Vascular aquatic plants such as water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart.) Solms and alligator weeds (Alternanthera philoxeroides) (Mart.) Griesb., when utilized in a controlled biological system (including a regular program of harvesting to achieve maximum growth and pollution removal efficiency), may represent a remarkably efficient and inexpensive filtration and disposal system for toxic materials and sewage released into waters near urban and industrial areas. The harvested and processed plant materials are sources of energy, fertilizer, animal feed, and human food. Such a system has industrial, municipal, and agricultural applications

Barlow, R. M.

Mcdonald, R. C.

Wolverton, B. C.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

JASA T MO[ IC/AL TM-X-72726
M][ [ MORAN MAY, 1975
(NASA-TM-X-72726) APPLICATION OF VASCULAR N75-22938
AQUATIC PLANTS FOR POLLUTION REMOVAL, ENERGY
AND FOOD PRODUCTION IN A BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM
(NASA) CSCL 13B Unclas
G3/45 20736
APPLICATION OF VASCULAR AQUATIC PLANTS FOR
POLLUTION REMOVAL, ENERGY AND FOOD PRODUCTION
IN A BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM
By B. C. Wolverton
R. M. Barlow
R. C. McDonald
ri- 3DUCiD B1
S u vu Ak I 1"il I OF Go.1NM:C
E
NASA
NATIONAL SPACE TECHNOLOGY LABORATORIES
BAY ST. LOUIS, MISSISSIPPI 39520
REPRODUCED BY
NATIONAL TECHNICAL
INFORMATION SERVICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SPRINGFIELD, VA. 22161
NSTL FORM 12 (JAN 1975)
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19750014866 2020-03-22T21:30:19+00:00Z
TECHNICAL REPORT STANDARD TITLIE pAG
I. REPORT NO. I2 GOVERNMENT ACCESSION NO, . RECIPIENTS 8 CATALOG NO.-
TM-X-72726
4o TITLE AND SUBTITLE go REPORT DATE
May 12, 1975
Application of Vascular Aquatic Plants for Pollution Removal, 4. PERFORMING OGANIZATION CODE
Energy and Food Production in a Biological System
7. AUTHOR(S) a. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION
RE PORT NO.
B. C. Wolverton, R. M. Barlow and R. C. McDonald
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. WORK UNIT NO.
National Space Technology Laboratories
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 39520 II. CONTRACT OR GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS IS. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD
COVERED
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Technical Memorandum
Washington, D. C. 20546 I. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
IS. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
Interim program test results, NASA, Office of Applications sponsored program-
(RTOP 644-02-02) Vascular Aquatic Plants for Pollution Control and Sources of
Energy and Food.
16. ABSTRACT
Vascular aquatic plants such as water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) (Mart.) Solms and
alligator weeds (Alternanthera philoxeroldes) (Mart.) Griesb., when utilized in a controlled
biological system (including a regular program of harvesting to achieve maximum growth
and pollution removal efficiency) may represent a remarkably efficient and inexpensive
filtration and disposal system for toxic materials and sewage released into waters near
urban and industrial areas. The harvested and processed plant materials are sources of
energy, fertilizer, animal feed, and human food. Such a system has industrial, municipal,
and agricultural applications.
17. KEY WORDS IS. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Wastewater treatment Unclassified - unlimited
Energy
Bioconversion
Carcinogens
Heavy Metals
Vascular aquatic plants
19. SECURITY CLASSIP.(thUitrepat 20 SECURITY CLASSI .(.ethis page)
Unclassified Unclassified
NSTL PORM IS (JAN 197s)
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM X-72726
APPLICATION OF VASCULAR AQUATIC PLANTS
FOR POLLUTION REMOVAL, ENERGY AND FOOD
PRODUCTION IN A BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM
Vascular aquatic plants such as water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes)
(Mart.) Solms and alligator weeds (Alternanthera philoxeroides) (Mart.)
Griesb., common to tropical and subtropical regions of the world, appear to
be among the most promising candidates for solving many of man' s problems,
including pollution removal, increased food, energy and fertilizer require-
ments. Vascular aquatic plants, when utilized in a controlled biological sys-
tem including a regular program of harvesting to achieve maximum growth and
pollution removal efficiency, may represent a remarkably efficient and inex-
pensive filtration and disposal system for toxic materials and sewage released
into waters near urban and industrial areas. The NASA/National Space Tech-
nology Laboratories, as a result of searching for economical solutions to up-
grading the effluent quality of its sewage and chemical waste treatment la-
goons, began investigating the potentials of vascular aquatic plants for pollu-
tion control.
The fact that vascular plants can absorb, translocate and metabolize
or concentrate various chemicals has been known for almost forty years (1).
This ability, for example, has been used to great advantage by entomologists
using systemic insecticides in controlling plant-eating insects (2). Also, the
capability of vascular aquatic plants to assimilate nutrients and remove ex-
cess nitrates and phosphates from sewage effluents has been recognized for
several years (3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The phenomenon involved in systemic uptake,
translocation, concentration and/or metabolic breakdown of pesticides, and
the vast potential vascular aquatic plants have in removing chemical pollu-
tants from water systems are just beginning to be fully appreciated by envi-
ronmental scientists. Interestingly, vascular aquatic plants, such as the
water hyacinth in particular, have been the subject of considerable research
concerning mineral and nutrient uptake, growth rates, and mechanical harves-
ting practices. Most of the research effort has been associated with control
and eradication, since, in the natural state, water hyacinths are considered
a major pest due to their tremendous growth rate and extreme hardiness.
These characteristics become desirable attributes when the plants are utilized
in a controlled biological system for pollution removal. Research has also
been done on developing useful products from plants harvested to clear water-
ways, including evaluation for animal feeds and human food and assessment of
their nutrient content (8,_9, 10,1,_12) No sustaining efforts to process and
utilize the plants on a commercial basis are presently known. Due to the pro-
blems encountered in harvesting in the wild state and transportation to process-
ing sites, economical utilization could not be achieved. Using a well designed
system to increase harvesting efficiency and by locating the processing equip-
ment on-site to eliminate logistics problems, an economical operation is en-
tirely feasible.
LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS
As a result of preliminary studies on utilization of vascular aquatic
plants for pollution control, laboratory investigations were undertaken at
NSTL to determine the pollution removal capabilities for various pollutants
and nutrients.
It has been reported that under favorable conditions, one acre (0.40
hectare) of water hyacinths can produce over 534 pounds (240 Kg) of dry plant
material per day, which is one of the greatest yields of organic matter ever
reported (13). This same surface area of water hyacinths has the potential of
removing over 3,500 pounds (1,591 Kg) of nitrogen and over 800 pounds (364
Kg) of phosphorus, annually, from sewage effluent; absorbing and metaboli-
zing over 150 pounds (68 Kg) of phenol every seventy-two hours from water
polluted with this chemical, in addition to removing over 120 grams of trace
heavy metal contaminates every 24 hours (3, 5. 6, 14, 15, 16).
To effectively remove nutrients and other chemicals from waste efflu-
ents, water hyacinths must be harvested at intervals which allow for maximum
biomass production. One acre (0. 40 hectare) of water hyacinths has the poten-
tial of producing over 70 tons (63. 5 metric) of dry plant material annually, when
grown in a desirable nutrient media such as domestic sewage effluent under
proper climatic conditions (13). This large volume of biomass has the poten-
tial of producing over one million cubic feet of bio-gas through anaerobic de-
composition with 70 tons (63.5 metric tons) of residual high grade fertilizer
being produced as a by-product (17, 18, 19). Water hyacinths also have a dry
weight nutrient content similar to that of many agricultural crops (8). The
nutrient content varies with water fertility and stage of plant growth.
2
Figure 1, 2 and 3 summarizes the laboratory investigations on the po-
llution removal capabilities of water hyacinths and alligator weeds. Experi-
ments were conducted using plant controls free of pollutants and pollutant con-
trols free of plants. Aqueous samples were taken at 1, 3, 6, and 24 hour in-
tervals for heavy metals; and for nutrient removal analyses, samples were
taken at seven-day and fourteen-day intervals (5, 14, 15, 16).
APPLICATIONS
Two of the most pressing problems facing the United States and other
industrial nations today are rapid depletion of vital natural resources and en-
vironmental pollution. One important factor in the rise of the United States
to its present high industrial level has been an abundance of fossil fuel re-
sources. Presently, coal, oil, and large reservoirs of underground natural
gas are all produced through natural decomposition of pre-historic forms of
life. Modern society is depleting these resources at an alarming rate. Re-
newable sources must be developed within the near future.
As we deplete our natural resources, we are also polluting and con-
taminating our environment at ever increasing rates. Fortunately, the min-
erals and nutrients contaminating and polluting our water systems can poten-
tially be recovered, utilizing natural biological processes.
Based on laboratory results with vascular aquatic plants and the pre-
liminary results of field tests being conducted under a NASA, Office of Appli-
cations - sponsored program at the National Space Technology Laboratories,
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, some innovative applications now appear possi-
ble. A system of vascular aquatic plant filled lagoons appears possible for
removal of chemical pollutants with the harvested plants being converted to
bio-gas and extraction of heavy metals from the sludge. Since no toxic levels
of heavy metals have been found in plants grown in domestic sewage (samples
taken from the City of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, sewage lagoon), the har-
vested plants are potential sources of animal feed, human food and fertilizer.
Figure 4 conceptually illustrates a biological system for removal of
chemical and sewage pollutants from waste waters, utilizing either water
hyacinths or alligator weeds as a biological filtration system in a zig-zag
canal-type lagoon. Mature plants harvested to promote optimum growth rate
and removal of pollutants and contaminants become a valuable source of raw
material for conversion to useful products.
3
Figure 5 displays some of the processing alternatives and products
that may be derived from the harvested biomass.
Figure 6 conceives a potentially self-sufficient agricultural homestead
through the installation of a vascular aquatic _plant filtration system and ancil-
liary processing equipment to produce energy, fertilizer and feeds.
FIELD DEMONSTRATIONS AND CONTINUING EFFORTS
Field demonstrations, utilizing a chemical waste lagoon and a munici-
pal sewage lagoon are in process. The primary objective of the field tests is
to demonstrate the pollution removal effectiveness of vascular aquatic plants.
Figure 7 shows the zig-zag canal type lagoon at NSTL during the construction
phase. This lagoon is now being utilized to evaluate the removal of pollutants
from chemical wastes.
Efforts are continuing toward the development and demonstration of
harvesting equipment. The planned harvesting scheme is to gather, remove
from the water, and chop the harvested water hyacinths into approximately
one inch (2. 5 cm) pieces. From this point the plant material will be delivered
to the selected processing equipment. The harvesting ecipment is designed
to process at a rate of 15 to 20 tons (13. 6 to 18 metric tons) per hour.
Processing equipment, including scaled-up laboratory models of bio-
gas generating units, is being developed. This equipment will be operated to
gather data for sizing a pilot plant for field test and evaluation. Investigations
of methods for processing the residual sludge from the bio-gas units into fer-
tilizers will be conducted, including evaluation of the chemical and nutritive
content.
Animal feed processing will be accomplished by reducing the moisture
content of the freshly chopped plant material to approximately that of well
cured forage. A solar dryer will be evaluated for curing the plant material.
Several feed formulations will be produced and evaluated in a beef cattle feed-
ing program.
Several other processing possibilities are also being investigated on a
limited scale. Laboratory studies are being initiated to develop methods for
metal extraction from sludges containing heavy metals. Laboratory processes
for converting harvested plant material (free of toxic substances) into human
food will be undertaken to produce protein supplements, cereals or flour/meals.
4
Based on field tests to demonstrate pollution removal and to demon-
strate the processing of harvested plants into usable products, a comprehen-
sive economic assessment will be conducted including capital investment re-
quirements, operating costs and potential sales of products to offset operating
costs.
5
Chemical and LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS FIELD POTENTIAL
Metal Pollutants Dry Plant Contact Quantity-Removed, Area Qiantity-Removed,
Weight Time Absorbed, or Absorbed or
(grams) (hours) Metabolized Mletabolized
Cadmium* 1 24 0.67 mg Acre 0. 355 lb **
0. 4 Hectare 0.161 Kg **
Lead* 1 24 0. 176mg Acre 0. 093 lb **
0. 4 Hectare 0. 042 Kg **
Mercury* 1 24 0. 15 0mg Acre 0. 079 lb **
0. 4 Hectare 0. 036 Kg **
Nickel* 1 24 0.50 mg Acre 0.265 lb **
0. 4 Hectare 0. 120 Kg **
Silver* 1 24 0. 65 mg Acre 0. 344 lb **
0. 4 Hectare 0.156 Kg **
Cobalt* 1 24 0.57 mg Acre 0. 302 lb **
0. 4 Hectare 0.137 Kg **
Strontium* 1 24 0.54 mg Acre 0.286 lb **
0. 4 Hectare I 0. 130 Kg **
Phenols 1 72 36 mg Acre 19.1 lb **
0. 4 Hectare 8.640 Kg **
* Ionized form
** Based on removal of mature plants every 24 hours
Figure 1. Capability of Water Hyacinths to Remove Various Pollutants From Waters Polluted With These Substances
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS FIELD POTENTIAL
Metal Pollutants Dry Plant Contact Quantity-Removed, Quantity-Removed,
(ionized form) Weight Time Absorbed, or Area Absorbed, or(grams) (hours) Metabolized Metabolized
Lead 1 24 0.10 mg Acre 0.053 lb *
0. 4 Hectare 0.024 Kg*
Mercury 1 24 0. 15 mg Acre 0.079 lb *
0. 4 Hectare 0. 036 Kg *
Silver 1 24 0. 44 mg Acre 0. 233 lb *
0.4 Hectare 0.106 Kg*
Cobalt 1 24 0.13 mg Acre 0.069 lb '
0.4 Hectare 0.031 Kg*
Strontium 1 24 0.16 mg Acre 0.085 lb *
0. 4 Hectare 0.038 Kg
* Based on the removal of mature plants every 24 hours.
Figure 2. Capability of Alligator Weeds to Remove Various Heavy Metals From Waters Polluted With These Metals
INFLUENT EFFLUENT
TYPE OF PLANT/ 7-Day Exposure 14-Day Exposure 7-Day 
Exposure 14-Day Exposure
MEASUREMENTS TAKEN Reduction Reduction Reduction Reduction Reduction Reduction Reduction Reduction
w/Plants Control w/Plants Control w/Plants Control w/Plants Control
(Free of (Free of (Free of (Free of
Plants) Plants) Plants) Plants)
WATER HYACINTHS
- Total Kjeldahl
Nitrogen 92% 18% - - 75% 13% 89% 15%
- Total Phosphorus 60% 13% 87% 11% 99% 25%
- Total Suspended
Solids - - - - 75% 15% 77% 12%
- BOD5  97% 1% - - 77% 6% -
- pH Increased Increased - - - - Decreased Decreased
From 7. 05 From 7.05 From 8. 80 From 8. 80
to 7.35 to 7. 75 to 7. 20 to 8. 20
ALLIGATOR WEEDS
- Total Kjeldahl
Nitrogen 97% 18% 97% 14% 61% 10% 76% 14%
- Total Phosphorus 50% 13% 78% 35% 44% 15% 62% 41%
- Total Suspended
Solids - - - - 94c 48% 98% 60%
- BOD5  92% 68% 97% 65% - -
- -
- pH - - Increased Increased - - Decreased Decreased
From 7.1 to From 7.1 to From 8.9 From 8.9
7.4 8.25 to 7. 2 to 8.35
Figure 3. Final Filtration of Sewage Utilizing Water Hyacinths and Alligator Weeds
CHEMICAL LAS F LDG.
f kA A
9
FPROM WASTE TO CLEAN WATER, ENERGY ANO MINERALS
Figure 4. NASA Aquatic Plant Filtration System Concept
HARVESTED PLANTS-
POLLUTION REMOVAL APPLICATIONS PROCESSING ALTERNATIVES PRODUCTS
REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION - - - - - - -- - METHANE GAS
FROM CHEMICAL AND INDUSTRIAL
WASTE WATERS
SILVER, GOLD,
METAL iCADMIUM, MERCURY,
RESIDUAL SLUDGE- - - - .EXTRACTION ---- LEAD, ETC. BASE
PROCESSES METALS
REMOVAL OF NITRATES AND ANAEROBIC FERMENTATION - - - - - - - - - -METHANE GAS
PHOSPHATES FROM DOMESTIC- UTILIZING
DRYED - UTILIZING
RESIDUALSLUDGE - - - SOLAR ENERGY AS (BAGGED OR BULK)
SOURCE OF THERMAL
ENERGY
AND/OR
ANIMAL FEED PRO- ADDITIVE FOR CATTLE,
CESSING- - - - --- a SWINE AND POULTRY
CHOPPED AND DRYED
--- I FEEDSPLANT MATERIAL I
POTABLE -FOOD PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT
PROCESSING -- - - -" FLOUR OR MEAL
SICEREAL INGREDIENT
-- AND/OR
COMPOSTED-- ARD AND GARDEN
AUL H (BAGGED OR BULK)
Figure 5. Processing Alternatives for Conversion of Vascular Aquatic Plants to Usefil Products
Figur 6. ArNcuAN4MA A. MCIon
X ,I
01 APLAE itR~t
1110 G ~ iiii£11iiG
195 NF PRO(156O* I
41 COP1s 
o A 
F t
Figure 6. Agricultural Applications
In bfNNizIC
12:
REFERENCES
1. Hurd-Karrer, A. M. and Poos, F. W. 1936. Science, 84:252.
2. Bennett, S. H. 1957. "The Behavior of Systemic Insecticides Applied to
Plants," Ann. Rev. Entomology, 2:279-296.
3. Rogers, H. H. and Davis, D. E. 1972. "Nutrient Removal by Water
Hyacinth," Weed Science, 20:423-427.
4. Sheffield, C. W. 1967. "Water Hyacinth for Nutrient Removal, " Hyacinth
Control Journal , 6:27-30.
5. Wolverton, B. C. and McDonald, R. C. 1975. "Water Hyacinths and
Alligator Weeds for Final Filtration of Sewage, " NASA Technical Memo-
randum, TM-X-72724.
6. Haller, W. T. and Sutton, D. L. 1973. "Effect of pH and High Phosphorus
Concentrations on Growth of Water Hyacinth," Hyacinth Control Journal,
11:59-61.
7. Boyd, C. E. 1970. "Vascular Aquatic Plants for Mineral Nutrient Remov-
al from Polluted Waters," Economic Botany, 24:95-103.
8. Boyd, C. E. 1968. "Evaluation of Some Common Aquatic Weeds as Possi-
ble Feedstuffs," Hyacinth Control Journal, 7:26-27.
9. Taylor, K. G. 1971. "Extraction of Protein from Water Hyacinth," Hya-
cinth Control Journal, 9:20-22.
10. Boyd, C. E. 1969. "The Nutritive Value of Three Species of Water Weeds,"
Economic Botany , 23:123-127.
11. Easley, J. F. 1974. "Nutrient Elements for Livestock in Aquatic Plants,"
Hyacinth Control Journal, 12:82-84.
12. Taylor, K. G. and Robbins, R. C. 1968. "The Amino Acid Composition
of Water Hyacinth and its Value as a Protein Supplement," Hyacinth Con-
trol Journal, 8:24-25.
13
REFERENCES (CONT' D)
13. Yount, J. L. 1964. "Report of the 35th Annual Meeting, Florida Anti-
Mosquito Association," P. 83.
14. Wolverton, B. C. 1975. "Water Hyacinths for Removal of Phenols from
Polluted Waters, " NASA Technical Memorandum, TM-X-72722.
15. Wolverton, B. C. and McDonald, R. C. 1975. "Water Hyacinths and
Alligator Weeds for Removal of Lead and Mercury from Polluted Waters,"
NASA Technical Memorandum, TM-X-72723.
16. Wolverton, B. C., 1975. "Water Hyacinths for Removal of Cadmium and
Nickel from Polutted Waters," NASA Technical Memorandum,
TM-X-72721.
17. Methane Digesters for Fuel 'Gas and Fertilizer 1973. "New Alchemy Insti-
tute Newsletter No. 3, " Box 432, Woods Hole, Mass.
18. Singh, R. B. 1971. "Bio-Gas Plant Generating Methane from Organic
Wastes," Gobar Gas Research Station, Ajitmal, Etawah (U. P.) India.
19. Wolverton, B. C., Ladner, C. M., and Gordon, J. 1975. "Bio-Conver-
sion of Water Hyacinths into Methane Gas and Fertilizer'," NASA Techni-
cal Memorandum, TM-X-72725.
14
APPROVAL
APPLICATION OF VASCULAR AQUATIC PLANTS
FOR POLLUTION REMOVAL, ENERGY AND FOOD
PRODUCTION IN A BIOLOGICAL SYSTEM
By B. C. Wolverton
R. M. Barlow
R. C. McDonald
The information in this report has been reviewed for security classi-
fication. Review of any information concerning Department of Defense of
Atomic Energy Commission programs has been made by the NSTL Security
Classification Officer. This report, in its entirety, has been determined to
be unclassified.
This document has also been reviewed and approved for technical
accuracy.
HENRY F. AUTER
Director, Applications Engineering
National Space Technology Laboratories
15


Application of vascular aquatic plants for pollution removal, energy and food production in a biological system

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