Web-based Class Projects on Geoenvironmental Remediation

Web-based Class Projecton Geoenvironmental RemediationReport prepared as part of course CEE 549: Geoenvironmental Engineering Winter 2013 SemesterInstructor: Professor Dimitrios ZekkosDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of MichiganPHYTOREMEDIATIONPrepared by:

Darin McLeskeyStefano Bruni

With the Support of:

Concept/ DescriptionWithin BioremediationVegetation aides in contaminant breakdown/removalDriven by nature, utilizes less inputsGenerally lower costs, but longer timePositive public perceptionRapid growth rate

Theoretical BackgroundMany different biological processesPlant root/ soil contact importantRhizofiltration Room membrane filtrationPhytodegragation organic metabolizationPhytoaccumulation inorganic accumulationRhizodegradation breakdown and accumulation in root membranes, generally aided by microbesPhytovolatilization conversion to volatile formsPhytoextraction similar to pump and treat

Theoretical Background

ApplicabilityPolishing treatmentHydrocarbon residualsHeavy metalsChlorinated solventsPesticides/Herbicides/RadionuclidesPhenols/MunitionsKow ratios of 1-3.5 have greatest potentialLow organic content in soilLess than 10 of contamination

AdvantagesSoil stabilization and pollutant fixationLower cost and less invasivePerformed in-situAesthetically pleasing with public appealExcellent for agricultural soil damaged by dispersed industrial pollution

DisadvantagesNot fully embraced by government and industryDepth limitationSlow (3-5 year) timelineDesigns are very site-specificPlant combinations can use more researchEquipment is often far from urban areasPrecaution for food-chain access

Field SetupDefine speciesIrrigation/ nutrientsTreatmentMonitoringHarvestingMonitoringClosureSome process loops

Plant SelectionDefine type and quantityVarying soil typesSelect high biomass yield

Hyperaccumulator speciesBackground nutrient levels

Application

Irrigation/ Soil AmendmentIrrigation may be necessaryWater encourages pollutant dissolutionRepeated species reuse exhausts pollutantspH adjustment, chelating for metal solubility

MonitoringContinual sampling planSoilWaterCropsDynamic treatment strategy

HarvestingMass balance for treatment efficiencyAccumulation in various plant partsComposting or processingIncinerationUsed as bio-enhanced feedstockMineral ore potential

CostLow level: $10-15/ tonOff site: $200-600/ ton500 ppm lead example:$300,000 acre for disposal$110,000 for phytoremedationOpportunity costs!

Due Care ConsiderationsErosion preventionDust migrationBiomass in food chainPest/ rodent deterrentsLimit access to area

Modeling and CombinationsFour main models:Numerical and AnalyticalDeveloped in mid-90sAll have severe limitationsCombined with other methods:Bioremediation & inoculationPolishing treatment

OneSITE WWTP Woodburn, OR10,000 Poplar trees over 400 acresAbandoned sludge lagoonStabilize waste/ bufferAlternative to 5 million gallon untreated release$2.5 million cost$800,000 harvest every 10 years

Radionuclide Extraction - ChernobylFallout in sandy soilIndian mustard, corn, peas, artichoke, sunflowersOnly artichoke and sunflowers were effectiveDecrease only over 3 weeksChelating increased uptake 20xIncineration used for 90% waste reduction

Lead Phytoremediation NJLead-acid battery factory4500 sq. ft.Close to church, school, homesXRF for continual monitoringIndian Mustard 3.5 potsEDTA for lead solubility6 week growing cycle

Lead Phytoremediation - Results

Local Example Milwaukee JunctionHistoric industrial areaHigh vacancyNear transit and new developments5-10 year development timelineDispersed pollutants

Local Example Milwaukee JunctionSummer pilot projectVan Antwerp Coal YardLater automotive service centerLead, arsenic, hydrocarbonsMapping entire district

Local Example Milwaukee JunctionSoil testing and delineationSunflower & Indian Mustard interplantingNear incinerator facility Indoor hydroponics and retail nurseryEnd use BHARNBrush Hydroponics/ Aquaculture Retail Nursery

Local Example Milwaukee JunctionCollaboration:

ReferencesSharma, H.D., Reddy K.R. (2004). Geoenvironmental Engineering. Jon Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey, 478-485Doty, S.L. (2008). Enhancing phytoremediation through the use of transgenics and endophytes. New Phytologist (2008) 179: 318333Blaylock, M.J., Elless, M.P., Huang, J.W., Dushenkov, S.M. (1999). Phytoremediation of Lead-Contaminated Soil at a New Jersey Brownfield Site. Remediation, summer 1999; 93-101Chaney, R.L., Broadhurst, L., Centofanti, T. Phytoremediation of Soil TraceElements. Bioavailability, Risk Assessment and Remediation; 311-352Rock, S.A., Sayre, P.G. (1998) Phoremediation of Hazardous Wastes: Potential Regulatory Acceptability. Remediation, autumn 1998; 5-17Zadrow, J.J. (1999). Recent Applications of Phytoremediation Technologies. Remediation, spring 1999; 29-36Mudhoo, A. (2011). Phytoremediation of Cadmium: A Green Approach.Gupta et al. Phytoremediation: An Efficient Approach for Bioremediation of Organic and Metallic Ions Pollutants. Bioremediation and Sustainability; 213-240Dushenkov, S., Mikheev, A., Prokhnevsky A., Ruchko, M., and Sorochinsky, B., Phytoremediation of radiocesium-contaminated soil in the vicinity of Chernobyl, Ukraine,Environ. Sci. Technol., Vol. 33, pp. 469-475, 1999.

More InformationMore detailed technical information on this project can be found at:http://www.geoengineer.org/education/web-based-class-projects/geoenvironmental-remediation-technologies