S07 - Session O1 - Improving the water quality of a pond coupled with a vertical garden. Case Study: Ornamental symbiosis

Authors: Víctor M. Fernández Cabanás *, Gina P. Suárez Cáceres, Rafael Fernández Cañero, Sabina Rossini Oliva, Leonardo Martínez Millán, Luis Pérez Urrestarazu

In cities, space is becoming increasingly scarce to establish green areas, therefore, the use of vertical gardens is a promising solution, due to their contribution to the improvement of the aesthetic component, psychological benefits associated with vegetation and the plant ability to reduce air and water contamination (phytoremediation). However, there are no conclusive studies in the field of water phytoremediation in small ornamental ponds. The objective of this case study was to identify the ability of a vertical garden to phytoremediation pond water by functioning as an ornamental aquaponic system. A vertical garden based on a felt module with different plant species: Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques, Fatsia japonica (Thunberg) Decne. & Planch., Ficus pumila L., Hedera helix L., Philodendron hederaceum (Jacq.) Schott, Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R. Hunt and Tradescantia zebrina (Bosse), was coupled to an ornamental pond with Carassius auratus (Goldfish) fish through underground pipes that recirculated the water between both subsystems. A photographic record was made of the condition of the vertical garden and the pond over time. An autonomous functioning of the system was observed, with a satisfactory development of plants and an improvement in the appearance of the pond, which was ratified by the presence of other species: birds, frogs, and tadpoles, which can be considered as bioindicators of water quality. Therefore, it can be affirmed that the connection between a vertical garden and a pond induces an ornamental symbiosis, by saving the use of water and fertilisers for the maintenance of a vertical garden (taking advantage of the nutrients provided by the fish faeces and food scraps), while improving the quality of the water returning to the pond, which is necessary for the wellbeing of the fish.