Abstract

BALTIERRA-TREJO, Eduardo; MARQUEZ-BENAVIDES, Liliana  and  SANCHEZ-YANEZ, Juan Manuel. Experimental model of biogas diffusion in the plant radical system. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2012, vol.28, suppl.1, pp.135-141. ISSN 0188-4999.

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of the organic fraction (OF) of municipal solid waste (MSW) at landfill sites generates biogas that have a negative effect on plants. However no methodology is available to evaluate this effect and information on the effect of biogas on plant physiology is scarce. Thus, a model to simulate the effect of biogas diffusion on the plant radical system, based in the gas diffusion through the soil to relate with exposing time and biogas concentration is required. The aim of this research was to design an ex situ experimental model to analyze the effect of biogas on the roots of zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.). Considering this, we designed and built a system model to expose the plant seed and root system to biogas. The effect was measured in terms of germination percentage, fresh and dry foliage and root weight. The results indicated that the biogas perfusion caused inhibition of the germination of zucchini squash as well as the seedling growth level compared to the control plant that germinated and grew with no stress signs.

Keywords : anaerobic digestion; landfill site; plant physiology.

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