Research Project Title
Integrated bioremediation-phytoremediation with biochar to mitigate environmental and human health impacts
Background
Sulfate is the most abundant form of dissolved sulfur on earth, though it is rare in many freshwater environments. In some situations, when sulfate is introduced to otherwise low-sulfate waters there’s a potential for toxic methylated mercury and sulfide to occur. Although natural sources exist, elevated sulfate levels in freshwater ecosystems often arise from human sources, such as wastewater treatment plants, industrial waste streams, agricultural runoff, or mine site runoff. Due to these anthropogenic (human-caused) sources and ecological stressors, there is a strong interest in developing low-cost and efficient ways to reduce sulfate levels in surface waters in Minnesota and elsewhere.
Project Overview
This project will demonstrate the feasibility of the short-rotation woody plant-based phytoremediation to capture sulfate from lake water and manage water level by utilizing hybrid poplar. As a case study, this phytoremediation is implemented in St. James Pit Lake which has been used as a drinking water source in the City of Aurora.
This lake is a clear and oligotrophic lake but with moderate sulfate levels due to the geology surrounding the lake, which may potentially influence a sensitive freshwater ecosystem including wild rice wetland downstream.
This field-scale tree buffer system will be evaluated for sulfur uptake and water use by irrigating lake water to hybrid poplar trees.
Project Goals
- Establish a demonstration site for tree planting and phytoremediation experiments
- Reduce sulfate levels in St. James Pit Lake and immobilize sulfur in nearby soil
- Limit the transport of sulfur to sensitive freshwater ecosystems downstream, including Manoomin (wild rice) waterbodies
- Reduce the effects of mercury and sulfur on human health and the environment
- Investigate the efficacy of various forms of biochar for sulfur remediation
Principal Investigators
- Ronald S. Zalesny Jr.; USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies
- Ms. Elizabeth R. Rogers; USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies
- Mr. Ryan A. Vinhal; USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies
- Dr. Chan Lan Chun; University of Minnesota, Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
- Mr. John G. Du Plissis; University of Minnesota, Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
Funding:
- USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station