- Title: Mexican scientists develop unique 'nanobubble' system to improve water quality
- Date: 24th August 2021
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (AUGUST 20, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BUBBLES IN WATER OF XOCHIMILCO CANAL VARIOUS OF ROWER ON A TRAJINERA BOAT VARIOUS OF SOLAR PANEL ON TOP OF TRAJINERA BOAT VARIOUS OF DUCKS SWIMMING (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND ADVANCED STUDIES' (CINVESTAV) BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HEAD RESEARCHER, REFUGIO RODRIGUEZ VAZQUEZ, SAYING: "In that way it benefits us, by oxygenating the water, avoiding anaerobic conditions. But this also brings other benefits, like a cleaner air because we have less pollutants in the atmosphere. The flora and fauna will also be benefited because the water will have more oxygen, we will also stop the proliferation of plants such as the aquatic lilly or the pepperwort that obstruct the passing of light and oxygen." VARIOUS OF ROWERS TRANSPORTING FLOWERS AND SOIL ON TRAJINERA BOATS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND ADVANCED STUDIES' (CINVESTAV) BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HEAD RESEARCHER, REFUGIO RODRIGUEZ VAZQUEZ, SAYING: "Everything is cleaner, including air, water, soil, because when the soil is watered with clean water, it will produce better quality products. We are talking about all the work farmers do in this area, they are major vegetable producers."
- Embargoed: 7th September 2021 14:43
- Keywords: CINVESTAV Xochimilco trajinera water pollution
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Pollution,Environment,South America / Central America
- Reuters ID: LVA001ERN2JWN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mexican scientists have developed a unique "nanobubble" system using solar energy to improve the water quality in the capital's Xochimilco ecological zone, a popular tourist attraction.
A team of researchers from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (Cinvestav) developed a method that converts solar energy into photovoltaic energy, activating a pump that sends "nanobubbles" into the water.
The bubbles help oxygenate the water, eliminating harmful pollutants and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which leads to healthier plantlife like flora and fauna, according to Refugio Rodriguez Vazquez, a Cinvestav researcher.
Officials in Mexico City have been focused on cleaning up the polluted waters of of Xochimilco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the city's few remaining canals that date back to Aztec times.
The area is known for "chinampas," floating beds of farm produce cultivated by the Aztecs in the 14th century to feed the pre-Hispanic city.
The nanobubble system enables local farmers "to be able to work on their chinampas and make them productive by having a cleaner environment and conditions," Rodriguez Vazquez said.
The Cinvestav team said the nanonbubble system was also being applied in two water treatment plants. It could also potentially be replicated in other waterways in Mexico City, where water quality is considered poor and supplies are often at the mercy of routine droughts.
The solar panels that are powering the nanobubble technology sit atop the famous "trajineras" of Xochimilco, barge-like boats that shuttle tourists through the canals. They also provide onboard electricity.
(Production: Alberto Fajardo, Nina Lopez) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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