Abstract
dc:description.abstract<p>Abandoned hardrock mines and the resulting Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) are a source of vast, environmental degradation that are toxic threats to plants, animals, and humans. Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are metal contaminants often found in AMD. In my mine outwash water samples, cadmium and lead concentrations were 19 and 160 times greater than concentrations in control waterways, and 300 and 40 times greater than EPA Aquatic Life Use water quality standards, respectively. I tested the phytoremediation characteristics of three montane willows native to the Rocky Mountains: <em>Salix drummondiana</em>, <em>S. monticola</em>, and <em>S. planifolia</em>. I tested the willows’ accumulation and tolerance characteristics of cadmium and lead contamination. I found that <em>S. drummondiana</em> accumulated more cadmium in stems than both <em>S. monticola</em> and <em>S. planifolia</em>, and that all three willow species accumulated similar concentrations of lead. I found similar trends for leaf accumulation. I also found that <em>S. monticola</em> had a greater growth and tolerance to the lower lead concentrations than high lead concentrations in addition to containing higher field stem concentrations of lead than <em>S. planifolia</em>. <em>Salix planifolia</em> contained nearly 2.5 times greater concentrations of cadmium in field stems than <em>S. drummondiana</em>. Based on my results, <em>S. drummondiana</em> could aid in aboveground accumulation of cadmium polluted watersheds, and <em>S. monticola</em> could aid in aboveground accumulation and tolerance of lead pollution.</p>
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- M.S.
- Level thesis:degree_level
- Masters Thesis
- Year dc:date.available
- 2015
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Kersten, Gordon J.
- Contributors dc:contributor
-
- Martin F. Quigley, Ph.D.
- Shannon Murphy
- Anna Sher
- Brian J. Majestic
Subjects
dc:subject × 8Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>
- Language dc:language
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Repository record dc:identifier
- https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/1034
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-2033