Submit to: United States Department of Interior
Bureau of Reclamation
P.O. Box 36900, Billings Montana 59107-6900
Contracting Officer, Gerri Voto
cc: Area Manager, Loveland (Littlepage)
By: Frank Burcik
Water
Treatment and Decontamination International
(WTDI)
2010
Bell CT., Lakewood, CO 80215
Phone:
303-202-9324 E-Mail:
fburcik@attbi.com
This
report summarizes a series of experiments performed at the Leadville Mine
Drainage Tunnel (LMDT), in Leadville, Colorado, in order to determine the
efficiency of WTDI’s phytoremediation technology in decontaminating water
polluted by high concentrations of metals. The project was formally instigated
on July 19, 1999 after WTDI received permission to begin preliminary test of
our phytoremediation technology in the LMDT. On June 22, 2000 WTDI received a
contract from the U.S. Government; Contract Number 00PG600106 from U.S. Bureau
of Reclamation (BOR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
During
the course of this project, WTDI has collaborated closely with Drs. Duane
Johnson (Department of Soil and Crop Science) and Dr. Elizabeth Pilon-Smits
(Biology), of the Colorado State University at Fort Collins, Colorado.
Purpose
of the project:
History:
The
Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel (LMDT) was constructed for the purpose of draining
water from the mining district located east of Leadville. The total length of
the tunnel, which is located at altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level, is
over 11,000 feet long. The tunnel is partially blocked in several places,
making it accessible only along its initial length of 450 feet, (at
approximately 450 feet into the tunnel, a pressure grouted portal previously
installed to prevent further collapse denies access to the deeper, more
upstream, parts of the tunnel). A portion of the water from beyond the portal
is pumped into the treatment plant (approximately 1100 GPM). An additional 600
GPM, which flows through the tunnel, is also pumped into the treatment plant.
Thus, the total amount of water treated in the treatment plant from this tunnel
is approximately 1700 GPM.
The
water coming from the tunnel has a mean TDS of around 8,000ug/l. The EPA has
requested that the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a treatability study for
the surface water in the ponds at OU6, which is planed to divert into the existing
tunnel system. The water has a TDS as high as 830,000ug/l; this could overload
the treatment plant capability.
Tunnel specifications of the tunnel are:
length 450 feet, horseshoe design of 8x8 feet that is pressure grouted with two
gutters on each side of the floor, 24x8 inches for water flow. The bulkhead
constructed with treated 2x12 lumber; rock caving behind the bulkhead is
restricting water flow to approximately 600 GPM; water temperature 43 F; pH =
7. The ambient air temperature is 52 F. Ventilation: negative pressure provided
by electrical fan and duct system. 100-Watt bulbs spaced 20 feet apart
originally provided lighting. The primary contaminants in the water are Iron,
Manganese, Zinc and Cadmium, at about (~400 ppb) concentrations.
Initially
WTDI tested several plant species for efficiency of metal uptake from the
LMDT water: houseplant; daisy; sagebrush; clover; yarrow; grass; marsh grass;
mint; potentilla; mustard; moss. Many of the species where collected within
the vicinity of the tunnel (See lab. Report #1 and # 1a). Tobacco
plants, provided by a local grower, were also tested (See Lab. report 2),
as well as several edible species: onion, scallions, strawberries, garlic,
carrots, kohlrabi, (See Lab. Report #3). For the first test, the water was
preheated to 60F at a flow of 5GPM. These plants effected a 60 % reduction
of metals in the water (Refer to report
# 1a), where the water exceeds EPA drinking water limits.
In
August 2000, we started the second test. The tunnel was prepared as follows:
four (4), 40 feet sections of troughs were installed approximately 3 feet up
off the ground. Each section consisted of (3) three 8 inch-wide and 4 inches
deep troughs. A partition was installed at the bulkhead, which raised the water
level up to the ceiling of the tunnel. This design allowed us to use gravity
feed, via an 8-inch pipe with a flow control valve, for each test section. This
eliminated need to pump water from the floor gutters up to the troughs. At the beginning of the first section we
installed a fertilizer injection system, as well as an acid injection system in
order to modify the pH if needed.
Electrical
lighting, fluorescent fixtures were installed over the full length of the test
portion of the tunnel (200 feet).
In
each of the individual troughs, a Styrofoam tray of 8inch by 26inches by 2 inch
thick with ľ inch square openings for plant seeds was installed. Initially,
plant seeds were germinated in a local nursery and transplanted into the test
troughs. Later on, the ľ inch openings in each tray were filled with standard
potting soil mix and test plant seeds. Water flowed at 5 GPM through each
trough. In about 20 days contamination reduction in the water become apparent.
At 30 days, a full root system had developed and water samples were taken
weekly. Monthly samples of plant material including roots were also collected
for laboratory analysis.
Plant
species used in the second test were: Canola, Winter Canola, Winter mustard,
Quinoa, Helios, Spring Barley, Sunflower. (See
Lab. Report # 4)
On
December12, 2000, the third and last test was instigated. The primary plant
species used in the final test was Indian mustard (Brassica juncea),
which was selected on the basis on previous tests in the tunnel. In addition,
several transgenic varieties of Indian mustard developed at CSU by Dr.
Elizabeth Pilon-Smits to overproduce the metal binding peptides glutatione and
phytochelatins were also tested. The
bioengineered species showed up to 2-fold higher metal concentrations compared
to the non-transgenic mustard. Growth was similar for all varieties. We also
determined that the plants could be readily germinated in the tunnel
environment instead of in the greenhouse to reduce the cost of operation. The
light was left on continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to prevent
fluctuations of metal uptake by plants. The water flow in each individual
trough was approximately 5 GPM, corresponding to 15 GPM for each section. In
all four sections 60 GPM of water was treated.
Overall
conclusion
The
main objective in this study was to determine the feasibility of meeting NPDES
regulations using WTDI’s phytoremediation technology in treating the 600 GPM of
metal-contaminated water discharged by the LMDT at Leadville, Colorado. Our
results shows that the LMDT, which has usable length of 450 total feet, is not
long enough to permit full decontamination of water using WTDI’s
phytoremediation technology. Results indicate that in order to decontaminate
the flow of water discharged by the LMDT (600 GPM) using our phytoremediation
technology we would need to have at least 3000 feet of troughs. Therefore the
tunnel would have to be at least 1500 feet long, with troughs on each side.
Additional sections of 200 feet would be needed for germination of plants. An
enlargement of the length of the tunnel for our phytoremediation system would
exceed the cost of modification of the existing treatment facilities to deal
with the projected goal.
Other
objectives
1.
To determine which plant species work best for metal uptake in cold or warm
water.
2.
To determine how long plants effectively uptake metals (Cropping cycles).
3.
To determine water temperature requirements for plant growth and cost of
operation.
4. To determine the best hydroponics system for
the tunnel, that is low in maintenance.
5.
To determine fertilizer requirements for plants and metal assays of effluent
discharge.
6.
To determine the effectiveness of the treatment by performing metal assays on
influent and effluent water.
7.
To determine where the metals are concentrated in the plant, by means of
vegetational metal assays
8.
To determine electrical lighting requirements for maximum plant growth and
metal uptake.
9.
To determine the best light conditions for optimal efficiency.
10.
To determine if the plants are hazardous or not, by means of TCLPs.
11.
To determine whether edible species grown in the tunnel would be safe for human
or animal consumption.
Results
1a.
The best species for this study was shown to be Indian mustard (Brassica
juncea), due to its tolerance of the cold climate and its ability to
hydroponically uptake large quantities of metals.
2a. After the seeds germinated and developed a
full root system (less than 30 days), and during the subsequent vegetative
growth period which consisted of the next (4) months, the plants showed a constant
uptake of metals. After four months, they developed seeds and became ready to
harvest.
3a. Preheating of the 600 GPM of water could be
cost prohibitive. For the selected Indian mustard, there was no necessity to
preheat the water.
4a. The most efficient hydroponics system for
decontamination would have square gutters that are 32 inch wide, 4 inch deep,
and 100 feet in length, installed in series on both sides of the tunnel with
each section having a 20 GPM flow rate. On the end of each 100 feet section a
clean water discharge conduit would have to be installed. Each gutter would
have two trays next to each other for a total of 96 trays, (trays are 16 inch
wide by 26 inch long). The plants in trays would be exchanged every 18 to 20
weeks, or about three times in year.
Tests
with blending of the OU6 water and tunnel water was not done since at the time
of these tests the OU6 water had yet to be introduced into the tunnel.
5a. No significant improvement in plant
performance was seen after addition of fertilizers, or after making pH
adjustment.
6a. Metal assays showed satisfactory reduction
of metal concentrations such that with proper setup, the NPDES permit levels
can be achieved.
7a. Most of the metals were concentrated in the
root system (>25% of the root dry weight was metals). Plant stems and leaves
also showed significant metal concentrations which were about ~1000 fold higher than in the water (~400
ppm Fe, Mn and Zn in shoot tissue). Marginal concentrations of metals were also
incorporated in the flowers and seeds.
8a. It was determined that standard High Output
fluorescent fixtures were sufficient to promote plant growth and metal uptake.
Note:
WTDI has under development a Solar Transfer System that would reduce the
electrical energy consumption for the hydroponics water treatment system. Due
to lack of additional funding WTDI’s Solar Transfer System has not been tested
in the tunnel.
9a. It was determined that it is not necessary
to switch the lights on and off. By living the lights on all the time, plants
showed steady growth and metal uptake.
10a. TCLP tests showed that the plants were not
saturated by hazardous metals to the point to be hazardous for disposition in a
landfill. In case of additional hazardous metals or higher concentrations, WTDI
has developed a technology to separate the hazardous metals from the harvested
plant materials; the decontaminated biomass can then be used as a fertilizer or
disposed in a landfill.
11a.
Some edible species were tested in this system. As an example, strawberry
showed no significant metal
concentration in the fruit, therefore they appear to be edible. Carrot, Garlic,
and Onions show higher concentrations of metals, including Zinc and Cadmium, therefore
they may not be recommended for human consumption with out further study.
Laboratory
tests of water and plants material were performed at: (originals on file)
Rinehart Laboratories,
Inc
5810 Lamar Street, PO Box
564, Arvada, CO 80001
Barringer Laboratories, Inc.
15000 W 6th
Avenue Suite 300, Golden, CO 80401
Evergreen Analytical
Laboratory
4036 Youngfield Street
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
ENVIRO-CHEM Analytical, Inc.
685 W. Gunnison, Suite #
108
Grand Junction, CO 81505
Colorado State University
Department of Soil and Crop Science
/ Biology
Ft.
Collins, CO 80523
|
Laboratory report #1 |
|
By: Rinehart Laboratory,
Inc, Reference No 990244, Date: January 18,
2000 |
|
A: Houseplant Zn
Cd Mn Fe All in mg/kg of dry solids |
|
Root 1051.0 4.71
82.4 360.0 |
|
Stem 1039.0 12.8 60.8
740.0 |
|
Seed 434.0 1.8 108.0 473.0 |
|
B: Daisy |
|
Root 288.0 1.95 142.0 292.0 |
|
Stem 25.3 2.1 60.8
280.0 |
|
Seed 161.0 3.38 55.0 22.6 |
|
C: Sagebrush |
|
Root 229.0 0.92 32.3 172.0 |
|
Stem 112.0 0.8 22.2
206.0 |
|
Seed 165.0 1.03 33.2 727.0 |
|
D: Clover |
|
Root 293.0 0.54 274.0 2064.0 |
|
Stem 240.0 0.67 83.6
460.0 |
|
Seed 45.3 0.45 114.0 460.0 |
|
E: Yarrow |
|
Root 7969.0 3.27 2002.0 8220.0 |
|
Stem 240.0 1.64 12.8 288.0 |
|
Seed 1620.0 0.35 132.0 387.0 |
|
F: Grass |
|
Root 157.0 0.36 118.0 7.3 |
|
Stem 17.6 0.08 1.9 4.3 |
|
Seed 15.4 0.13 8.1 7.0 |
|
G: Marsh Grass |
|
Root <.1 0.08
0.1 0.86 |
|
Stem <.1 0.05 0.1 0.43 |
|
Seed <.1 0.04 1.43 |
|
H: Mint |
|
Root <.1 0.05 0.6 0.43 |
|
Stem <.1 0.02 10.1 0.43 |
|
Seed <.1 0.07 3.57 0.6 |
|
I: Potentilla |
|
Root <.1 0.05 1.0 0.43 |
|
Stem <.1 0.02 0.28 0.88 |
|
Seed 0.18 0.07 <.1 2.41 |
|
J: Mustard |
|
Root 0.13 0.06 <.1 <.1 |
|
Stem 0.2 0.05 <.1 2.76 |
|
Seed 0.12 0.2 <.1 <.1 |
|
K: Houseplant |
|
Root 0.12 0.08 <.1 1.28 |
|
Stem 0.27 0.05 0.2 < 0.43 |
|
Seed <.1 0.28 <.5 0.43 |
|
L: Moss |
|
Root <.1 0.05
<.1 <.1 |
|
Stem <.1 <.03 <.1 <.1 |
|
Seed 0.9 0.08 <.1 <.1 |
|
Laboratory
report #2 |
|
Laboratory
test on tobacco plant performed by graduate student Eric August at Colorado
University in Boulder, Colorado. Date: 7/24/2000 |
|
Results
from Atomic Adsorption Spec. run on H2O and Tobacco |
|
Zn (mg/l) Mn (mg/l) Fe (mg/l) |
|
Inflow 1.640 0.385 0.495 |
|
Outflow 1.589 (3.11 %) 0.372 (3.37 %) 0.447 (9.69 %) (%
reduction) |
|
Zn (mg/kg) Mn (mg/kg) Fe (mg/kg) |
|
Roots 9883 +/- 13 7559 +/- 40 11121 +/- 1030 |
|
Stems 726 +/- 12 282 +/- 14 1213 +/- 185 |
|
Leaves 568 +/- 2 318 +/- 3 780 +/- 31 |
Note:
Cadmium has not been tested due to problem with the AA unit.
|
Laboratory
report #3 |
|
By:
Rinehart Laboratory, Inc., Reference No. 000059-A Date: April 26, 2000 |
|
Sample Cd (mg/kg) Fe
(mg/kg) Mn (mg/kg) Zn (mg/kg) |
|
Onions 1.02 3,222 .295 162 |
|
Scallions 25.6 2,251 2,248 357 |
|
Strawberries 0.64 436 73 46 |
|
Garlic 19.2 4,335 2,654 266 |
|
Carrots 51.3 34,444 2,808 1,616 |
|
Kohlrabi 6.79 3,127 427 121 |
Note: Metals calculated on dry weight basis
|
Laboratory report # 4 |
|
By: Rinehart Laboratory,
Inc., Reference No. 990244-D Date:
February 29, 2000 |
|
Sample Fe (mg/kg) Mn (mg/kg) Cd (mg/kg) Zn (mg/kg) |
|
Canola 4,588 416 1.6 203 |
|
Winter Canola 4,954 808 16.3 450 |
|
Winter Mustard 4,588 286 17.4 1,104 |
|
Quinoa 14,450
110
12.5 170 |
|
Helios 3,863 283 1.74 529 |
|
Spring Barley 3,670 130 3.48 407 |
|
Sunflower 8,258 596 6.45 1,138 |
Last
and final phase of the Phytoremediation study in the LMDT started on December
12, 2000, by seeding a Mustard plant species in section #4, #3 and #2 (A,B,C
respectively),with help from Mr. Chad Molear and later Aubrey Cain a students
from CMC in Leadville. On 12/20/00 we finished installation and testing of the
acid injection system. On 12/28/00 we installed and tested the fertilizer
injection system.
On
January 4, 2001 the fertilizer was adjusted as follow; 5 gallons (18.92 Liter)
of water was mixed with (950ml) of Ionic fertilizer and 10 teaspoon (0.056 ml)
of Alaska Fish fertilizer. Injection was set for 3.33 ml/minute for total of 15
GPM (56.78 liter) of water for the # 4 section consisting of three troughs, 5
gallons (18.92 L) per trough. At the time, the plants where 3 1/2 to 4 inches
tall. Plants samples was taken before the fertilizer injection system was
turned on.
Acid
injection system was turned on February 10, 2001; Sulfuric acid H2SO4
diluted with water to pH 1.2 in the supply container equipped with metering pump.
The metering pump was set to 50 strokes per minute for 15 GPM (56.78liter) of
feed water mixing container and pH was adjusted from pH 7.3 to pH 5.77 at water
temperature of 44 F (6.66 C). On
February 12, 2001 adjustment of pH was made running at 5.75.
Process
control was set up on September 11, 2000 upon agreement between, Frank Burcik
(WTDI), Brad Littlepage and Janelle Stefanic (BOR).
Process
control consisted of monitoring the Influent and Effluent water for pH, UMHOs,
temperature (H2O^C), ambient temperature (^C), flow rate in
(GPM) and plant condition. Plant condition as: Height (inches), Root (inches),
condition scaled from 1 to 5 (5 being great), color of the plants, G,Y,GY,F,
(G-green, Y-yellow, GY- greenish-yellow, F-flowering) include periodical test
for Manganese performed in the treatment plant laboratory for effluent water.
Influent
water, metal loadings on average in mg/l:
Iron 0.96 to
1.05
Manganese 0.63 to
0.70
Zinc 2.1 to
2.2
|
Laboratory report # 5 |
|
By: Barringer Laboratories,
Inc., Work Order No. 0102094, Date: February 12, 2001 This is the part of
final test run in this study. All water run through the test sections
contained Indian mustard plant species, in three repetitions each. The pH of
influent water has been modified, fertilizer applied. |
|
All in (mg/l) |
|
Sample I.D. # 1a Aqueous (Influent) to the system (pH=6.09)
|
|
Fe, total 0.96 |
|
Mn, total 0.63 |
|
0.Zn, total 2.1 |
|
Sample # 2a, Aqueous (Effluent), trough system A (pH=6.08) Metal loadings in (%) |
|
Cd 0.011 Increased
80.32 % |
|
Fe 0.18
Removed 81.25 % |
|
Mn 0.68
Increased 7.93 % |
|
Zn 3.0
Increased 42.85 % |
|
Sample # 3a, Aqueous (Effluent),
trough system B (pH=6.37) |
|
Cd 0.0
Removed 100 % |
|
Fe ND (Not detected at the reporting limits) Removed 100 % |
|
Mn 0.71
Increased 12.69 % |
|
Zn 3.4
Increased 61.90 % |
|
Sample # 4a, Aqueous (Effluent),
through system C (pH=6.73) |