A STUDY OF THE PHYTOREMEDIATION PROCESS BY TWO ARSENIC HYPERACCUMULATORS GROWN IN A HYDROPONIC ENVIRONMENT
- WCU Author/Contributor (non-WCU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Patrick Richard Baldwin (Creator)
- Institution
- Western Carolina University (WCU )
- Web Site: http://library.wcu.edu/
Abstract: Arsenic contamination has become a global problem for both developed and developing nations. However. traditional remediation is a very expensive process.Therefore. alternate methods are being developed. One type of alternate method is called phytoremediation. This type of remediation uses vascular plants to cleanup contaminated environments. This project consisted of an investigation of the phytoremediation process by two arsenic hyperaccumulating plants (P. vittata and P. cretica cv Mayii) grown in a controlled propagation system. The primary method of the investigation was the measurements of arsenic and nutrient (macro- and micro-) uptake by the plants exposed to different forms of arsenic. The results of the arsenic analysis showed that Pteris vittata extracted both forms of arsenic. In addition, the arsenic analysis for Pteris cretica cv Mayii showed that the root tissue contained the lowest concentration of arsenic.compared to the stem and leaf tissue. The macronutrient analysis for Pteris vittata and Pteris cretica cv Mayii determined calcium to be the most common nutrient. Of the four macronutrients analyzed, sulfur was the least common nutrient detected in Pteris vittata and Pteris cretica cv Mayii tissue. The results of micronutrient analysis for Pteris vittata determined iron to be the most common nutrient. The most common micronutrient detected in the root tissue for Pteris cretica cv Mayii was also determined to be iron.However, the most common micronutrient in the stem and leaf tissue was determined to be sodium. Based on these findings, a more detailed analysis of the role of macro- and micronutrient on arsenic uptake needs to be conducted.
A STUDY OF THE PHYTOREMEDIATION PROCESS BY TWO ARSENIC HYPERACCUMULATORS GROWN IN A HYDROPONIC ENVIRONMENT
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Created on 7/29/2005
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Thesis
- Language: English
- Date: 2005
- Subjects
- Phytoremediation
- Arsenic wastes -- Biodegradation
- Soil remediation