The effectiveness of Dried Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) Woven into Mat to

Prevent Soil Erosion

CHAPTER I

Introduction

In times when torrential rains come pouring down on Earth, water is seeped through the
ground thereby making it moist, causing it to loosen up. This gives a higher risk of probable soil
erosion. Landslides are never new to the Philippines due to the fact that rain is present all year
round. Fecund landslides also happen not only because of this natural process but also because of
mortal deeds such as indiscriminate logging, illicit or even licit mining, deforestation, and the like.
These lead not only to the devastation of material possessions amounting to millions of pesos but
also to the life of folks of various races alike.

Coping with such problems of soil erosion and landslides, there is a necessity to tackle this
dilemma by applying organic materials of beneficial properties that can serve as substitutes for
existing materials of this type- a material that can bear the mass of soil to prevent erosion. To date,
there is an existing technology that uses coconut coir where it is placed on top of loose soil thus
preventing erosion when rain comes. However, this existing solution of preventing soil erosion is
not equitably accessible to Surigao del Norte folks due to the great demand of these materials for
other products such as mats, bags and furniture not only in the local community but also for
worldwide consumption. This in demand state of coconut fibers poses a crisis regarding the
availability of the material and would thus result to setbacks regarding mass production.

With such circumstances, the researchers seek to uncover an alternative material to coconut
coir fiber mat for the prevention of soil erosion in as much as Surigao del Norte holds a lot of
danger-prone areas specifically that of landslides mainly because of human activities such as
mining. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is a fascinating material for investigation as a
substitute for coco coir as expressed by its anatomy that is made up mainly of cellulose,
hemicelluloses, and lignin, and is almost similar to coco coir. Furthermore, the said alternative is
very abundant in the locality, relatively non-toxic, environment-friendly and of low cost. E.
crassipes has not been investigated for its application as mats for possible utilization in landslide-

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prone areas such as the province of Surigao del Norte where massive mining activities are very
rampant. This study will not only aid on solving problems on landslide-prone areas but also on the
problem of massive population of water hyacinth in the locality which brings a caustic effect to
the marine ecosystem since it prevents light from reaching depth. Through water hyacinths
engulfing presence, large amounts of sunlight are blocked, thorough oxygen exchange is prevented
and dissolved oxygen levels drop, the food web is altered, habitat for water fowl and other
organisms is either destroyed or changed, and the biological diversity of the invaded area is greatly
reduced (Denny et al., 2001, Brendonck, 2003). Water hyacinth can be a problem economically
as it negatively affects fisheries, slows or even prevents water traffic, impedes irrigation, reduces
the water supply, obstructs water ways, and slows hydropower generation (Denny et al., 2001,
Brendonck, 2003). The positive aspects of the weed thus seem to outweigh its negative attributes.

Review of Related Literature

Water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) are usually a few inches tall but some can grow up
to 3 feet tall. This aquatic plant has spongy and sometimes inflated stalks giving it high buoyancy
which makes it float. The most anatomical feature of this plant is the presence of gas filled and
passages in its roots, leaves and rhizome. Its air chambers are large, usually regular intercellular
spaces extending through leaf and long distances through stem.
(http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/141)

Soil erosion can be brought about by either humans or natural processes. Humans cause
soil erosion through deforestation. Without trees, the land cannot absorb as much rain water and
soil is washed away. Effects of soil erosions are landslides which are very common worldwide
calamity, in the Philippines in particular. The most recent landslide in the Philippines was in
Pantukan Town in Compostela Valley on the island of Mindanao which happened last January 6,
2012.

The stalks of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) are a viable natural source of
alternative textile material, according to the Department of Science and Technologys Philippine
Textile Research Institute (PTRI). Processing the fibers with polyester staples initially produced
blended yarns with 2035 percent water hyacinth component. The stalks went through a series of

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chemical and mechanical treatment to achieve the crimp property of wool for better processing,
reduce the plants glue-like or gum content, and soften the fibers to make them fine and fit for
knitting and weaving into apparel and other home textiles.
(http://www.agribusinessweek.com/filipino-researchers-eye-water-hyacinth%E2%80%99s-
potential-as-a-natural-fiber-source/)

According to Edera, et al. there is a significant difference of the biochemical oxygen

demand of microorganisms found at Brgy. San Juan river with and without water hyacinth. The
dried water hyacinth stalks in rope in Taganito water exhibit the relatively lower physically and
chemically absorbed water which is important for application of this material in Taganito, Claver,
Surigao del Norte landslide prevention (Gealan, et al. 2011). Findings of the study revealed that
dried water hyacinth stalk has a high tensile strength. Lastly, according to Potiyaraj, et al. water-
hyacinth reinforced natural rubber can be used in some applications when hardness and modulus
is of importance, for example floor covering, shoe soles, or machine mounting. This will increase
the market value of natural rubber, also reducing the water pollution caused by water-hyacinth
plants. (http://research.sc.chula.ac.th/JSR26_1/paper%202.pdf)

Statement of the Problem

This study investigates the effectiveness of dried water hyacinth stalk fabricated into a mat
in preventing soil erosion.

Furthermore, the study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. Does sodium chloride and sodium metabisulfite affect the biodegradability of water
hyacinth mat?
2. Is there a significant difference in the rate of soil erosion in areas with and without water
hyacinth mat?
3. Is there a significant difference in the rate of biodegradation of water hyacinth mat which
is untreated, treated with sodium chloride, and treated with sodium metabisulfite?

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 4. Is there a significant difference in the load strength of untreated and treated water hyacinth
mats?

Hypotheses

Problem 1 is hypothesis-free while problems 2, 3 and 4 are hypothesized as follows:

2. Ha: There is a significant difference between the rate of soil erosion of the area without
water hyacinth mat and the area with water hyacinth mat.
3. Ho: There is no significant difference in the rate of biodegradation of water hyacinth mat
which is untreated and woven into mat, treated with sodium chloride and woven into mat,
and treated with sodium metabisulfite and woven into mat.
4. Ha: There is a significant difference between the load strength of the treated water
hyacinth mats and the untreated water hyacinth mat.

Significance of the Study

If this study can prove that water hyacinth stalk can be an effective alternative to coco coir
fiber mat in terms of its efficiency in doing its designated purpose, common and destructive
environmental problems and disasters such as soil erosion and landslide can possibly be averted.
As such, more lives and money can be saved, that, instead of using the money for rehabilitation
after the disasters, it could be used for other more important purposes for the betterment of the
country.

Results of this study may also benefit farmers and agriculturalists such that they may use
these products and information to prevent land surrounding their crops from corroding.

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 Moreover, jobs can be provided to unemployed folks if ever this study would be proven
effective. In as much as water hyacinth grows in large masses causing clogged water ways during
rainy seasons, its usage and removal from the aquatic environment could help prevent floods.

Scope and Limitation

This study will be limited in determining the efficacy of water hyacinth woven into mat in
preventing soil erosion, and the biodegradability of untreated water hyacinth stalk and woven into
mat, treated with sodium chloride water hyacinth stalk and woven into mat, and treated with
sodium metabisulfite water hyacinth stalk and woven into mat.

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 CHAPTER II

METHODOLOGY

Research Design

The design used in this study is the experimental design because experimental variables
are chosen to fit the application intended for this study. Specifically, the Randomized Complete
Block Design (RCBD) was used. Control setups (Sample A=untreated water hyacinth stalk mat)
which serves for comparative purposes and two experimental setups (Sample B=treated with
sodium chloride water hyacinth stalk mat treated with sodium chloride, Sample D=treated with
sodium metabisulfite water hyacinth stalk and woven into mat) as shown in Table 1

Control Setup Experimental Setup

A B C

Untreated Water Water Hyacinth Water Hyacinth

Hyacinth Stalk Mat Stalk Mat Treated Stalk Mat
with Sodium Treated with
Chloride Sodium
Metabisulfite

Table 1. Research Design

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 A. Gathering of Materials

B. Preparation of Water
hyacinth Stalks
C. Fabrication of Water Hyacinth Mat

D. Treatment of Mats

E. Determination of physico-chemical
properties of soil

F. Application of Mats on Field

G. Load Strength Testing

H. Biodegradability Testing

Figure 1. Schematic Diagram of the Procedure

PROCEDURES

A. Gathering of Materials
Water hyacinths were gathered from Mainit, Surigao del Norte where these plants
are prominent in rivers and lakes. The other materials that were used were knife, weighing
balance, basin, gloves, standard masses, micrometer caliper and scissors.
B. Preparation of Water Hyacinth Stalk
Water hyacinth roots and leaves were cut using scissors and discarded while the
stalks were washed thoroughly with warm water then sun-dried for 3 days.
C. Weaving of Mat
After drying the stalks, the weaving of mat followed. The dried water hyacinth
stalks were hand-woven into a net using the same technique in weaving mats.
D. Treatment of Mats
Three samples were prepared for comparison. Sample A was the untreated water
hyacinth stalk mat. Sodium chloride was applied to Sample B while sodium metabisulfite

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 was applied to Sample C. Sodium chloride with 25% by weight and treated for 24 hrs.
Sodium chloride was used for treatment because it is a natural preservative and is
commonly used by fishermen to preserve abaca ropes used in artificial coral reefs. In the
same manner, sodium metabisulfite with 25% by weight was also used for treatment same
treatment for sodium chloride because it is used as a preservative agent and is commonly
used to coat water hyacinth stalks to be manufactured as furniture.

E. Determination of physico-Chemical properties of soil (pH, OM, N, p, K, Ni content)

Soil samples were taken from the site and were brought to the Department of
Agriculture for soil analysis.

F. Field Installation

Figure 2. Field Installation of Mats at THPAL

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 Figure 5. Construction of Silt Collector

The mats (Sample A, B, C) were installed at Taganito HPAL Nickel Corporation

(Figure -----) with a steepness of approximately 30.Madre de cacaos were planted on each of
the four corners of every mat to act as the support frame/stakes. A canal was constructed at the
bottom of the site to act as the silt collector of the eroded soil.

Figure 6. Actual field layout of mats in THPAL

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 FIELD LAYOUT

A B C

B C A

C A B

A B C

B C A

C A B

LEGENDS:
A- Untreated
B- Treated with sodium chloride
C- Treated with sodium metabisulfite

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Figure 7. Close-up view of silt collector

Figure 8. Site lzyout

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G. Load Strength Testing

After the weaving and treatment of the mats, each sample was subjected to load
strength testing to determine the amount of load it can carry without breaking. To act as
support for the mat, three water hyacinth stalks were braided and fastened to 4 steel bars.
Soil was then put on each mat (1ft x 1ft). The maximum amount of soil each mat was able
to hold was measured.

Figure 9. Close-up view of mat supporter

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 Figure 10. Setup for tensile strength testing

Figure 11. Actual load strength testing

H. Biodegradability Testing

Smaller mats with a dimension of 1ft by 1ft were also installed and left at the
experimental site. These would serve as the basis for biodegradation. Ocular inspection
was conducted once a week to check whether the mats exhibited signs of wear and tear.

Figure 12. 1ft by 1 ft mats

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 Chapter III
Results and Discussion

This research was conducted to test whether water hyacinth mat could be a potential alternative to
existing technology that prevents soil erosion. As such, the researchers considered the breaking
strength of the material. As shown in Figure 2, Sample C corresponding to the water hyacinth stalk
mat treated with sodium metabisulfite had the highest load capacity among the samples exposed
and unexposed to the field at 2.831 KPa and 2.122 KPa respectively. In all the samples, breaking
strength was higher by 50. 5% (Sample A), 70.8% (Sample B) and 70.9% (Sample C) after

Breaking Strength (N/m2)

3

2.5

2
Axis Title

1.5

0.5

0
A B C
After installation 2.223 2.527 2.831
Before installation 1.718 1.819 2.122

exposure to the field for twenty one days.

Figure 13. Results of Load Strength Testing

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 RATE OF SOIL EROSION(g/min)
600

500

400

300
500
200

100

40
27.78
0
Area with water hyacinth mat Area without water hyacinth Area with coco coir mat
mat

Figure 14. Soil erosion rate

As presented in Figure 14 above, average soil erosion rate in rain simulation test using hose was
conducted for 15 minutes was higher in the area without mats at of 500 grams per minute, the area
installed with water hyacinth mats had 40 grams per minute, while coco coir mat had 27.78 grams
per day. The area with the existing coco coir proved to have a lesser soil erosion rate than the area
with water hyacinth stalk mat, with a difference of 12.22 grams per minute.

Untreated Water Water Hyacinth Mat Water Hyacinth Mat

Hyacinth Mat treated with NaCl treated with NaS2O5
Before Installation
35 kilograms 60 kilograms 60 kilograms

After Installation 25 kilograms 40 kilograms 35 kilograms

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 Table 1. Biodegradability Testing

Three weeks after, the mats showed a weight decrease. For the untreated water hyacinth mat
(Sample A) there was a weight difference of 10 grams, mat treated with sodium chloride (Sample
B ) had a difference of 20 kilogramsand the mat treated with sodium metabisulfite (Sample C) had
a difference of 15 kilograms.

Sample C (treated with Sodium metabisulfite) had the highest breaking strength, and was able to
withstand the greatest mass compared to the other samples. This can be due to the fact that sodium
metabisulfite inhibits the growth of wild yeast, and kills bacteria thereby preventing the fibers from
rotting and breaking easily, while preserving the stalks by drawing water out of them. On the other
hand, the lowest breaking strength in Sample A is probably caused by airborne bacteria and lack
of preserving agents.

Compared to the area installed with mats, both of coco coir and water hyacinth, the area without
the mats had a higher soil erosion rate. However, the area with the existing coco coir proved to
have a lesser soil erosion rate than the area with water hyacinth stalk mat. This is probably due to
the smaller mesh of the coco coir mat, ranging from 0.5 to 1 inch, compared to water hyacinth mat
with a mesh size of 2 inches. Because of the smaller distance between each eye of the mat, more
fibers are used. More fibers used means a greater breaking strength; and this is the very reason
why coco coir mat is considered a standard nowadays.

Two rainy nights (September 24 and September 25) that occurred throughout the observation
period of 10 days. Regarding the biodegradability of the mats, it has been observed that after
twenty days of being installed, the mats exhibited signs of mould growth. Sample A (the untreated
mat) had more moulds compared to the treated mats, while Sample C had the least number of
moulds, due to the fact that sodium metabisulfite acts as an antimicrobial.

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 Recommendations

Findings of the study reveal that dried water hyacinth stalk fabricated as mat and treated with
sodium chloride and metabisulfite makes the mat stronger in terms of load capacity.
Furthermore, based on the Load Strength test, exposure to the sun strengthens the mat. A
continuing research on more additives to the mat to increase its efficiency and load capacity is
recommended.

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