Figure 3. Plant-based containment and stabilitzation processes

Technical Note DOER-C3

May 1999

For example, the U.S. Army Environmental Center (USAEC) estimated the cost for phytoreclama-

tion of 1 acre of lead-contaminated soil to a depth of 50 cm to be $60,000 to $100,000 compared

with excavation and landfilling at a cost of $400,000 to $1,700,000 (USAEC 1997). Also,

phytoreclamation has high economic potential for commercial entities that can successfully

demonstrate its effectiveness. The CE can benefit from these successes by developing and

demonstrating these new and innovative technologies for managing dredged material.

Most industrial cleanup efforts deal with one contaminant or one class of contaminants at a time.

This is not the case with most dredged material. Heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, poly-

chlorinated biphenyls, organotins, dioxins, and other contaminants may be present in dredged

material. Drastic physicochemical changes may also occur as a dredged material is removed from

an anaerobic, aquatic condition and placed in an aerobic, terrestrial environment. This is especially

true when the transition is from an aquatic saltwater to an upland freshwater site. All of these

conditions must be addressed when considering phytoreclamation as an alternative for cleanup/

stabilization of dredged material contaminants.

Evaluating the potential success of phytoreclamation of dredged material will include three basic

assessments including sediment physical and chemical characteristics, plant exposure effects, and

contaminant reduction effectiveness. Additionally, site management issues and goals must be

considered prior to selection and implementation of a phytoreclamation process. The advantages

and disadvantages of various phytoreclamation approaches, as shown for metals in Table 1, may

require specific management considerations to implement the process. For example, phytoextraction

may increase the bioavailability of some metals to animals such as earthworms that reside in the