ELEA discovers

The water cycle is a loop that the water travels through to move on the surface of the Earth and under our feet. Unfortunately, the water is not always clean. Rain falling on our waste, car oil, or metal or plastic surfaces, leads to microscopic particles in the soil or in waterways that can be toxic. The researchers of the Gustave Eiffel University, study the powers of vegetation in the purification of polluted water. Thus, the particles are trapped before reaching the streams and groundwater.

ELEA takes you under the Cheviré bridge, to help you better understand this complex subject. Simply play the video (duration: 2'28)

Subtitles in English and French available by clicking on the "subtitle and audio" icon in the movie’s icon bar

What is a swale ?

A swale is a kind of shallow and wide ditch, vegetated, with gently sloping banks, which temporarily collects runoff water (rain), either to evacuate it to an overflow, or to store it and let it evaporate or infiltrate on the spot, allowing the reconstitution of groundwater. The water slowly seeping into the soil, is largely depolluted by plants and bacteria naturally present.