Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: Environmental Engineering
Session: 3
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Asia Jackson - North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University
Co-Author(s): Niroj Aryal
Land application is a widely used operation for treating industrial, urban and agricultural wastewater. Poplar tree based remediation is an effective treatment option for wastewater due to its ability to improve water quality, reduce carbon in the atmosphere and contribute to sustainable goals. The soil and trees act as filters by absorbing common contaminants and nutrients present in wastewater after being treated. Metals and nutrients such as arsenic, lead, mercury, nitrogen and phosphorus are common contaminants found in wastewater. These contaminants have adverse affects on ecosystems and the health of living organisms. Prior research has proven poplar trees to be an asset for wastewater treatment, but have not expounded on which mechanism of the tree contributes to the phytoremediation process under application of food processing wastewater. This experiment is meant to provide quantitative and qualitative insight on each mechanism and the role it plays in treating wastewater using soil columns. The objective is to evaluate phytoremediation processes including evapotranspiration, plant uptake, oxygenation of soils and rhizostimulation. The experimental design consists of two treatments (planted and control) in Cecil red clay with three replicates. This clay was chosen since it is predominant in the triad region. Each column constitutes time domain reflectometry sensors (TDR), platinum oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) probes, oxygen and temperature sensors. Synthetic wastewater will be applied and leachate water volume will be measured every 3 days. The parameters being tested are pH, COD, total organic carbon, nitrate, ammonium, total nitrogen and metals (As, Mn, Fe) in leachate water. Additional parameters that will be measured include soil oxygen, redox potentials and microbial communities. The expected results are plant uptake will decrease metal and nitrate leaching into groundwater. Next expectation is, crops with high evapotranspiration coefficient such as poplars will contribute to moisture decrease in soil by the process of evapotranspiration. The results can be applied to enhance phytoremediation efficiency in engineered ecosystems.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): Acknowledgments to NSF for funding the opportunity to conduct research on an vital topic and my mentor for approval and guidance .
Faculty Advisor: Niroj Aryal, naryal@ncat.edu
Role: This is ongoing research currently in the experimental stage. Design and data will be completed prior to conference date.