Phytoremediation Removal Rates of Benzene, Toluene, and Chlorobenzene

Abstract

Phytoremediation is a sustainable remedial approach, although performance efficacy is rarely reported. In this study, we assessed a phytoremediation plot treating benzene, toluene, and chlorobenzene. A comparison of the calculated phytoremediation removal rate with estimates of onsite contaminant mass was used to forecast cleanup periods. The investigation demonstrated that substantial microbial degradation was occurring in the subsurface. Estimates of transpiration indicated that the trees planted were removing approximately 240,000 L of water per year. This large quantity of water removal implies substantial removal of contaminant due to large amounts of contaminants in the groundwater; however, these contaminants extensively sorb to the soil, resulting in large quantities of contaminant mass in the subsurface. The total estimate of subsurface contaminant mass was also complicated by the presence of non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL), additional contaminant masses that were difficult to quantify. These uncertainties of initial contaminant mass at the site result in large uncertainty in the cleanup period, although mean estimates are on the order of decades. Collectively, the model indicates contaminant removal rates on the order of 10-2-100 kg/tree/year. The benefit of the phytoremediation system is relatively sustainable cleanup over the long periods necessary due to the presence of NAPL.

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

Second Department

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Sponsor(s)

Dow Chemical Company
National Science Foundation (U.S.)

Comments

This work was funded by the Dow Chemical Company. Methods and procedures applied were based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant #1336877.

Keywords and Phrases

Hydrocarbon Phytoremediation; Rhizodegradation; Site Cleanup

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1522-6514;1549-7879

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2018 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jun 2018

PubMed ID

29723051

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