German scientists of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (TIK) and the University of Bonn conducted a study which found that fern species of Salvinia Molesta absorbs from the water surface the oily composition of the oil. The discovery made it possible to think about the use of plants, which is considered a weed, in emergencies, when oil spreads on the water’s surface, reports Science Daily.
“The ability to repel water fern Salvinia Molesta and was previously known”, — said the curator of the project Institute TIK Claudia Singer. According to her, the effect of absorption of oil was discovered by accident, but studied for the first time.
As informs the edition, the fern Salvinia have a lipophilic surface that is attracted to lipids — fats and fatlike substances but repel water. Researchers from the German Karlsruhe Institute of Technology noticed these unique properties of the plant and now intend to use them for elimination of oil from the water surface. They found out that the adsorptive surface properties of the fern are enhanced by lipophilic micromolecule quickly capture the oily droplets of oil.
Fern species of Salvinia Molesta is inherently large-leaved floating plant that is found in places with tropical and subtropical climates. In its natural habitat the plant is densely covers the surface of the water. Previously, scientists in the Philippines, by the way, also discovered the useful properties of the fern to clean large volumes of water.
“Damaged pipelines, accidents on oil tankers and platforms, the oil drilling – all this leads to water pollution either by oil or technical oil. writes Science Daily . Traditional methods of cleaning oil spills associated with a whole range of negative impacts on the environment. This, for example, the combustion of fuel or the use of chemicals to accelerate the decomposition of oil, which often causes secondary pollution of water.”
The fern reproduces fairly rapidly, capturing large areas of water, which the plant is considered a weed. Salvinia literally 30 seconds absorbs oil from the water surface. This property is demonstrated in a short demo video that was prepared by the researchers. Today, the fern has the potential to become inexpensive and environmentally friendly adsorbent of petroleum products.
Institute KIT has already developed a plastic analogue of this plant, it also repels water and absorbs oil, reports Science Daily.
