Project for the development and diversification of native aquatic plants in new applications.

Nowadays, most of the secondary and tertiary systems used for wastewater treatment (artificial wetlands) are based on the use of aquatic plants (macrophytes) because they rely on dissolved nutrients to develop. Moreover, macrophytes create environmental conditions ​​in their roots (rhizosphere) that favors microbial grow. This is because they release high quality (labile) organic matter and oxygen through the roots which stimulate microbial activity. Therefore, the biological activity of both, plants and the associated microbial communities in the rhizosphere contribute to reduce nutrient loads from wastewater. This project will evaluate the nutrient and organic matter retention capacity of three native species of macrophytes: Sparganium erectum, Apium nodiflorum and Potamogeton pectinatus, typical of the Mediterranean region. These species have been selected by Naturalea, together with the Tres Turons nursery and the Barcelona Botanical Garden based on functional, mechanical and landscape criteria. Results will allow us to assess whether they have the potentiality to be used in artificial wetlands designed to improve water quality of wastewater.
This project is funded by the Generalitat de Catalunya.