RP 6 - Phytoextraction of metals: Investigation of hyperaccumulation and field testing

RP 03 – Processes controlling the natural attenuation of fuel hydrocarbons and MTBE in the UK Chalk aquifer (2006)

This Research Project Report summarises research to evaluate processes controlling the natural attenuation (NA) of petroleum hydrocarbons and methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) in the Upper Chalk aquifer at the site of an unleaded fuel spill in St Albans, southeast England. The unsaturated zone and saturated zone of the aquifer are contaminated with benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX), MTBE, tertiary amyl methyl ether (TAME) and tertiary-butyl alcohol (TBA).  A mixed BTEX/MTBE/TAME/TBA plume extends 125m from the site and 15m below the water table. 

The research was sponsored by EPSRC, Total UK and the Environment Agency and included field, laboratory and modelling studies. It was completed as a research project for CL:AIRE and hosted by the site owner.

RP 04 – Cost Effective Investigation of Contaminated Land (2007)

This Research Project Report describes the innovative ‘Optimised Contaminated Land Investigation’ (OCLI) method, which can be used to objectively assess whether the measurements taken to characterise contaminated land are of an acceptable standard given the costs involved. The OCLI method uses a variety of site-specific financial considerations to make this judgement, such as the measurement costs and the costs arising from misclassifying a site.

The research undertaken by this project demonstrates that the method employed can be of substantial commercial interest to stakeholders involved with the contaminated land industry. The innovative methods presented in this report are both simple and inexpensive to apply and can significantly improve the reliability and cost-effectiveness of the decisions made.

RP 05 – Remediation of heavy metal pollution via bone meal amendments to soil (RB5)

RP 06 – Phytoextraction of metals: Investigation of hyperaccumulation and field testing (2005)

This Research Project Report describes an investigation into the phytoextraction of metals, which involves the use of hyperaccumulator plants to extract contaminants from soils and accumulate them in the harvestable parts of the plant which can then be removed from site.

A field trial was undertaken to evaluate the ability of two hyperaccumulators of arsenic Pteris vittata and Pteris cretica, to extract As from contaminated soils.

Field tests were also conducted to evaluate the phytoextraction potential of two other hyperaccumulator plants. Thlaspi caerulescens and Arabidopsis halleri, for extracting cadmium and zinc from soils previously contaminated with varying amounts of heavy metals.

RP 6 - Phytoextraction of Metals: Investigation of Hyperaccumulation and Field Testing

Please note this is a project report and has not been reviewed by the CL:AIRE Technology and Research Group.