title: Effect of soil depth on phytoremediation efficiency for petroleum contaminants.
abstract: Biodegradation of organic contaminants in soil may be enhanced by the presence of vegetation. Evaluating the effect of soil depth on phytoremediation efficiency may provide researchers and regulators with a clearer understanding of contaminant clean-up. A column study with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and diesel-contaminated soil was conducted over a 147-day period of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) growth. Analysis of the contaminants and plant biomass was conducted along with microbial enumeration at three soil depths in 49-day intervals. Remediation proceeded rapidly near the surface of the soil (0-20 cm) for both vegetated and unvegetated columns, but the effect of vegetation relative to an unvegetated control only was significant in the lower soil depths. Contaminant dissipation in the 20-40 and 40-60 cm layers was not significantly different between vegetated and unvegetated soil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: M Katherine
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Schwab
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008897:Panicum / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010578:Petroleum; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000254:growth & development; D018520:Plant Shoots / Q000254:growth & development; D012987:Soil; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014867:Water