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Characterization of a Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil in Ohio for a Phytoremediation Project
| Title: | Characterization of a Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil in Ohio for a Phytoremediation Project |
| Author: | Hartley, Lindy |
| Description: | Soil and plant samples were collected from a heavy metal contaminated site in Fostoria, located in northwest Ohio. Copper and lead are the primary metals found at high concentrations on site. The soil at the study site has minimal adsorption capacity and without plant accumulation, the metals would likely be leached offsite. Soil and plant samples were collected from mine sites in Houghton Co. Michigan for comparison with the Ohio site. The objectives of this study are 1) to determine the adsorption behavior of copper and lead in Fostoria; 2) evaluate the effects of pH and ionic strength on the adsorption of copper and lead; 3) determine the applicability of plants from Michigan mine sites to the Fostoria soil. Results indicate that adsorption capabilities in the Fostoria soil are low. Metals exist in the living and decaying tissue of plants on site and are adsorbed to the mineral and organic fractions of the soil. As ionic strength increased, adsorption decreased. pH variation in the soil had little effect in sorption of metal ions. It is important to maintain a plant cover that will sustain a constant level of metals in the A-Horizon due to leaching concerns. Stinging nettles, growing on the lagoon, are very effective at removing not only copper, but a suite of metals, from the soil and therefore are important in preventing leaching of heavy metals. Stinging nettles were found to be a potential hyperaccumulator of metals and since mine plants that were investigated did not sequester significant concentrations of metals and no hyperaccumulators were located at those sites, application of non-indigenous plants is not recommended at this time. Natural attenuation is the preferred method of remediation at the Fostoria site. |
| Permanent Link: |
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1104876723
http://hdl.handle.net/2374.OX/19270 |
| Date: | 2004 |
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