Phytoremediation of Volatile Organic Compounds in ... - CLU-IN

REFERENCES
Phytoremediation of Volatile Organic Compounds in Groundwater
Ferro, A., Kjelgren, R., Turner, D., Chard, B., Montague, T., and J. Chard. 2000. “Phytoremediation
Systems Designed to Control Contaminant Migration.” In: EPA Phytoremediation: State
of the Science Conference Proceedings, Boston, MA, May 1-2, 2000.
Ferro, A., Chard, J., Kjelgren, R., Chard, B., Turner, D., and T. Montague. 2001. “Groundwater
Capture Using Hybrid Poplar Trees: Evaluation of a System in Ogden, Utah.” International
Journal of Phytoremediation. 3(1): 87-104.
Zollinger, Nickolee. Phytokinetics, Inc. Personal Communication. August 19, 2002.
Solvent Recovery Services of New England (SRSNE), Southington, Connecticut
SITE DESCRIPTION
The contaminant source at this Superfund site is a DNAPL containing primarily TCE, PCE and
toluene in both the overburdened and bedrock aquifers. Currently, contaminated groundwater at
this site is pumped from an overburden aquifer, treated with UV oxidation, and discharged to the
Quinnipiac River. Containment is also provided by a downgradient sheet pile wall. A dense stand
of 1,000 hybrid poplars (P. deltoides x nigra) was planted in 1998. If the phytoremediation
system can be shown to reduce groundwater migration and remove aqueous-phase VOCs, it will
reduce the volume of contaminated water that needs to be collected and treated on site.
PERFORMANCE TO DATE
There was a 40 percent mortality rate for the trees planted in 1998. As a result, willows and
native tree species were added in 1999 to replace the trees that died. In spring 2002, all of the
poplar trees were removed from the site due to a canker problem. The stand is currently made up
of approximately 380 willows and 37 native trees.
June to September 2001 sap flow measurements indicated water use rates of 7.8 gpd for willows
and 8.4 gpd for poplars. At the time of writing this report, there was no groundwater
concentration data available.
REFERENCES
Ferro, A., Kennedy, J., Kjelgren, R., Rieder, J., and S. Perrin. 1999. “Toxicity Assessment of
Volatile Organic Compounds in Poplar Trees.” International Journal of Phytoremediation.
1(1): 9-17.
Ferro, A., Chard, B., Gefell, M., Thompson, B., and R. Kjelgren. 2000. “Phytoremediation of
Organic Solvents in Groundwater: Pilot Study at a Superfund Site.” In: G. Wickramanayake,
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