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Method to evaluate plants and soils to optimize conditions for phytoremediation of copper

Buchanan, Catherine Lynn
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271788559

Abstract Details

2010, Master of Science, University of Toledo, Biology (Ecology).
Contaminated soil sites pose an immense problem globally. There is generally no affordable method to remove contaminants from soil apart from phytoremediation, a technology that works on removing contaminants from surface soils. Tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanisms that control adsorption of copper (Cu), as an example of a common contaminant in northwest Ohio, by soil particles in order to optimize the phytoremediation method. The major soil parameters that control adsorption of Cu include organic matter content, clay mineral content, pH, alkalinity and hardness. Particle size analysis was substituted for clay mineral content because of the close correlation between the two parameters. To characterize soil conditions, I used: 1) loss on ignition to estimate organic matter content; 2) inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry to analyze plants and soils for Cu content; 3) laser diffraction for particle size analysis; 4) batch adsorption experiments to quantify Cu adsorption onto soils; 5) indicator paper to determine the pH of the adsorption solutions and on-site soils; and 6) titrations to determine alkalinity and hardness. Soils and plants were evaluated from three sites in northwest Ohio (Treasure Island Dump, Bassett Street Warehouse, and Tiffin Landfill). Soil from a fourth site (Emmajean) was analyzed to conduct a comparative analysis of soil conditions that pertain to adsorptive capacity and plant growth, and to evaluate whether it could be used as a soil amendment where plant growth is limited. Batch adsorption experiments indicated that alkalinity controls Cu adsorption to the soils. The ratio of alkalinity to hardness determined the buffering capacity with Treasure Island > Bassett Street > Tiffin Landfill > Emmajean listed in order of decreasing capacity. Below pH 4, Cu desorbed from the soil. A bio-concentration factor (BCF, i.e., the ratio of the plant and soil concentrations of Cu) was used to compare and contrast phytoremediation potential for different plants at different sites. A higher BCF implies a better ability to concentrate Cu. However, a low BCF might be misleading if the Cu concentration in the soil is extremely high. Therefore, to determine which plants performed the best, the Cu concentration of each individual plant was reviewed in conjunction with the BCF. The low alkalinity of the Emmajean soil confirmed its potential use as a soil amendment without increasing Cu adsorption. The Emmajean soil also had a higher organic matter and sand content, essential for nutrients and root support. For this study, three assumptions were made regarding the plants’ ability to remove Cu. First, the weather conditions were the same in all the study locations. Second, the plants’ physiological ability to remove Cu is the same, no matter where they are rooted. And third, the soil properties that control adsorptive capacity and plant growth were the determining factors in the plants’ ability to remove Cu. Physiological and age differences of the plants were not considered in this study. Cu concentrations among annuals, perennials and trees/shrubs were not significantly different (p=0.71). Cu levels in plant tissue and their corresponding soils from all sites combined were not correlated (r=0.154, df=90) highlighting the importance of other variables in predicting plant Cu concentrations under various levels of soil contamination. Using my results as a guideline to manipulate soil conditions, potted plant experiments can be designed, to find optimal conditions for plant growth and removal of Cu.
Johan Gottgens, PhD (Advisor)
James Harrell, PhD (Committee Member)
Jiquan Chen, PhD (Committee Member)
98 p.
Engineering; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Science
phytoremediation; heavy metal; copper; adsorption; batch adsorption analysis; soil pH; alkalinity/hardness

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Citations

  • Buchanan, C. L. (2010). Method to evaluate plants and soils to optimize conditions for phytoremediation of copper [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271788559

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Buchanan, Catherine. Method to evaluate plants and soils to optimize conditions for phytoremediation of copper. 2010. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271788559.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Buchanan, Catherine. "Method to evaluate plants and soils to optimize conditions for phytoremediation of copper." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2010. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1271788559

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

toledo1271788559
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This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.