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PHYTOREMEDIATION OF AN ACID TAR PIT AT CINDERHILL, DERBYSHIRE, UK: LESSONS LEARNED AND FUTURE CHALLENGES
Johnson, M.F., H. Wood, S. Bryan, S. Craig, W. Meredith, C. Snape, and C.N. Uguna.
Journal of Environmental Management 405:129690(2026)
Filed Under: Demonstrations
Filed Under: Demonstrations
Monitoring results are presented from a large-scale field trial (30 m×16 m area) of willow (Salix) phytoremediation at an acid tar pit at Cinderhill, UK. Before the trial, tars had not degraded since deposition in the 1970s; however, after planting with willow spilling, evidence of degradation was clear, showing a reduction in n-alkane and PAH concentrations. After 2 years, tar breakdown was only recorded in close association with willow root systems, but after 3 years it was documented in tars not targeted by root growth. Willow also stabilized the tar pit surface, altered its topography, and enabled the establishment of a diverse understory flora and, along with initial liming of the area, contributed to reduced surface pH from highly acidic to neutral. eDNA of microbial communities in tars near willow roots was highly distinct from tars away from roots and surrounding soil. The community around willow roots included species known to process PAHs and hydrocarbons, and also species that aid vegetation growing in stressful environments. Challenges and unforeseen issues during the trial, future work, and knowledge gaps are discussed. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479726011503/pdfft?md5=1922d0d50b64049799ea08efde31b8dc&pid=1-s2.0-S0301479726011503-main.pdf
Journal of Environmental Management 405:129690(2026)
Filed Under: Demonstrations
Filed Under: Demonstrations
Monitoring results are presented from a large-scale field trial (30 m×16 m area) of willow (Salix) phytoremediation at an acid tar pit at Cinderhill, UK. Before the trial, tars had not degraded since deposition in the 1970s; however, after planting with willow spilling, evidence of degradation was clear, showing a reduction in n-alkane and PAH concentrations. After 2 years, tar breakdown was only recorded in close association with willow root systems, but after 3 years it was documented in tars not targeted by root growth. Willow also stabilized the tar pit surface, altered its topography, and enabled the establishment of a diverse understory flora and, along with initial liming of the area, contributed to reduced surface pH from highly acidic to neutral. eDNA of microbial communities in tars near willow roots was highly distinct from tars away from roots and surrounding soil. The community around willow roots included species known to process PAHs and hydrocarbons, and also species that aid vegetation growing in stressful environments. Challenges and unforeseen issues during the trial, future work, and knowledge gaps are discussed. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479726011503/pdff
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