Which Plants are Natural Purifiers of Water?

Water pollution is a major environmental concern all over the world. Toxic chemicals and pollutants enter our water sources from industrial, agricultural, and domestic activities. This can cause serious health hazards to humans and wildlife. Natural water purification is an effective method to treat polluted water. Plants play an important role in purifying water naturally. Here we will discuss some common plants that are natural purifiers of water.

Duckweed

Duckweed is a floating aquatic plant that can grow in ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers. This plant is a natural biofilter that can remove pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus from water. These nutrients are the main causes of harmful algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels in water, risking the lives of fish and aquatic plants. Duckweed absorbs these pollutants and converts them into biomass, which can be used as a biofertilizer to grow crops later.

Water Hyacinth

Water hyacinth is an invasive aquatic plant that thrives in freshwater with high nutrient concentrations. This plant has a high rate of growth and can form dense mats on the surface of water. Water hyacinth can remove nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from water through its rapid uptake and storage. These nutrients are the main causes of eutrophication in lakes and ponds. Eutrophication can cause algal blooms, fish kills, and even human health problems. Water hyacinth can be used in constructed wetlands to treat domestic and industrial wastewater.

Cattails

Cattails are common aquatic plants that grow in wetlands and marshes. These plants have long, narrow leaves that are used to filter pollutants from water. The roots of cattails are efficient in absorbing heavy metals, organic compounds, and bacteria from water. Cattails have been used in constructed wetlands to treat wastewater from dairy farms, food processing plants, and municipal sewage treatment plants.

Water Pennywort

Water pennywort is a creeping aquatic plant that grows along the shoreline of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. This plant has round, glossy leaves that float on the water surface, providing shade and cover for fish and other aquatic animals. Water pennywort can remove pollutants like nitrogen and phosphorus from water, preventing algal blooms and fish kills. This plant can also absorb toxic heavy metals like copper, zinc, and lead from contaminated water.

Conclusion

In conclusion, natural water purification using plants is an effective and inexpensive method to treat polluted water. Common plants like duckweed, water hyacinth, cattails, and water pennywort can naturally remove pollutants like nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, and organic compounds from water. These plants can be used in constructed wetlands, natural water bodies and aquariums to improve water quality and protect the environment. It is important to protect these natural resources and incorporate natural methods to treat polluted water.