Phytoremediation of Pesticide Residues in Southwestern Ontario

Abstract

This study aims to improve the Ontario ginseng quality by reducing the DDT concentration in the soil through phytoremediation technology. An intensified DDT detection method was developed for the specific sandy soil used for ginseng cultivation. This method is based on the conventional detection method from EPA guidelines and combined drying process, ultrasonic probe extraction process and rotary concentration process. The intensified detection method significantly enhanced the results accuracy, and reduced the time consumption and labour requirement. The DDT residue distribution in agricultural soil located in the southwestern Ontario was also investigated to determine the degradation level during the past 52 years. The results of phytoremediation in the lab scale showed that DDT was successfully translocated to the aerial tissues. It can be concluded that the phytoremediation could be an effective remediation technology of DDT contaminated soil in the southwestern Ontario.