3
Remediation of Sites Contaminated
by Organic Compounds
Lawrence C. Davis, Barbara Zeeb, Larry E. Erickson,
Aigerim Mamirova, and Valentina Pidlisnyuk
Abstract
The transformation and biodegradation of organic contaminants in soils
with plants occur in plants as well as in soil. Microorganisms have the
ability to biodegrade many compounds and microbial populations are
larger when plants are present because of root exudates. In this chapter, petroleum compounds, explosives, solvents, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants are included. Miscanthus, trees, and many other
plants have important phytoremediation applications to organic contaminants. Phytoremediation studies with Miscanthus show that tolerance to organic contaminants is good and that Miscanthus is an effective
plant for phytoremediation. Positive biodegradation results are reported
with hemp, which is another plant with commercial value. Because of the
importance to NATO, phytoremediation research progress with explosives is an important part of this chapter. There has been good research
progress in phytoremediation applications with poplar trees where polychlorinated biphenyls have been investigated. Some recent phytoremediation advances with dioxins are included. Recent phytoremediation
results with Miscanthus growing in pesticide-contaminated soil show
that Miscanthus is able to grow in soils where mixtures of chlorinated
pesticides are present.
CONTENTS
3.1 Introduction.................................................................................................. 38
3.2 Types of Organic Contaminants................................................................ 38
3.2.1 Remediation of Petroleum Contaminants.................................... 38
3.2.2 Remediation of Explosives.............................................................. 41
3.2.3 Remediation of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons ................................42
3.2.4 Remediation of Pesticides............................................................... 45
3.3 Landfills and Containment ........................................................................ 47
3.4 Phytoremediation of Organic Contaminants with Miscanthus ........... 48
References............................................................................................................... 53
37
Remediation of Sites Contaminated
by Organic Compounds
Lawrence C. Davis, Barbara Zeeb, Larry E. Erickson,
Aigerim Mamirova, and Valentina Pidlisnyuk
Abstract
The transformation and biodegradation of organic contaminants in soils
with plants occur in plants as well as in soil. Microorganisms have the
ability to biodegrade many compounds and microbial populations are
larger when plants are present because of root exudates. In this chapter, petroleum compounds, explosives, solvents, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants are included. Miscanthus, trees, and many other
plants have important phytoremediation applications to organic contaminants. Phytoremediation studies with Miscanthus show that tolerance to organic contaminants is good and that Miscanthus is an effective
plant for phytoremediation. Positive biodegradation results are reported
with hemp, which is another plant with commercial value. Because of the
importance to NATO, phytoremediation research progress with explosives is an important part of this chapter. There has been good research
progress in phytoremediation applications with poplar trees where polychlorinated biphenyls have been investigated. Some recent phytoremediation advances with dioxins are included. Recent phytoremediation
results with Miscanthus growing in pesticide-contaminated soil show
that Miscanthus is able to grow in soils where mixtures of chlorinated
pesticides are present.
CONTENTS
3.1 Introduction.................................................................................................. 38
3.2 Types of Organic Contaminants................................................................ 38
3.2.1 Remediation of Petroleum Contaminants.................................... 38
3.2.2 Remediation of Explosives.............................................................. 41
3.2.3 Remediation of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons ................................42
3.2.4 Remediation of Pesticides............................................................... 45
3.3 Landfills and Containment ........................................................................ 47
3.4 Phytoremediation of Organic Contaminants with Miscanthus ........... 48
References............................................................................................................... 53
37