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Deployment of Phytotechnology in the 317/319 Area at Argonne National Laboratory-East, Innovative Technology Evaluation Report
Citation:
Science Applications International Corporation. Deployment of Phytotechnology in the 317/319 Area at Argonne National Laboratory-East, Innovative Technology Evaluation Report . U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/540/R-05/011, 2005.
Impact/Purpose:
to inform the public
Description:
Hybrid poplar and hybrid willow trees were planted for several environmental objectives at the Argonne National Laboratory - East, near Chicago, IL. Some trees were planted to clean TCE and other solvents from soil, some were planted to control surface water flow on a landfill, and some were deep planted over a tritium groundwater plume about 40 feet below ground surface. Monitoring wells were installed upgradient, downgradient, and within the tree plantations. Soil samples, sap flow measurements, weather data, and groundwater level were taken periodically and used to determine the extent of the influence of the plants on the site.
The tree roots reached the groundwater plume by the second growing season, and apparently increases impact on the plume each year following initial contact. The plume exhibits a seasonal depression due to transpiration by the plants. Despite difficult growing conditions and less than optimum weather, the trees have grown well and are having a positive impact on the soil and groundwater.