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2005 Progress Report: Metal Toxicity Thresholds for Important Reclamation Plant Species of the Rocky Mountains

EPA Grant Number: R829515C012
Subproject: this is subproject number 012 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R829515
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC - Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center for Remediation of Mine Waste Sites
Center Director: Shackelford, Charles D.
Title: Metal Toxicity Thresholds for Important Reclamation Plant Species of the Rocky Mountains
Investigators: Paschke, Mark W , Redente, Edward F
Institution: Colorado State University
EPA Project Officer: Lasat, Mitch
Project Period: October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2006
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001)
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation

Description:

Objective:

The overall objective of this research project is to establish soil metal toxicity thresholds for numerous plant species that commonly are used in reclamation activities in the Rocky Mountains. This information currently is not available and, as a result, ecological risk assessments must rely on toxicity thresholds established for agronomic species. These crop plants have very different physiological characteristics and sensitivity levels than native species used in the reclamation of sites contaminated with metals. As a result, risk assessors may classify sites as phytotoxic to native species and call for intensive remediation activities that may not be necessary. The specific objective of this research project is to provide a better estimate of soil metal toxicity thresholds for four metals and a large number of native plant species (and a few commonly used introduced species). These threshold values would be used by those in the reclamation industry (government regulators and private entities) to more accurately assess risks associated with soil metal contamination, and to better match revegetation plant species to site conditions.

Progress Summary:

To date, all of the seven proposed greenhouse experiments have been completed. They are: (1) Mn testing on six grass species; (2) Zn testing on six forb species; (3) As testing on six grass species; (4) As testing on six forb species; (5) Cu testing on six forb species; (6) Mn testing on six forb species; and (7) Mn testing on five shrub species. Results from experiment 1 have been published in Environmental Pollution, results from experiment 2 have been accepted for publication in the journal Water, Air & Soil Pollution (to appear in the December 2005 issue). Results from experiments 6 and 7 will form the M.S. thesis of Paul Swartzinski, who will finish his degree in December 2005.

Future Activities:

Results from experiments 3, 4, and 5 are being prepared for publications. We plan to have all manuscripts completed for publication during 2006. In addition to the proposed experiments, we will conduct additional follow-up experiments in 2006. These additional experiments include an evaluation of mixtures of metals (Zn + Cu + Mn) on a subset of the reclamation species.

Supplemental Keywords:

waste treatment, acid mine drainage, acid mine runoff, contaminant transport, contaminated sediments, contaminated waste sites, extraction of metals, leaching of toxic metals, metal extraction, metal release, metal remediation, mining wastes, , Industry Sectors, POLLUTANTS/TOXICS, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Scientific Discipline, Waste, RFA, Remediation, Geology, Waste Treatment, Ecological Risk Assessment, Chemicals, Hazardous Waste, Hazardous, Mining - NAIC 21, Ecology and Ecosystems, heavy metals, risk assessment, treatment, phytoremediation, extraction of metals, contaminated waste sites, mining wastes, acid mine runoff, acid mine drainage, metal release, remediation technologies, contaminant transport, leaching of toxic metals, metal wastes, contaminated sediments, metals, contaminated soil, plant species, metal remediation, environmental engineering, metals-contaminated soil, contaminated sites
Relevant Websites:

http://www.engr.colostate.edu/hsrc/ exit EPA

Progress and Final Reports:
2004 Progress Report
Original Abstract


Main Center Abstract and Reports:
R829515    HSRC - Rocky Mountain Regional Hazardous Substance Research Center for Remediation of Mine Waste Sites

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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