Development and implementation of a novel mechanized planting method for ecological restoration of aquatic environments using degradable nutrition pots.

ABSTRACT

Submerged plants play a significant role in the remediation and purification of polluted water bodies. Reconstruction of submerged plants has been considered as an important ecological method to restore aquatic ecosystems. However, large-scale and efficient plantation of submerged plants in water restoration is a huge challenge. This paper proposes a novel mechanized planting method for submerged plants utilizing nutrition pots as planting units. Firstly, the details of the mechanized planting method were introduced. The mechanized planting method involves pre-planting the reproductive bodies of submerged plants in degradable nutrition pots, and then implanting them into the underwater soil through a planting device. Secondly, the interaction force between the nutrition pot and the soil was measured. It was found that the implantation force of nutrition pots increases with planting velocity. The planting force shows a significant increase trend when the water content in the soil decreases. Thirdly, the deformation of the nutrition pot was studied through simulations. It was discovered that the deformation of the nutrition pot mainly occurs at the bottom and the side walls near the bottom, and the limited deformation ensures the integrity of the nutrition pot. Finally, a planting device with a linear motion mechanism was designed, and a typical submerged plant, Vallisneria natans was tested, using agricultural paper seedling containers as the nutrition pots. It was demonstrated that the mechanized device successfully planted submerged plant nutrition pots into the soil, and the submerged plants survived and showed a clear growth trend. The mechanized planting method of submerged plants proposed in this article is expected to provide a new and friendly technology for ecological restoration of water source.