Phytoremediation of Polychlorinated piphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sediment: A greenhouse feasibility study

Contaminated sediments dredged from navigable waterways often are placed in confined disposal facilities to prevent further spread of the pollutants. Reducing contaminants to acceptable levels would allow for disposal of the sediments and further dredging activity. A greenhouse study was conducted t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of environmental quality 2007, Vol.36 (1), p.239-244
Main Authors: Smith, K.E, Schwab, A.P, Banks, M.K
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biomass
dredged materials
phytoremediation
plant growth
pollution control
polychlorinated biphenyls
sediment contamination
soil amendments
soil pollution
wetland plants
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Summary:Contaminated sediments dredged from navigable waterways often are placed in confined disposal facilities to prevent further spread of the pollutants. Reducing contaminants to acceptable levels would allow for disposal of the sediments and further dredging activity. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate plant treatments and the addition of an organic amendment to decrease the concentration of PCB congeners found in Arochlor 1260. Sediment treated with the amendment and either low transpiring plants or no plants had the greatest removal of the PCB congeners. High-transpiring plants apparently prevented the highly reducing conditions required for reductive dechlorination of highly chlorinated PCBs. Most likely, the amendment provided labile carbon that initiated the reducing conditions needed for dechlorination. The sediment moisture content and moisture-related plant parameters were significant predictors of the PCB loss. Carex aquatalis and Spartina pectinata are predicted to be the most effective plant treatments for phytoremediation of PCBs.
ISSN:0047-2425
1537-2537