Effect of Groundwater Depth on Aerobic Biodegradation of BTEX using In-planta Measurements
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Environmental Engineering
Research Advisor
Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program; The Ministry of the Environment, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
Lab studies confirm that trees extract and translocate moderately hydrophobic contaminants and sampling trees for BTEX can help delineate plumes in field studies. However, when BTEX is detected in the groundwater, detection in nearby trees is not as reliable as for other compounds. Aerobic rhizosphere and bulk soil degradation is a potential explanation for the variability of BTEX in trees. This experiments aim was to determine the effect of groundwater level on BTEX concentration in tree tissue, hypothesizing that low water levels promote degradation of BTEX and lower concentrations in trees. Planted reactors with variable water levels and methods for measuring BTEX concentrations in trees were designed and developed. Variable water level was found to significantly affect BTEX concentrations in trees indicating that the influx of oxygen coupled with the presence of the tree facilitates aerobic biodegradation of BTEX in the vadose zone.
Biography
Rachel is a sophomore studying Environmental Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology. She is currently working on an undergraduate research project in the Environmental Engineering Department. The goal of the research project is to determine how the level of groundwater affects the contaminant (BTEX) concentration in the tree tissue and the efficacy of using trees as bio-indicators of pollution. Aside from working on her research project, she is also a dedicated member and Secretary of the Engineers Without Borders organization at Missouri S&T, working to develop a potable water system for the Nahualate community in Guatemala.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Engineering poster session, Third place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
06 Apr 2011, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Effect of Groundwater Depth on Aerobic Biodegradation of BTEX using In-planta Measurements
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Lab studies confirm that trees extract and translocate moderately hydrophobic contaminants and sampling trees for BTEX can help delineate plumes in field studies. However, when BTEX is detected in the groundwater, detection in nearby trees is not as reliable as for other compounds. Aerobic rhizosphere and bulk soil degradation is a potential explanation for the variability of BTEX in trees. This experiments aim was to determine the effect of groundwater level on BTEX concentration in tree tissue, hypothesizing that low water levels promote degradation of BTEX and lower concentrations in trees. Planted reactors with variable water levels and methods for measuring BTEX concentrations in trees were designed and developed. Variable water level was found to significantly affect BTEX concentrations in trees indicating that the influx of oxygen coupled with the presence of the tree facilitates aerobic biodegradation of BTEX in the vadose zone.
Comments
Joint project with Jordan Wilson