Bibliography: leaves 166-180. / 180, [4] leaves : ill. (chiefly col.) ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Determines the effect of chromium on the soil microbial community and its activity, the biotic-abiotic mechanisms involved in chromium oxidation, and phytostabilization of chromium using plants and organic amendment in tannery-waste contaminated soil. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Soil and Water, 2002

Corrigenda inside front cover. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 205-232) / xii, 232, [27] leaves : ill., plates ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Soil and Water, 2002

Content removed due to copyright restrictions: Anderson, C., Moreno, F., & Meech, J. (2005). A field demonstration of gold phytoextraction technology. Minerals Engineering, 18(4), 385-392. / Mercury (Hg) is a toxic heavy metal that is concentrated in organisms. Injudicious use of Hg and its compounds have resulted in widespread soil contamination. This study investigates the potential use of plants for the remediation of Hg-contaminated mine wastes. Plants can remove soil Hg via phytoextraction and phytovolatilisation. I investigated both of these strategies by focusing on a methodology for Hg analyses in plants and soils with a view to the determination of volatile Hg emitted from plants. Secondly, I determined the feasibility of Hg phytoextraction and phytovolatilisation from contaminated mine wastes. An accurate method for the analysis of Hg in air, plant and various soil fractions was a key component of this study. I developed a hydride-generation atomic absorption spectroscopy method for total Hg analyses in digest and liquid matrices of the aforementioned samples. Quality assurance was ensured by comparing results with those of an external certified laboratory. The maximum discrepancy was 15 %. To measure plant Hg-volatilisation, a method that captures Hg-vapour in solution for subsequent analyses was developed. Initially this system was used to trap Hg vapours released from the root system of Brassica juncea plants grown in hydroponic solutions. A subsequent study improved the Hg trapping system, allowing the capture of volatile Hg from both roots and shoots. Mercury recoveries from the whole plant system (traps + plant + solutions) averaged 90 % using this experimental apparatus. In most contaminated substrates, plant Hg uptake is insignificant, possibly due to the low bioavailability of Hg. This represents an obstacle for effective remediation using phytoextraction. Geochemical studies were carried out in Hg-contaminated substrates to examine the potential of chemical agents to induce Hg solubility and subsequent plant uptake. These studies utilised Hg-contaminated mine tailings collected from three locations: the Tui base-metal mine, in the North Island of New Zealand, the Gold Mountain mine, in North-Central China and, the Serra Pelada artisanal mine site, in Northern Brazil. The results demonstrated that Hg solubility in all tested substrates is increased in the presence of sulphur-containing chemical ligands. The effectiveness of these ligands was influenced by site-specific geochemistry. Plants species were able to accumulate up to 60 mg/kg of Hg in shoot tissues upon addition of sulphur-containing ligands to Tui and Gold Mountain substrates. The degree of plant-Hg accumulation was shown to be dependant on plant species and on the thioligand-induced soluble Hg fraction. Shoot Hg transport was inhibited for Gold Mountain substrate amended with 1.25g/kg of humic acid. The maximum Hg extraction yield for B. juncea plants growing in Tui field sites averaged 25 g per hectare following application of sodium thiosulphate. Volatilisation of Hg vapour from barren substrates occurred as a result of biotic (microorganisms) and abiotic (chemical and photochemical reduction) processes. The presence of B. juncea plants in substrates enhanced the volatilisation process up to 23 fold. Phytovolatilisation was the dominant pathway responsible for between 75 to 99.5 % of the total Hg removed from substrates. It was concluded that Hg removal from contaminated mine wastes can be accomplished by both thioligand-induced phytoextraction and phytovolatilisation. There are risks of groundwater contamination by Hg species mobilised after application of thioligands to substrates. Estimated Hg (0) emissions from plant-based operations at contaminated sites ranged between 1.5 to 3.6 kg of Hg/ha per year. Due to extensive atmospheric dilution, Hg emissions from small-scale phytoremediation operations would not cause serious harm to the local population or the regional environment. Phytoremediation combined with gold-phytoextraction can help to mitigate Hg-pollution in artisanal mine sites in the developing world.

Military grounds are territories with specific purpose. Various kinds of military installations, ammunitions and explosives are used in such areas. Because of these reasons, soil in military grounds is very often polluted with heavy metals and oil products; because of continuous damages, made to the top soil, vegetation is very scarce, in some spots missing – sandy wastelands are formed. Explosions, performed in military grounds, can be characterized by both thermal and chemical effect (soil pollution with such compounds, like lead, zinc, copper etc). Not only soils in military grounds and surrounding areas can be polluted because of military activities, but surface water bodies and groundwater as well. Aiming on determination and estimation of the level of pollution and disturbance of superficial layer of soil in military grounds, it is essential to do comprehensive research on physical (explosions and other mechanical effects) and chemical (pollution with heavy metals) effects on soil, caused by militaryactivities, and to evaluate potential danger of pollutants spread and groundwater pollution. It is important to foreseen changes of soil damage and pollution depending on impact strength, type and intensity of military action, performed in specific area, and to evaluate pollution dispersion in deeper layers of soil, relying on investigation results and long-term prognosis. It is necessary to apply and elaborate effective methods for cleaning of polluted soils from military... [to full text]

Soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons is a common problem. Toxic compounds such as BTEXs are present in gasoline derivatives. They can move through the soil and contaminate the groundwater, especially if methanol is present. This problem is critical in permeable soil. Although leaching of BTEX compounds from soil to the water is almost temperature dependent, movement of methanol through the soil is not. Methanol can move through the porous soil and reach the groundwater in a short time. It can also dissolve and carry BTEX compounds through the porous soil. Therefore, fast cleanup of the permeable soil which is contaminated with BTEX and methanol is crucial. Chlorine dioxide is an oxidizer, which is easy to use and safe to transport; and may be considered as a treatment technique for soil cleanup. Keywords: Groundwater, soil contamination, BTEX compounds, methanol, chlorine dioxide, soil cleanup

This study evaluated the efficacy of bioremediation as a treatment option for a hydrocarbon and heavy metal contaminated soil. Microbial degradation of hydrocarbons under aerobic, nitrate-reducing and sulphate-reducing conditions was examined. Nutrient supplementation with nitrogen and phosphate as well as aeration seemed to be the most important factors for enhancing biodegradation. From initial batch studies, a carbon: nitrogen ratio of 50: 1 was found to be optimal for biodegradation. However, very low carbon to nitrogen ratios were undesirable since these inhibited microbial activity. Manipulation of the pH did not seem to be beneficial with regard to hydrocarbon biodegradation. However, low pH values induced elevated concentrations of leachate heavy metals. Aerobic conditions provided optimal conditions for hydrocarbon catabolism with up to 54% of the original contaminant degraded after 2 months of treatment. Further treatment for up to 20 months did not significantly increase hydrocarbon biodegradation. Under nitrate- and sulphatereducing conditions, 6% and 31 % respectively of the initial contaminant was degraded after 2 months while after a further 20 months, 50% and 42%, respectively were degraded. The addition of soil bulking agents and the use of sparging did not significantly increase biodegradation. Similarly, the addition of inoculum did not influence biodegradation rates to any great degree. The presence of heavy metals up to concentrations of 400 mgt1 Mn, 176 mgt1 Zn and 94 mgt1 Ni did not reduce microbial activity within the soil. During the treatment phase, heavy metal and hydrocarbon migration were limited even under water saturation and low pH conditions. A Biodegradation Index was developed and evaluated and may, potentially, find use as an in situ assessment technique for microbial hydrocarbon catabolism. The iodonitrophenyltetrazolium salt assay was also found to be an effective and rapid alternative assay for monitoring bioremediation progress. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.

Contamination of soils and groundwater with nitroaromatic compounds such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and dinitrotoluenes (DNTs) has drawn considerable attention due to widely distributed contamination sites and substantial efforts for cleanup. Two isomers of DNT, specifically 2,6-dinitrotoluene (2,6-DNT) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), occur as soil and groundwater contaminants at former TNT production sites. The discovery of bacteria that use DNT isomers as electron donors has encouraged bioremediation at contaminated sites. Current work is extending the existing engineered bioremediation to naturally occurring in situ biodegradation and focuses on the application of natural attenuation (NA) as a remediation strategy for residual DNT at contaminated sites. More specifically this research evaluated factors influencing in situ bioremediation of DNTs and TNT in surface soils, vadose zones, and saturated medium. Applications involving surface soils and vadose zones investigated the potential of water infiltration to promote in situ bioremediation. Studies in saturated media were more applicable to NA. Factors that were also considered in studies conduced included: 1) the presence and distribution of degrading microbes in field soils (Barksdale, WI); 2) the dissolution and bioavailability of contaminants in historically contaminated soils; and 3) the effect of mixtures of contaminants (i.e., DNTs and TNT) on biodegradation processes. This research provided information useful for practitioners considering an in situ bioremediation NA as a remedial solution for contaminated sites. Under the condition simulating downflow of surface waters or rainwater, the rapid rate of DNT degradation could be facilitated by the availability of oxygen in the soil gas without concern of toxicity (i.e., nitrite evolution and pH drop) and addition of nutrients. As a result, in situ bioremediation or NA should be strongly considered as a remedial option for Barksdale soils and similar sites where relatively low concentrations of DNT isomers are present as contaminants. At TNT contaminated sites TNT was not mineralized by indigenous microorganisms despite oxidative biotransformation, and mixed culture capable of growth on DNT also could not develop the mineralization of TNT during DNT degradation. This suggests that the mixtures of contamination did not improve the potential for in situ TNT bioremediation.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Mississippi State University. Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

The Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin-film solar panels (TFSPs) are widely used in integrated photovoltaic (PV) and solar power systems because of their perfect PV characteristics and ductility. However, the semiconductor layers of these panels contain potentially toxic metals. In this study, the potential environmental pollution arisen by CIGS TFSP treated as construction trash at the end of their useful life was examined. Acid extraction was used to simulate leaching toxicity followed by burying CIGS TFSP material in different soils, namely a synthetic soil, a Mollisol, and an Oxisol, to determine whether metal pollutants might be released into the soil. A vegetable, Brassica parachinensis L. H. Bariley (VegBrassica), was selected to grow in these polluted soils to investigate the uptake of metals and their bioaccumulation. The simulative remediation of contaminated soils was carried out using a remediation module created by the combination of activated carbon and modified mineral waste material (MMWM) in this research. The activated carbon derived from the waste biomass material was produced by an environmental friendly method, and the MMWM was obtained through a thermal dehydroxylation treatment. The physiochemical properties of MMWM, with focusing on mineral phase transformation, were related to the changes in surface morphology due to dehydroxylation occurred during the process of thermal treatment of MMWM samples, and the adsorption performances of metal (lead, Pb) and organic compound (methyl orange, MO) onto this newly modified MMWM were studied. Furthermore, an end-of-life treatment method was designed and proposed for harmless disposal of CIGS TFSP. Various metals, including Pb, zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), gallium (Ga), copper (Cu), indium (In) and aluminum (Al) were found to be released into the soil and caused contamination when scrapped end-of-life CIGS TFSP were buried, and the rates of metal release changed with the variations of both the amounts of CIGS TFSP material in the soil and the soil properties. The increases in concentrations of heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, Ni, Ga, Pb, In, and Cr were correlated with the amounts of CIGS TFSP material added in soils. The Pollution Index and the Nemerow Contamination Index calculated from our results confirmed that, when buried, the CIGS TFSP material polluted the soil. Plants grew well in the synthetic soil and the Mollisol, but those in the Oxisol showed prominent signs of chlorosis and died after 30 days. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) and concentration of Zn were 3.61 and 296 mg/kg, respectively in VegBrassica grown in the synthetic soil with 10% (200 g to 2 kg of soil) of added CIGS TFSP, while the BF and concentration of In were 3.80 and 13.72 mg/kg, respectively in VegBrassica grown in the Mollisol, indicating that bioaccumulation occurred. The thermally treated MMWM samples showed morphological transformation mainly on surface based on the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, and an increasing trend in BET specific surface area (SSA) from 120 to 500 ℃ followed by a decreasing trend up to 1000 ℃. Thermal modification had successfully improved Pb adsorption capacity up to 515 mg/g, corresponding to MMWM modified at 600 ℃ with an SSA of 6.5 m2/g. The MO adsorption capacity was also improved after thermal treatment of MMWM, which performed the best adsorption of 87.6 mg/g at 400 ℃. The adsorption of Pb and MO were mainly chemisorption and monolayer coverage, as pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir equation displayed good relationships of correlation for Pb and MO adsorption data. It is therefore indicated that the newly designed soil remediation modules could significantly remove metals from the contaminated soils. In summary, c

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Os Processos Oxidativos Avançados (POA) surgem como uma tecnologia eficiente para a remediação de áreas contaminadas com óleos, permitindo em muitos casos a completa degradação de uma grande variedade de compostos orgânicos recalcitrantes. Dentre os POA, o reagente de Fenton se destaca por sua simplicidade operacional e tecnologia eficiente para grande carga orgânica, assim como, envolve tempo e custo de processos reduzidos. A literatura reporta uma variedade de trabalhos envolvendo remediação de solos arenosos por POA. Estes resultados não devem ser aplicados diretamente para remediar solos brasileiros devido à variedade dos tipos de petróleo e à grande extensão do território brasileiro rico em diferentes tipos de solos predominantemente argilosos. Dessa forma, é de extrema importância o profundo conhecimento de avaliação e indicação de uma forma de se remediar o solo com condições menos agressivas evitando assim a sua desertificação. Dessa forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do teor e da forma do ferro endógeno na remediação do tipo Fenton em diferentes amostras de solos brasileiros contaminados com óleo diesel. Dez diferentes tipos de solos brasileiros: argissolo (Arg), chernossolo (Che), latossolo vermelho (LV), latossolo amarelo (LA), latossolo vermelho e amarelo (LVA), latossolo férrico (LE), neossolo (NeQ), organossolo (Org), solonchak (Soc), vertissolo (Ver). Os teores das diferentes formas de ferro endógenos (amorfo, cristalino, biodisponível e total) foram determinados pela extração por ditionito-citrato-bicarbonato de sódio (Fe-CDB), extração com oxalato ácido de amônio (Fe-oxalato), extração com ácido sulfúrico (Fe2O3-AS) e extração com solução de ácido dietileno triamino pentacético (Fe-DTPA), respectivamente. A avaliação da eficiência de oxidação pela dosagem de H2O2 e a forma de ferro disponível, assim como a sua quantidade, foi avaliada segundo correlação de Pearson. Verificou-se que a maioria dos solos argilosos tropicais (LV, LE, LA), mesmo apresentando uma grande quantidade de óxido de ferro cristalino (Fe-DCB) comparados aos solos tipo arenosos (NeQ, Org, Soc), apresentaram resultados de remediação semelhantes aos solos arenosos. Além disso, não foi observada uma correlação linear entre a quantidade de óxido de ferro cristalino e a eficiência da remediação, porém sugere-se que a elevada quantidade de óxido de ferro cristalino (Fe-DCB) adsorva os íons ferro da solução. O LVA foi o solo que apresentou a maior eficiência de remediação, independente da adição ou não de ferro. Este resultado foi atribuído à sua maior quantidade de ferro amorfo (Fe-oxalato). A tentativa de se correlacionar a remediação com algumas propriedades dos solos demonstrou que a correlação com pH, sem considerar o solonchack (Soc) é a que apresenta maior significância, ou seja, é o pH do solo que parece influenciar o grau de diferenciação das remediações com ou sem adição de ferro. Em solos mais arenosos, a eficiência da remediação com a adição de ferro exógeno foi mais significativa do que a observada para os solos argilosos.