Laurie Fox

Virginia Tech Hampton Roads AREC

PhytoremediationPhytoremediation

WaterWater• Most abundant resource

• 97% saltwater

• Most of 3% in glaciers

• Very small % in surface and groundwater for humans

WaterWater• SurfaceSurface - water on or near the - water on or near the

earth’s surface (rivers, lakes, earth’s surface (rivers, lakes, springs, storm water)springs, storm water)

• GroundGround - water in the saturated - water in the saturated zone below the water table zone below the water table (aquifer)(aquifer)

Water CycleWater Cycle

Water Water QualityQualityThe degree of excellence relative to:The degree of excellence relative to:

colorcolorodorodor

suspended solidssuspended solidsnutrientsnutrients

dissolved oxygendissolved oxygenpathogens (bacteria)pathogens (bacteria)

Water Water QualityQuality

Threatened by:Threatened by:overuseoveruse

andandpollutionpollution

Water Water QualityQualityThreatened by:Threatened by:

point and non-point source pollutionpoint and non-point source pollution

throughthroughleaching and runoffleaching and runoff

ofofnutrients, sediments, toxicsnutrients, sediments, toxics

Movement of pollutant Movement of pollutant in water or another in water or another liquid downwardliquid downward

through through

soilsoil

LeachingLeaching

Movement of pollutant Movement of pollutant away from release site in away from release site in water or another liquid water or another liquid

flowing horizontallyflowing horizontally

RunoffRunoff

•Nutrients - N & P

•Sediments - organic & inorganic solid particles

•Toxics - pesticides, gas, oil, heavy metals, weeds, & pathogens

Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection AgencyOn January 9, 2001, EPA announced

the publication of recommendedwater quality criteria for nutrientsunder section 304(a) of the Clean

Water Act (see 66 FR 1671)

http://www.epa.gov/OW/index.html

EPA’s expectations are for states to develop a plan and to adoptnutrient criteriainto water quality standards.

Top 3 causes of impairments of the

nation’s waters

nutrients (N&P)siltation

pathogens

ImpairmentImpairment

Cultural EutrophicationCultural Eutrophication

Over-enrichmentOver-enrichment

Chronic symptomsChronic symptoms• algal blooms • low dissolved oxygen• fish kills• murky water• depletion of desirable flora & fauna• increased turbidity• stimulated microbes (Pfisteria)

No swimming

past markers

PhytoremediationPhytoremediation

PhytoremediationPhytoremediationUse of vegetative systems (plants)

to cleanse contaminated soil or water

What?What?• sewage• industrial wastewater • landfill leachate• toxic spills• agricultural byproducts• storm water runoff

How?How?• engineered wetlands

• buffer zones

• rain gardens

• in water systems

Engineered WetlandsEngineered Wetlands

Buffer ZonesBuffer Zones

3 planting zones4 days or less5% of drainage area6” water

Low HighMiddleAdams County SWCDQuincy, IL

Rain GardensRain Gardens

In Water SystemsIn Water Systems

Bayville Golf Club• Runoff into bay is

large concern • Buffer of fine

fescues and other native grasses and plants

• All storm is captured and recycled as irrigation water

Why Water Hyacinth?• Bright glossy leaves, ornamental purple

flowers.• Reproduction is quick & vegetative. (7 to 10

days)• Dense, fibrous root systems are efficient

accumulators of nutrients.• Readily available. • Easily harvested?• Can be composted.• Do not overwinter.

Corral design and construction

• Criteria– cost effective, readily

available, light weight, easy to assemble and maintain, effectively contain hyacinths

• Materials– PVC-Irrigation Pipe

– Safety/oyster fencing

– Cable ties

Corral design & construction

Deployment of corrals & hyacinths

Week 1 observations

101

102

103104

201 202

203

204

301 302 303304

Week 8 observations

SAVE THE BAY=PHYTOREMEDIATON