Bioenergy production from biomass is proposed as a method to solve part of the nation’s energy problem.
However, biomass and bioenergy production is questioned as an environment-friendly approach due
to the potential increase of water pollution and the potential decrease of available water resource. A
conceptual model of an integrated natural waste treatment system that produces biogas and biomass for
bioenergy, treat waste and wastewater, conserve fresh water, and decrease the potential water pollution
is presented. The potential biomass production from water hyacinth, duckweed, cattail, and knotgrasswas
investigated using recycling wastewater from an integrated natural waste treatment system from 2005
to 2008. Although the biomass production from recycling wastewater was not controlled for maximum
production, this research identified the large potential impact that could be made if these systems were
implemented. The overall average water hyacinth growth ratewashigh to 0.297 kg wet wt./m2/day during
a research period of over 500 days, including both the active and non-active growing seasons. The average
daily growth rates of duckweed, cattail, and knotgrass were 0.099–0.127, 0.015, and 0.018 kg wet wt./m2,
respectively. This research illustrated that water hyacinth was a more promising aquatic plant biomass
for bioenergy production when wastewater effluent was recycled as water and nutrient sources from an
integrated natural waste treatment system.
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