A new science shows that banana peels can be used to remove metals from river water. A scientist, Gustavo Castro, discovered this by building water filters out of banana peels and forcing water through the filters. He and his team found that the metal was removed from the water and was bonded to the banana peel. Another test preformed was placing dried and ground banana peels and combined them with flasks of water that contained known concentrations of metals. Other studies have shown that other plant parts ex apple and sugar cane wastes, coconut fibers, and peanut shells can also remove metals from water. This is a better alternative to methods of decontamination used today as they are very expensive and could leave the water with different types of toxins. This is cheaper and helps to ensure that dangerous metals stay out of the water and won't addle systems in the body. Though it's advisable that no one use bananas at home, because tap water tends to be safe
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Reaction: This is an interesting scientific discovery. In class, we learned about the types of contaminants found in water and some of the methods that can be used to remove them. I was intrigued when I learned that the cleaning or decontamination methods could leave different contaminants in the water. What surprised me was that something as simple as a banana peel could be used as an inexpensive way to get rid of metals in the water. This could really help other countries that don't have the resources America does.
Questions:
1) Do you think banana peels should now be used to filter metals from water?
2) Are there any other ways to filter metals in water?
3) Could this be applied in the real world or is it just a discovery that won't go any where?
1. I think usuing banana peels is a great way to filter metals from water.
ReplyDelete2.There are many ways to filter metals from water but they are very expensive.
3.I think it could be applied to the real world and that there should be more research about it.
Reflection: This article was extremely fascinating to read. I think it is so neat that scientists can find inexpensive alternatives to the decontamination methods we use now. Plus, after learning information in class, I realized that the current methods we use still leave certain contaminates in the water. I think this method will be a excellent way to filter our water.
ReplyDelete1. I definitely think that they should be used to filter metals out of the water.
2. There are methods that we currently use to filter metals out of water, like using a water distiller.
3. This method 100% could and should be applied to the world. I think once more research is found out, this could be an extremely useful and inexpensive way to filter out metals.
Reflection: This was amazing. I never knew that such a simple fruit could be a great filter. I'm upset that they advise us not to try this at home. I would really like to see how it works and if it makes the water tastes like banana. All in all this was truly facinating and i can't wait to hear and learn more about this.
ReplyDelete1. I think banana peels could definitely be used to filter the water. All the tests they have done say they can so it must be a very good way. It could be one of the most inexpensive ways for humans to filter water. This could be Nobel Prize worthy.
OK, so this is one of the coolest articles I have seen in a long time... So I have a proposal for you all... Who would like to develop a lab I can do in class for next year to show if banana's work... I am willing to excuse you from a big assignment if you do this instead, any takers?
ReplyDelete