Contaminant removal by ferns via foliar-application and excised/ground fronds
AssigneeUniversity of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
InventorsLena Q. Ma, Mike Shuxin Tu, Abioye O. Fayiga
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Processes, methods, materials and compositions for phytoremediating contaminated waters, which have been contaminated with pollutants such as arsenic, phosphorous, or other metals. Fern plants can be used to accumulate pollutants from contaminated water, including aqueous solution, waste water, ground water, surface water, combinations thereof. Pollutants and contaminants can be removed from the water, soil and wetland type environment via foliar application, excised leaflets, and/or through compositions of ground leaflets. The biomass can be harvested and readily disposed of, or can be treated to recover the pollutants and contaminants.
Claims51
A process for removing a pollutant through a foliar application, comprising the steps of:
- growing a fern plant selected from the group consisting of Pteridaceae, Adiantaceae, Aspleniaceae, Dryopteridaceae, and Oleandraceae, in an environment site containing the pollutant;
- and
- removing a portion of the pollutant by phytoremediation through contact with a live part of the fern plant.
A process for removing a pollutant through an excised plant part, comprising:
- excising a live part of a fern plant selected from the group consisting of Pteridaceae, Adiantaceae, Aspleniaceae, Dryopteridaceae, and Oleandraceae;
- applying the excised live plant part to an environment site containing the pollutant;
- and
- removing a portion of the pollutant by phytoremediation through contact with the excised live plant part.
A process for removing a pollutant through ground up plant part, comprising:
- excising a live part of a fern plant selected from the group consisting of Pteridaceae, Adiantaceae, Aspleniaceae, Dryopteridaceae, and Oleandraceae;
- grounding the excised plant part into ground biomass;
- and
- removing a portion of the pollutant by phytoremediation through contact with the ground biomass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.