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Applying research being advanced on its own campus, the University of Georgia is initiating phytoremediation--a unique environmental process--as part of the comprehensive cleanup of a 1960s-era landfill on Milledge Avenue. This process will be a focal point of discussion at a Dec. 5 public meeting set to inform interested residents about the cleanup effort. The meeting will be held in the Callaway Building at the State Botanical Garden between 7 and 9 p.m. Project scientists and university officials will be available to answer questions.
Phytoremediation, an innovative process using plants to naturally absorb and break down contaminants, was chosen in part because of its compatibility with the nearby State Botanical Garden of Georgia. A voluntary measure designed to provide additional safeguards, phytoremediation is the latest step undertaken by UGA officials to restore the Milledge Avenue site.
Primary remediation work already completed includes construction of a surface-water treatment system and approval to install an RCRA-compliant landfill cap over the contaminated area to prevent surface-water infiltration. Future work may include additional groundwater treatment to complement the phytoremediation. All remediation is based on a comprehensive study performed by the engineering firm of Brown and Caldwell, which is conducting regulatory compliance, site investigation and site remediation work under contract with the university, with the guidance of the state Environmental Protection Division.
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