Abstract
Impacted groundwater at hazardous waste release sites often contain mixtures of contaminants. It can be relatively easy to treat some compounds ex situ. However, mixtures of some compounds can be difficult to treat. A method to extract and treat complex mixtures of contaminants of concern using phytotechnology is proposed in this paper. A specific case study is described wherein a hybrid phytoremediation system is compared and contrasted with conventional groundwater and phytoremediation technologies. Nitrate is used as an exemplar co-contaminant since nitrate contamination is (1) widespread in the United States, and (2) difficult and expensive to treat. The approach involves using contaminated groundwater as a source of irrigation water for a phytoremediation grove. Groundwater would be extracted using conventional groundwater extraction methods. Groundwater then would be pumped to multiple irrigation zones under the control of an autonomous irrigation system. Each zone would consist of a number of trees. The root system for each tree would be modified to function as a confined treatment cell that facilitates contaminated water uptake. The irrigation controller would optimize the amount of groundwater that can be extracted and treated while preventing surface water runoff away from the phyto component.
Highlights
The cleanup of sites such as those at Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action, and underground storage tank release sites often requires linking feasible treatment technologies with the COCs present at the site
We propose a hybrid phytoremediation system that combines an optimally controlled in situ plant treatment system with an active groundwater extraction system to expand the phytoremediation’s capacity beyond its limitations of shallow depth, low expiration, and placement vis-a-vis contaminated groundwater, while treating both a halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and an inorganic nutrient
The time-frame of phytoremediation tends to be longer than traditional cleanup technologies; requirements to sample and analyze plant tissue, plant characteristics, and environmental media over that extended time-frame can result in significant operations and maintenance (O&M) costs
Summary
The cleanup of sites such as those at Superfund, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrective action, and underground storage tank release sites often requires linking feasible treatment technologies with the COCs present at the site. Removal of carbon tetrachloride from impacted groundwater can be implemented by groundwater extraction followed by ex situ treatment In this agricultural region, groundwater is commonly contaminated with nitrate as a non-point source due to legacy agricultural practices. Addressing COCs in both the halogenated VOC and inorganics contaminant groups requires combining treatment technologies to achieve remedial action goals such as a desired cleanup concentration threshold in groundwater or a performance threshold such as the amount of COC removal over time. We propose a hybrid phytoremediation system that combines an optimally controlled in situ plant treatment system with an active groundwater extraction system to expand the phytoremediation’s capacity beyond its limitations of shallow depth, low expiration, and placement vis-a-vis contaminated groundwater, while treating both a halogenated VOC (e.g., carbon tetrachloride) and an inorganic nutrient (e.g., nitrate). The benefits of the design case relative to other treatment methods are discussed and summarized in the last sections
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
