Macrophytes of freshwater ponds of the Kolkheti lowland, phytoremediation and prospects for water drainage systems

Abstract

There are many different physico-chemical methods of water purification, however, phytoremediation is one of the most effective means, which Georgia has abundant resources for. Phytoremediation, i.e. water purification with algae, is about 10 times cheaper and more effective method compared to other physico-chemical technologies. A living organism absorbs, collects, and removes pollutants from water. Phytoremediation is a technique used in the environmental restoration process where macrophytes can absorb pollutants from a polluted environment and make the environment less toxic.

The best macrophytes as bio-cleaners in this case are Phragmites australi and Typha angustifolia species. Communal infrastructure of modern standards should be organized in the municipalities of Adjara within the framework of the "Water Supply and Drainage Program of Adjara Townships and Villages", which also includes the construction of treatment facilities. In Khulo, Shuakhevi and Ochkhamuri, artificial swamps will be built to clean sewage water. Decontamination of sewage water in such "swamps" will mainly depend on specially selected plants. However, the polluted water will be cleaned mechanically before being discharged into the "swamp".