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Phytoremediation on Native Prairie Strategies and Challenges.
Elizabeth Murray, Bruce Greenberg, Ben Poltorak, Justin McKeown, Kent Cryer, Perry Gerwing.
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Phytoremediation – How it Works
Rhizodegradation – Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Salt
• Improved rhizosphere – Soil – Organic matter – Bacteria – Water – Roots – Contaminants
• Phytostimulation – Petroleum Hydrocarbons
• Phytoextraction soilrootfoliage
– Salts – Metals
Challenge – getting the plants to grow.
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• PGPR for enhanced plant growth - developed through collaboration with Dr. Bruce Greenberg of the University of Waterloo and Earthmaster for contaminated site clean-up.
• Earthmaster has assumed control of the PEPS™ technology and now manages all PGPR testing, selection and seed treating in Calgary. We continue to collaborate with Dr. Greenberg.
• The use of specific soil or plant associated microorganisms to enhance plant growth is gaining popularity due to its effectiveness (agriculture).
• Earthmaster is conducting new research into how PGPR can be used in other applications such as enhanced reclamation (e.g. enhanced plant growth on native prairie soils).
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PGPR – Facilitating Plant Growth in Challenging Conditions
Stress ethylene
Plant vigor
Root development
Rhizobacteria
Leaves
Salt and metals uptake
Degradation of PHC
Active rhizosphere: PGPR co-localize with developing roots
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Bacteria (Pseudomonas sp.) are isolated from area soil: • Naturally occurring soil/water bacteria. • Ubiquitous, geographically relevant, and frequently associated with
plants. • Not genetically modified. • In general, they are classified as biosafety level 1 – no threat to
humans, wildlife, or the environment.
PGPR are cultured in the lab: • Tested and selected for ACC deaminase and auxin (IAA) levels. • Cultured and tested in greenhouse trials as individual species.
Grasses or plants are selected based on surrounding area: • Suitable for the area – not prohibited. • Must produce high biomass.
Bacteria / Seed Selection for Remediation & Enhanced Reclamation
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Phytoremediation of PHC – Northern Alberta
• 9,200 m³ of PHC and salt impacted soil.
• Topsoil stockpiles. • Bermed clay treatment pads • Collection channels and
sumps. • Active lease sites (3). • Soil spread to 0.45 m thick. • Permanent assessment
points established. • End point – meet remediation
guideline values for natural land use fine textured soil.
• Seed – ARG, PRG, TF. • PGPR – UW3, UW4. • First seeding – fall 2011.
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Clay Pad Construction
July 2011
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Second Year Growth
October 2013
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Phytoremediation PHC Fraction F3
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New research – using PGPR to improve efficacy of re-vegetation of marginal and disturbed soils:
• Previous studies have shown that PGPR can increase the tolerance of plants to stressful conditions: Hydrocarbons and salts. Poor soil conditions. Used in combination with fertilizer and specific seeding
densities. • Can PGPR be used in a more traditional way to assist in
reclamation or revegetation of “clean” soil: Use lower density seeding rates with native grass mixes. Increase plant emergence, growth, and survival of plants on
marginal soils. • IRAP funded project.
Enhanced Reclamation – Research Goals
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Enhanced Reclamation – Central Alberta Site
Former gas plant located east of Drumheller (traditional phytoremediation site):
• 8,000 m³ of excavated PHC impacted soil. • Earthmaster constructed a soil treatment facility:
AER compliant • Impacted soil was spread across the clay liner. • Clean topsoil was placed in the NW corner – used
for test plot #1 (not an ideal location). • Several lifts of soil have been treated. • Treated soil was placed back in the excavation –
used for test plot #2. This is a preliminary study.
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Site / Enhanced Reclamation Test Plot Details
Topsoil test plot: 2 x 3.5 m +PGPR
-PGPR
Subsoil test plot: 2 x 2 m +PGPR
-PGPR
• Clean disturbed soil. • Seed – commercial
native grass mix. • PGPR – CMH3. • No fertilizer. • Trial run to test plot size
and design.
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Topsoil Test Plot
July 11, 2016 – 3 weeks
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Subsoil Test Plot
July 11, 2016 – 3 weeks
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Test Plot Results
Plot % diffemrg.
% diffheight
Topsoil 29 28
Subsoil 40 139
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Results
What we learned: • Plots were too small so edge effects were very
pronounced. • Some advantage with PGPR treated seed (~30%). • Further studies are required using different seed
types and different PGPR on larger plots so edge effects can be eliminated and efficacy of PGPR fairly evaluated.
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Historical Salt Impacts in Southern Saskatchewan
Produced water disposed in a flare pit ECe ~10-20 dS/m
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Plant Growth Three Months After Seeding
Seed: ARG, PRG, TWG, Oats PGPR: CMH3
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New research - using PGPR with commercial seed treatments to improve efficacy/speed of salt remediation:
• Previous field projects have identified a seed/PGPR combination capable of remediating salt impacts in soil.
• Remediation currently takes ~4-10 years depending on the soil, groundwater, weather conditions, and salt levels.
• Can the speed of this process be increased using a commercial seed treatment in combination with PGPR? Decrease time to meet remediation goals (<5 years). Increase plant biomass, rooting depth, and salt uptake rates.
• Worked with commercial suppliers to find a suitable treatment compatible with PGPR.
• IRAP funded project.
Salt Remediation – Research Goals
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Salt Spill – Southern Saskatchewan Wetland
July 2015
• 500 m³ of produced water: ECe 8 to 18 dS/m; SAR: 13 to 40. • Flowed into a non-agricultural wet-meadow (upland & lowland). • Remediation goal: Revegetate and remove salt from the surface soil
to allow for sustainable plant growth.
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Seed mix requirements: • Suitable for both flooded and dry conditions. • Must be common to southern SK. • Must not be on the SK invasive plant list. • Must be able to take up and accumulate salt. • Must be somewhat tolerant to saline conditions. • Should be able to sow the seeds with a seed drill or
broadcast spreader. • Should rapidly accumulate biomass. • Must be able to be harvested from the site to remove
accumulated salt. • Prefer perennials to avoid replanting. • Prefer quick regrowth following harvest.
Lowland Portion Seed Selection
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Uplands mix – based on previous field work: • Annual ryegrass • Perennial ryegrass • Tall fescue
Lowlands mix – based on criteria, availability, and price: • Western wheatgrass • American sloughgrass • Perennial ryegrass • Soft rush • Faults alkali grass • Fowl bluegrass • Cattails
Seed Mixes
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Test Plots – September 2016
September 2, 2016
Test plot
Section 1: PGPR Section 2: no treatment Section 3: PT Section 4: PGPR + PT
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Early Results – 1 Month
+PGPR No
Treatment
+PGPR +PT +PT
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Early Results – 1 Month
Treatment Uplands% diff
Lowlands % diff
PGPR 29 17- 0 0
PT -4 12
PGPR+PT 43 20
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Upland Test Plots – November 2016
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Lowland Test Plots – November 2016
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Upcoming projects: • Continuation of enhanced reclamation work. • Continuation of studies with complementary products
to enhance remediation: Commercially available. Biological or otherwise.
• Studies with other plant species in combination with PGPR for use in wetlands.
• Studies looking at remediation of metals: As, Cd, Zn, etc. Different combinations of types of PGPR and plants.
• Hydroseeding.
PEPS™ Research Initiatives
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National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP).
Clients who have allowed Earthmaster to conduct field trials to advance the technology.
Acknowledgements
Thank You
Questions?