Effects of Variable Site Conditions on Phytoremediation of Mixed Contaminants: Field-Scale Investigation at Big Marsh Site
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 143, Issue 9
Abstract
Big Marsh is a large wetland site contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals, attributable to decades of illegal waste dumping. Compared to the conventional remediation technologies, phytoremediation has the potential to be a feasible and sustainable remedial option to remediate such a large extent of contaminated area. Three different experimental areas, representative of the three ecotypes present at the site, were chosen as a part of the field-scale phytoremediation project. A total of nine native and restoration species were planted at each area, and their potential to survive and remediate the soil was assessed. The ground was prepared at each area by tilling and homogenizing the soil, while compost was added to soil at one of the experimental areas. The experiment lasted for three growing seasons and the species planted were monitored during the first two seasons. At the end of the third season, the PAHs and heavy metal concentrations were analyzed in the roots and shoots of the surviving species and also in the soil samples collected in each growing season. The results showed a decrease in PAH concentrations in the compost-amended slag disposal area. Furthermore, uptake of PAHs only occurred in the roots of the surviving species in the unamended areas. No substantial changes were found in heavy metal concentrations in the soil in any of the three experimental areas. However, uptake of metals by the roots of all surviving species was observed.
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Acknowledgments
Financial support for this study was received from the U.S. Forest Service and the Chicago Park District. The authors are grateful to Dan Cooper, Cristina Negri, Erin Yargicoglu, and several other students and staff who assisted with field testing. The authors are thankful to the reviewers for providing constructive comments.
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Information & Authors
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Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 143 • Issue 9 • September 2017
Copyright
©2017 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 11, 2016
Accepted: Mar 6, 2017
Published online: May 31, 2017
Published in print: Sep 1, 2017
Discussion open until: Oct 31, 2017
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