THE OPTIMIZATION OF CHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN CONTAMINANT-SPECIFIC PLANTS

Concern about the environmental fate of metals and organic solvents in soil and groundwater has compelled a nationwide focus on cost effective remediation technologies. The process of plant-enhanced degradation, and isolation through phytoremediation, has generated interest in the use of constructed wetland systems for remediation.

Phytoremediation is the use of vegetation to extract, isolate or degrade environmental contaminants. It is a promising technology that addresses cleanup of organic solvents, PCBs, heavy metals and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, including chlorinated hydrocarbons. The ability to remove contaminants cheaply and efficiently is very important, especially in karst environments, where flow is turbulent and soil horizons are generally thin.

It has been experimentally determined that certain plants have an affinity towards specific contaminants. The ability of a plant to degrade and sequester a particular contaminant seems to be dependant on the Kow and the Ksp of the particular contaminant. Some research has been done, passively, matching these parameters; for example the Indian mustard plant has an affinity towards lead. Very little research has been done in plant studies to adapt plants and vegetation to these parameters. That is the focus of this proposal.