Provided Materials
Project Notes


Research Advisors may suggest up to three plants to be studied at each laboratory
Any plant may be studied at any site
Deliverables
Research Advisors are responsible for the following deliverables:



A list of plant(s) and associated metal(s) to be studied at each laboratory (fill out the
Research Advisor Reporting Guide)
A formal response letter (use the Letter Template if needed) that must contain the
following:
o A list of plant species you think would be most useful to our research at each
of the sites
o A step-wise description of the procedure you used to select these plants
o Please be sure that your response letter is written in a formal style, with
cohesive structure, transitions, precise language, concrete details and
information, a formal style and tone, and a concluding statement
Mathematical and/or graphical evidence demonstrating each plant's effectiveness at
phytoremediation after 1 growing/harvest cycle, 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years for a
contaminated plot of approximately 7 hectares. This can be included in your letter
or as a separate attachment.
Data
Provided for you are data related to what we know already about certain plant species and
their ability to accumulate particular metals from contaminated soil (Dataset: Metal
Concentrations in Herbaceous Crops). You will need to use these data to inform your
decisions. You may wish to consult additional sources as this may improve your ability to
make informed decisions.
0
Industrial Site Contamination Profiles
Table 1. Contamination by Industrial Site
Site
Associated Laboratory
Contaminant(s) and Percentage of Contamination1
A
1
Arsenic (60%), Cadmium (73%), Copper (100%)
B
2
Cadmium (30%), Lead (90%), Zinc (50%)
C
3
Cadmium (40%), Copper (100%)
D
4
Arsenic (50%), Lead (80%), Zinc (60%)
1Soil at each site was tested with random selection of multiple samples across the suspected
contaminated area. Percentage values represent the fraction of samples that tested positive
for toxic levels of that particular contaminant.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Information:
Health Hazard Ratings
Health Hazard Data includes information on acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term)
health effects, signs and symptoms. This section may be less relevant for residential
settings where long-term exposures to low doses and complex chemical mixes are more
common. Also, since most of the information was developed in relation to adult male
exposures, it may be less relevant in residential settings where at-risk populations such as
children, the infirm and the elderly live.
*Retrieved online from: www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_012.cfm
Table 2. MSDS Health Hazard Codes and Meanings
Rating Code
0
1
2
3
4
Meaning
No unusual hazard
May be irritating
May be harmful if inhaled or absorbed
Corrosive or toxic. Avoid skin contact or
inhalation
May be fatal on short exposure. Specialized
protective equipment required
* MSDS information retrieved online from:
www.ehs.neu.edu/laboratory_safety/general_information/nfpa_hazard_rating/
Table 3. Health Hazard Ratings
Contaminant
Arsenic
Cadmium
Copper
Lead
Zinc
* MSDS information retrieved online from: www.sciencelab.com
Rating
3
3
2
1
1
Material Safety Data Sheet: Exposure Effects
Arsenic (As)
Short term/acute exposure: Very hazardous in case of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in
case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant).
Long term/chronic exposure: The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, the nervous system, mucous
membranes. Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.
Cadmium (Cd)
Short term/acute exposure: Hazardous in case of ingestion, of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case
of skin contact (irritant, sensitizer), of eye contact (irritant). Severe over-exposure can result in
death.
Long term/chronic exposure: The substance is toxic to kidneys, lungs, liver. Repeated or prolonged
exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage. Repeated exposure to an highly toxic
material may produce general deterioration of health by an accumulation in one or many human
organs.
Copper (Cu)
Short term/acute exposure: Very hazardous in case of ingestion. Hazardous in case of eye contact
(irritant), of inhalation. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant).
Long term/chronic exposure: The substance is toxic to lungs, mucous membranes. Repeated or
prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.
Lead (Pb)
Short term/acute exposure: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact
(irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation.
Long term/chronic exposure: The substance may be toxic to blood, kidneys, central nervous system
(CNS). Repeated or prolonged exposure to the substance can produce target organs damage.
Zinc (Zn)
Short term/acute exposure: Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact
(irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation.
Long term/chronic exposure: Repeated or prolonged exposure is not known to aggravate medical
condition.
* MSDS information retrieved online from: www.sciencelab.com
Dataset: Metal Concentrations in Herbaceous Crops*
Latin Name
Common
Name
As
Cd
Cu
Pb
Zn
Plants/
hectare (ha)
Metric tons
/ha (Dry)
Brassica carinata A. Braun1
12
12
37
50
1650
1250000
30
10
71
55
2029
Hordeum vulgare L. 1
Ethiopian
mustard
Mustard
greens
Barley
20
16
27
Oryza sativa L. 1
Rice
ND
0.4
4
ND
34
Radish
ND
9.4
Triticale
21
1.9
Osier (tree),
leaves only
ND
4.3
Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.1
Raphanus sativus L. 1
Triticosecale, cv. ‘Trujillo’
Salix viminalis 'Orm'2
1
Root
Type
5.50
Root
Depth
(m)
<1
Fibrous
Days or
Years to
maturity
160d
200000
9.53
<1
Fibrous
60d
334
3000000
2.24
<1
Fibrous
90d
6
90
220000
20.18
<1
Fibrous
150d
34
28
1450
300000
13.45
<1
Taproot
28d
27.
5
7.6
37
588
4000000
7.85
<2
Fibrous
110d
2.9
362.5
14000
13.61
<2
Fibrous
4y
Notes
cultivated
under
flooded
conditions
extensive
roots
extensive
roots
*metal concentrations are expressed as mg of metal per kg of plant material
Note. All data values are to be considered reasonable and approximate.
ND=no data available
1
Vamerali, T., Bandiera, M., & Mosca, G. (2010). Field crops for phytoremediation of metal-contaminated land. A review. Environmental
Chemistry Letters, 8, 1-17.
2
Vervaeke, P., Luyssaert, S., Mertens, J., Meers, E., Tack, F.M.G., & Lust, N. (2003). Phytoremediation prospects of willow stands on
contaminated sediment: a field trial. Environmental Pollution, 126, 275-282.
4
Research Advisor Reporting Guide
Laboratory 1 (Industrial Site A)
Plant(s)
Associated Metal(s)
Laboratory 2 (Industrial Site B)
Plant(s)
Associated Metal(s)
Laboratory 3 (Industrial Site C)
Plant(s)
Associated Metal(s)
Laboratory 4 (Industrial Site D)
Plant(s)
Associated Metal(s)