Informatics Publishing Limited

R. Ilamaran ¹, S. Kumaran ²

Affiliations
1 Water Resource Department/ Public Works Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, IN
2 Department of Biotechnology, Periyar Maniyammai University, Vallam, Thanjavur – 613403, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

Presence of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K) in water bodies majorly contributed by irrigation run off resulting in the prolific growth of aquatic weeds that cause undesirable effects including water flow obstruction, damage of river banks, decrease in the quality of agricultural field and loss of aquatic life. Therefore, it is vital to device novel methods for the removal of N, P, K in irrigation run offs. We established a novel filter media named Multi Filter Media (MFM) using the natural waste material like coconut fifer and paddy husk with course sand of size 4.75 mm to 2 mm and supported by gravel medium. Extensive Experiment prove that 85% to 90% of potassium and phosphorous were successfully removed. Further, 50% of annual maintenance cost of the selected study area of the drainage carrier drain will be reduced, while adopting this method of Multi filter media made up of concrete in the irrigation field.

Keywords

Aquatic Weeds, Irrigation Run Off, Multi Filter Media (MFM), Nutrients, Waste Materials.

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