title: Phytoremediation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated sediment: a greenhouse feasibility study.
abstract: Contaminated sediments dredged from navigable waterways often are placed in confined disposal facilities to prevent further spread of the pollutants. Reducing contaminants to acceptable levels would allow for disposal of the sediments and further dredging activity. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate plant treatments and the addition of an organic amendment to decrease the concentration of PCB congeners found in Arochlor 1260. Sediment treated with the amendment and either low transpiring plants or no plants had the greatest removal of the PCB congeners. High-transpiring plants apparently prevented the highly reducing conditions required for reductive dechlorination of highly chlorinated PCBs. Most likely, the amendment provided labile carbon that initiated the reducing conditions needed for dechlorination. The sediment moisture content and moisture-related plant parameters were significant predictors of the PCB loss. Carex aquatalis and Spartina pectinata are predicted to be the most effective plant treatments for phytoremediation of PCBs.
authors.affiliation: USDA-ARS National Soil Dynamics Lab., Auburn, AL 36830, USA.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Banks
mesh_terms: D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D010944:Plants / Q000378:metabolism*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000378:metabolism*; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls