Evapotranspiration Determination and Modeling for Full Scale Phytoremediation
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
Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE)
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are contaminants found frequently in the environment. Due to their location in ground water, detection and remediation of VOCs are difficult but these steps are important in protecting human health. As plants have been shown to uptake VOCs, they have been increasingly used for site remediation and monitoring. Phytoremediation and phytoscreening have been found to be cost effective, easily implemented and more ecologically friendly when compared to traditional methods. Phytoscreening has been applied to seven sites in Missouri that are currently undergoing investigation for remediation.
This project utilizes thermal dissipation probes and evapotranspiration (ET) modeling based on daily climate input and is the key element in projecting the removal rate for pollutants at the site.The ET model and data are being integrated with in-planta pollutant assessment and 3-D groundwater pollution profiling.
Biography
Melissa Elder is a senior in Environmental Engineering minoring in psychology. She is secretary of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, a mentor for the Student Diversity Mentoring Program, and a member of Eco Miners and Engineers Without Borders. She also lives with her sister in the Solar Village on campus. Her interests include American Indian history and culture, reading, traveling, skiing and skydiving.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2014, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Evapotranspiration Determination and Modeling for Full Scale Phytoremediation
Upper Atrium/Hall
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are contaminants found frequently in the environment. Due to their location in ground water, detection and remediation of VOCs are difficult but these steps are important in protecting human health. As plants have been shown to uptake VOCs, they have been increasingly used for site remediation and monitoring. Phytoremediation and phytoscreening have been found to be cost effective, easily implemented and more ecologically friendly when compared to traditional methods. Phytoscreening has been applied to seven sites in Missouri that are currently undergoing investigation for remediation.
This project utilizes thermal dissipation probes and evapotranspiration (ET) modeling based on daily climate input and is the key element in projecting the removal rate for pollutants at the site.The ET model and data are being integrated with in-planta pollutant assessment and 3-D groundwater pollution profiling.
