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
Jordan, a senior studying Environmental Engineering, studies plants as a tool to delineate contaminated plumes. His research has been mainly focused on BTEX (gasoline constituents) contamination from leaking underground storage tanks. His interests are focused in remediation, bioremediation and humanitarian work. His plans include obtaining a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering and working in the remediation field.
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 Rachel Bartz