Unexpected heroes: invasive macrophytes boost performance of faltering waste stabilization ponds

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dc.contributor.authorLiberatus J. Mpaka
dc.contributor.authorAlinanuswe J. Mwakalesi
dc.contributor.authorDouglas Mushi
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-06T14:43:37Z
dc.date.available2026-07-06T14:43:37Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.descriptionJournal Article
dc.description.abstractWaste stabilization ponds (WSPs) are a widely used technology for removing organic matter and pathogens from wastewater. However, their effectiveness is often hindered by hydraulic overload, sludge accumulation, and the proliferation of invasive macrophytes–the impacts of these challenges are not fully understood. In this study, standard methods were used to assess WSPs under these operational challenges for the removal efficiency of physical, nutrient, and organic pollutants, as well as faecal indicator bacteria (FIB); the extent of macrophyte occupancy; and the level of FIB colonizing invasive macrophyte − 3− roots. Results indicated high removal efficiencies (73.38–99.67%) for turbidity, total nitrogen, NO− 3 , NO2 , NH3, PO4 , BOD5, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, and Clostridium perfringens, whereas total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, and total phosphorus showed considerably lower removal (33.5–45.2%). Significant correlations (r = 0.47–0.96, P < 0.05) were found between the removal efficiencies of physical, nutrient, and organic pollutants, as well as FIB, and macrophyte occupancy. Furthermore, high densities of FIB colonizing the macrophyte roots suggest that these roots may have positively contributed to the performance of the WSPs. The final effluent complied with East African standards for all pollutants except turbidity, BOD5, and FIB. This study reveals that ignoring WSP maintenance significantly compromises treatment performance, with potential implications for public health, and underscores the role of macrophytes in enhancing the performance of faltering WSPs.
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/20.500.14820/7681
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherWater Practice & Technology
dc.subjecteffluent quality
dc.subjectinvasive macrophytes
dc.subjectremoval efficiency
dc.subjectwaste stabilization ponds
dc.subjectwastewater treatment
dc.subjectWSPs maintenance
dc.titleUnexpected heroes: invasive macrophytes boost performance of faltering waste stabilization ponds
dc.typeArticle

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