Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Monitoring of plant bioremediation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry

Conference ·
OSTI ID:191727
; ;  [1]
  1. Kansas State Univ., Manhattan, KS (United States); and others
Bioremediation, the process of microorganisms controlling and destroying contaminants, is one of the fastest growing hazardous waste cleanup alternatives. This study addresses the viable and natural solution to the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollutants, through the bioremediation process. The application of using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry to monitor plant bioremediation is under investigation. Previous studies suggest, using FT-IR to monitor, that toluene is degraded by adapted alfalfa plants and/or their associated microorganisms. Presently, the authors are monitoring 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), chloroform (CHCl{sub 3}), and trichloroethylene (TCE) from the subsurface water and the gas phase above the plants. Also adsorption studies of the amount of VOCs adhering to the plants are being done. The FT-IR spectrometer can quickly determine and analyze contaminants in the gas phase, groundwater and plant tissue.
OSTI ID:
191727
Report Number(s):
CONF-941098--
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English