This study focused on the comparisons between nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates from the simulated wastewater using various kinds of aquatic plants (4 emergent and 3 floating plants). Results showed that aquatic plants has a significant effect on the removal of NO3--N and TP, but has a less effect on NH4+-N. Among the four emergent plants, the order of NO3--N removal capacities was: S. sagittifolia > S. tabernaemontani > T. latifolia > A. calamus. But for TP, the order was: T. latifolia > A. calamus > S. tabernaemontani > S. sagittifolia. To the floating plants, the order of NO3--N and TP removal capacities were: E. crassipes > P. stratiotes. The ANOVA analyses showed that there was a significant difference between planted treatments and unplanted treatment for the removal of NO3--N and TP. The study suggests that the treatment of simulated wastewater using the aquatic macrophytes was effective in the removal of nutrients.
