Assessing the influence of vegetation on reduction of pesticide concentration in experimental surface flow constructed wetlands: Application of the toxic units approach

In summer 2008, an experiment on retention of a mixture of five pesticides in the Lier experimental wetland site (Norway) was performed. Two vegetated cells with hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 280 min and 330 min and one cell without vegetation (HRT of 132 min) of 120 m² surface area each were investigated regarding their ability to reduce peak concentrations, pesticide masses and predicted adverse effects. Discrete water, plant and sediment samples were taken and analysed. The inlet peak concentrations of the pesticides dimethoate, dicamba, trifloxystrobin and tebuconazole ranged from 18 ng/L up to 5904 ng/L. The mean reduction of peak concentration was 72% in the non-vegetated cell and up to 91% in the vegetated cells. Less than 5% of the masses were retained within the wetlands. Uptake and sorption by plants was low (up to 4%), however, higher for the vegetated cell dominated by Phalaris arundinacea L. than for the one with Typha latifolia L. as dominant plant. The toxic units (TU) approach was used to describe the potential reduction of toxicity within the wetland cells. Calculated toxicity of the substances decreased by 79% in the non-vegetated cell and by 95% in the two vegetated cells. Despite the low mass retention, the vegetated wetland system reduced the toxic effects, expressed as toxic units from values of 0.24 to 0.01, i.e. a concentration two orders of magnitude below the acute toxicity threshold, within a distance of 40 m while the non vegetated would need to be about 64 m long for the same efficiency.     

Occupation of submerged aquatic vegetation by fishes: testing the roles of food and refuge

Summary We conducted a series of field experiments to examine the roles of refuge and food availability in explaining the distribution and abundance of fish in tidal freshwater marsh creeks. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) relative predation pressure is less in SAV than in unvegetated areas and (2) fish food availability is greater in SAV than in nearby unvegetated areas. Tethering experiments using mummichogs (Fundulus heteroclitus) in vegetated and unvegetated areas revealed that relative predation pressure was significantly less in areas with SAV. Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) maintained in vegetated enclosures consumed prey associated with SAV, whereas those held in unvegetated pens had empty stomachs. No differences were found in the number of prey eaten by bluespotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus) or mummichogs when confined in vegetated or unvegetated enclosures. However, larger prey were consumed by bluespotted sunfish and mummichogs maintained in vegetated enclosures. These data suggest that foraging profitability is significantly enhanced by feeding in the SAV. Submerged plant beds in tidal freshwater marsh creeks not only afford protection from predators, but also provide a rich foraging habitat. By foraging in SAV, fish consume larger prey and may have higher growth rates, lower mortality, and higher fecundity.     

A test of four plant species to reduce total nitrogen and total phosphorus from soil leachate in subsurface wetland microcosms

Four wetland plant species (Scirpus validus, Carex lacustris, Phalaris arundinacea, and Typha latifolia) were grown in monoculture and as a four-species mixture to compare effectiveness of nutrient removal in controlled 18.93-l outdoor subsurface treatment wetland microcosms. A nutrient treatment that mimicked single-resident domestic effluent consisted of two levels of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) [low (56 mg/l N and 31 mg/l P) and high (112 mg/l N and 62 mg/l P)] of nutrient solution applied three times weekly. The plants were established and maintained for one year before the nutrient treatment and monthly water sampling commenced; water sampling began July 31, 2001 and ended October 23, 2001. We tested four hypotheses: (1) vegetated microcosms are more effective at reducing concentrations of total N and total P from soil leachate than unvegetated, (2) there is a differential species effect on the potential to reduce N and P, (3) plant mixtures are more effective than monocultures at reducing N and P, and (4) the microcosms will be least effective at reducing N and P concentrations in October compared to August. We found support for hypotheses 1, 2, and 4, but our results are inconclusive for the third hypothesis. Total N and total P in the soil leachate were significantly higher from unvegetated microcosms compared to vegetated. S. validus was most effective and P. arundinacea was generally least effective at reducing N and P in monocultures, with treatment capabilities similar to unvegetated microcosms. The four-species mixture was generally highly effective at nutrient removal, however the results were not significantly different from the monocultures. At the end of the growing season (October) treatment efficiency was significantly less than earlier months, especially for the unvegetated treatment.     

Contaminant Removal of Domestic Wastewater by Constructed Wetlands： Effects of Plant Species

A comparative study of the efficiency of contaminant removal between five emergent plant species and between vegetated and unvegetated wetlands was conducted in small-scale （2.0 m×1.0 m×0.7 m, lengthxwidthxdepth） constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment in order to evaluate the decontaminated effects of different wetland plants. There was generally a significant difference in the removal of total nitrogen （TN） and total phosphorus （TP）, but no significant difference in the removal of organic matter between vegetated and unvegetated wetlands. Wetlands planted with Canna indica Linn., Pennisetum purpureum Schum., and Phragmites communis Trin. had generally higher removal rates for TN and TP than wetlands planted with other species. Plant growth and fine root （root diameter ≤ 3 mm） biomass were related to removal efficiency. Fine root biomass rather than the mass of the entire root system played an important role in wastewater treatment. Removal efficiency varied with season and plant growth. Wetlands vegetated by P. purpureum significantly outperformed wetlands with other plants in May and June, whereas wetlands vegetated by P. communis and C. indica demonstrated higher removal efficiency from August to December. These findings suggest that abundance of fine roots is an important factor to consider in selecting for highly effective wetland plants. It also suggested that a plant community consisting of multiple plant species with different seasonal growth patterns and root characteristics may be able to enhance wetland performance.     

Metabolic Imbalance in Coastal Vegetated (Posidonia oceanica) and Unvegetated Benthic Ecosystems

Community metabolism and dissolved organic and inorganic nutrient fluxes were assessed in impacted from fish farm discharges and reference vegetated (Posidonia oceanica) and adjacent unvegetated communities in the Aegean Sea, Greece. Both metabolism and nutrient fluxes significantly differed between impacted and reference communities, but the effect depended on community type and time of year. Net community production (NCP) in the impacted vegetated community decreased by 60%, respiration (R) by 34%, and gross primary production (GPP) by 44%. The GPP:R ratio declined more (35%) in the impacted unvegetated than in the corresponding vegetated community (15%), implying that proximity to the fish farm has a severe impact on the unvegetated community, leading to imbalanced metabolism (GPP < R) and heterotrophic (GPP:R = 0.9) conditions. Higher release of dissolved organic and inorganic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous was observed in the impacted vegetated community compared to the corresponding unvegetated one, implying intensification of mineralization in the seagrass community. On an annual scale, the impacted vegetated community supported increased DOC efflux by 204%, DON by 1639%, NH₄ by 122%, and NO₃ by 26%, whereas it supported release of DOP and PO₄ compared to the reference community, which removed these dissolved nutrients from the water column. The impacted unvegetated community supported an annual increase of DOC efflux by 208% and PO₄ by 42% and it released DON, NH₄, NO₃, and DOP, whereas the reference community took up these nutrients. Proximity to the fish farm altered the ecosystem state by lowering the productivity and by enhancing the nutrient release.     

Dynamics of cryptogamic soil crusts in a derived grassland in south‐eastern Australia

We examined the dynamics of cryptogamic soil crusts in a derived (disclimax) grassland near Orange in south‐eastern Australia. Changes in the cover of cryptogamic crusts and floristics and abundance of the constituent species were measured on four treatments with two levels each of grazing and cultivation. Twenty‐two lichens, mosses and liverworts were found at the study site and, of these, 13 were collected in the quadrats. Three moss species (Barbula calycina, Eccremidium arcuatum and Bryum pachytheca) and one lichen species (Cladonia tessalata) accounted for 67% of total cover‐abundance scores. Generally, cover‐abundance was significantly higher in the unvegetated microsites than in the vegetated microsites. Species richness was not significantly different between the four grazing‐cultivation treatments but, on average, there were significantly more species in the unvegetated microsites (mean = 3.2 species) than in the vegetated microsites (0.54 species). Grazing and cultivation resulted in significantly greater cover of bare ground and consequently significantly greater crust cover. Averaged across all treatments, approximately half of the area of unvegetated soil was occupied by cryptogams. Overall, the results indicate that lichens and bryophytes are important components of derived temperate grasslands, surviving in even densely vegetated swards. This study suggests that strategies which disturb the soil surface (e.g. grazing and cultivation) will stimulate the abundance and cover of soil crust organisms by increasing the availability of unvegetated microsites.     

Contribution of unvegetated tidal flats to coastal carbon flux

Unvegetated flats occupy a large area in the intertidal zone. However, compared to vegetated areas, the carbon sequestration of unvegetated tidal flats is rarely quantified, even though these areas are highly threatened by human development and climate change. We determined benthic maximum gross primary production (GPP_m), net primary production (NPP) and total respiration (TR) during emersion on seven tidal flats along a latitudinal gradient (from 22.48°N to 40.60°N) in winter and summer from 2012 to 2016 to assess the spatial and temporal variability of carbon dioxide flux. In winter, these processes decreased by 89%–104% towards higher latitudes. In summer, however, no clear trend was detected across the latitudinal gradient. Quadratic relationships between GPP_m, NPP and TR and sediment temperature can be described along the latitudinal gradient. These curves showed maximum values of GPP_m and NPP when the sediment temperatures reached 28.7 and 26.6°C respectively. TR increased almost linearly from 0 to 45°C. The maximum daily NPP across the latitudinal gradient averaged 0.24 ± 0.28 g C m^?2 day^?1, which was only 10%–20% of the global average of NPP of vegetated coastal habitats. Multiplying with the global area of unvegetated tidal flats, our results suggest that the contribution of NPP on unvegetated tidal flats to the coastal carbon cycle is small (11.04 ± 13.32 Tg C/year). If the land cover of vegetated habitats is continuously degraded to unvegetated tidal flats, the carbon sequestration capacity in the intertidal zone is expected to reduce by at least 13.10 Tg C/year, equivalent to 1% of global carbon emissions from land‐use change.     

Assessing within habitat variability in plant demography, faunal density, and secondary production in an eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) bed

This investigation addressed faunal relationships with habitat structure within a Zostera marina community targeting differences between seagrass bed edge and interior. Z. marina biomass was significantly higher from the interior portions of the bed compared to the edge, but shoot density did not vary. Additionally, leaf width and length were significantly greater in the interior of the bed, suggesting greater total leaf area. Densities of larger organisms (> 0.85 mm) were significantly greater in vegetated samples (Z. marina edge and interior) compared to unvegetated, but an analysis of similarities demonstrated significant faunal community differences among each of the identified habitats. Densities of small organisms (0.25-0.85 mm), however, were significantly greater at Z. marina edge compared to unvegetated samples and Z. marina interior. Additionally, secondary production (μg AFDW day^− 1) was estimated based on the size distribution of taxa and showed significantly greater production from samples gathered in Z. marina compared to unvegetated samples. The relative size distribution of taxa was assessed using regression analysis and results showed that the size distribution was similar for samples collected at edge and interior Z. marina, but these distributions differed significantly when compared to unvegetated samples. The results of this study suggest that although similarities exist between edge and interior portions of Z. marina beds, especially compared to unvegetated habitats, noteworthy differences in faunal density, species composition, size distribution, and secondary production exist between edge and interior Z. marina.     

Fate of viruses in artificial wetlands

Little is known about the ability of wetlands to remove disease-causing viruses from municipal wastewater. In this study we examined the survival of several indicators of viral pollution (indigenous F-specific bacteriophages, seeded MS2 bacteriophage, and seeded human poliovirus type 1) applied in primary municipal wastewater to artificial wetland ecosystems. Only about 1% of the indigenous F-specific RNA bacteriophages survived flow through the vegetated wetland beds at a 5-cm-day-1 hydraulic application rate during the period from June through December 1985. The total number of indigenous F-specific bacteriophages (F-specific RNA and F-specific DNA phages) was also reduced by about 99% by wetland treatment, with the mean inflow concentration over the period of an entire year reduced from 3,129 to 33 PFU ml-1 in the outflow of a vegetated bed and to 174 PFU ml-1 in the outflow of an unvegetated bed. Such superior treatment by the vegetated bed demonstrates the significant role of higher aquatic plants in the removal process. Seeded MS2 bacteriophage and seeded poliovirus were removed more efficiently than were the indigenous bacteriophages, with less than 0.2% of MS2 and 0.1% of the poliovirus surviving flow at the same hydraulic application rate. The decay rate (k) of MS2 in a stagnant wetlands (k = 0.012 to 0.028 h-1) was lower than that for flowing systems (k = 0.44 to 0.052 h-1), reflecting the enhanced capacity for filtration or adsorption of viruses by the root-substrate complex (and associated biofilm).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Fate of viruses in artificial wetlands.

Little is known about the ability of wetlands to remove disease-causing viruses from municipal wastewater. In this study we examined the survival of several indicators of viral pollution (indigenous F-specific bacteriophages, seeded MS2 bacteriophage, and seeded human poliovirus type 1) applied in primary municipal wastewater to artificial wetland ecosystems. Only about 1% of the indigenous F-specific RNA bacteriophages survived flow through the vegetated wetland beds at a 5-cm-day-1 hydraulic application rate during the period from June through December 1985. The total number of indigenous F-specific bacteriophages (F-specific RNA and F-specific DNA phages) was also reduced by about 99% by wetland treatment, with the mean inflow concentration over the period of an entire year reduced from 3,129 to 33 PFU ml-1 in the outflow of a vegetated bed and to 174 PFU ml-1 in the outflow of an unvegetated bed. Such superior treatment by the vegetated bed demonstrates the significant role of higher aquatic plants in the removal process. Seeded MS2 bacteriophage and seeded poliovirus were removed more efficiently than were the indigenous bacteriophages, with less than 0.2% of MS2 and 0.1% of the poliovirus surviving flow at the same hydraulic application rate. The decay rate (k) of MS2 in a stagnant wetlands (k = 0.012 to 0.028 h-1) was lower than that for flowing systems (k = 0.44 to 0.052 h-1), reflecting the enhanced capacity for filtration or adsorption of viruses by the root-substrate complex (and associated biofilm).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of catclaw Mimosa monancistra on the dissipation of soil PAHs

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective biotechnology for decontamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-polluted soils. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the growth of Mimosa monancistra, a N2-fixing leguminous plants, and its capacity to remove phenanthrene, anthracene, and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)from soil. The PAHs decreased shoot and root dry biomass of M. monancistra 2.7- and 3.9-fold, respectively, compared to uncontaminated soil and inhibited nodule formation. The removal of phenanthrene and anthracene was similar in vegetated and unvegetated soil, but the dissipation of BaP was significantly faster in vegetated soil as compared to unvegetated soil after 14, 56, 70, and 90 d. After 90 d, dissipation of BaP was 96% in vegetated soil and 87% in unvegetated soil. Nitrification and ammonification were not affected by the addition of PAHs as concentrations of NH4+, NO2-, and NO3- were similar in contaminated and uncontaminated vegetated soil. Growth of M. monancistra was inhibited by contamination with hydrocarbons, but removal of BaP was accelerated in the rhizosphere.     

Wetlands as barriers: effects of vegetated waterways on downstream dispersal of zebra mussels

1. Stream flow is a major vector for zebra mussel spread among inland lakes. Veligers have been found tens to hundreds of km from upstream source lakes in unvegetated stream and river systems. It has been suggested, however, that the downstream transport of zebra mussels is restricted by wetland ecosystems. We hypothesized that vegetated waterways, (i.e. wetland streams) would hinder the downstream dispersal of zebra mussels in connected inland lake systems. 2. Veliger abundance, recruitment and adult mussels were surveyed in four lake‐wetland systems in southeastern Michigan, U.S.A. from May to August 2006. Sampling was conducted downstream of the lakes invaded by zebra mussels, beginning at the upstream edge of aquatic vegetation and continuing downstream through the wetland streams. 3. Veliger abundance decreased rapidly in vegetated waterways compared to previously reported rates of decrease in non‐vegetated streams. Veligers were rarely found more than 1 km downstream from where vegetation began. Newly recruited individuals and adults were extremely rare beyond open water in the wetland systems. 4. Densely vegetated aquatic ecosystems limit the dispersal of zebra mussels downstream from invaded sources. Natural, remediated and constructed wetlands may therefore serve as a protective barrier to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other aquatic invasive species to other lakes and ecosystems.     

Are vegetated areas more attractive for juvenile fish in estuaries? A comparison in a tropical estuary

Seagrass beds are some of the essential nursery areas for fish, due to the great structural complexity found in these environments. Despite their importance, they are among the most threatened coastal ecosystems and their influence on fish assemblages is still poorly studied. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the composition and structure of fish assemblages found in vegetated and unvegetated areas in a tropical estuary. Samples were taken in two areas with seagrass (Halodule wrightii) and two where this vegetation is absent (tidal flats), observing variations in the hydrological regime between the dry and rainy seasons of 2014. A total of 86 species were recorded, of which 11 occurred only in vegetated areas and 31 only in the unvegetated regions. No difference was found in diversity between vegetated and unvegetated areas, but the values of abundance and biomass were higher in unvegetated areas. Thus, the environmental characteristic of unvegetated areas proved to be a major factor in determining the biomass and richness patterns. Analysis of the abiotic data set indicated that temperature and dissolved oxygen are the variables that act as environmental filters in the temporal differentiation of the structure of fish assemblages, while salinity and total dissolved solids are related to variation between seagrass beds and tidal flats. In addition, our results show that these areas are used by the species in different stages of their ontogenetic development, which may be linked to differences related to the availability of food resources and the possibility of refuge from predation.     

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and linear alkylbenzene sulfonates from domestic wastewater in pilot constructed wetlands and a gravel filter

Removal efficiencies of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs) and linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS) were evaluated in a pilot-scale constructed wetland (CW) system combining a free water surface wetland, a subsurface wetland and a gravel filter in parallel. The effect of parameters such as temperature and mass loading rate was also examined. The subsurface constructed wetland system was found to have the overall best performance on pollutants removal. In particular, the average removal of PAHs and LAS was 79.2% and 55.5% for the SSF (Subsurface Flow) constructed wetland, 68.2% and 30.0% for the FWS (Free Water Surface) constructed wetland and 73.3% and 40.9% for the gravel filter, respectively. Removal efficiency and the estimated first-order volumetric removal rate constant (k_v) for both PAHs and LAS decreased with increasing water temperature. The experimental results suggest that the absorption in solid media is the main mechanism for xenobiotics removal in constructed wetlands and that the overall performance of the SSF wetland is significantly better than the FWS wetland or the gravel filter.     

Water quality performance of treatment wetlands in the Imperial Valley,California

Two demonstration treatment wetland systems were studied for over four years. Both consisted of sedimentation basins, followed by wetland cells. The Imperial, CA system had four wetland cells totaling 4.7 ha, 25% vegetated with bulrushes (Schoenoplectus californicus), and the Brawley, CA system had two wetland cells totaling 1.8 ha, also 25% vegetated with bulrushes. Imperial received irrigation runoff water at 30 cm/day, and Brawley received New River water at 11 cm/day, both with moderately high levels of nutrients, sediments and pathogens. The systems seeped 40–60% of the incoming water. The hydraulic efficiencies of the systems were high because of compartmentalization and high aspect ratios. Concentration reductions of TN, TP and TSS were 50%, 39%, and 97% at Imperial, and 73%, 50% and 96% at Brawley. Imperial achieved about 1.5 log₁₀ reductions in total coliforms, fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli, while Brawley achieved about 2.7 log₁₀ reductions. The sedimentation basins settled most of the incoming TSS, as well as the algal solids that were generated in the basins. Algal uptake removed nutrients in the basins, which were supersaturated with oxygen. The wetlands were effective in denitrification, and trapped the remaining and generated TSS. Removal rate constants, corrected for infiltration, were at the high end of those reported for other wetlands.     

The influence of an invasive plant on denitrification in an urban wetland

相似文献   

Dispersion and Transport of Cryptosporidium Oocysts from Fecal Pats under Simulated Rainfall Events

The dispersion and initial transport of Cryptosporidium oocysts from fecal pats were investigated during artificial rainfall events on intact soil blocks (1,500 by 900 by 300 mm). Rainfall events of 55 mm h⁻¹ for 30 min and 25 mm h⁻¹ for 180 min were applied to soil plots with artificial fecal pats seeded with approximately 10⁷ oocysts. The soil plots were divided in two, with one side devoid of vegetation and the other left with natural vegetation cover. Each combination of event intensity and duration, vegetation status, and degree of slope (5° and 10°) was evaluated twice. Generally, a fivefold increase (P < 0.05) in runoff volume was generated on bare soil compared to vegetated soil, and significantly more infiltration, although highly variable, occurred through the vegetated soil blocks (P < 0.05). Runoff volume, event conditions (intensity and duration), vegetation status, degree of slope, and their interactions significantly affected the load of oocysts in the runoff. Surface runoff transported from 10^0.2 oocysts from vegetated loam soil (25-mm h⁻¹, 180-min event on 10° slope) to up to 10^4.5 oocysts from unvegetated soil (55-mm h⁻¹, 30-min event on 10° slope) over a 1-m distance. Surface soil samples downhill of the fecal pat contained significantly higher concentrations of oocysts on devegetated blocks than on vegetated blocks. Based on these results, there is a need to account for surface soil vegetation coverage as well as slope and rainfall runoff in future assessments of Cryptosporidium transport and when managing pathogen loads from stock grazing near streams within drinking water watersheds.     

Breakdown of low-level total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in contaminated soil using grasses and willows

A phytoremediation study targeting low-level total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) was conducted using cool- and warm-season grasses and willows (Salix species) grown in pots filled with contaminated sandy soil from the New Haven Rail Yard, CT. Efficiencies of the TPH degradation were assessed in a 90-day experiment using 20–8.7–16.6 N-P-K water-soluble fertilizer and fertilizer with molasses amendments to enhance phytoremediation. Plant biomass, TPH concentrations, and indigenous microbes quantified with colony-forming units (CFU), were assessed at the end of the study. Switchgrass grown with soil amendments produced the highest aboveground biomass. Bacterial CFU's were in orders of magnitude significantly higher in willows with soil amendments compared to vegetated treatments with no amendments. The greatest reduction in TPH occurred in all vegetated treatments with fertilizer (66–75%) and fertilizer/molasses (65–74%), followed sequentially by vegetated treatments without amendments, unvegetated treatments with amendments, and unvegetated treatments with no amendment. Phytoremediation of low-level TPH contamination was most efficient where fertilization was in combination with plant species. The same level of remediation was achievable through the addition of grasses and/or willow combinations without amendment, or by fertilization of sandy soil.     

Hydraulic loading,stability and water quality of Nakivubo wetland,Uganda

Nakivubo wetland, which has performed tertiary water treatment for Kampala city for the past 40 years, is ecologically stressed by agricultural and infrastructural developments. Field studies were carried out to assess the hydraulic loading, pollution profile, stability and water quality of this wetland. The upper and lower Nakivubo wetland receive 4.13?7.66 × 10⁴ and 3.50?10.32 × 10⁴m³/day of water respectively, of which 48.3–57.9% of total hydraulic loading to the upper wetland was carried by sampling station S1. The influent water to the upper wetland had a total BOD₅ and NH₄-N loading ranging from 2.6?4.4 × 10³kg BOD/day and 0.79?1.68 × 10³kg NH₄-N/day respectively. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation's effluent constituted a large proportion of BOD and NH₄-N loading into Nakivubo wetland. Zinc, copper and chromium were detected in trace amounts at most sampling stations. However, lead was occasionally detected at Kibira channel (station S5) at a concentration of 0.4mg/l, which is higher than the permitted Ugandan discharge limit of 0.1mg/l (NEMA 1999). The wetland showed a very high removal efficiency for BOD, ranging from 77.4%–86.3%, compared to ammonium-N which ranged from ?66.1% to 33.1% indicating limitations with the nitrification process. A low self-purification for zinc, copper and chromium was also observed in the upper Nakivubo wetland, possibly due to poor plant-wastewater interaction resulting from wetland drainage. In the lower Nakivubo wetland conductivity and dissolved oxygen were generally higher in papyrus- than in Miscanthidium-vegetated zones. However, the BOD and ammonium-N loadings did not vary significantly (P = 0.217 and P = 0.359 respectively) between the two vegetated zones.     

Bioremediation and phytoremediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) under various conditions

Remediation of contaminated soils is often studied using fine-textured soils rather than low-fertility sandy soils, and few studies focus on recontamination events. This study compared aerobic and anaerobic treatments for remediation of freshly introduced used motor oil on a sandy soil previously phytoremediated and bioacclimated (microorganisms already adapted in the soil environment) with some residual total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) contamination. Vegetated and unvegetated conditions to remediate anthropogenic fill containing residual TPH that was spiked with nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) were evaluated in a 90-day greenhouse pot study. Vegetated treatments used switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). The concentration of aerobic bacteria were orders of magnitude higher in vegetated treatments compared to unvegetated. Nevertheless, final TPH concentrations were low in all saturated soil treatments, and high in the presence of switchgrass. Concentrations were also low in unvegetated pots with fertilizer. Acclimated indigenous microbial communities were shown to be more effective in breaking down hydrocarbons than introducing microbes from the addition of plant treatments in sandy soils. Remediation of fresh introduced NAPLs on pre-phytoremediated and bioacclimated soil was most efficient in saturated, anaerobic environments, probably due to the already pre-established microbial associations, easily bioavailable contaminants, and optimized soil conditions for microbial establishment and survival.