Laurie Fox Virginia Tech Hampton Roads AREC Phytoremediation
Water Most abundant resource 97% saltwater Most of 3% in glaciers Very small % in surface and groundwater for humans
Water Surface - water on or near the earth’s surface (rivers, lakes, springs, storm water)Surface - water on or near the earth’s surface (rivers, lakes, springs, storm water) Ground - water in the saturated zone below the water table (aquifer)Ground - water in the saturated zone below the water table (aquifer)
Water Cycle
Water Quality The degree of excellence relative to: colorodor suspended solids nutrients dissolved oxygen pathogens (bacteria)
Water Quality Threatened by: overuseandpollution
Water Quality Threatened by: point and non-point source pollution through leaching and runoff of nutrients, sediments, toxics
Movement of pollutant in water or another liquid downward through throughsoil Leaching
Movement of pollutant away from release site in water or another liquid flowing horizontally Runoff
Nutrients - N & P Sediments - organic & inorganic solid particles Toxics - pesticides, gas, oil, heavy metals, weeds, & pathogens
Environmental Protection Agency On January 9, 2001, EPA announced the publication of recommended water quality criteria for nutrients under section 304(a) of the Clean Water Act (see 66 FR 1671)
EPA’s expectations are for states to develop a plan and to adopt nutrient criteria into water quality standards.
Top 3 causes of impairments of the nation’s waters nutrients (N&P) siltation pathogens
Impairment Cultural Eutrophication Over-enrichment
Chronic symptoms algal blooms low dissolved oxygen fish kills murky water depletion of desirable flora & fauna increased turbidity stimulated microbes (Pfisteria)
No swimming past markers
Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation Use of vegetative systems (plants) to cleanse contaminated soil or water
What? sewage industrial wastewater landfill leachate toxic spills agricultural byproducts storm water runoff
How? engineered wetlands buffer zones rain gardens in water systems
Engineered Wetlands
Buffer Zones
3 planting zones 4 days or less 5% of drainage area 6” water LowHighMiddle Adams County SWCD Quincy, IL Rain Gardens
In 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
Week 8 observations
SAVE THE BAY=PHYTOREMEDIATON