1,4-Dioxane and the Application of Phytoremediation at North Carolina Hazardous Waste Groundwater Contaminated Sites

Abstract

Abstract Sorensen, Heather. Master of Environmental Assessment. 1,4‐Dioxane and the Application of Phytoremediation at North Carolina Hazardous Waste Groundwater Contaminated Sites 1,4‐Dioxane is a manufactured chemical that is considered to be recalcitrant in nature due to its inability to be remediated through traditional groundwater remediation systems and its inability to degrade under ambient groundwater conditions. 1,4‐Dioxane has been established as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Through historical releases and improper disposal of industrial waste and accidental spills of 1,4‐dioxane chemicals to the environment, groundwater has become contaminated with 1,4‐dioxane. The goal of this paper is to identify Treatment Storage and Disposal Facilities in North Carolina with 1,4‐ dioxane contaminated groundwater and evaluate the potential application of phytoremediation as a viable remedial option for 1,4‐dioxane. Through the investigation of 1,4‐dioxane and phytoremediation, this paper explores why 1,4‐dixoane is a constituent of concern and why phytoremediation should be considered as an remediation strategy for contaminated groundwater. Twelve 1,4‐dioxane hazardous waste sites with 1,4‐dioxane contaminated groundwater were provided by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Waste Management, Hazardous Waste Section. Six out of the twelve sites were assessed for phytoremediation applicability. This assessment demonstrates that phytoremediation should be considered as a viable remedial option for 1,4‐dioxane, specifically at sites that have no current remediation strategy and that have access to space for a phytoremediation tree stand.