Till a few decades back, the term Arsenic was not a known name in drinking water. However, today the number of areas or regions contaminated with arsenic have gone up steadily. According to reports, drinking water in over 20 countries in different parts of the world is considered to be heavily contaminated with arsenic.

Arsenite [As (III)] is the most toxic form of arsenic and causes acute toxicity. Forms of arsenic such as As (III) and As (V) lead to chronic toxicity. Regions such as Africa and South Asia are serious places where arsenic contamination is increasing. Today, Arsenic is recognized globally as a major health concern affecting thousands of people. Arsenic poisoning is common today, where reports from World Health Organization suggest that an estimated 57 million people in the Bengal basin drink groundwater with arsenic levels above standard. In developed nations like the U.S., arsenic is found in the ground waters.

Wonder moss removes arsenic from water!

A publication from Environmental Pollution quoted that the wonder moss showed potential in removing almost 80% of arsenic from water within an hour. The beautiful green plant named Warnstofia fluitans, otherwise known as floating hook moss is now considered in assisting environmental clean-ups. As reported in the study, the wonder moss showed excellent results –
• W. fluitans removed up to 82% arsenic from water within an hour.
• As removal rate was highest at 1 μM As and no nutrients in the water.
• W. fluitans removes both arsenite and arsenate from the water.
• Most accumulated As species were bounded in moss biomass tissue.
• Both dead and living moss can reduce As from water.

The moss can be planted in water bodies, lakes, ponds, and streams where a high level of arsenic are present and the floating plant on its own will do its job of cleaning the water.

Image Source: Sandhi