Exploration of the Potential for Phytoremediation of Lead-Based-Paint-Contaminated Soil at Fort Lewis, WA
Abstract
The current study was conducted to explore the potential for two phytoremediation strategies to remediate lead-based-paint- (LBP) contaminated soil from Fort Lewis, WA, i.e., phytoextraction and phytostabilization. The specific objectives were to (1) determine the potential for phytoextraction and phytostabilization of metals from Pb-contaminated soil from Fort Lewis in herbaceous plants, (2) evaluate the effects of the vegetation on the leachability of the soil, and (3) evaluate the influence of differences in soil characteristics on the vegetation responses. The tests were performed using Alopecurus pratensis (meadow foxtail) and Festuca rubra (red fescue), i.e., two metal-tolerant turf grass species, with current geographical distributions that include the State of Washington. The plants were incubated with field soil mixtures in a greenhouse on the U.S. ERDC-EL grounds in Vicksburg, MS. Test results indicated that A. pratensis produced on average about twice as much plant biomass as P rubra in 49 days, i.e., 546 versus 249 g DW m-2. Both species allocated most of their biomass below ground, and showed the tendency to accumulate Pb solely &low ground without upward transport, and to accumulate Zn largely below ground with limited upward transport. The latter characteristic is typical for plant species used in phytostabilization strategies. A. pratensis was the better metal accumulator, which allocated a relatively higher proportion of its biomass in roots, but was also more sensitive to Zn than F. rubra. Presence of the vegetation increased the leachability of the soil considerably, but the leachable metal fractions were extremely low (0-0.3 percent) compared to the total soil metal levels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA428023
Entities
People
- Elly P.H. Best
- Kaaren N. Geter
- Steven L. Larson
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center