Effect of soil depth on phytoremediation efficiency for petroleum contaminants. Academic Article

abstract

• Biodegradation of organic contaminants in soil may be enhanced by the presence of vegetation. Evaluating the effect of soil depth on phytoremediation efficiency may provide researchers and regulators with a clearer understanding of contaminant clean-up. A column study with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and diesel-contaminated soil was conducted over a 147-day period of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) growth. Analysis of the contaminants and plant biomass was conducted along with microbial enumeration at three soil depths in 49-day intervals. Remediation proceeded rapidly near the surface of the soil (0-20 cm) for both vegetated and unvegetated columns, but the effect of vegetation relative to an unvegetated control only was significant in the lower soil depths. Contaminant dissipation in the 20-40 and 40-60 cm layers was not significantly different between vegetated and unvegetated soil.

authors

• Banks, M. Katherine

published proceedings

• J Environ Sci Health A Tox Hazard Subst Environ Eng

author list (cited authors)

• Keller, J., Banks, M. K., & Schwab, A. P.

citation count

• 8

complete list of authors

• Keller, Jeffrey||Banks, M Katherine||Schwab, AP

publication date

• January 2008

publisher

• Taylor & Francis  Publisher

published in

• Journal of Environmental Science and Health - Part A Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering  Journal

keywords

• Biodegradation, Environmental
• Hydrocarbons
• Panicum
• Petroleum
• Plant Roots
• Plant Shoots
• Soil
• Soil Microbiology
• Soil Pollutants
• Water

PubMed Central ID

• 18161552

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1080/10934520701750314

start page

• 1

end page

• 9

volume

• 43

issue

• 1

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10934520701750314

user-defined tag

• 7 Affordable and Clean Energy