Phytoremediation of Zinc from Synthetic Wastewater using Silicon-Supplemented Wolffia globosa (Asian Watermeal)

Proponent/s Name/s (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

• Junky Xavier M. Go, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, The Academy, De La Salle University - ManilaFollow
• Genesis S. Apetrior, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, The Academy, De La Salle University - ManilaFollow
• Allan Jacob L. Cabangon, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, The Academy, De La Salle University - ManilaFollow
• Gianfranco Angelo C. Sarmac, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, The Academy, De La Salle University - ManilaFollow
• Nathan Piers A. Fabul, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, The Academy, De La Salle University - ManilaFollow
• Lawrence P. Belo, Department of Chemical Engineering, Gokongwei College of Engineering, De La Salle University - ManilaFollow
• John Ray C. Estrellado, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, The Academy, De La Salle University - Manila; Department of Chemical Engineering, Gokongwei College of Engineering, De La Salle University - ManilaFollow

Document Types

Paper Presentation

Research Theme (for Paper Presentation and Poster Presentation submissions only)

Sustainability, Environment, and Energy (SEE)

School Name

De La Salle University, Manila

Track or Strand

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Research Advisor (Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial)

Estrellado, John Ray C.

Start Date

25-6-2026 10:30 AM

End Date

25-6-2026 12:00 PM

Zoom Link/ Room Assignment

Online- https://zoom.us/j/92594857524 Meeting ID: 925 9485 7524 | Passcode: research

Abstract/Executive Summary

Heavy metal contamination remains a major global threat to aquatic ecosystems, with zinc (Zn) often detected at toxic levels despite being an essential nutrient. Existing phytoremediation strategies address the unsustainability of traditional removal methods but remain inadequate. This study investigates the effect of silicon (Si) supplementation on the phytoremediation efficiency of Wolffia globosa (Asian watermeal) in synthetic zinc-contaminated wastewater. A three-factor, two-level (2³) full factorial design was implemented to characterize the effect of silicic acid (SA) concentration (10-50 mg/L), nitrogen-to-phosphorus (N:P) ratio (1-3), and initial Zn concentration (20-60 mg/L). The highest Zn removal efficiency was recorded at 99.94% using 50 mg/L SA, a 3:1 N:P ratio, and 60 mg/L Zn. The model was found to be significant (p < 0.0001) and had a strong goodness-of-fit (R² = 0.87). Analysis of variance revealed significant effects of SA concentration, N:P ratio, and initial Zn concentration on Zn removal efficiency, with significant interactions observed between SA concentration and N:P ratio, and between N:P ratio and initial Zn concentration, as well as their three-way interaction. These results demonstrate the promising potential of Si supplementation as an environmentally sustainable approach for improving Zn phytoremediation using Wolffia globosa.

Keywords

zinc removal; phytoremediation; silicon; W. globosa

Initial Consent for Publication

yes

Statement of Originality

yes