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Summary:
Problem Researched- My research
focused on the use of phytoremediation to help mitigate the degradation
of our
soils and water bodies by contaminants (organic and inorganic)
caused by human acts. I begin with a brief synopsis of past human
behaviors
and how the lifestyles of people in an industrialized civilization
led to the contamination problem societies face today. It was
important
to begin with this in order to establish some of the many factors
that created a “need” for alternative remediation
techniques and to put the topic of phytoremediation into the
context of sustainability
and land stewardship as it relates to landscape architects.
Relationships Investigated- Definitions of phytoremediation
as a general term are given as well as a breakdown of the different
remediation mechanisms in plants. The six remediation mechanisms
are explained to clearly differentiate how plants remediate contaminants,
what parts of the plants are used, and what can happen to the contaminants
once they are removed from the soil or water. I then take a look
at the benefits and limitations of each of these mechanisms and
how they relate to the ecological, aesthetic, and economic values
of any given site. I also discuss some of the scientific concerns
of phytoremediation as a new technology and how it might affect
matters ranging from the food chain to societal viewpoints.
Disposal of remediated contaminants is equally important as removing
them from the soils and water bodies in the first place. The Environmental
Protection Agency has created laws that govern the disposal of hazardous
waste and in doing so, has helped to create the need for new treatment
methods for this waste and requirements reducing the amount biomass
disposed. I review some of these current methods of treatment and
what types of contaminants are treated with these methods as well
as new processes that may be utilized in the near future.
As with many projects, cost is a concern to all parties involved
and can be a determining factor as to whether or not phytoremediation
techniques will be feasible for any given site requiring remediation.
I list a breakdown of probable costs that the Naval Facilities Engineering
Service Center, Port Hueneme uses to estimate costs of their phytoremediation
projects. I then compare the costs of conventional remediation techniques
with phytoremediation techniques of the same contaminant to demonstrate
the potential economic savings of the latter technique. Further
detail of one of the listed sites (Table 5.1) provides information
on the techniques used, some of the remediation results, and the
time frame for the process.
I also provide a list of some of the plants currently used for
phytoremediation in a table format that shows the plant species,
the plant mechanism for remediation, and the contaminants that they
are know to remediate. This plant list is only a partial compellation
of what is used and hundreds of other plants are currently being
researched for remediation potential. It is exciting to see so many
options, many of which are already commonly found in our designed
landscapes.
Current landscape architects that are finding a niche for themselves
on phytoremediation projects are discussed as well as their contribution
to expanding the field of landscape architecture to include projects
that were formerly the domain of the Environmental Engineer. I further
explore the potential opportunities for Landscape Architects in
redevelopment projects with remediation needs, assisting city and
state governments to meet their goals, and in designing land-use
codes. The importance of understanding the complexities of phytoremediation
is important if landscape architecture is to take full advantage
of these many opportunities and open up a new avenue for the profession.
Method of Inquiry- My primary
resource was the World Wide Web. I found many online journals,
newspaper articles,
governmental agencies, and organizations that have data from actual
sites utilizing phytoremediation. From a colleague at the firm
I
intern for, I was given several online sources for databases and
a “listserv“ from a University that I joined. From
this listserv, I can keep up on the latest techniques for phytoremediation
that are being researched all over the world as well as educational
opportunities in this field. I also found my two photography
contributors
from this listserv and they have also provided me with very useful
information on phytoremediation when I had site-specific inquiries
of their projects.
Results and Conclusions- Many
of the results and conclusions were discussed in some detail
in the previous paragraphs
regarding the “Relationships Investigated”. As an overview,
I will say that as the country expands and many cities find that
they have to meet the increasing demands and local population growth
projections, they will have to look towards in-fill projects to
meet their needs. Unfortunately, many of these sites have some
degree
of contamination that renders them unsafe for use in their current
state. There are government monies to be had, though, to help with
the costs of restoring these sites and if landscape architects
choose
to educate themselves on phytoremediation techniques and project
management requirements for these particular sites, they will be
able to expand their professional repertoire into a leading or
a
support role in projects that are currently the sole domain of
the Environmental Engineer. Landscape architectural services would
not
be of use on all contaminated sites, but there are many locations
that will be redeveloped into public parks or open space in which
the landscape architect can play an integral role as designer,
project
manager, public/government liaison, and even initiate policy reform
for in-fill projects. This could be an exciting new avenue for
landscape
architecture if those in the profession choose to take advantage
of the opportunities.
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