Common Weed Revealed to Diminish Water Pollution

Francisco Delgado Vargas, from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa (UAS), researches the use of the plant Typha domingensis in reducing bacterial contamination of water for agricultural use

The plant is presented in places wherewaterflows and withstands high pollution concentrations. "The roots of Typha domingensis are always flooded, absorbing nutrients from the soil and releasing compounds that help reduce the impact of pathogens," says the researcher.

The study, conducted in collaboration with the Helmholtz center in Germany, specializing inenvironmental research, and with support from the National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT) in Mexico, has two approaches: to demonstrate that an agricultural drain is able to reduce the impact of biological and chemical contamination that can cause diseases to the population and even death, and evidence revealing which substances are polluting these channels.

Over a year, the Faculty of Chemical and Biological Sciences collected water, sediment and Typha dominguensis samples of a 3.6 kilometer-wide segment of the drain "La Michoacana" in the town of Navolato, Sinaloa, in the North East of Mexico.

The selected section receives water and solid waste from agriculture, livestock and the town located on the banks of the canal. "Site selection required the support of specialists of the National Water Commission (Conagua) and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, we toured the irrigation district 010 to choose the drain with the greater impact for the study," says Delgado Vargas.

In the analysis, 10 kinds of bacteria were found, mostly enterobacteria; however, two of them (Kluyvera and Hafnia) have not been reported in previous studies, which could mean a characteristic of the country or the locality.

The results of the decrease in chemical pollutants are being processed by the staff of the Helmholtz Centre in Leipzig, Germany.

Vargas Delgado indicates that mankind has an impact on the drains, "most pollution comes from fecal waste; this indicates that there is other bacteria that can affect health."

He adds that Typha domingensis is considered a pest in the drains, and is therefore removed; however, proper management helps the ecosystem. "We are invading the places where these plants develop, removing them, and don't see the great ecological benefits that they provide."

Source: Phys.org

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