Abstract
The aim of this project was to contribute to the knowledge andunderstanding of the behaviour and capabilities of oil degrading
porous pavement systems (PPS) with particular reference to planted
surfaces constructed of a variety of recycled materials.
Previous research has been performed on the effects of oil on
Panicum virgatum, Festuca arundinacea and Cajanus cajan and has
examined their oil biodegradation traits. Showing a decrease in
e·r growth, they also tolerated the presence of oil and enhanced
biodegradatio . Arabidopsis thaliana and winter rye were subjected
to growth in 0·1-contaminated growing medium in this project. Both
plant species showed physical changes, their growth being impeded
and alterations in the colour of their leaves on exposure to oil.
Whole gene probing of mRNA of Arabidopsis also showed
amplification in seven genes that provided tolerance to water and
drought stresses.
Previous experiments at Coventry University showed that
eukaryotic organisms gave good indications of oil degrading
capabilities. This project indicated that there was greater diversity
of these species in the planted PPS than in the non-planted PPS
laboratory models. The granite and recycled material sub-bases
also produced no significant leakage of oil in the effluent from the
planted PPS. However, further work is required before one might
conclude that the plants may have aided the degradation or
retention process.
| Date of Award | Apr 2005 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Janey Henderson (Supervisor), Alan Newman (Supervisor) & James Alun Wynne Morgan (Supervisor) |