APGEN has conducted a number of field and laboratory remediation projects, including the following.
Phytoremediation Demonstration of Manufactured Gas Plant Wastes
APGEN completed a laboratory greenhouse treatability study of contaminated soils from a former manufactured gas plant (MGP) site in Athens, GA. The 6-month treatability study investigated the feasibility of plant-based degradation of MGP contaminants, including benzo-a-pyrene. APGEN assessed the site conditions and extent of soil contamination and developed a greenhouse study scope of work for this previously uncharacterized application of phytoremediation. APGEN screened native and ornamental plant species and implemented a 6-month treatability and greenhouse growth study. APGEN investigated over 35 plant species for their capacity to degrade MGP contaminants, and selected three plant species which successfully degraded benzo-a-pyrene from initial soil concentrations of over 50 mg/kg to acceptable cleanup standards of <1 mg/kg within 3-4 months of treatment.
Phytoremediation of Chlorinated Solvents
APGEN is currently working on a turnkey phytoremediation program to address contaminated ground water and surface water seeps emanating from a 5-acre laboratory waste landfill at the University of Georgia. Chlorinated solvents including chloroform and methylene chloride along with aromatic VOCs, including benzene, were disposed within the landfill, and there is an expanding groundwater plume and surface water seeps impacting a public park and botanical gardens. APGEN was engaged to investigate the feasibility of applying phytoremediation as an alternative to conventional ground water pump and treat techniques.
As an initial task, APGEN completed a 5-month engineering assessment and phytoremediation laboratory treatability study. Utilizing its proprietary technology to assay plant enzyme activity for rapid screening of plant species, the company identified 109 wetland and tree species with phytoremediation ability far superior to a monoculture of hybrid poplars. The laboratory demonstration project successfully identified the plant species to be used in implementing an engineered wetland phytoremediation system at the site.
APGEN has an ongoing contract to assess phytoremediation applications for contaminated soils and lagoon sediments with high-level PAHs, phenolics and toxic heavy metals, at a commercial site in New Jersey. Contaminated soils and lagoon sediments from the site were successfully tested in a 4-month treatability study at APGEN’s greenhouse and laboratory facility, leading to implementation of a field demonstration of phytoremediation at the site. The initial treatability study and engineering phase led to identifying 18 candidate plant species for further field testing.
APGEN is linked with URS Corporation to design and construct two field demonstration test plots to assess the performance of wetland and terrestrial plant species for the degradation of PAHs, phthalates and phenolics and the bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals. If the field demonstration is successful, APGEN may complete full-scale implementation of phytoremediation, including installation of a vegetative cap to address the estimated 14,000 cy of contaminated soils and lagoon sediments.
APGEN recently began a multi-year brownfields restoration project at Ford Motor Company’s Rouge Facility in Michigan, as part of a team with Michigan State University (MSU). APGEN teamed with MSU to begin a 3-year laboratory and field demonstration of various phytoremediation techniques, involving the combined assessment of phytoremediation and microbial rhizosphere bioremediation. APGEN conducted a 4-month laboratory treatability study to screen candidate plant species for the field demonstration program. Over 20 plant species are being recommended for use in the field tests. URS engineers then designed three demonstration plots to test the effectiveness of various wetland and terrestrial planted ecosystems. APGEN continues to monitor the results of the test plots with MSU. This project has been recognized by the USEPA and state regulatory authorities as comprehensive and unique, and plans have been made for environmental education and outreach using the Ford Rouge site as a "Case Study".
