Grantee Research Project Results
The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae on the Phytoremediation of Persistent Organic Pollutants by Zucchini and Clover
EPA Grant Number: F5A20106Title: The Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizae on the Phytoremediation of Persistent Organic Pollutants by Zucchini and Clover
Investigators: Ross, Daniel W.
Institution: Yale University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: June 1, 2005 through May 1, 2006
Project Amount: $74,000
RFA: STAR Graduate Fellowships (2005) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Academic Fellowships
Objective:
In this research zucchini and clover will be grown in three contaminated soils. One soil will be from a PCB contaminated brownfield, another will be a DDE contaminated farm soil, and the third will be a DDE and Chlordane contaminated farm soil. For each soil and each plant type there will be controls and two treatments. In one treatment both plant species will be amended with BioVAM (a commercially available powder containing arbuscular mycorrhizal spores). In the other treatment both plant species will be amended with a mix of spores from four arbuscular mycorrhizae (Glomus sp.). At the beginning of each experiment and throughout the growing period, soil samples will be taken.
To examine the relationship between the relationship of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization on the capacity of plants to sequester pollutants
Approach:
At the end of the growing period, roots, stems, leaves, and soil will be analyzed for the presence of pollutants using Gas Chromatography. By measuring each of these compartments a mass balance can be obtained. Further, root sub-samples from each plant will stained and analyzed for mycorrhizal colonization using the gridline-intersect method.
Expected Results:
I expect to see an increase in pollutant sequestration by the plant coupled with an increase in mycorrhizal colonization.
Supplemental Keywords:
Mycorrhizae, Arbuscular, Phytoremediation, Gridline Intersect,, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Water, Environmental Chemistry, Contaminated Sediments, Biochemistry, bioremediation of soils, contaminated sediment, zucchini, phytoremediation, PCB, persistent organic pollutants, Chlordane, cloverProgress 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.