrients, suspended solids (SS), and fecal contamination indicators. However, a notable improvement in water quality was observed at site S3, downstream of the reed-dense area, with reductions in fecal coliforms (68.5%), fecal streptococci (92.3%), and phosphates (40.3%), and increased levels of dissolved oxygen (DO). These findings suggest that phytoremediation using P. australis could offer a cost-effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly solution for restoring the Oued Zénati. This study recommends establishing phragmifiltration stations, developing artificial wetlands, and enhancing sanitation systems, including hospital wastewater treatment. Public awareness campaigns promoting water and environmental protection are crucial for long-term success. This phytoremediation approach offers economic, ecological, and aesthetic advantages over conventional wastewater treatment techniques.

Keywords: wastewater; pollution; reeds; phytoremediation; water quality parameters; Algeria (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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