Abstract:Effects of temperature and light intensity on plant growth and decontamination efficiency were investigated in micro-scale wetlands vegetated by H. verticillata (Linn. f.) Royle. Results indicated that after a 15d cultivation period, biomass of H. verticillata grown in 25℃ and 35℃ was significantly higher than that in 5℃ (P< 0.05). The average removal rates in 25℃ and 35℃ were 78% for total nitrogen (TN), and 98% for total phosphorus (TP). H. verticillata grew slower in 15℃ than in 25℃ and 35℃, and displayed lower TN and TP removal rates (76% and 82% respectively). Growth of H. verticillata was limited and the removal rates were the lowest in 5℃, with a TN removal rate of 46% and a TP removal rate of 46%, which were significantly lower than the removal rates in higher temperatures examined during this study (P< 0.05). There were no significant differences in biomass and removal rates among 2000 lx, 3000 lx and 4000 lx, while there were significant differences in biomass and removal rates of TN and ammonium between 1000 lx and other light intensities (P< 0.05).