It might look like pond scum to many of us. But the emerald-green hydroponic plant known as duckweed plays a vital role in cleaning water - and it's having a prolific, beneficial summer at the Sweetwater Wetlands in Tucson.
Duckweed has covered vast expanses of some of the ponds at the wetlands, which serve a dual purpose as a wastewater-treatment facility and lush habitat for birds and other wildlife.
"It's a hydroponic plant, growing without soil, and it's out there doing (natural) treatment on the water," said Bruce Prior, a hydrologist with Tucson Water. The utility oversees the 18-acre wetlands near Interstate 10 and West Prince Road.
"The water that goes into the wetlands is reclaimed water and has nitrates in it," Prior said. "Duckweed, and other plants such as bulrush and cattail, remove nitrates from the water. That's beneficial."
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Prior said duckweed is transported from one location to another on ducks' feet - and it benefits the birds in return.
"Ducks eat it," Prior said.
He said the plant makes irregular appearances at the wetlands. "It comes and goes with no real rhyme or reason," Prior said. "It is more related to the hot summer months, but it can show up early and stay late. It can disappear in one pond and show up in the next.
"You never know when you'll be hit with a big full bloom, and it's pretty amazing to see it." Prior said.
Visitors to the wetlands site, which is open to the public daily, can get a good look at duckweed and a rich mix of other vegetation from short loop trails.
Contact reporter Doug Kreutz at dkreutz@azstarnet.com or at 573-4192.
