Dyes, such as the indigo that makes denim appear blue, run off from textile manufacturing plants into nearby rivers. The dyes cloud the waters, making them murky and preventing photosynthesis from occurring among organisms in the water. But how does that affect us on land? Through photosynthesis, plants bring life to our planet, even in our streams, lakes, and oceans. They absorb CO2, produce oxygen and food for all the life in the water, and on land.
Not to mention, dyes are made from chemicals and contain some pretty nasty stuff that no one wants to drink.
Dr. Juan Hinestroza and his colleagues have developed an affordable method for clearing waters polluted with dyes. Using nanotechnology, fibers from durable and abundant native plants, like Frucraea andina (fique plant) in Colombia, are immersed in a solution of sodium permanganate and treated with ultrasound which causes manganese oxide molecules to grow in tiny cavities of the plant. The manganese oxide reacts with the dyes and presto! the water becomes clear in less than 5 minutes (when tested in a lab).
This website explains the process and research behind this potentially lifesaving method. Explore and find out what happens when nanotechnology and fiber science collide for positive change to an environmental and health problem found across the globe.