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

Appendix 1: Field work involving the phytoremediation of VOC-contaminated groundwater
Site (alphabetically by state) Point of Contact* Tree Species Primary Contaminant Year Implemented Objectives Performance to Date Depth of Impact Other Comments
Trees have grown consistently
(up to 8 ft/year for the poplar).
Comparison of groundwater
concentrations from preinstallation
of the
TreeMediation system and 2
Hydraulic control and reduction
growing seasons later indicate
of TCE contaminant levels in
10-15 ft below ground surface N/A
significant reduction of the TCE
the aquifer
concentrations in the aquifer
both at the source area and on
the property boundary.
Hydraulic effects on the
groundwater flow have also
been demonstrated.
TCE (up to 25 mg/L) 2000
About 200 hybrid poplars (P.
maximowiczii x trichocarpa ) on
concentrated plot with about 50
willows (Salix pentandra ) on
boundary
Unspecified manufacturing facility - Ed Gattliff, Applied Natural
Aurora, Illinois
Sciences, Inc.
10-15 ft below ground surface N/A
Monitoring of water levels and
groundwater concentrations
Hydraulic control and
groundwater remediation
through rhizodegradation,
phytodegradation and
evapotranspiration
BTEX 2001-2002
Full-scale project using seed and
poles of poplar varieties, deeprooted
prairie grasses and flowers
David Tsao, Group
Environmental Management
Company, a BP affiliated
company
Rochelle Terminal, Illinois
N/A
Groundwater is 2-4 ft below
ground surface
Survival rate is greater than
90%. Trees have grown 3-8 ft
in 1.5 growing seasons. Have
had substantial deer damage.
To intercept shallow
groundwater downgradient
from active landfill, reduce
mass of contaminant moving
off-site, hydraulic containment
2001-2002
Full-scale project of 900 hybrid Low concentrations of organics
poplars (DN-34), laurel leaf willows, (primarily BTEX with Benzene
and understory grasses on one at 4 ug/L, TCE at 2-5 ug/L,
acre site
DCE at 1-70 ug/L)
Eric Aitchison, Ecolotree, Inc.
Leachate interception buffer,
northern Illinois
INDIANA
1-10 ft below ground surface A Horizon soil on top of slag
Monitoring of water levels and
sap flow
Hydraulic control through
evapotranspiration
Pilot-scale project using potted
black alder, cottonwood, willow, Phenols, alkalinity 1998
Norway spruce, Austrian pine stock
David Tsao, Group
Environmental Management
Company, a BP affiliated
company
Whiting Refinery - J&L West,
Indiana
N/A
Groundwater is 3-6 ft below
ground surface
Hydraulic cap to hold residual
contamination in place, to
degrade residual contamination
in soil, to cleanup
Greater than 95% survival
contaminated groundwater, to
reduce groundwater flow rates
from the site
BTEX (less than 2 mg/L) November 2001
Full-scale project of 350 hybrid
poplars (DN-34) and understory
grasses on 0.5 acres
Louis Licht, Ecolotree, Inc.
Unspecified leaking underground
storage tank site, Indiana
IOWA
Trees planted by trenching 10
ft below ground and planting 15
ft trees to bottom of trench
Groundwater is 9-11 ft below
ground surface
Greater than 95% survival
To intercept PCE/TCE/DCEcontaminated
groundwater
water and promote their
degradation, reduce mass flow
of contaminants off-site
April 2002
PCE (up to 15 mg/L), TCE (up
to 50 ug/L)
Full-scale project with 700 hybrid
poplar trees (DN-34) on one acre
site
Louis Licht, Ecolotree, Inc.
Unspecified chlorinated solvent
spill site, northern Iowa
KANSAS
Trees planted in 10 ft deep
auger holes to access
groundwater
Groundwater is 9-11 ft below
ground surface
Some tree loss, likely due to
soil or free product
phytotoxicity. 75% survival
after two growing seasons.
To intercept groundwater,
create a hydraulic cap, and
clean up contaminated soil
January 2001
Gasoline and diesel-range
organics (up to 3,000 mg/kg in
soil). Total volatile petroleum
hydrocarbons range between 2
and 36 mg/L in groudwater)
Full-scale project using 204 hybrid
poplar trees (DN-34) and
understory grasses on a 0.3 acre
site
Eric Aitchison, Ecolotree, Inc.
Unspecified hydrocarbon spill site,
southern Kansas
0-2 ft below ground surface N/A
Monitoring of water levels, sap
flow, and groundwater
concentrations
Rhizodegradation,
phytodegradation, and
evapotranspiration in the
riparian zone
BTEX, MTBE 2001
Full-scale project using whips of
poplar varieties
David Tsao, Group
Environmental Management
Company, a BP affiliated
company
Sugar Creek Refinery - T156,
Kansas
KENTUCKY
10-15 ft below ground surface N/A
Monitoring of water levels and
groundwater concentrations
Hydraulic control and
groundwater remediation
through rhizodegradation,
phytodegradation, and
evapotranspiration
BTEX 2000
Full-scale project with potted stock
of poplar varieties
David Tsao, Group
Environmental Management
Company, a BP affiliated
company
Louisville Terminal, Kentucky
LOUSIANA
5 ft below ground surface N/A
Poplar did not thrive in wet,
heavy soil conditions
Remediation of TCE and its
derivatives in a shallow aquifer
TCE (up to 353 ug/L) 1995
100 hybrid poplars (P.
maximowiczii x trichocarpa ) and
willow on 0.5 acre plot
Ed Gattliff, Applied Natural
Sciences, Inc.
Unspecified oil transfer depot-
Lafayette, Louisiana
5-10 ft below ground surface N/A
Monitoring of water levels and
groundwater concentrations
Hydraulic control and
groundwater remediation
through rhizodegradation,
phytodegradation, and
evapotranspiration
2000, with remainder of
site scheduled for 2002
Full-scale project using eucalyptus,
Ethane Dichloride,
poplar, and native willow potted
Toluene Diamine
stock
David Tsao, Group
Environmental Management
Company, a BP affiliated
company
Combustion Superfund, Louisiana
Page 35