Phytotechnology Project Profiles
Phytoremediation at AOC-539, Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota
Last Updated: Fall 2004 |
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| Site Information | ||
| Site Name, Location: | Grand Forks Air Force Base, Grand Forks, ND, United States | |
| Site Type: | Federal Facility | |
| Is this a Federal Superfund Site? |
No | |
| Is this a Federal or Military Site? |
Yes | |
| Entity Responsible for Cleanup: | Air Force | |
Project Information |
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| Project Name: | Phytoremediation at AOC-539, Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Site History and Background: | The AOC-539 area was the site of a former jet engine testing and maintenance facility that used solvents and other petroleum based liquids during operations. Some of those materials appear to have leaked or spilled onto the ground. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Scale: | Pilot/Field Demonstration | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Status: | Ongoing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Start Date: | 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Media Treated: |
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| Contaminants Treated: |
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| Phytotechnology Mechanism(s): | Phytoremediation Hydraulic Control Phytovolatilization Rhizodegradation Phytodegradation |
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| Plants and other Vegetation Used: | Hybrid Poplar Eastern Cottonwood Russian Olive Carolina Poplar Imperial Carolina Poplar |
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| Planting Description: | All bare root material. Trees planted in 18 inch diameter auger borings 18 to 24 inches deep. Selected trees planted in borings 4 feet deep, but all trees planted at normal depth, i.e., same depth as grown in nursery. Tree spacing is 12 feet between rows, and 6 feet between trees within the row. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Planting Area: | 0.7 acre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Climate: | Long term average precipitation: 19.6 inches | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| O & M Requirements: | Mowing, pruning, irrigation, replanting, animal control, insect control | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Performance Data: | To date there are no clear trends in contaminant concentrations in groundwater or soil. Groundwater flow patterns are complex and have changed with time and growth of the trees. However, those changes may be influenced by site development that has occurred on the base at adjacent parcels. As of fall 2005, tree evapotranspiration has not developed a groundwater depression. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of the Phytotechnology Project: | Planning/design/implementation through 1 year monitoring: approximately $320,000. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lessons Learned: | Winter injury can be a significant factor in site establishment at northern latitudes, but extent of damage appears to be less with increasing tree age. Winter injury from jackrabbits can be significant. Some damage to poplars was noted in the first year despite tree guards (plastic protective sleeves around stem). Significant damage to some Russian olive trees was noted in the second winter. | Point(s) of Contact |
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Larry Olderbak Grand Forks AFB Environmental United States Telephone: (701) 747-4183 E-mail: larry.olderbak@grandforks.af.mil Al Erickson CH2M Hill United States Telephone: (414) 847-0303 E-mail: Al.Erickson@CH2M.com |
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| Information Source(s): | Green, Cynthia; Ana Hoffnagle. 2004. Phytoremediation Field Studies Database for Chlorinated Solvents, Pesticides, Explosives, and Metals. http://clu-in.org/download/studentpapers/hoffnagle-phytoremediation.pdf Trees at Grand Forks Get to the Root of the Problem. From CenterViews, Summer 2002. http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/ms/msp/center/summer2002/treegrandforks.asp EPA. 2005. Use of Field-Scale Phytotechnology for Chlorinated Solvents, Metals, Explosives and Propellants, and Pesticides. EPA 542-R-05-002. http://www.epa.gov/tio/download/remed/542-r-05-002.pdf |
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| Associated Vendor(s) or Consultant(s): | CH2M Hill, Inc. |
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