Jharkhand News: CUJ Scholar Finds Eco-Friendly Solution To Pollution With Aquatic Moss Study

Research at the Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) continues to make strides, with PhD scholar Zaira Khalid developing an eco-friendly solution to control water pollution and promote sustainable agriculture. Her study focuses on the aquatic moss Taxiphyllum barbieri, a small, non-flowering plant commonly used in aquariums and known for its ability to retain water, stabilise soil, and improve overall ecosystem health.

Khalid’s research examined how nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon, and light availability affect the moss’s growth and pigment production. The study found that a balanced supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium produces the best results, enhancing both growth and soil fertility. With low-cost cultivation, the moss shows promise for phytoremediation (natural pollution cleanup), bio-energy production, and use as a bio-monitoring tool for wastewater and agricultural runoff.

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The research also highlights the plant’s ability to oxygenate water, shelter aquatic life, and absorb harmful particles, making it a sustainable option for environmental management. Conducted under the guidance of Dr Bhaskar Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Science, the study has been accepted for publication in the SCI-indexed Journal of Bryology.

For her work, Khalid has been awarded the prestigious CSIR-SRF Direct Fellowship.

“The tolerance of Taxiphyllum barbieri makes it a natural biofilter and a ray of hope for reducing water and air pollution,” said Khalid.

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“Further research is needed to explore its full potential, but this study offers practical guidance for using aquatic moss in sustainable environmental management,” added Dr Singh.