There is an ever-increasing need to address problems associated with the creation and disposal of wastes which result from human activities. Pb and Cd contamination is a common problem at many abandoned and uncontrolled commercial and industrial sites. Phytoremediation is one technology that can be employed to remove metals such as Pb from the soil. This study investigated the effectiveness of several plant and soil treatments on the uptake and retention of Pb and Cd by vegetation from contaminated soil at a Superfund site. Field plots were established and plant treatments included a mixture of grasses including Festuca, Poa. and Phleum; red clover (Trifolium Pratense); and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). Soil treatments included a common NPK fertilizer, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), dilute sulfuric acid (H2SO4), and a mixture of EDTA and H2SO4 (EDTA+H2SO4). Trifolium tissue contained a greater quantity of Pb (182 mg Pb/kg tissue) than that of Poa (65 mg Pb/kg tissue). Cadmium concentration was similar in Poa and Trifolium tissue. ranging from 7.2 to 10.6 mg/kg tissue. Different soil treatments affected Pb levels found in plant tissue in order of effectiveness: H2SO4>EDTA>NPK>EDTA+H2SO4 The effects of soil treatments on Cd levels were similar to those for Pb with a difference of 0.1 mg Cd/kg tissue between EDTA and NPK treatments. Soil amendments differentially influenced Pb bioavailability and uptake, with H2SO4 exhibiting the greatest positive influence on Pb and Cd concentration in tissue. There was no correlation between the quantity of Pb and Cd up taken by vegetation at the site. The current study demonstrated the capability of common native plant species to grow on toxic and infertile soils, and the ability to uptake Pb and Cd to a limited degree. Regardless of tissue concentrations of Pb or Cd, Poa coverage at the site was generally dense. demonstrating the ability of Poa to become established on toxic soils and prevent soil erosion. / Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/188058 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Hee, Calvin K. |
| Contributors | Pichtel, John |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | ix, 109 leaves : ill. (some col.), maps (some col.) ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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