Grantee Research Project Results
Phytoremediation and Modeling of Land Contaminated by Hydrons
EPA Grant Number: R825414Title: Phytoremediation and Modeling of Land Contaminated by Hydrons
Investigators: Munster, Clyde , Drew, Malcolm , Corapcioglu, Yavuz
Institution: Texas A & M University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 28, 1996 through October 27, 1999 (Extended to January 31, 2001)
Project Amount: $452,020
RFA: DOE/EPA/NSF/ONR Joint Program on Bioremediation (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management
Description:
There are two primary objectives of the proposed research: (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halapense) and Canada wild-rye grass (Elymus canadensis) in the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with a mixture of recalcitrant PCB (2, 2'-dichlorobiphenyl), PAH (dibenzo(a,h)anthracene) and TNT (trinitrotoluene) using field and greenhouse experiments and, (2) to use the field and greenhouse data to calibrate and validate a recently developed bioremediation model that is capable of simulating the removal and degradation of organic chemicals from the soil by plant roots and their rhizosphere. A multidisciplinary team of researchers will utilize field investigations, green house studies and computer modeling to study the effectiveness of warm and cool season grasses in the phytoremediation of a PCB, a PAH and TNT. The field study will be conducted in a controlled, lysimeter environment where a mass balance of the water entering and leaving the soil can be maintained. All leachate moving through the soil as well as all the soil and vegetation will be collected and analyzed for chemical concentrations. The greenhouse study will be used to supplement the field study with leachate, soil and vegetation analysis. In addition, the greenhouse study will permit greater rooting depth and destructive sampling for root growth characteristics throughout the growing season. The new computer model will be rigorously tested against the field and greenhouse data. If necessary, model modifications will be made to more closely simulate the processes observed in the field and greenhouse research. The tested model will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of phytoremediation on soil contaminated by recalcitrant hydrocarbons. The field and green house research will assess the contribution of vegetation to the apparent disappearance from the soil of representative recalcitrant PCBs, PAHs and TNT. Data from three growing seasons will document the partitioning of 2, 2'-dichlorobiphenyl, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene and trinitrotoluene in the soil, vegetation and leachate, as well as their degradation. The comprehensive field and greenhouse data set will be used to validate and calibrate a newly developed phytoremediation model. This quantitative model is capable of simulating the movement of organic compounds through the soil and water as well as the uptake of chemicals by vegetation roots. This model will be used as a predictive tool to assess the effectiveness of phytoremediation on soil contaminated by recalcitrant hydrocarbons.Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 16 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 5 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
phytoremediation, bioremediation, remediation, soil reclamation, PCB, PBB, TNT, PAH, computer modeling., Scientific Discipline, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Waste, Toxics, Remediation, pesticides, Biology, HAPS, Environmental Chemistry, Contaminated Sediments, Bioavailability, Bioremediation, contaminant transport, hydrocarbons, bioremediation of soils, contaminated sediment, bioremediation model, rhizospheric, sediment treatment, hydrocarbon, phytoremediation, Canada wild rye grass, recalcitrant hydrocarbons, bioremediation simulation, chemical contaminants, biostabilization of PCBs, soil reclamation, PCB, polychlorinated biphenyls, biodegradation, sediment transport, TNT, leachate, vegetated soil, transport contaminants, PAH, PCBs, contaminant release, contaminants in soil, greenhouse experimentRelevant Websites:
http://www.agen.tamu.edu/pet/tools/stn-tool.html/Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.