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Duckweed is a fast growing, high protein plant that can be used fresh or dried as a food for fish or poultry. It is also tolerant of a variety of conditions and can remove significant quantities of nutrients from wastewater. To provide extra oxygen to a floating plant technology, the water can be mechanically aerated but at the cost of increased power and machinery. Aerated ponds can withstand higher loads and can be built with smaller footprints. Non-aerated ponds should not be too deep otherwise there will be insufficient contact between the bacteria-harbouring roots and the wastewater.
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- Can become an invasive species if released into natural environments. <br> - Requires large land (pond) area.
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==Adequacy==
Floating plants require constant harvesting. The harvested biomass can be used for small artisanal businesses, or it can be composted. Mosquito problems can develop when the plants are not harvested regularly. Depending on the amount of solids entering, the pond must be desludged periodically.
==ReferencesAcknowledgements=={{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}}
* Abbasi, SA. (1987). Aquatic plant based water treatment systems in Asia. pp 175–198, In: Aquatic Plants for Water Treatment and Resource Recovery, K.R. Reddy and W.H. Smith (eds.), Magnolia Publishing Inc., Orlando, Florida.