Recipient Organization
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
3500 JOHN A. MERRITT BLVD
NASHVILLE,TN 37209
Performing Department
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Non Technical Summary
This project proposes to determine the spatial extent to which Vetiveria cultivars (vetiver) impact bioremediation (BR) and change soil properties, using low-cost, high-resolution remote sensing applications. Soil contamination, presents a small-scale, yet globally relevant challenge, where innovative solutions are required. Vetiver grass is an efficient and effective bioremediator of many types of water and soil contaminants, simultaneously providing numerous ecosystem services. However, insufficient studies exist which integrate high-resolution remote sensing of vetiver, and spatial analysis of vetiver BR capacity. While vetiver hedgerow planting structure is well studied for erosion control, different spatial patterns have not been compared for efficacy for BR applications. Objectives: We will investigate the use of a frequent high resolution, multispectral observation methodology for identifying contaminated soil and monitoring BR. We will also assess the proximal effect of planting vetiver at varying distances, shapes, (rows, concentric circles, etc). The project will a) investigate proximal effectiveness of vetiver planting geometry; b) identify effects of vetiver planting density. Approach: The research objectives will be accomplished by incorporating low-cost remote sensing tools (i.e. NASA AEROKATS), and multispectral sensors (i.e. red-edge) to delineate the effective spatial extent of Vetiver, for the TSU main farm, TN, which is impacted by nearby fuel facilities. Expected Results: This research will help identify effectiveness of remote sensing applications. The research team will also delineate the extent to which vetiver performs on BR of contaminated sites. The process and outcomes of this research should inform the science of remote sensing and spatial analysis, and empower communities and aid decision-makers to incorporate vetiver and low-cost remote sensing applications for bioremediation efforts.
Animal Health Component
25%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
75%
Applied
25%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Middle Tennessee and the Southeast United States are experiencing climatic fluctuation, characterized by heavier flooding and longer droughts, as well as long-term temperature warming trends (EPA 2016, DeVilbiss and Ray 2017). Rapid urbanization, such as in Metro Nashville, is also strongly associated with tendencies toward heat islands, biodiversity loss, soil loss, and pollution (Smith, Archer et al. 2017). These risks are most pronounced in "Environmental Justice" communities, often populated by economically disadvantaged people of color, living adjacent to sources of contaminated, or polluted, soil, water, and air.Tennessee State University (TSU) is a historically Black institution (HBCU), whose Federal land grant occurred in 1912. Large scale facilities that store fuel and fuel additives were subsequently built nearby, and today our groundwater is heavily contaminated by hydrocarbons (TestAmerica 2019). This presents a small-scale, yet globally relevant challenge, where efficient and effective solutions are required for the convergence of multiple environmental risk factors.Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty, syn. Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) is an efficient and effective bioremediator of many types of water and soil contaminants, simultaneously providing numerous ecosystem services (Joy 2009). Those services include soil nutrient and moisture retention, aquifer recharge, runoff abatement, and slope stabilization. This is relevant to sustainable agriculture, natural disaster mitigation, and overall resilience to climate change, which is critically missing from environmental justice communities. While vetiver is favorable for bioremediation of toxic contaminants in soil and water, however, understanding the effect and scale of bioremediation in real-time applications is still limited (Raman and Gnansounou 2018).Remote sensing is a formidable tool in the assessment and management of myriad environmental risk factors and restoration activities. Multispectral (i.e. "Red edge") sensing of plants and surface soils by infrared light, in particular, has significantly enhanced the decision-making abilities of farmers, foresters, horticulturalists and ecologists. No studies exist which provide high resolution remote sensing of vetiver, nor spatial analysis of vetiver's bioremediation capacity. While vetiver's hedgerow planting structure is well-studied for erosion control, different spatial patterns have not been compared for efficacy for bioremediation applications.This study poses the following research questions:To what extent does spatial pattern of Vetiveria plantings, in terms of shape and density, impact hydrocarbon derivative bioremediation capacity?Do remote sensing red-edge values reflect changes in soil health reflected by respiration measurements and traditional soil analysis?Can remote sensing of red-edge values prove that hydrocarbons derivatives are running off onto TSU farm from adjacent polluting entities?The project goal is to apply remote sensing and GIS techniques to determine the potential bioremediation capacity of vetiver for hydrocarbon derivatives in varying spatial patterns. To address this goal, and the aforementioned study inquiries, the following objectives will guide the project framework:Determine optimal conditions and standards for performing high resolution and high frequency multispectral imaging of contaminated sites.Determine the spatial and temporal impact of Vetiveria planting shape and density, on hydrocarbon bioremediation activity in sub-optimal (Zone 7) conditions. The project will measure the spatial extent to which Vetiveria cultivars change basic soil properties at various distances and angles over time.
Project Methods
The following study steps measure the ability of remote sensing to assess soil and vegetation health, as well as the impact of vetiver planted in different spatial patterns, on hydrocarbon impacted soils. Each of the following steps will contribute to analysis of: Soil respiration (as measured by PP Systems Model 4 / 5); Red-edge imagery (Micasense RedEdge Multispectral Camera); Soil chemistry - baseline analysis (at month 0 and month 12)Establish user skill and familiarity with remote sensing and soil testing apparatuses, image analysis software, and the site itself, while identifying best locations to compare soil and vegetation near potential point sources of hydrocarbon pollution on TSU Farm (Figure 4).Figure 4 Potential study area, sites will be selected, within the TSU farm that have been impacted by contaminants.Site AssessmentCollect preliminary data to assess slope, vegetation, light, season, weather and other variables.General vegetation and soil surface health indicated by red-edge valuesImaging of site throughout a dayOne full cloudless day, 30 minute intervalsOne full intermittently cloudy day, 30 minute intervalsOne full cloudy day, 30 minutes intervalsImaging of site from different heights and modesCamera on Tripod at various distances from centerpointsCamera suspended from Balloon or Kite (i.e. AEROKATS kite remote sensing system)Varying atmospheric conditions (Cloudy, Sunny, wet and dry)Target Dates: Weekly or bi-weekly as neededHydrocarbon presence indicated by red-edge valuesImaging of site in different light and weather conditionsTarget events: At least 2-3 light to heavy, forecasted rainstormsVideo of live rain events, for evidence of surface flow, especially in relation to site slope, and how it varies across the siteInfrared imaging before, during, and after rain events, to determine if and how surface hydrocarbon presence is reflected and fluctuates inFinal selection of study areas, and remote sensing planPlanting locations as homogenous as possiblePhotographed from best angle on the ground (tripod), and ideally from drone/UAV at various altitudesEstablish baseline indicators of red-edge values and understand fluctuations through light, weather and seasonal changes. It is especially important to determine light, moisture, or other variable thresholds, whereby red-edge values are inaccurate or un-comparable, to plan monitoring accordingly.Plant inventory of selected areaComplete knowledge of species presence for NDVI evaluation and confirmation of remote sensing value ranges of vegetation types and possibly individual species. This supports and confirms remote plant identification research, and establishes a baseline, in the event Vetiveria survives Winter and possibly improves seedbed to the extent that longterm, passive vegetation changes occur.Target datesFall target date November 1Winter target date February 1Spring, late MarchPlant inventory - Identification of all vegetative species present, to create a raster grid of mostly grasses across the site.Soil respiration (CO2 emissions) by manual sampling using PP Systems Model 4/5.Soil chemistry analysis by TSU Soil LabSoil samples collected as close to planting dateIdeally one sample per treatment (9 samples)Execution of bioremediation experiment: Vetiveria planting in early Spring, as soon as possible after frost highly unlikely (USDA Zone 7 projection April 30, 2021):All treatments will have Vetiveria Zizanoides of same provenance, with Vetiveria Karnataka from different provenances, tested in lowest quantity treatments due to shortage of supply.Target cultivar & provenances in order of preferenceVetiveria Karnataka, USDA Plant Materials Center, GeorgiaVetiveria Karnataka, Pecan Hill Farm, LouisianaVetiveria Zizanoides, Pecan Hill Farm, LouisianaOthers TBD, include possibly Alcorn State University, MississippiControl siteNo Vetiveria, in 6 foot area (minimum)Individual stems, at different densities1,3,9Non-vetiver system standard, as far apart as possible to avoid mycorrhizal interaction or other potential symbiosisCircularly arranged stems at different diametersApproximately 1 foot (4 stems), 3 foot (12 stems ), 9 foot (36 stems)Vetiver System standard, 6 inches apartHedgerows, in different lengths1 foot (3 stems), 3 foot (7 stems), 9 foot (19 stems)Vetiver System standard, 6 inches apartData collection design is illustrated in figure 5.Figure 5 Sample data collection table for observing red-edge values and soil respiration values across varying spatial patterns.Subsequent measurements taken approximately once a month, according to remote sensing protocols determined during site selection, for year 1, and as needed in year 2 and 3. For example, when conditions are forecast to be significantly wet or dark, measurements will be taken several hours or days earlier or later.Monthly MeasurementsRed-edge values via remote sensingSoil respiration via manual device12 month measurementSoil sample analysis to compare to baselineOngoing AnalysisMonthly Image processingFinal AnalysisComparative analysisRed Edges to TreatmentsRed Edges to Respiration RatesRed Edges to Soil Chemistry