BioRemediation For Hogan's Creek. Not this stupid total earth replacement.

[stephendare]

In other threads I have suggested phytoremediation as a safe way to combat the pollution in this park system.  It is far safer, and far far cheaper than the caveman methods we are presently using.

I was turned onto phytoremediation in Indiana at the Garfield sewage purification project sponsored by Garfield the Cat's creator, Jim Davis.

Here is a link that discusses the basic ideas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation describes the treatment of environmental problems (bioremediation) through the use of plants.

The word's etymology comes from the Greek φυτο (phyto) = plant, and Latin « remedium » = restoring balance, or remediating. Phytoremediation consists in depolluting contaminated soils, water or air with plants able to contain, degrade or eliminate metals, pesticides, solvents, explosives, crude oil and its derivatives, and various other contaminants, from the mediums that contain them.

It is clean, efficient, inexpensive and non-environmentally disruptive, as opposed to processes that require excavation of soil. The definitive textbook on phytoremediation was published in 2003 with contributed, peer reviewed articles from all major research groups involved in phytoremediation research (Phytoremediation: Transformation and Control of Contaminants, edited by Steven C. McCutcheon and Jerald L. Schnoor).

[billy]

What's going on with the Park View Inn/  former Heart of Jacksonville property?

[BridgeTroll]

An initial clean up is probably required with bioremediation to continue...  As with most things there are pros and cons...

Advantages and limitations

Advantages:

-the cost of the phytoremediation is lower than that of traditional processes both in situ and ex situ
the plants can be easily monitored
-the possibility of the recovery and re-use of valuable metals (by companies specializing in “phytomining”)
it is the least harmful method because it uses naturally occurring organisms and preserves the natural state of the environment.

Limitations:

-phytoremediation is limited to the surface area and depth occupied by the roots.
-slow growth and low biomass require a long-term commitment
-with plant-based systems of remediation, it is not possible to completely to prevent the leaching of contaminants into the groundwater (without the complete removal of the contaminated ground which in itself does not resolve the problem of contamination)
-the survival of the plants is affected by the toxicity of the contaminated land and the general condition of the soil.
-possible bio-accumulation of contaminants which then pass into the food chain, from primary level consumers upwards.

[thelakelander]

What's going on with the Park View Inn/  former Heart of Jacksonville property?

Its slowly being demolished.

[downtownparks]

Trace amounts? What is your source? Also, trace amounts of what?

[AlexS]

Appendix 2 of the slide show below shows Hogan's Creek contamination levels.
http://www.slideshare.net/jholbrook/JacksonvilleCentralPark

[BridgeTroll]

Great info!

[zoo]

Appendix 2 of the presentation shows soil contamination levels in the park system inclusive of Hogan's Creek. Note that the title of the data indicates these tests were done in 1995!

It looks like Appendix 1 shows the contamination levels in Hogan's Creek of only fecal coliform (based on a Basin Management Action Plan mtg I recently attended, the DEP should be able to confirm that many of the Lower St. Johns tributaries are being used as toilets and dump sites by Jacksonville's homeless population).

I would guess other studies might exist re: non-fecal coliform contaminants in the creek waters...

[Lunican]

http://static.slideshare.net/swf/ssplayer2.swf?doc=JacksonvilleCentralPark-122589755451-phpapp01&stripped_title=JacksonvilleCentralPark

[strider]

It looks like Appendix 1 shows the contamination levels in Hogan's Creek of only fecal coliform (based on a Basin Management Action Plan mtg I recently attended, the DEP should be able to confirm that many of the Lower St. Johns tributaries are being used as toilets and dump sites by Jacksonville's homeless population).

Of course while blaming the homeless population for a contaminated St John river system may be popular among some, it means forgetting about the old and pretty  badly maintained  infrastructure that allows contamination to seep into the creeks and rivers, the multiple “over flow” events that  occur from the multiple waste treatment facilities, the multiple boats that illegal dump into the river system, the hundreds of houses with either no septic system or septic systems that do not function and  the houses that are illegally just tied into the river system.  A few homeless pooping into the river system (or even Hogan's Creek) does not a contaminated river make.  You are showing your true colors here and they are not very pretty.

The St John’s Riverkeeper is a good source for real information about our river system. Odd that the many times I’ve heard them talk, I’ve never heard that the homeless was a pollution issue

[downtownparks]

Fecal Coliforms are actually the easiest problem to fix. First, if you stop the source of contamination, it will naturally go away over time. Unlike industrial contamination, bacteria is a living organism. The ACoE planned project would mainly to fix the aquatic health of the creek. A healthy creek can naturally sort out bacterial levels by way of what basically is bioremediation, with native plant species.

The problem is the industrial stuff. The oil at the park view in site is but one issue. From what I have heard, full scale remediation is likely to never occur with the oil contamination. If I understand correctly, they would be happy just to stop the slow migration of the contaminants down stream. As its at a bedrock level (far beyond the reach of any roots or plants) it would likely not cause any health problems to people using the creek and parks.

Upstream you have different contaminants not related to the Park View site. The arsenic is at least partially stemming from burnt wood that was pushed in to the swampy area around the creek after the great fire. In the creek sediment there are also "very high levels Copper, zinc, and especially lead" as well as "cadmium, manganese, and nickel " " Both cadmium and nickel in the environment are dangerous but manganese is not very harmful.  The lead levels, are very high and would be harmful to bottom feeding organisms." This was from a study that didnt talk about the effects of flooding in spreading these contaminants in and around the surrounding parks. It also didnt talk about the effects of lead on humans, which are well documented.

This was from a series of sediment tests done well up stream of the Park View near Karples. This also doesnt begin to talk about the unrelated ash site in Schell Park, relating to the 5th Street incinerator clean up, which is being managed by the EPA. As far as ash sites go, its not a bad one, but its enough of an issue that the city made a contractor remove brand new playground equipment 3 years ago.

Also, Strider, I believe Zoos comment was in direct response to someone else stating that the elevated fecal coliform levels were simply from homeless people pooping in the creek. From what I have seen, I believe the problem is from failing JEA sewage lines, as well as very old still in use septic tanks in the Hogans creek basin. JEA hasnt owned up to any leakage, but we all know the infrastructure under springfield is failing, and the Septic Tanks are mapped at the Dept of Health. The contamination of the creek is not something anyone should try to push off on the homeless.

[zoo]

It looks like Appendix 1 shows the contamination levels in Hogan's Creek of only fecal coliform (based on a Basin Management Action Plan mtg I recently attended, the DEP should be able to confirm that many of the Lower St. Johns tributaries are being used as toilets and dump sites by Jacksonville's homeless population).

My statement is quoted above. All I've stated is that DEP reported tributaries are being used in this manner. I in no way indicate the DEP claims it is the only source, nor did I.

For you to infer what you did must be indicative of your "true colors."

[BridgeTroll]

This is true as long as you stop the sources of contamination.  Septic systems need to be removed and hooked into modern sewage treatment.  Leaking sewer lines must be fixed or replaced.  I would think a few strategically placed port-o-potties will solve the "homeless issue."

[zoo]

Thank you, Stephen. I am not a politician (thank god!). ;-)

What does everyone think about using tidal flow to generate the electricity to light the parks and the commercial corridors? SPAR is paying for commercial corridor lighting right now, I think. Seems like that should be a city expense!?

[deportman]

I know its not on topic but I have to ask. This is the second or third time you mentioned SPAR paying the light bill on main st. Why is SPAR responsible for lighting a federal road way???.
If someone wants to move this to another thread that's fine with me.