 | ||
Green Bridges are an ecotechnological in-situ horizontal filtration system having different physical and biological filters working in combination to remove suspended and dissolved impurities of water. Green bridge filters help in reducing the suspended solids by filtration process, reducing Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)/Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) by aerobic degradation. Green Bridges also help in the restoration of ecological food chain.
Contents
Development
Natural streams, rivers and lakes have their own in-built purification system which consists of natural slopes, stones for biological growth and complex food web help in the purification process. This food web is nothing but utilization of one's waste by another as its own food. Nature has her own living machinery of detritivorous microbes and other living species to consume wastes. These principles have been harnessed in the treatment of polluted streams.
Green bridges are developed using fibrous material with stones. All the floatable and suspended solids are trapped in this biological bridge and the turbidity of flowing water is reduced. Green plants on the bridges increase the DO level in water, which in turn facilitates the growth of aerobic organisms, which degrade organic pollutants. Sandeep Joshi, director, SERI (Shrishti Eco-Research Institute) has developed this technology and has received a patent for it.
Benefits
Expected results
Other than the changes in the water quality mentioned above a multifold change in population of avifauna, terrestrial plants along the riverbanks has been noticed. There is an overall odour and mosquito reduction and improvement of river aesthetics. Increase in health status of aquatic life in lentic-lotic system by reduction in ecotoxicity of pollutants.