Phytoremediation of Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene at the Savannah River Site
Bioremediation of chlorinated solvents, both natural and accelerated, is exemplified by phytoremediation and biodegradation by rhizosphere microorganisms. Phytoremediation is the use of vegetation for the treatment of contaminated soils, sediments, and water. The potential for phytoremediation of chlorinated solvents has been demonstrated at the Savannah River Site (SRS) Miscellaneous Chemical Basin, Southern Sector of A/M Area and TNX/D-Area. Recent characterization work at the SRS has delineated widespread plumes (1-2 miles) of low concentration (40 ppb -10-ppm range) trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) contaminated groundwater. Phytoremediation deployments are underway for TCE and PCE phytoremediation in select SRS areas. Phytoremediation appears to be an excellent technology to intercept and control plume migration. The ongoing Southern Sector treatability study is part of a multi-year field study of SRS seepline-soil systems maintained under saturated conditions. The primary focus is on determining how trees, seepline groundcover, soil microbial communities, and geochemical and surface-volatilization processes affect TCE and PCE in contaminated groundwater that flows through surface seepline areas. Therefore, FY00 represented an initial acclimation phase for soil and plant systems and will facilitate examination of seepline phyto- and bioactivity in subsequent growth season in FY01.
- Research Organization:
- Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC09-96SR18500
- OSTI ID:
- 773187
- Report Number(s):
- WSRC-MS-2000-00897; TRN: AH200101%%101
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste Management 2001, Tucson, AZ (US), 01/25/2001--02/01/2001; Other Information: PBD: 10 Jan 2001
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Characterization Report to Support the Phytoremediation Efforts for Southern Sector, Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina
Characterization Report to Support the Phytoremediation Efforts for Southern Sector, Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina