Phytoremediation and Bioremediation
Ecological Engineering (M.S., Ph.D.)

Bioremediation / Phytoremediation are processes that utilize bacteria, fungi, green plants to remediate contaminated or degraded sites. Remediation processes by these organisms include extraction, sequestration, and/or detoxification of contaminants. In other cases, green plants could create an environment that is more conducive to degradational processes, such as when tree roots break up compacted soil in contaminated areas, opening air passage, microorganisms can further degrade waste.

We have been working primarily with brown field sites in New York with particular emphasis on remediation of contaminated sites to prevent pollution of Onondaga Lake in Syracuse.

Representative publications in this area by our faculty:

• Dan Brown, Douglas Daley and Timothy Volk. 2007. Calibration of the Simultaneous Heat and Water (SHAW) Model using Sap Flow Measurements of a Salix-based Evapotranspiration Landfill Cover System.
  
• Industrial Waste Contamination: Past, Present and Future. Sandra Lislovs. Summer 2005. Clearwaters. Published by New York Water Environment Federation.

Contact Doug Daley, djdaley@esf.edu  for more information about this graduate studies area.