What affect does Chlorine have on plants?

canyavuz


Joined: 22/02/2009
Posts: 363

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 01:13

What affect would chlorine have on plants when the back wash of a pool takes place?

Would even a small amount harm/kill plants near by? Or does it take a big dosage to do this?

TimothyCadman


Joined: 13/12/2007
Posts: 1040

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 02:43

"What affect would chlorine have on plants when the back wash of a pool takes place? "

Little to none. By ther time you back wash the chlorine has broken down to a level that is hardly registerable.



"Would even a small amount harm/kill plants near by?"

No



"Or does it take a big dosage to do this? "

Not a large dose (as in public swimming baths level) but fresh chlorinated water would cause harm.



Most people have a chlorine level in their pools much lower than that of public swimming pools, due to the fact that not as many people use it, personal hygeine before entering (showering to remove excess sweat) and whilst in it (that is to say urinating in it) is not generally a problem.

negativenick


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 6023

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 08:32

spot on TC - i knew "A" level chemistry would help me one day !





nick

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 09:53

Just googled this,



Today there are many homes that have swimming pools as well as municipal pools in the cities. Many people ask, "Will the chlorine from the pool that gets on the plants around the pool harm them?"



It is important to remember that chlorine does not occur naturally in nature, chloride (Cl-) is readily soluble, highly mobile and easily taken up by plants. Chloride is the element that is found in fertilizer materials.



Chlorine (Cl2) is a corrosive, poisonous gas used to make bleaching agents and disinfectants. The form of chlorine most often added to pool water is solid calcium hypochlorite which forms hypochlorous acid (HOCl) when place in water. Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient of common household bleach. Commercial liquid chlorine (compressed chlorine gas) is used as a water treatment to kill bacteria. Hypochlorous acid is the effective agent that controls algae growths in pools.

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 09:56

According to Clemson University, "There should be no effect of pool water splashed on nearby plants from normal pool use. Larger plants (and animals) can tolerate the concentrations that are recommended for pool water."

Dr. Alison Osinski (Aquatic Consulting Services, San Diego, CA) suggests, "If the pool or spa water has a high chlorine content, uncover it and allow the chlorine to dissipate before using the water for irrigating the landscape. Or, chemically remove the chlorine by adding solium thiosulfate of sodium sulfite to the water."

Chloride (Cl-) is the ionic form of chlorine found in nature. It has a negative charge and is often associated with sodium (common table salt) or other positively charged ions like potassium. It is non-toxic and readily absorbed and used by plants.

Compare the concentrations of chloride and chlorine in water. Sea water, which contains high levels of bacterial life, contains chloride levels of around 20,000 ppm.

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 09:56

Water treatment plants aim for chlorine levels of 1.7 ppm to disinfect water.

colly


Joined: 31/07/2008
Posts: 297

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 09:59

So not sure if I would put it straight onto small plants just in case but would consider putting it into a tank and leave it for a few days before using, making sure to empty so mossies do not take over.

Is anyone doing this and is it working?

Col

Jimmyboy63


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 400

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 10:24

2 yrs ago we planted 2 banana trees in the garden where the backwash water from the pool drain's into.

These banana plant's where 4 feet when planted they are now over 20 feet and have produced bananas

ataturk


Joined: 09/09/2008
Posts: 712

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 12:04

My friend had a similar situation with his banana plants backwash into the area where they are. They are absolutely massive now. Appparently this how they grow them in the plantations, dont know whether its safe though.



Just fired up my pool for the first time and was wondering if I should buy a water tank to save the water and reuse it later on for the pool and for watering the garden dont really know if this is possible.

scoobydoo


Joined: 10/11/2008
Posts: 2434

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 16:04

Banana plants are generally recommended by the garden centres over here if you have a pool as they thrive when the backwash water is put directly onto them, it save dumping it down the ravine or in the road!



Colly's message was a little to technical for a dimwit like me but we use our backwash water on plants. We store it in a small tank and usually water it down a little more then generally leave it for a few days to settle. We don't put it on very new plants and we were told not to put it on citrus trees, so we don't.

canyavuz


Joined: 22/02/2009
Posts: 363

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 17:01

thanks for your answers. Saves having to get a backwash tank installed.

Thinker


Joined: 11/11/2008
Posts: 169

Message Posted:
24/05/2009 17:37

We had to have our pool drained and when the guy put the pipe directly into our garden I was really worried about the chlorine and what it would do to my plants. The plants actually flourished, probably because of the amount of water but the chlorine in the pool had no adverse affects at all.