Science Nation: Cactus Flesh Cleans Up Toxic Water
University of South Florida engineering professor Norma Alcantar and her team are using the Prickly Pear Cacti to clean up oil and other toxins from water. With support from the National Science Foundation, Alcantar has spent the last few years confirming something that her grandmother told her years ago – that cacti can purify water. The objectives of this research are to develop a water purification system based on an economically feasible method of water purification.
Media Details
Runtime: 2 minutes 30 seconds
- Topic: History, Science
- Subtopic: Conservation, Environmental Issues, Inventions, Plants
- Grade/Interest Level: 7 - 12
- Standards:
- Release Year: 2009
- Producer/Distributor: National Science Foundation
- Series: Science Nation
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