19th Annual Student Research Conference
Science
The Use of Soybeans in the Phytoremediation of
Lead Contaminated Soils
Sabrina Wells*, Joshua J. Hirner, and Laura Kopff
Dr. Barbara K. Kramer, Faculty Mentor
Cleaning polluted soil is a concern; however, current methods are costly and detrimental to the soil. Phytoremediation, one alternative to these methods, uses plants to remove contaminants from polluted soil. While not much is known about their phytoremediation capabilities, soybeans are one possibility. In hopes to further understand these properties, soybeans were planted in soil obtained from an abandoned gas station. Analytical methods involving microwave digestion and analysis by atomic absorption spectroscopy were used to determine the concentration of lead in soybean plants at set time intervals. To determine where the lead localizes, the plant was sectioned before analysis. This information will help ascertain if the plants can be used for other purposes after remediation. Results show an increase in lead concentration in the plant after remediation. The concentration and localization of lead in the plants over their growth cycle will be reported.
Keywords: phytoremediation, soil, soybean, microwave digestion, atomic absorption, remediation
Topic(s):Chemistry
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 41-2
Location: VH 1408
Time: 1:30