TY - GEN
T1 - Field scale phytoremediation experiments on a former u mining site and further processing of the plant material
AU - Mirgorodsky, D.
AU - Ollivier, D.
AU - Jablonski, L.
AU - Merten, D.
AU - Willscher, S.
AU - Wittig, J.
AU - Büchel, G.
AU - Werner, P.
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - The remediation of large heavy metal/radionuclide (HM/R) contaminated areas by conventional ex-situ techniques (excavation or chemical treatment/-stabilization) is expensive, and low cost strategies with a long-term stabilization effect of such sites are a task of next years research. Phytoremediation can be an alterative solution and sustainable technology since low treatment costs make it feasible even for such sites. Field scale investigations were applicated to an area of the former uranium mining in East Thuringia, Germany. On this area, a low grade uranium ore leaching dump was situated, which was later removed during the remediation process of the site. Now, an underground remains that is slightly to moderately contaminated with heavy metals and radionuclides (HM/R) with restrictions of land use. Concepts for remediation of HM/Rcontaminated sites and for the subsequent utilization of the HM/R-loaded plant residues are developed in a joint project. Plant experiments with Triticale, Helianthus annuus, Brassica juncea and Sorghum bicolor were performed revealing the influence of biological additives (mycorrhiza, HM-resistant streptomyces) and soil amendment strategies (increasing pH and organic matter) on biomass production and plant tolerance to heavy metals. In lysimeter experiments it was confirmed, that the different soil improvement strategies, addition of MS and of calcareous top soil (MIX) resulted in a reduction of the concentration of contaminants in the seepage water, as well as of the seepage water rates and loads, thus decreasing the risk of groundwater contamination. Finally, the processing of the heavy metal loaded plant residues was investigated by different methods. Fermentation experiments carried out with Solanum tuberosum and Secale cereale achieved good results compared with industrial standards. Remaining plant parts can be processed in a biogas process, or combusted. Fermentation sludges and combustion ashes act as sinks for HM/R. As results of the project, phytoremediation is a convenient method for the stabilization and remediation of large sites with slight to medium contaminations, and a further utilization of the plant residues by fermentation and biogas production is feasible.
AB - The remediation of large heavy metal/radionuclide (HM/R) contaminated areas by conventional ex-situ techniques (excavation or chemical treatment/-stabilization) is expensive, and low cost strategies with a long-term stabilization effect of such sites are a task of next years research. Phytoremediation can be an alterative solution and sustainable technology since low treatment costs make it feasible even for such sites. Field scale investigations were applicated to an area of the former uranium mining in East Thuringia, Germany. On this area, a low grade uranium ore leaching dump was situated, which was later removed during the remediation process of the site. Now, an underground remains that is slightly to moderately contaminated with heavy metals and radionuclides (HM/R) with restrictions of land use. Concepts for remediation of HM/Rcontaminated sites and for the subsequent utilization of the HM/R-loaded plant residues are developed in a joint project. Plant experiments with Triticale, Helianthus annuus, Brassica juncea and Sorghum bicolor were performed revealing the influence of biological additives (mycorrhiza, HM-resistant streptomyces) and soil amendment strategies (increasing pH and organic matter) on biomass production and plant tolerance to heavy metals. In lysimeter experiments it was confirmed, that the different soil improvement strategies, addition of MS and of calcareous top soil (MIX) resulted in a reduction of the concentration of contaminants in the seepage water, as well as of the seepage water rates and loads, thus decreasing the risk of groundwater contamination. Finally, the processing of the heavy metal loaded plant residues was investigated by different methods. Fermentation experiments carried out with Solanum tuberosum and Secale cereale achieved good results compared with industrial standards. Remaining plant parts can be processed in a biogas process, or combusted. Fermentation sludges and combustion ashes act as sinks for HM/R. As results of the project, phytoremediation is a convenient method for the stabilization and remediation of large sites with slight to medium contaminations, and a further utilization of the plant residues by fermentation and biogas production is feasible.
KW - Heavy metals
KW - Phytoremediation
KW - Remediation of mining sites
KW - Uranium
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84886784737&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84886784737&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.825.516
DO - 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.825.516
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84886784737
SN - 9783037858912
T3 - Advanced Materials Research
SP - 516
EP - 519
BT - Integration of Scientific and Industrial Knowledge on Biohydrometallurgy
T2 - 20th International Biohydrometallurgy Symposium, IBS 2013
Y2 - 8 October 2013 through 11 October 2013
ER -