Aging and Weathering Effects on the Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon Contamination in Different Soils Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • The aging effect in two petroleum-contaminated soils on the rates of natural attenuation and phytoremediation was studied. Two phases were evaluated, an unvegetated field aging phase and a vegetated greenhouse phase, and two soil type (silly and sandy loam), were used. Field aging durations of the contaminated soils prior to establishment of vegetation in the greenhouse were 0-, 6-, 12-, and 18-mo durations. The three plant species used in the greenhouse stage were tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), and red clover (Trifolium praetense). Tall fescue and red clover were most effective at reducing petroleum concentrations. However, the most significant reductions in petroleum concentration and toxicity occurred during the field aging phase. Silty loam exhibited a more extensive reduction in petroleum concentration and associated toxicity than the sandy loam, highlighting the relationship between increased organic matter content and decreased bioavailability. Phytoremediation enhanced the clean-up of petroleum-contaminated soils during the later stages of contaminant aging. This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 19th Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments, and Water (10/20-23/2003 Amherst, MA).

published proceedings

  • Soil and Sediment Contamination

author list (cited authors)

  • Kim, R. H., Schwab, A. P., Banks, M. K., & Newman, L. A.

complete list of authors

  • Kim, RH||Schwab, AP||Banks, MK||Newman, LA

publication date

  • January 2004