Water Lilies "Sponge" Heavy Metals

Recent experiments show that water lilies absorb large quantities of heavy metals through their leaves and roots. The Israeli researchers proffered that the lilies could be used remediate water sources containing such contaminants as well as similarly contaminated industrial effluents.

The research was conducted at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Department of Agricultural Botany. The research team showed that the water lilies can absorb metals to up to 16% of their dry weight. The research team included Professor Elisha Tel-Or and doctoral student Noa Lavid.

A pilot operation was established at the Haifa municipal wastewater treatment plant in 1998. Results showed a "marked" reduction of cadmium in the sludge following "treatment" by water lilies. Other experiments indicated promising results at removing such heavy metals as mercury, nickel, and cobalt from industrial sludge.

Experimental work is ongoing.

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