Z. aethiopica and I. sibirica are two flowering species that have been used as emergent vegetation for the treatment of domestic wastewater. Z. aethiopica is in high demand in the national market in Mexico. The two species have a proven specific capacity to tolerate and take up pharmaceuticals and heavy metals.
Phytoremediation is a technology that takes advantage of the biochemical processes of plants by which they decompose, stabilize, fix or metabolize organic and inorganic contaminants present in soils, sediments and water, thus reducing its concentration and danger [1]. The ability of plants to cope with emerging pollutants and heavy metal vary amongst the different species. Z. aethiopica and I. sibirica are two flowering species that have been used as emergent vegetation for the treatment of domestic wastewater (Figure 1) [2][3]. Additionally, these two species have a proven specific capacity to tolerate and take up pharmaceuticals such as carbamazepine [4]and heavy metals [5].
Z. aethiopica is a perennial plant native to temperate and cold areas of Southeast Africa; with an attractive and solitary spathe. The spathe is white and fragrant from 15 to 22 centimeters long and ends in a point [2]. This species is in high demand in the national market in Mexico, as well as in international markets as a potted plant, in gardens or as inflorescence for cutting [2]. I. sibirica is native to Northeast Turkey, Russia and Eastern and Central Europe and it is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial that can grow from 50 to 120 cm tall [5].
Figure 1. Zantedeschia aethiopica (left) and Iris sibirica (right) planted in a treatment wetland for domestic wastewater treatment.