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"The effluent takes five days to wind from one end of the greenhouse to
the other. When it reaches the far end, it is filtered by the artificial
marsh - a gravel bed out of which grows a carefully selected thicket of
water-loving plants. The marsh plants are chosen because they have
commercial value (watercress) or pretty blooms (marsh marigold) or known
ability to take up toxic substances (cattails, bulrushes). Organic toxins
are broken down. Heavy metals accumulate in the plants and in any compost
made from the plants. That's a problem, but heavy metals are a problem in
every kind of wastewater treatment plant."
"I learned about these plants from Kathe Seidel at the Max Planck
Institute in West Germany. She's tested 260 plants for purifying ability.
She found that some would take up heavy metals and organic solvents and
even some, like that aquatic iris over there, that exude substances from
their roots that kill pathogenic bacteria. Hardly anyone pays attention to
her work. But she gave me the confidence that we could duplicate nature's
way of making high-quality water."
----------------------
Lawrence
london@sunsite.unc.edu
Article 735 (8 more) in bionet.plants:
From: ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk (Tony Travis)
Subject: Re: A big hello
Date: 16 Dec 92 23:25:37 GMT
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Welcome to the group, David.
I'm glad that people are beginning to participate actively on the
bionet.plants group. As plant biologists we have a lot to learn from
the molecular biologists experience of using the network, but we are
getting there gradually.
The essence of Usenet, for me, is the informal contact we make with
each other by posting to a group such as this. I began the discussions
on bionet.plants by asking people to introduce themselves and describe
their area of interest.
So, tell us something about your interest in heavy metals and taxonomy?
Ok, what am I interested in . My main interest is in how plants are able
to tolerate elevated levels of heavy metals and specifically what is the
mechanism of metals tolerance in evolved metal tolerant races. I have
looked at the formation of copper-phytochelatin (gamma(EC)nG) and
metallothionein (the protein I isolated had an amino acid composition very
similar to that predicted for the plant metallothionein gene) in copper
tolerant Mimulus guttatus inresponse to 10 micro molar Cu and the synthesis
of just phytochelatins in response to Cd. Recently I have been looking at the
mechanism involved in Cd and phytochelatin transport into the vacuole where
they appear to accumulate. I have identified a Cd/H antiport activity at the
tonoplast and am now investigateing the mechanisms of phytochelatin transport.
Well in a nut shell that is what I do.
David Salt
Botany Dept.
University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada (Botsalt@vm.uoguelph.ca)
Fri, 18 Dec 1992 13:29:28 -0700
"Tony C. Tweedale" <es__act@SELWAY.UMT.EDU>
Re: cleaning products
To: Multiple recipients of list BIOSPH-L <BIOSPH-L@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu>
On Thu, 17 Dec 1992, Rumen with a View wrote:
> C. Hanlon has requested info on cleaning compounds. Perhaps someone out there
> can enlighten me as well. There seems to be a common perception "out there"
> that commercial detergents are less environmentally friendly than old
fashioned
> cleaners that grandma used, like borax.
>
> Most commercial soaps are primarily sodium lauryl sulfate or
> similar fatty acid salts. Since medium chain fatty acids are easily
metabolized
> by microbes, the primary ingredients don't strike me as being particularly
> threatening.
>
> Borax, on the other hand, is a reasonably toxic element for mammals.
> Acceptable maximum tolerable levels for domestic animals:
>
> boron 150 ppm
> selenium 2 ppm
> mercury 2-3 ppm
> strontium 2,000 ppm
> chromium 1,000 ppm
> cadmium 0.5 ppm
> manganese 400 ppm (swine)
> uranium 400 ppm (rats)
>
> These numbers are subject to other mineral interactions and species variation.
> However, I don't know of anyone who would suggest washing clothes in uranium
> salts even if it were an effective cleaner.
>
> Lyle Rode
> Nutritionist
> Agriculture Canada
a reply:
synthetic detergents were at one time composed largely of branched long
chain "fatty acids". bugs could not eat their way around the side chains
and so the detergents did not degrade (does that cause a nutrients
problem--i guess not, that's due to inputs of phosphor in the cleaning
agents?).
and what about these new citrus oil solvents that are meant to be super
effective, ie can be used to replace industrial strength solvents eg
methylene chloride, cfc's, toluene, etc. (down w. chlorine!). i understand
they are terpene molecular units that do the cleaning (ie are the reactive
molecule in the formulation). take it they are similar to old fashioned
turpentine. degradable? toxicity (chronic, acute)?
Sat 20 Feb 93 9:10
By: ALLAN BALLIETT
Re: New Alchemy/Ocean Arks
Here's documentation from the founder himself, John Todd, that New
Alchemy is dead, but the spirit goes on living and WORKING towards a
sustainable future!
==================================================
January 1 993
Dear Friends of New Alchemy
As you know, last summer the New Alchemy Institute officially closed
its doors. You may also know, however, that neither the vision nor the
work that began there have been lost. With the founding of Ocean Arks
International in 1983. there began a new phase in the research and
implementation of the ideas that first took form at New Alchemy.
Like New Alchemy, Ocean Arks was founded by John Todd and Nancy Jack
Todd and is a nonprofit research and education organization dedicated
to the creation and dissemination of the thinking and the technologies
fundamental to a sustainable future. Drawing on what we learned of the
ecology of aquatic ecosystems at New Alchemy, we since have created a
family of living technologies that now are restoring waters polluted
by human and industrial wastes to drinking water standards.
Working through The Center for the Restoration of waters at Ocean
Arks, we have created one of the most advanced ecologically engineered
waste treatment systems in the world which, after a few years of
extensive verification, is now legally permitted in two states. We
have begun to restore a highly polluted pond in Massachusetts w ith
our new floating Living Machine, Lake Restorer 1, opening a channel
for its use on water bodies the world over. Our Providence, RI and
Marion, Me research facilities have been making ground-breaking
discoveries in purifying industrial and toxic wastes. We have
demonstrated, on a laboratory scale, that Living Machines can break
down such highly toxic wastes as those found in Chattanooga Creek, for
which we have attracted the attention of Vice President-elect Al Gore.
We have also received continuing support from Congressman Gerry Studds
and Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and Joe Kennedy and
Claudine Schneider of Rhode Island, to name a few, giving us a strong
vote of encouragement with the political leaders in Washington. Our
education program is reaching professionals and students with courses
in ecological design skills, aquaculture, food production, waste
treatment and environmental repair. Recently, we were granted the
Discover Award for Technological Innovation and the Teddy Roosevelt
Conservation Award by President Bush.
We have managed not only to survive but to move ahead with these
developments during a period when the environment was a low priority
in the eyes of government and most industry. But we have done so at
the cost of incurring considerable debt believing that the ideas were
too important to let die. Now, with the renewed promise of the
incoming administration and because of your support for New Alchemy
over the years, we are again turning to you to ask you to remain a
part of keeping its mission alive.
If you were willing, each of you could help us in some way. It would
be wonderful if you would consider any of the following suggestions:
1. Contribute towards a debt reduction fund or to our general support.
2. Help us to create an endowment, which would secure a future for our
work.
3. Help us find customers/clients in industry and in various
communities who need help cleaning up pollution and repairing
environments. Living Machines can upgrade drinking water reservoirs,
restore polluted water bodies and purify wastewaters.
4. Help spread the word. Subscribe to our publication, "Annals of Earth" an
updated equivalent of the old "Journals of the New Alchemists " .
1992 was a tough year for us. Salaries weren't always paid, yet our
morale remained high. We are a committed and talented organization -
dedicated to the Earth and to the training of its stewards. We are
ready with the skills and technologies to make things happen. It is
our hope that there will be a new environmental agenda over the next
decade and we want to play a key role in it. Please help us.
Sincerely,
John Todd, president
P.S. Your contribution is tax deductible. We now accept MC/VISA and
American Express.
================================================== Annals of Earth
The exchange of ideas feeds the roots of new thought. To this end the
Center for the Restoration of Waters publishes "Annals of Earth" to
disseminate the ideas and practice of ecological sustainability
throughout the world. It seeks, through written communication, to
foster the emergence of a new global culture. Published 3 times
yearly, "Annals" has an international roster of scholarly,
philosophical and ecological writers who deal with planetary issues
from a wide range of perspectives. While "Annals" covers and
chronicles the Center's activities, it also publishes articles that
range in subject from the philosophy of ecology, basic biology, hands
on environmental projects, to the Gaia Hypothesis. Distributed
world-wide, "Annals" is an intellectual forum for the presentation of
leading edge environmental thought.
A Publication Of Ocean Arks International and the Lindisfarne
Association Volume X, Number 2, 1992
$? Contribution
$15 Student/unwaged member
$30 Individual member
$35 Canadian member
$ 40 Foreign member
$ 50 Family member
$100 Supporting member $1000 Patron member
Membership includes subscription to "Annals", course announcements and
contributes to the work of OAI. Please make checks payable to Ocean
Arks International. We now accept MC/VISA & American Express. To renew
by phone, please call 508-510-6801.
A Publication of Ocean Arks International and The Lindisfarne
Association
OCEAN ARKS INTERNATIONAL
* Origin: The Twilight Clone (1:109/70.914)
Article 1009 of bionet.plants:
Path: samba!concert!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!uwm.edu!msuinfo!netnews.upenn.edu!vbell
From: vbell@mail.sas.upenn.edu (Vance Bell)
Newsgroups: bionet.plants
Subject: The Use of Plants to Treat Wastewater
Message-ID: <114049@netnews.upenn.edu>
Date: 16 Mar 93 20:02:59 GMT
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I am greatly interested in the possiblity of using plants, and/or entire
ecosystems to treat wastewaste. I understand that work on this has been
attempted in Northern California; Sugarbush, Vermont; Louisiana; Cape May,
Massachussetts, and possibly other places.
I would greatly appreciate any references on this type of research.
The main source I presently have is an article on the New Alchemy
Institute, in Massachussetts, and a man named John Todd who has apparently
founded a company to promote the "technology."
Citations of reference books on plant abilities to sequester metals, or
treat water would also be helpful.
Thank You.
Vance Bell: vbell@mail.sas.upenn.edu
Article 1012 of bionet.plants:
Path: samba!concert!rock!stanford.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!uunet!biosci!daresbury!daresbury!ajt
From: ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk (Tony Travis)
Newsgroups: bionet.plants
Subject: Re: The Use of Plants to Treat Wastewater
Message-ID: <1993Mar17.131425.4355@gserv1.dl.ac.uk>
Date: 17 Mar 93 13:14:08 GMT
References: <93316214655.MIN-LRFAa00360.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury>
Sender: list-admin@daresbury.ac.uk
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Organization: Rowett Research Institute
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Apparently-To: <plantbio@daresbury>
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL7]
Vance Bell (vbell@edu.upenn.sas.mail) wrote:
: I am greatly interested in the possiblity of using plants, and/or entire
: ecosystems to treat wastewaste. I understand that work on this has been
: attempted in Northern California; Sugarbush, Vermont; Louisiana; Cape May,
: Massachussetts, and possibly other places.
I don't have any references, Vance :-(
.... but a lot of work has been done on the water hiacynth (Eichhornia)
which apparently thrives when growing on all sorts of waste/polluted
water, and improves the quality of the water in the process.
I think there was a project to use the plant material produced, but I'm
uncertain what for because accumulation of toxic substances would make
it useless for feeding animals.
Tony.
--
Dr. A.J.Travis, | JANET: <ajt@uk.ac.sari.rri>
Rowett Research Institute, | other: <ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk>
Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, | phone: +44 (0)224 712751
Aberdeen, AB2 9SB. UK. | fax: +44 (0)224 715349
Article 1013 of bionet.plants:
Newsgroups: bionet.plants
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From: clarke@watson.ibm.com (Ed Clarke)
Subject: Re: The Use of Plants to Treat Wastewater
Sender: news@watson.ibm.com (NNTP News Poster)
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Date: Wed, 17 Mar 1993 14:24:48 GMT
Distribution: bionet
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM.
References: <93316214655.MIN-LRFAa00360.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury> <1993Mar17.131425.4355@gserv1.dl.ac.uk>
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In article <1993Mar17.131425.4355@gserv1.dl.ac.uk>, ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk (Tony Travis) writes:
|> Vance Bell (vbell@edu.upenn.sas.mail) wrote:
|> : I am greatly interested in the possiblity of using plants, and/or entire
|> : ecosystems to treat wastewaste. I understand that work on this has been
|> : attempted in Northern California; Sugarbush, Vermont; Louisiana; Cape May,
|> : Massachussetts, and possibly other places.
|> I don't have any references, Vance :-(
|> .... but a lot of work has been done on the water hiacynth (Eichhornia)
|> which apparently thrives when growing on all sorts of waste/polluted
|> water, and improves the quality of the water in the process.
Disney-World in Orlando, FL is using plants to process their waste water.
I'm sure they would be glad to give you references ... good public
relations and all that.
Ed Clarke
clarke@watson.ibm.com
Article 1017 of bionet.plants:
Path: samba!concert!rock!stanford.edu!agate!biosci!UCRVM2.bitnet!VJIMENEZ
From: VJIMENEZ@UCRVM2.bitnet ("Victor M. Jimenez")
Newsgroups: bionet.plants
Subject: Re: The Use of Plants to Treat Wastewater
Message-ID: <9303172350.AA09136@net.bio.net>
Date: 17 Mar 93 23:50:40 GMT
References: <vbell@mail.sas.upenn.edu>
Sender: daemon@net.bio.net
Distribution: bionet
Organization: Universidad de Costa Rica
Lines: 19
Vance:
I have no references, but I've heard that at the Instituto Tecnologico de
Costa Rica there is some people working in the matter. Using the
water hyacint (don't really know how to write it, sorry). You can try to
contact Juan Carlos Carvajal (jccarvaj@ucrvm2.bitnet) who is the manager at
that institute, and ask him to put in contact with the people who is working
in that project.
Good luck,
Victor
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
VICTOR M. JIMENEZ VJIMENEZ@UCRVM2.BITNET
CIGRAS TEL. (506)-24-8554
UNIVERSIDAD DE COSTA RICA FAX. (506)-53-3762
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Article 1019 of bionet.plants:
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From: cunninsd@esvax.dnet.dupont.com
Newsgroups: bionet.plants
Subject: plant-based, wastewater treatment systems
Message-ID: <9303181515.AA06685@esds01.es.dupont.com>
Date: 18 Mar 93 15:14:57 GMT
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Lines: 65
Wastewater treatment with plants is a well established discipline,
but with recent advances in genetic engineering and the tightening
of certain regulations (including POTW discharge limits, storm
drain run off, etc.) it is being revisted by new techniques.
Some random thoughts:
1. A good review of the engineering component might be found in
chapter 13 "Land Treatment" of WASTEWATER ENGINEERING:
TREATMENT, DISPOSAL AND REUSE. Revised by George Tchobanoglous.
Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company. Plants/crops have been
used as a land treatment system since the 1880's.
2. Specific literature searches on the subject /or following people
will also give quite a list of excellent references:
B. C. Wolverton- reed beds, aquatic plants, constructed wetlands
he is now with Wolverton Environmental (601) 799-3807
Reinhold Kickuth (Germany)- aquatic plant filter beds -lots of good
papers & research.
R.F. Stott - (try Letters in Applied Microbiology, 1991 12, 99-105
"Sewage treatment with plants")
USEPA (1988) document- Design Manual- Constructed Wetlands and
Aquatic Plant Systems for Municipal Wastewater Treatment, EPA
625/11-88/022
3. There are many companies that promote, sell, or install plant-
based, wastewater treatment systems. Some are listed below, but there are many
more:
The Lemna Corp- St. Paul Minn. (612) 688-8813
BBI-Charles Town W.V (304) 725-6880
EEA -Marion, Mass. (508) 748-3224
Phragmitech inc- Cheneville, Quebec (819) 428-3640
Severn Trent (Coventry, CV3 6PR- IN UK) -M.B. Green
they are installing 100's of reed bed systems and seem to have
done a good job on the engineering parameter.
Environmental Engineering Consultants, Norwich, Vt 05055
4. As an overall comment- the design, supporting matrix (soil, etc),
plant species and rates of degradation can all be improved by the R &
D community. Degradation of toxins by the plants, and plant-
associated microbes is a relatively "hot" topic currently under
examination in a dozen labs. There is some excellent work being done
in this area at Federal, State and University labs.
5. A couple of conferences to note with plant & Xenobiotic
degradation components are:
Meeting of the Air and Waste Management Assoc Denver June 13-18
Congress on Cell and Tissue Culture, San Diego June 5-9
ACS Meeting- Chicago Aug 22-27 A symposium on rhizosphere
degradation
Water Environment Federation Meeting (Fall)
Soils Science Society of America (Fall)
The standard disclaimer applies about these not being corporate
opinions, just mine. There is quite a lot of information out there on
the flux of chemicals through this systems, plant uptake,
degradative capacity of plants, etc... There is a lot of room for good
inovative botany/microbiology/hydrology etc.