Use of In-Planta Solid Phase Sampling Devices to Delineate VOC Plumes

Plants directly interact with surrounding water, air, and soil, collecting and storing chemicals and elements from the surrounding environment. Two new and innovative sampling methods in which this valuable data can be accessed to replace as well as supplement contaminated-site investigations have been developed. When determining the extent of the plume on a contaminated site, groundwater sampling may be limited due to time, site access, and expense. By using new techniques that place sampling devices inside the trees on site, we can sample trees naturally occurring on a contaminated site or those planted in phytoremediation or redevelopment efforts, evaluate the plume size, and even monitor changes in concentration. These methods will have a minimal footprint and can be accomplished with little materials cost, time, or labor demands. These quick sampling techniques can provide an array of data within a short amount of time to help the efficiency in placement of groundwater monitoring wells, saving time and money as well as undue impact to the ecosystems at hand or personal property.