Uptake and Degradation of Trichloroethylene (TCE) Using Sesbania Exaltata An Analysis of a Wetland Plant and Its Potential Role in Constructed Wetlands

Jonah Butler

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Phytoremediation, Clorinated Ethenes, Wetlands

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

Trichloroethylene (TCE), a suspect carcinogen, is the most common organic groundwater and soil pollutant in the United States. Ecological methods of water treatment have shown to yield adequate pollutant removal and provide an alternative to both conventional remediation techniques which are energy intensive and provide no secondary benefits such as semi natural-ecosystems. In this thesis I explore water contaminated with TCE and how (constructed) wetlands degrade TCE through different biochemical and physical processes. As a hypothetical design of a constructed wetland system, I would suggest that an anaerobic digester could be built on-site to be an additional source of both methanogenic bacteria and methane gas; these additions should help in the degradation process. This study looked at the uptake and degradation of TCE using Sesbania exaltata, an annual (or short-lived perennial), herbaceous, semiaquatic plant. Reviewed literature has neglected to establish the role of plants in the phytodegradation process for treatment wetlands; this study should help to bridge this gap of knowledge on the degradation of TCE due to wetland plants. Sesbania exaltata did take up TCE and degrade it into the metabolite trichloroacetic acid. The highest concentration of this metabolite was found in the leaves; this observation has been made in woody plants (in other studies). TCE concentrations were found in highest concentrations in the roots. Sesbania exaltata showed excellent health during the dosing period in concentrations of 100ppm, it was able to uptake and degrade TCE and may have a promising future in the use of constructed treatment wetlands.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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