What Water Plants Get Rid of Phosphorus

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth, but when it is present in excess in aquatic environments, it can cause harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality. Various water plants have been found to effectively remove excess phosphorus from water. In this article, we will discuss some of the plants that can help get rid of phosphorus in water.

1. Duckweed

Duckweed is a small floating plant that is known for its ability to absorb nutrients from water, including phosphorus. The plant has a high surface area to volume ratio, which means it can absorb more nutrients than other aquatic plants. Additionally, duckweed can grow rapidly and reproduce quickly, making it a good species for removing excess phosphorus from water.

2. Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth is a floating plant that is both beautiful and effective at removing excess phosphorus from water. Its large leaves and root systems can purify large amounts of water, and it is often used in wastewater treatment systems. Additionally, water hyacinth can be harvested for use as animal feed or fertilizer, making it a sustainable option for phosphorus removal.

3. Water Lettuce

Water lettuce is another floating plant that can help get rid of phosphorus in water. Like water hyacinth, it has a large surface area for absorbing nutrients, and can also be harvested for use as feed or fertilizer. However, water lettuce can be invasive in some areas, so it is important to monitor its growth and prevent it from spreading into non-native habitats.

4. Reed Canary Grass

Reed canary grass is a perennial grass that grows in wetlands and along shorelines. It is known for its ability to absorb excess phosphorus from water, and can also be used for erosion control and wildlife habitat. However, reed canary grass can also be invasive in some areas, so it is important to manage its growth and prevent it from spreading into non-native habitats.

5. Phragmites

Phragmites, also known as common reed, is a tall perennial grass that grows in wetlands and along shorelines. It is often used for erosion control and wildlife habitat, and has also been found to effectively remove excess phosphorus from water. However, phragmites can be invasive in some areas, so it is important to manage its growth and prevent it from spreading into non-native habitats.

Conclusion

Water plants are an effective and sustainable option for removing excess phosphorus from aquatic environments. However, it is important to carefully manage the growth of these plants and prevent them from becoming invasive in non-native habitats. By using a combination of plants and other phosphorus removal techniques, we can help improve water quality and protect the health of aquatic ecosystems.