Conserving the Pine Street Barge Canal
as an Educational & Research Site
for the Health of the Barge Canal, Lake Champlain Basin,
and the Burlington Community
November 6, 2023
Burlington Conservation Board
MycoLab, Community Branch of MycoEvolve
Agenda
1,336 Superfund sites on US National Priority list
450,000 brownfield sites in US
https://www.wcax.com/content/news/EPA-to-review-site-cleanups-at-6-Superfund-sites-in-Vermont-506315301.html, https://gispub.epa.gov/oeca/WOS/, https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-history-printable-version, https://vtdigger.org/2015/08/03/worry-over-toxins-at-south-end-brownfields-trumped-by-corporate-interests/
National and Bioregional Context
.
Alarming Gap between Legal & Scientific Definitions of Remediation
Opportunity for VT to get on the national map & Burlington to get on the NE map as modelling a more regenerative way for Superfund Sites to be managed
Educating the community, moving crucial research forward in responsible, innovative practices which can effectively repair damaged lands throughout the NorthEast
Conserving 501 Keeps Site Open for Complete Land Recovery
Site History
(Resilience Planning & Design LLC, FB Environmental, Burlington Conservation Board, Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, Burlington et al., 2022;“About Wildways | Burlington Wildways,” 2023)
Site History
Site History
Northern portions of the Pine Street Barge Canal in Burlington are seen in a detail of bird's eye view created by J.J. Stoner in 1887. This view from the west (above Lake Champlain) shows the canal ringed with stacks of lumber waiting to be processed. Provided By City Of Burlington/UVM Special Collections
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/picture-gallery/life/2021/11/27/pine-street-barge-canal-burlington-vt-legacy-timber-industry-superfund-poison-beauty/6284898001/
https://urbanpostmortem.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/exploring-burlingtons-pine-street-barge-canal/
Site History
Site History
Detail of an aerial photo of the Burlington waterfront taken around 1953, looking northwesterly, showing numerous industrial buildings along Pine Street. In the foreground to the lower right, just north of the corner of Locust Street, is the Queen City Tulatex Corporation. To its left on the west side of Pine Street stood the gas holder tanks and buildings of the Burlington gas plant (then owned by Green Mountain Power Company) where gas for heating and cooking was manufactured from coal. The overgrown area to the west had been used earlier for a canal basin and lumber yards. Continuing north beyond the Maltex factory are the Citizen's Coal Company buildings on the left Photo courtesy of the Shelburne Museum. (Karyn Norwood, 2014)
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/picture-gallery/life/2021/11/27/pine-street-barge-canal-burlington-vt-legacy-timber-industry-superfund-poison-beauty/6284898001/
Site History
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/picture-gallery/life/2021/11/27/pine-street-barge-canal-burlington-vt-legacy-timber-industry-superfund-poison-beauty/6284898001/
Site History
(US EPA, 2021)
Site History
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/picture-gallery/life/2021/11/27/pine-street-barge-canal-burlington-vt-legacy-timber-industry-superfund-poison-beauty/6284898001/
Site History
Site History
Site History
https://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/picture-gallery/life/2021/11/27/pine-street-barge-canal-burlington-vt-legacy-timber-industry-superfund-poison-beauty/6284898001/
Site History
Site History
(Voisin, 2023), https://anrweb.vt.gov/DEC/ERT/Brownfields.aspx
Corrective Actions based
on Site Conditions
Site History
(Voisin, 2023), https://anrweb.vt.gov/DEC/ERT/Brownfields.aspx
(Voisin, 2023), https://anrweb.vt.gov/DEC/ERT/Brownfields.aspx
2013 NAPL Investigation Report, Stone Environmental, Inc., �
The extent of coal tar NAPL on the eastern portion of the 501 Site has a defined eastern edge between 30 to 80 feet west of previous delineations. Subsequent borings performed for geotechnical feasibility have indicated that limited coal tar NAPL may remain in the footprint of the former Gas Plant, specifically within the base of the former gasometers. Further assessment is required to determine the presence/absence, degree, and extent of potential coal tar NAPL in this area and whether it is continuous with the larger NAPL body to the west.
Site History
Reasons to Conserve 501
1. Protect Critical Riparian Corridor
1. Protect Critical Riparian Corridor
1. Protect Critical Riparian Corridor
(Greenman Peterson Inc, Stone Environmental, 2016)
Recommendations to the City of Burlington
3. Preserving Forest Canopy Benefits the City
(Resilience Planning & Design LLC, FB Environmental, Burlington Conservation Board, Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, Burlington et al., 2022;“About Wildways | Burlington Wildways,” 2023)
2. Support Forest Canopy to Benefit the City
(“Emerald Ash Borer | Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets,” 2023)
2. Support Forest Canopy to Protect Ash
Recommendations to the City of Burlington
2. Support Forest Canopy to Benefit Community Health
(VT Department of Health, 2015)
(VT Department of Health, 2015)
3. Preserving Forest Canopy Benefits Community Health
2. Support Forest Canopy to Benefit Community Health
These fungi degrade PAH, PCBs, TPHs:
Irpex lacteus (Crust fungi)
Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail)
Pleurotus spp. (Oyster fungi)
Several white rot fungi species
These plants hyperaccumulate heavy metals:
Salix spp. (cyanide, arsenic)
Phragmites australis (cadmium, arsenic)
Populus spp. (arsenic)
Acer spp. (arsenic)
Macrophytes (vanadium)
(Akpasi et al., 2023; Azzarello et al., 2011; Byss et al., 2008; Chun et al., 2019; Ebbs et al., 2003; Jiang et al., 2018; Njoku et al., 2016; Yu et al., 2006)
4.This site merits conservation, further research, and education
3. Maintain diverse, naturally attenuating community
According to members of DUMP, Coventry residents are tired of hosting dumping grounds for the state. Communities in the state that produce the most waste should handle it locally or regionally, and waste disposal should “not be left to the initiative of the private waste industry.”
Scoop, dump, build or cap is problematic
4. Allow for Robust, Peer-Reviewed Remediation Research
Active Education Center is already here
5. Grow Ecoliteracy & Restoration Skills Locally
6. Begin to Reconcile Colonization & Industrial Pollution
Reasons for Conducting Ecological Inventory
(Greenman Peterson Inc, Stone Environmental, 2016)
Reasons for Conducting Ecological Inventory
Voisin, 2023, https://anrweb.vt.gov/DEC/ERT/Brownfields.aspx
Community Science
2022-2023
Findings from Ecological Inventory:
Clues of Natural Communities
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/pinestreet-barge-canal-superfund-sites
Lakeside Floodplain Forest
Cattail Marsh
*Silver Maple-Sensitive Fern Floodplain Forest
*Silver Maple-Ostrich Fern Floodplain Forest
*Needs further investigation to be confirmed.
(Thompson, 2019)
Findings from Ecological Inventory:
Only Pollution Tolerant MacroInvertebrates
Findings from Ecological Inventory: Species of Concern
Fraxinus pennylvanica
Green Ash
Critically imperiled (CR)
Fraxinus americana
White Ash
Critically imperiled (CR)
Penstemon hirsutus
Hairy Beardtongue
State: Vulnerable (S3)
Global: Apparently secure (G4)
Nannopterum auritum
Double-crested Cormorant
State: Breeding pop. imperiled (S2B)
Global: Secure (G5)
Nycticorax nycticorax
Black-crowned Night Heron
State: Breeding pop. critically imperiled (S1B)
Special Concern: status should be watched (SC)
Species of Greatest Conservation Need as identified in the Vermont Wildlife Action Plan (SGCN)
Global: Secure (G5)
(“Natural Heritage Information | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department,” 2023. “The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species,” 2023.)
Observed on Sites 0 & 501 Pine St
Findings from Ecological Inventory: Gaps
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/pinestreet-barge-canal-superfund-sites
We began Phase 1 by removing ~2 acres of buckthorn, above ground biomass
Ecological Restoration: Four Phases
Example of Future Site
UVM PSS 269 Soil Water Pollution Remediation Class Project
Incorporating Conservation of 501 Into AWP
(Greenman Peterson Inc, Stone Environmental, 2016)
“To ensure that this AWP is a useful and evolving document that will continue to coordinate with other planning initiatives and future redevelopment opportunities, it may be amended from time to time. Changes to the document will be reflected in an Appendix” (p. 10)
(EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, 2023; “Community Benefits Agreements,” 2023)
Community Benefit Agreement
NBCS Implementation Plan
(Resilience Planning & Design LLC, FB Environmental, Burlington Conservation Board, Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, Burlington et al., 2022;“About Wildways | Burlington Wildways,” 2023)
2. Include Abenaki as Stakeholders in PSBC long-term management. Designate City Liaison to work with a reciprocated Abenaki Liaison to incorporate their input.
3. Guide DPW to relinquish Champlain Parkway’s Right of Way on Site 0 ASAP
4. Support creation of a long-term management plan for this corridor by MycoLab and other skilled teams. This involves:
Recommendations to Bring to the City of Burlington
(Resilience Planning & Design LLC, FB Environmental, Burlington Conservation Board, Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, Burlington et al., 2022)
2. Find community support to draft and implement a Community Benefit Agreement involving true restoration of edges and parcels surrounding brownfield site 453 (0 & 501). Share draft at March 2024 meeting.
3. Provide steps for how MycoLab can be reciprocated in collaborating with City supported programs by January 22, 2024.
4. Provide a written endorsement for MycoLab’s service to the City involving ecological restoration, education, research by January 22, 2024.
5. Provide A letter of support for our work to Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Conservation Legacy Grant for these initiatives to continue by November 16, 2023.
Requests for the Burlington Conservation Board
(Resilience Planning & Design LLC, FB Environmental, Burlington Conservation Board, Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, Burlington et al., 2022)
Citations
About Wildways | Burlington Wildways [WWW Document], 2023. URL https://burlingtonwildways.org/about-wildways (accessed 10.30.23).
Akpasi, S.O.; Anekwe, I.M.S.; Tetteh, E.K.; Amune, U.O.; Shoyiga, H.O.; Mahlangu, T.P.; Kiambi, S.L. Mycoremediation as a Potentially Promising Technology: Current Status and Prospects—A Review. Appl. Sci. 2023, 13, 4978. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13084978
Azzarello, E., Pandolfi, C., Pollastri, S., Masi, E., Mugnai, S., Mancuso, S., 2011. The use of trees in phytoremediation. CABI Reviews 2011, 1–15. doi:10.1079/PAVSNNR20116037
Becarelli, S., Siracusa, G., Chicca, I., Bernabei, G., Di Gregorio, S., 2021. Ascomycetes versus Spent Mushroom Substrate in Mycoremediation of Dredged Sediments Contaminated by Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons: The Involvement of the Bacterial Metabolism. Water 13, 3040. doi:10.3390/w13213040
Bogan, B.W., Lamar, R.T., Burgos, W.D., Tien, M., 1999. Extent of humification of anthracene, fluoranthene, and benzo[α]pyrene by Pleurotus ostreatus during growth in PAH-contaminated soils. Letters in Applied Microbiology 28, 250–254. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2672.1999.00537.x
Byss, M., Elhottová, D., Tříska, J., Baldrian, P., 2008. Fungal bioremediation of the creosote-contaminated soil: Influence of Pleurotus ostreatus and Irpex lacteus on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons removal and soil microbial community composition in the laboratory-scale study. Chemosphere 73, 1518–1523. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2008.07.030
Chun, S.C., Muthu, M., Hasan, N., Tasneem, S., Gopal, J., 2019. Mycoremediation of PCBs by Pleurotus ostreatus: Possibilities and Prospects. Applied Sciences 9, 4185. doi:10.3390/app9194185
Community Benefits Agreements [WWW Document], 2023 . Action Tank. URL https://www.actiontankusa.org/community-benefits-agreements (accessed 10.30.23).
John Dickson, U., Coffey, M., George Mortimer, R.J., Bonito, M.D., Ray, N., 2019. Mycoremediation of petroleum contaminated soils: progress, prospects and perspectives. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts 21, 1446–1458. doi:10.1039/C9EM00101H
DECLARATION FOR THE RECORD OF DECISION Pine Street Canal Superfund Site Burlington, Vermont, 1998. , ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION I RECORD OF DECISION. Burlington VT.
Ebbs, S., Bushey, J., Poston, S., Kosma, D., Samiotakis, M., Dzombak, D., 2003. Transport and metabolism of free cyanide and iron cyanide complexes by willow. Plant, Cell & Environment 26, 1467–1478. doi:10.1046/j.0016-8025.2003.01069.x
Citations
Emerald Ash Borer | VT Agency of Agriculture Food and Markets [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://agriculture.vermont.gov/public-health-agricultural-resource-management-division/plant-health-and-pest-management/vermont-1 (accessed 10.30.23).
EPA Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization, 2023. Strategies to Minimize Displacement, Community Benefit Agreements.
Germaine, K.J., Byrne, J., Liu, X., Keohane, J., Culhane, J., Lally, R.D., Kiwanuka, S., Ryan, D., Dowling, D.N., 2015. Ecopiling: a combined phytoremediation and passive biopiling system for remediating hydrocarbon impacted soils at field scale. Frontiers in Plant Science 5.
Greenman Peterson Inc, Stone Environmental, 2016. Burlington Brownfields Area Wide Plan. City of Burlington, Burlington VT.
https://www.actiontankusa.org/community-benefits-agreements
Jiang, B., Xing, Y., Zhang, B., Cai, R., Zhang, D., Sun, G., 2018. Effective phytoremediation of low-level heavy metals by native macrophytes in a vanadium mining area, China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25, 31272–31282. doi:10.1007/s11356-018-3069-9
Kaimi, E., Mukaidani, T., Tamaki, M., 2007. Screening of Twelve Plant Species for Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil. Plant Production Science 10, 211–218. doi:10.1626/pps.10.211
Li, Y., Lin, J., Huang, Y., Yao, Y., Wang, X., Liu, C., Liang, Y., Liu, K., Yu, F., 2020. Bioaugmentation-assisted phytoremediation of manganese and cadmium co-contaminated soil by Polygonaceae plants (Polygonum hydropiper L. and Polygonum lapathifolium L.) and Enterobacter sp. FM-1. Plant and Soil 448, 439–453. doi:10.1007/s11104-020-04447-x
McIntosh, P., Schulthess, C.P., Kuzovkina, Y.A., Guillard, K., 2017. Bioremediation and phytoremediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) under various conditions. International Journal of Phytoremediation 19, 755–764. doi:10.1080/15226514.2017.1284753
Natural Heritage Information | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department [WWW Document], n.d. URL https://vtfishandwildlife.com/conserve/conservation-planning/natural-heritage-inventory/natural-heritage-information (accessed 10.29.23).
NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org/. (Accessed: October 19, 2023)
Njoku, K.L., Yussuf, A., Akinola, M.O., Adesuyi, A.A., Jolaoso, A.O., Adedokun, A.H., 2016. Mycoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soil by Pleurotus pulmonarius. Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies and Management 9, 865–875. doi:10.4314/ejesm.v9i1
Norwood, Karyn. 2014. From Cereal to Can Openers: Historic Industries along Pine Street - By Karyn Norwood. UVM Historic Preservation Program.
Citations
Resilience Planning & Design LLC, FB Environmental, Burlington Conservation Board, Burlington Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront, Burlington, Wildways, and the general public. Special thanks is given to the Climate Addendum SubCommittee, including Zoe Richards, Conservation Board Chair, Dan Cahill, City Land Steward, and Conservation Board Member, and Rebecca Roman, Alicia Daniel, Scott Gustin,, Resilience Planning & Design LLC, FB Environmental, 2022. Nature-Based Climate Solutions; An Addendum to the Burlington Open Space Protection Plan.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species [WWW Document], 2023. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. URL https://www.iucnredlist.org/en (accessed 10.30.23).
Thompson, E.H., E.R. Sorenson &. Zaino, R.J., 2019. A Guide to the Natural Communities of Vermont: Wetland, Woodland, Wildland, 2nd ed. Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction VT.
Usman, N., Tijjani, M.B. and Atta, H.I., 2019. Mycoremediation of Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl benzene and Xylene (BTEX) Compounds by Fungi Isolated from Hydrocarbon-contaminated Soil. Nigerian Journal of Microbiology 33, 4485–4492.
US EPA, 2021. FOURTH FIVE YEAR REVIEW REPORT FOR PINE STREET BARGE CANAL SUPERFUND SITE BURLINGTON CHITTENDEN COUNTY, VERMONT. Boston, MA.
Vangronsveld, J., Herzig, R., Weyens, N., Boulet, J., Adriaensen, K., Ruttens, A., Thewys, T., Vassilev, A., Meers, E., Nehnevajova, E., van der Lelie, D., Mench, M., 2009. Phytoremediation of contaminated soils and groundwater: lessons from the field. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 16, 765–794. doi:10.1007/s11356-009-0213-6
Voisin, D., 2023. Evaluation of Corrective Action Barge Canal (No. 20221060), SMS #1004-3192. Stone Environmental Inc., 453 Pine Street Barge Canal Burlington VT.
VT Department of Health, 2015. PlanBTV South End Health Impact Assessment.
VT Fish & Wildlife Department, 2022. Rare and Uncommon Animals of Vermont Vermont Natural Heritage Inventory.
Wang, L., Lin, H., Dong, Y., Li, B., He, Y., 2020. Effects of endophytes inoculation on rhizosphere and endosphere microecology of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) grown in vanadium-contaminated soil and its enhancement on phytoremediation. Chemosphere 240, 124891. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124891
Wu, Z., Yang, J., Zhang, Y., Wang, C., Guo, S., Yu, Y., 2021. Growth responses, accumulation, translocation and distribution of vanadium in tobacco and its potential in phytoremediation. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 207, 111297. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111297
Yu, X.-Z., Zhou, P.-H., Yang, Y.-M., 2006. The potential for phytoremediation of iron cyanide complex by willows. Ecotoxicology 15, 461–467. doi:10.1007/s10646-006-0081-5
Citations
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Questions, Insights?
Bio, Myco, and Phytoremediation can clean soil and water
Toxin | Strategy | Species | Citation |
Arsenic | Bio, Phyto | Salix spp.*, Quercus spp., Populus spp.*, Acer spp*. | (Azzarello et al., 2011) |
Cyanide | Phyto | Salix spp.* | (Ebbs et al., 2003) |
Vanadium | Bio, Phyto | Endophytes, Nicotiana spp., Macrophytes | (Wu et al., 2021; Jiang et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2020) |
PAH | Myco | Pleurotus pulmonarius*, Pleurotus ostreatus, Poplar spp., Irpex Lacteus | (Njoku et al., 2016; John Dickson et al., 2019; Bogan et al., 1999; Azzarello et al., 2011; Byss et al., 2008) |
PCB | Myco | Pleurotus pulmonarius.* | (Chun et al., 2019) |
BTEX | Bio, Myco | Microbes, Aspergillus terreus, Gliocladium spp. | (Usman, et al,, 2019) |
Manganese | Bio, phyto | Enterobacter spp., Polygonum spp. | (Li et al., 2020) |
NAPL, TPH | Bio, Phyto, Myco | Microbes, Various grasses, Pleurotus ostreatus Poplar spp.* | (Kaimi et al., 2007; Germaine et al., 2015; McIntosh et al., 2017; Becarelli et al., 2021; Azzarello et al., 2011) |
4. Contaminants of Concern on SIte with Potential Remediators & Strategies
Realities of Myco and Phytoremediation
A “simple” limiting factor is in some cases the contaminated soil is deeper than the rooting zone. In this respect, plant species choices can be very important. (Vangronsveld et al., 2009)
Realities of Myco- and Phytoremediation
Concerning drainage off Maltex parking lot into 453
White paper we wrote asking for 1-4 % of these funds
If we all collaborate for what is best for the earth