Efficiency of the Macrophyte Azolla filiculoides in Phytoremediation of Wastewater in the Central Region of Peru

Wastewater treatment through phytoremediation with plants reduces contaminants to acceptable levels as established by the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) of Peru. This study evaluated the efficiency of Azolla filiculoides Lam. plants from the Huayllaspanca Colored Wetland (Laguna Coloreado) in the phytoremediation of wastewater from Huamancaca Chico, Chupaca Province, Junín Region, Peru. A pre-test and post-test experimental design was used. Glass aquariums of dimensions 54 × 20 × 21.3 cm were set up, and 28 g of phytoremediation plant samples were planted in 20 L of wastewater over a 28-day period. The main results for contaminant removal efficiency were as follows: clear and odorless water, total dissolved solids (40.27%), electrical conductivity (41.07%), turbidity 98.51%, oils and greases (>90.7%), BOD5 (95.55%), COD (95.04%), and ammonia nitrogen (95.77%). The final removal of fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli from wastewater using A. filiculoides was 99.9%, with post-treatment averages (11.6 MPN/100 mL and 2 MPN/100 mL, respectively) significantly lower than their respective Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) (1000 MPN/100 mL) (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Azolla filiculoides Lam. is an effective macrophyte for improving the physical, chemical, and microbiological parameters of wastewater and removes contaminants.