Some Plants Can Neutralize Pesticide Runoff from Lawns
I was just reading an article about how researchers at the University of Massachusetts have discovered that there are some types of plants that can actually absorb and neutralize many of the chemicals we use to beautify out lawns. This could be a boon to lawn owners who want that gorgeous carpet of green but who are concerned about the toxic effects of runoff on our streams, rivers, and aquifers.
The studies were done on golf courses, which have a bad rep as polluters do to the regular and heavy usage of chemicals. Generally about 5% to 10% of the chemicals applied end up running off and causing pollution. Researchers found that plants like Blue flag iris, planted around the perimeter, reduced by 76 percent and levels of by 94 percent after three months of growth. That’s pretty impressive!
The study came about because here in the US, we devote a huge amount of space to lawns and turfgrass. The land covered by U.S. residential lawns, playing fields, and more than 16,000 golf courses could combine to cover a region larger than New England. This is a big enough piece of land that both environmentalists as well as lawn caretakers are sitting up and paying attention to the potential hazards. We love our lawns, and want to keep them green and weed-free. Thankfully, it may be possible to do that without nuking our environment.
In addition to the Blue flag iris, researchers identified 9 other plants that can perform this purifying function. Expect to hear more details as the research continues and the pressure for cleaner, greener lawn management increases. Interestingly, trees are some of the best cleaner-uppers of toxic chemicals. This is good news for lawn managers in private homes, or parks and other public areas who can also enjoy beautiful trees. But golf courses present a challenge, because planting trees throughout the course is not a viable technique for them. Stay tuned!
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Tags: golf course pollution, lawn pesticide runoff, plants that clean up toxins