45

EFFECT OF SOIL DEPTH AND ROOT SURFACE AREA ON THE DEGRADATION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS

J. Keller^l, K. Rathbone², M.K. Banks¹, and A.P. Schwab², ¹Department of Civil Engineering, ²Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

Biological degradation of organic contaminants in soil can be enhanced through the presence of vegetation. Many studies have investigated the potential of various plant species to enhance the mineralization of many different organic contaminants. The majority of studies, however, have neglected two potentially important parameters in the investigation of plant-based bioremediation: the effect of plant root morphology on degradation and the potential for differing rates of degradation as a function of soil depth.

Using a deep-rooting grass over 21 weeks in two-foot columns of soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and diesel fuel, quantitative analysis will investigate root depth parameters. Plants will be removed from the soil at three different takedown times and analyzed for root surface area and total root length using digital scanner technology. The remaining soil column will be subdivided into three levels and analyzed for contaminant concentration.

The data from this research will provide two types of information. First, by quantifying root morphology and correlating it with contaminant dissipation, a more informed choice can be made when selecting vegetation types for future bioremediation projects. Second, with degradation data presented as a function of depth over time, a multidimensional view of plant-enhanced biodegradation can be incorporated into existing mathematical models.

Key words: phytoremediation, PAH, depth, surface area

Top of Page

Return to Main Table of Contents
(to see full list of programs and abstracts)

Sub-Menu of Event Programs
(to see specific list of abstracts)

Tuesday, May 20, 1997

Metals Kansa A

Remediation of Munitions Compounds Kansa B

Analytical Methods Kansa C/D

General Topics Kansa B

Wednesday, May 21, 1997

Metals Kansa A

Zero-Valent Metals Kansa A

Remediation Kansa A

Vegetation-based Remediation Kansa B

Partnerships & Innovative Technologies Kansa C/D

Nonaqueous Phase Liquids Kansa C/D

Thursday, May 22, 1997

Biofilms & Barriers Kansa A

Bioremediation Kansa B

Partnerships & Technology Innovations Kansa C/D

Remediation Kansa C/D

Posters

Return to Publications Menu

Send comments on the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain HSRC web pages to: hsrc@engg.ksu.edu;
comments or questions about this WWW server, to: www@engg.ksu.edu.