Masters Theses
Keywords and Phrases
Groundwater Quality; in situ Remediation; Long Term Monitoring; Perchloroethene; Phytoforensics; Phytoremediation
Abstract
"Due to decades of mismanaged pollutants entering groundwater, subsurface pollution of various compounds has become a widespread challenge. Chlorinated solvents are the most common groundwater contaminants that persist in aquifers, and remediation of these wide-spread plumes is difficult. Bioremediation, permeable reactive barriers, and phytoremediation are remedial technologies that have been developed and applied to chlorinated solvents in groundwater systems. This study integrates these technologies in different combinations to demonstrate the remediation potential of this approach. Zerovalent iron (ZVI) and bioaugmentation with a Dehalococcoides sp. (DHC) culture were applied separately and in combination for degradation of perchloroethene (PCE). Salix pentandra were planted in reactors and concurrently served as monitoring tools. Characteristics studied between reactor combinations included plant health, contaminant degradation rates, and water uptake. By creating an area of lower water potential, trees direct groundwater flow through the reactive zone and uptake the contaminated groundwater after contaminant degradation. Classroom experiential learning of this study was implemented to introduce phytoforensics to students. ZVI and DHC showed degradation of up to 92.0% and 99.3% reduction of PCE, respectively. Combined, ZVI and DHC increased PCE concentration reduction to 99.7%. Dichloroethene (DCE) was only found in all reactors containing DHC, but in no reactors without DHC. Plant sampling was shown to reveal degradation profiles and offer a low impact, low cost approach to monitoring PCE degradation processes in the subsurface. The degradation of PCE by DHC and ZVI was shown to occur through phytoforensics, and the specific mechanism was elucidated"--Abstract, page iv.
Advisor(s)
Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)
Committee Member(s)
Guggenberger, Joe D.
Fitch, Mark W.
Mormile, Melanie R.
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Degree Name
M.S. in Environmental Engineering
Sponsor(s)
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Publisher
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Publication Date
Spring 2016
Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation
- Integrating phytoforensics with bioremediation and zerovalent iron in groundwater remediation
Pagination
115 pages
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references.
Rights
© 2016 Tommy J. Goodwin Jr., All rights reserved.
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Subject Headings
Chlorination -- Environmental aspects
Groundwater -- Pollution -- Measurement -- Methodology
Environmental toxicology
Thesis Number
T 10873
Electronic OCLC #
952593621
Recommended Citation
Goodwin, Tommy J. Jr., "Phytoforensics tools: The degradation and detection of chlorinated solvents in integrated systems" (2016). Masters Theses. 7503.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/7503
Comments
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. CBET #1336877.