Phytoremediation

Environmental jewel in the heart of Geological and Botanical Park

The Phytoremediation (wetlands) is a innovative natural system of the purification of waters coming from the tourist complex of the Alcantara Gorge. An environmental jewel nestled in the heart of the Botanic Park and Geological Alcantara Gorge!

This is the first facility of its kind built in the park without the aid of any government grant, in order to strengthen the concept of eco-sustainability promoted by our company.

The treatment plant consists of a bed constructed wetlands, two lagoon pools and a final pool of wetlands.

The water is purified using a treatment technique that reproduces, in a controlled environment, the same processes that occur in nature, and then be reused for irrigation of orchards and food services.

The natural treatments are classified into three categories:

1. Constructed wetlands: a treatment that mimics the natural purification processes characteristic of wetlands, obtained by the combined action of soil, vegetation and microorganisms
2. Impoundment: the waters are made to converge in catchment areas for biochemical and physical processes
3. Storage tanks: water storage in large reservoirs within which they occur treatment processes similar to the systems used by the lagoons and that allow the reuse of water in agriculture and irrigation of green areas.

The natural treatment plants are characterized by simple construction and maintenance, but above of all with a reduced environmental impact: these systems fits well into the countryside and not produce unpleasant odors. In addition, the wetland supports the conservation of biodiversity: they encourage the presence of wild animals, fish, invertebrates and plants.

Enthusiastic feedback from the architect Argentine Eduardo Yarka (University of Luján, Buenos Aires) for this innovative system. Yarka, visiting the Botanic Park and Gole Alcantara, believes that the Terralcantara system should be extended to the entire territory. Indeed, it is capable of boosting economic activity, preserving at the same time the nature, with a philosophy attentive to respect and protect the environment.

The system of constructed wetlands can be reached by a charming path through olive groves and citrus orchards, which also allows visitors to discover the richness of landscapes and Terralcantara gardens.