A study reveals that plants draw water from minerals such as … – RTVE

RTVE.ES – MADRID

A study the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) has revealed that plants can extract water from the process of crystallization of minerals such as gypsum during drought , which could be key to the survival of many species arid and semi-arid areas especially during the summer.

The work, led by the Pyrenean Institute of Ecology Centre Agrotecnio along with the University of Lleida, notes that the gypsum and other minerals that have water in their structure crystalline lose this liquid (about 20% by weight) by thermodynamics in the crystallization process forming bassanita (calcium sulfate half water molecule) or anhydrite (calcium sulfate anhydrous). This water would be used by plants gypsum soils.

This ability of minerals to hydrate and dehydrate is key to the survival of many species of plants in summer periods or drought , according to evidence provided by the study of the CSIC, published in the journal Nature Communications .

The researcher Sara Hall, who led the work, explained to RTVE.es that “it is very common mineral containing water in its structure, but the cast, which does have, change its structure crystalline when heated by a thermodynamic process and releases water is used by plants root shallow “.

In summer up to 90% of the water comes from crystallization

The research that has studied the plant Helianthemum squamatum or flakes jara , gypsum own land, and other growing next to this reveals that xylem water (crude sap, water the plant just extracted soil before processing) contains water of crystallization of gypsum up to 90% in the summer.

“We I analyzed the stable isotopes of water , which are like a punch to Unlike the rain water that is in the ground water from the crystallization of gypsum, “he detailed Palace,” and we have observed that this type of plant with shallow roots that can not get water from aquifers, contained in its fundamental proportion of xylem water of crystallization of gypsum. “

The conclusions of this work are” the first experimental evidence that living organisms could be hydrated with water of crystallization of minerals “, he noted. According to Palacios, understanding the mechanisms of this process “could help to understand life in extreme environments and in arid areas.”

Contribution to the study of life on Mars and reforestation methods

In addition, gypsum is a common mineral on Mars, so “know that this mineral contains water and is water available for life is a New door search for life outside the Earth “, he assured.

The discovery of the mechanism by which plants obtain this water could also have applications in methods for reforestation and cultivation of arid soils , as he explained Palace, “is a new source of hydration and changes the way we understand how they get water plants.”

The researchers, who currently only have obtained indirect evidence of this process, continue the study for direct evidence . “Now let’s make the water of crystallization of gypsum and see if water is exactly that which contains the xylem of plants”, has advanced the PhD in Biology, who explained that also study if the plants turn may force the mineral crystallization process under extreme conditions.