POWRE: Creating Opportunities for Phytoremediation Research, Collaboration and Education

本研究的目的是研究植物修复在处理含有烷基酚聚氧基酯（APEO）的废水中的适用性，APEO是广泛使用的非离子表面活性剂，并确定这些化合物是如何在植物系统中运输和降解的。最适合降解烷基酚类化合物的植物物种和植物系统将在受控的实验室和温室实验中进行鉴定和评估。批处理和流动系统将用于测量和阐明植物修复污染物去除的机制。将与基于植物的处理系统的研究人员和设计者建立合作关系，这项植物修复研究的结果将整合到生物处理过程的高级/研究生课程中。在power基金的支持下，研究人员将在一年的休假期间开发这一新的研究和合作领域。

The objective of this research is to study the applicability of phytoremediation to the treatment of wastewaters containing alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEO's), widely used nonionic surfactants, and to determine how these compounds are transported and degraded in a plant-based sytem. Plant species and plant systems best adapted for the degradation of alkylphenolic compounds will be identified and evaluated in controlled laboratory and greenhouse experiments. Batch and flow-through systems will be used to measure and elucidate the mechanisms of contaminant removal by phytoremediation. Collaborative relationships will be established with researchers and designers of plant-based treatment systems and the results of this phytoremediation research will be integrated into a senior/graduate level course on biological treatment processes. With the support of this POWRE grant, the investigator will develop this new area of research and collaboration during a year of sabbatical leave.