Natural Systems to Treat Toxins: Mass Removal of Chlorinated Solvents
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Mathematics
Research Advisor
Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE)
US Environmental Protection Agency GRO Fellowship
NIEHS Superfund Research Program
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are contaminants found frequently in the environment, including sites across the state of Missouri. Due to their location in the groundwater, detection and remediation are difficult. 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.
In this work, a full scale phytoremediation plot located at Schuman Park in Rolla, MO will be monitored using in-planta, groundwater, and evapotranspiration techniques.
Biography
Amanda Holmes is a junior at Missouri S&T studying mathematics. She is thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in environmental research under Dr. Joel Burken since she was in high school. Her hobbies include trout fishing, hiking, watching movies, and cooking.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Engineering poster session, Second place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hall
Presentation Date
16 Apr 2014, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Natural Systems to Treat Toxins: Mass Removal of Chlorinated Solvents
Upper Atrium/Hall
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) are contaminants found frequently in the environment, including sites across the state of Missouri. Due to their location in the groundwater, detection and remediation are difficult. 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.
In this work, a full scale phytoremediation plot located at Schuman Park in Rolla, MO will be monitored using in-planta, groundwater, and evapotranspiration techniques.
