Potential of phytoremediation for treatment of PAHs in soil at MGP sites

• Published in: Journal of soil contamination Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 467 - 480
• Main Authors: Pradhan, S.P, Conrad, J.R, Paterek, J.R, Srivastava, V.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: TAYLOR & FRANCIS 01.07.1998
• Subjects: Alfalfa; aromatic hydrocarbons; biodegradation; bioremediation; efficacy; evaluation; industrial sites; Medicago sativa; MGP-REM process; Microtox; Panicum virgatum; plants; polluted soils; polycyclic hydrocarbons; polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons; population density; Schizachyrium scoparium; soil microorganisms; soil treatment; sorption; toxicity
• ISSN: 1058-8337; 1878-5956
• DOI: 10.1080/10588339891334401

Phytoremediation is a natural, aesthetically pleasing, low-cost technology that employs plant-influenced microbial, chemical, and physical processes to remediate contaminated soils and waters. The Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) conducted a laboratory study to determine the potential of phytoremediation to remediate soils contaminated with polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The soils used for the study were collected from a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site in Newark, NJ. Phytoremediation was assessed both as a primary remediation technology and as a final polishing step for soil treatment. The following three plant species were used for the 6-month laboratory study: alfalfa (Medicago sativa), switch grass (Panicum virgatum), and little bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium). Using both alfalfa and switch grass for primary treatment of PAH-contaminated soil, a 57% reduction in total PAH concentration was observed after 6-months of treatment. Final polishing of that soil using alfalfa further reduced the total PAH concentration in that soil by 15%. Research is in progress with the objective of improving both the efficiency and the economics of phytoremediation for the cleanup of contaminated soils to environmentally acceptable endpoints at MGP sites.