phytoremediation--decision tree 7-6-04

©2004 Purdue University

PhytoRemediate®

PhytoRemediate®: Training Module for Transportation Engineers

“Phytoremediation Decision Guide for Transportation Engineers”

Mark S. McClain M. Katherine Banks A. Paul Schwab


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PhytoRemediate®: Training Module for Transportation Engineers

This CD is intended to function in a linear fashion, simply going from one slide to the next. It is a compliment to the manual “Phytoremediation Decision Guide for Transportation Engineers.”


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Definition of Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation is the use of plants in various engineered treatment options.

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Phytoremediation is the use of plants in various engineered treatment options such

as these constructed wetlands.


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Types of phytoremediation

Phytoextraction Rhizofiltration PhytostabilizationPhytotransformationRhizosphere BioremediationPhytovolatilizationRiparian Corridors

& Buffer StripsVegetative Cover


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Phytoextraction

Phytoextraction is the use of plants to uptake contaminants into their biomass.


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Rhizofiltration

Rhizofiltration is the use of plant roots to sorb contaminants in place.


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Phytostabilization

Phytostabilization is the use of plants to prevent the migration of contaminants through control of the hydraulic gradient or by reinforcing the soil structure.


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Phytotransformation

Phytotransformation is the process that involves the uptake and metabolism of contaminants.


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Rhizosphere bioremediation

Rhizosphere bioremediation is the degradation or transformation of a contaminant due to the increased microbial activity around the root zone or rhizosphere.


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Phytovolatilization

Phytovolatilization is the process that involves the uptake and metabolism of contaminants and the subsequent release by the plants into the atmosphere.


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Riparian Corridors & Buffer Strips

Riparian corridors and buffer strips use plants as filters or barrier.


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Vegetative Cover

Vegetative cover is using plants for soil erosion and sediment control.


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Hydrologic control

Plants can be used to remove water from the contaminated site through evapotranspiration.


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Tier Approach to Phytoremediation

Tier I: Phytoremediation?Tier II: ContaminantsTier III: Contaminant MediaTier IV: Site CharacterizationTier V: Engineering Design


Tier Approach to Phytoremediation

Tier I is the choice of the engineer to use or to evaluate the use of phytoremediation on the contaminated site.

Tier II is the identification of the contaminants on the site.

Tier III is the identification of the contaminant media on the site: air, surface water, subsurface water, soil, or sediment.

Tier IV is the site characterization. Tier V is preliminary phytoremediation application

and engineering design to be used.


Decision-Tree Flowchart for Phytoremediation

Tier I: Phytoremediation?

Tier II: Contaminants

Tier III: Contaminant Media

Tier IV: Site Characterization

Engineering Design

NO YES


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Tier I:Is phytoremediation a preliminary

consideration?

If yes, proceed to Tier II.


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Tier II:What are the contaminants?

A list of the contaminants on site should be compiled, then proceed to Tier III.


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Tier II:What are the contaminants?

It is imperative to thoroughly research the pollutants that are present in order to properly match the phytoremediation technique with the engineering design.


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Are there any regulations concerning the phytoremediation treatment

options?

Our experience with the regulatory agencies concerning the implementation of phytoremediation is favorable, although it has not been acted on extensively by these agencies. Regulations relative to discharge permits and containment of pollutants need to be thoroughly investigated.


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Are there any regulations concerning the phytoremediation treatment

options?

Contact the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) for environmental cleanup guidelines:

www.in.gov/idem/ and the USEPA Innovative Technologies site:

http://www.epa.gov/tio/remed.htm

http://www.in.gov/idem/






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Is phytoremediation still a consideration?

This question must be thoroughly evaluated throughout the process of evaluating whether phytoremediation is a valid option. If yes, proceed to Tier III.


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Tier III:Contaminated Media

Air contamination? If air pollution is the problem, then phytoremediation is probably not the solution. Although, some plants have been shown to remove contaminants from indoor air.


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Air contamination

The contaminate medium is ambient air.


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Tier III:Contaminated Media

Surface water contamination?


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Surface water contamination

The contaminate medium is surface water such as a lake, stream, or pond.


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Tier III: Contaminated Media

Subsurface water contamination?


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Subsurface water contamination

The contaminate medium is subsurface water or groundwater.


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Subsurface water contamination:

What is the depth to groundwater?<3 feet?3-8 feet?>8 feet?


What is the depth to groundwater?

<3 feet: A plant with a high evaporative rate is best in this case.

3-8 feet for plant growth. >8 feet: Irrigation may be necessary for

establishing vegetation.


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Tier III: Contaminated Media

Soil contamination?


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Soil contamination

The contaminate medium is soil.


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Soil Contamination

What is the pH of the contaminated soil?>8?6-8?<6?


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Soil Contamination pH

1. The pH may limit the plant choices.

2. Soil amendments may be needed to provide a suitable environment for plants.


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Soil Texture

1. What is the USDA soil texture?

2. Is the soil fine-, medium-, or coarse-textured?


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Soil Texture

Soil texture can be directly related to water holding capacity and soil fertility.


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USDA Soil Textures

Clay, sandy clay, silty clay, clay loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, loam, sandy loam, silt loam, loamy sand, sand, and silt.

Explanation

Textural Triangle


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Soil Fertility

It is essential to get comprehensive soil fertility data from a reputable lab.


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Soil Contamination: Risk and Toxicity

Contaminants may pose risk to plants, animals, or humans.


Choose all contaminants on site and use to assess overall toxicity of the soil, for example:

Arsenic >40 mg kg-1

Boron >3 mg kg-1 Cadmium >15 mg kg-1 Chromium (total)

>1000 mg kg-1 Copper >200 mg kg-1 Mercury >20 mg kg-1 Nickel >100 mg kg-1

Zinc >500 mg kg-1 Cyanides (total)

>250 mg kg-1 Phenols >20 mg kg-1 Sulfates >2000 mg kg-1 Tars (as PAHs)

>1000 mg kg-1 Petroleum products

>100 mg kg-1


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Soil Contamination

What is the depth of the contaminated soil?<6 inches?6-12 inches?12-20 inches?>20 inches?


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Depth of Soil Contamination

These categories are used to select grasses, shrubs, or trees.


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Plant Selection

The following plant characteristics database is an example of several proven and effective plants used in phytoremediation.


Plant Characteristics Database Name Type Life Cycle Max

Precip (in)

MinTemp(ºF)

Min pH

Min root depth (in)

MinPrecip(in)

Tall fescue grass perennial 55 -38 5 12 24

Birdfoot deer vetch forb perennial 65 -33 5.5 14 24

Red clover forb perennial 65 -38 6 12 35

Western wheatgrass grass perennial 32 -28 4.5 20 10

Smooth brome grass perennial 45 -33 5.5 12 30

Kentucky bluegrass grass perennial 65 -28 5 10 24

Orchard grass grass perennial 60 -43 5 12 30

Reed canary grass grass perennial 65 -33 5.5 14 35

Big bluestem grass perennial 55 -43 6 20 12

Indian grass grass perennial 40 -23 5 24 12

Bermuda grass grass perennial 55 12 5.5 14 36

Sunflower forb annual 60 52 5.5 8 12

Indian mustard forb annual 80 17 6 6 30

Coon’s tail forb perennial 55 -38 6.2 0 10

White poplar tree perennial 55 -43 4.9 24 24

Switch grass grass perennial 40 -3 4.5 12 20


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Tier III:Contaminant Media

Sediment contamination?


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Sediment contamination

The contaminate medium is sediment from a lake, stream, or pond.


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If yes, proceed to Tier IV.


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Tier IV:Site Characterization

Site Characterization is an essential component of phytoremediation.


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Are on-site/site-specific data available?


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On-site/site-specific data

On-site/site-specific data are needed to select appropriate remedy.


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Are laboratory data available?


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Laboratory data

On-site/site-specific laboratory data such as a soil fertility test or characterization of the contaminants are needed.


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Is the climate suitable for the plants selected?


How long is the growing season?

Estimate the growing season as the number of frost free days, or…

Quantify the growing season as a function of the soil temperature at a depth of 50 cm as defined in Soil Taxonomy.

Note: plants are selected based on the number of frost-free days and the growing season.


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Climate Data available at:

http://www.cdc.noaa.gov/USclimate/





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What is the USDA plant hardiness zone?


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USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html

http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/hzm-ne1.html


This map supersedes U.S. Department of Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication 814, "Plant Hardiness Zone Map," which was revised in 1965. This 1990 version shows in detail the lowest temperatures that can be expected each year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These temperatures are referred to as "average annual minimum temperatures" and are based on the lowest temperatures recorded for each of the years 1974 to 1986 in the United States and Canada and 1971 to 1984 in Mexico. The map shows 10 different zones, each of which represents an area of winter hardiness for the plants of agriculture and our natural landscape. It also introduces zone 11 to represent areas that have average annual minimum temperatures above 40 F (4.4 C) and that are therefore essentially frost free.


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What is the minimum temperature at the site?

Plants are selected based on hardiness to low temperatures.


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What is the average annual precipitation at the site?

Plants are selected based on the need for water from precipitation.


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Rank the probability of drought at the site for the next year.

Low?Medium?High?


Drought Probability

Based on the probability for drought, irrigation may be necessary for adequate plant growth. Also, drought-tolerant species can be selected.

Go to the following link “drought watch” and then proceed to drought monitoring which provides past drought maps and general historical drought information:

http://enso.unl.edu/ndmc/





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Plants to be considered in phytoremediation?


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Is hydrologic control necessary?


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If yes, proceed to Tier V.


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Tier V:Preliminary Phytoremediation Design


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Yes

Proceed with detailed on-site/site specific phytoremediation engineering design.


VADOSE ZONEWater Well

PHYTOREMEDIATION OF AQUIFER WITH ORGANIC CONTAMIANT PLUME: USING PLANTS FOR HYDRAULIC CONTROL

MTBE, Inc.

Soil Surface

Root Zone/Rhizosphere

Populus deltoides x nigra DN-334, Imperial Carolina

Capillary Fringe

Perched Water Table

MTBE Organic Contaminant Plume


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No

If phytoremediation is not feasible, select alternative technology or engineering design.


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Will phytoextraction be used?


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Will phytostabilization be used?


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Will rhizofiltration be used?


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Will phytovolatilization be used?


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Will rhizodegradation be used?


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Phytoremediation is still a consideration….

Phytoremediation is still a consideration, proceed with preliminary design.


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List of plants to use in phytoremediation

Consult the following USDA-NRCS plant database:

http://plants.usda.gov/





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Hydrologic control

It may be necessary to modify or control hydrology.


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INDOT Districts

www.in.gov/dot/

http://www.in.gov/dot/

http://www.in.gov/dot/


INDOT District Map


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Internet resources & Website Contacts

The following page is a listing of various Internet resources in phytoremediation.


Internet Resources & Website Contacts

Technology Focus—Phytoremediation

http://clu-in.org/publications/db/tp.cgi?technology=5 USEPA Innovative Technologies

http://www.epa.gov/tio/remed.htm Phytoremediation Decision Tree

http://www.itrcweb.org/user/webphyto/envdept/phyto/wwwphyto/

http://clu-in.org/publications/db/tp.cgi?technology=5

http://clu-in.org/publications/db/tp.cgi?technology=5







Internet Resources & Website Contacts

USEPA Phytoremediation Bibliography http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/phytoremediation/

Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Glossary http://members.tripod.com/~bioremediation/

International Journal of Phytoremediation http://www.aehs.com/journals/phytoremediation/

GWRTAC Phytoremediation Reports http://www.gwrtac.org/html/topics/phytorem.htm

http://www.mobot.org/jwcross/phytoremediation/



http://members.tripod.com/~bioremediation/



http://www.aehs.com/journals/phytoremediation/



http://www.gwrtac.org/html/topics/phytorem.htm

http://www.gwrtac.org/html/topics/phytorem.htm


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Contact Information

Mark S. [email protected]. Katherine [email protected]. Paul [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]?subject=PhytoRemediate

phytoremediation--decision tree 7-6-04

Documents

use of plants

use of phytoremediation

phytoremediation tier

uptake contaminants

metabolism of contaminants

contaminated site

sorb contaminants

migration of contaminants