People who may be interested/answer this: @Jorodeo @hikinghack @jcm80 @hpy @shannond @nanocastro @lizbarry … others? 
Hello friends - I haven’t posted in a hot minute, but a GOAT needs your help! (Gathering for Open Ag Tech, a sister from another mother to GOSH 
)
Jennifer Byrne (the GOAT and White River) is working on a very last minute EPA grant with Diana Collingwood (from Virgin Islands Women in Agriculture Association) to propose myco-phytoremediation in locations in Vermont and the Virgin Islands which suffer from environmental contamination from long-term industrial sites.
It’s a long proposal and it’s due on Nov 22 (very very very soon). I’m trying to help her on the measurement and monitoring plan, both on the hardware (how to track changes in soil health) and software (how to pull the data together appropriately).
The Scientific Workplan section is posted below… please read and then…
Questions for YOU!
- If you have experience in phyto and/or mycoremediation and could comment on the plan please comment here!
- If you have experience in measuring or know best methods for measuring any/all of the specified compounds in the science plan (Hydrocarbon Droplets, Sulfur Dioxide, Benzene, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Mercury). Especially if there are open source methods and tools to measure this stuff!!!
- Are there local people who would fit to contribute to the proposal and work (especially this scientific workplan, data or measurement pieces) in the VI or nearby you recommend?
- If you would be interested in contributing more significantly to the proposal in the next 2 weeks, DM me or email me at g b a (the number three spelled out) at geemail.
Here’s the Current Proposal (Science Workplan section only)
Scientific workplan for the remediation of soil toxicity via funghi
This project remediates soil toxicity in three severely affected locations and conducts workforce development for regenerative farming, thereby improving local health, engaging youth in environmental work, and building long-term capacity for sustainable land and waste management across these regions. For this, we implement the following three-year plan.
Year 1: Development of the initial remedy
- Development of plume maps to identify sites: A plume map [REF] is a map of environmental deposition based on the conditions at the time of contamination, e.g. looking at weather patterns, air flow patterns and the characteristics of the toxics in question to determine their distribution across the landscape.
- Identification of toxins in contaminated sites: Once the plumes are identified, tests are taken along the edges of the plumes [REF TYPES OF TESTS]. This is when community engagement begins in order to have early buy-in of and communication with the local community and enlist them for participation. The results are identified sites.
- Initial seeding of hyperaccumulator plants: We pick a highly contaminated site and seed out a test patch of all the hyperaccumulator plants, e.g. sunflower, echinacea, etc. We plant trial pads. We test the biomass to identify which type is the strongest accumulator.
- Harvest initial test batches of biomass: The biomass is harvested to confirm which is the strongest accumulator.
- Test levels in biomass present in soil: We test the levels in the test plots as secondary confirmation for how much is being pulled out.
- Initiate trials of primary saphraphites: We test all available and know micro and bio-remeditation techniques on that substrate. A saphraphitic funghi is a decomposing funghi that breaks down organic matter into carbon. Mycorrhizal funghi associate with perennial and annual species in the soil that does not break down dead matter. Their function in the ecosystem is the breakdown and transport of minerals. Bacterial cultures are liquid inoculums of live cultures of breadstrains of something like penicillium. They are soil organisms that have similar characteristics to funghi but are bacteria and can break down longchain polycarbon molecules.
- Test initial substrates for remediation efficacy: We evaluate which of the above substrates are most effective using the harvested biomass in a testing facility on a neutrified agar substrate.
- Identify initial strains: The top performing strains following testing of the mycelium or bacterial cultures of the identified toxins in a bulked out substrate, e.g. going from agar to one-pound bags to confirm runtime (from inoculation to fruiting and in which conditions that is best achieved), and we test the substrate and fruiting bodies.
- File patent: We file a Creative Commons patent, bulk out and stabilize with several thousand agar trays of the selected strains and put them in cold storage for future use.
Year 2: Testing of the most promising candidate solutions
- Construct the mobile modular inoculation facility: We install a climate-controlled semi-trailer with a large autoclave, sterile work space, an automated bagger, etc.
- Initiate the block grant process: Follow-up with the sites that were identified as primary concern, and notify them of the request for proposals to initiate the micro remediation process on their property.
- Notice of award: We notify grant receivers and initiate the development of mycophytoremediation based on the identified toxins in their soil. THat means pairing the best identified hyperaccumulator with the best identified saphraphites or bacteria, then constructing an enclosed composting system for the construction of a series of bio piles. (i) an initial run through the fully contaminated substrate testing the fruiting bodies and substrate to determine the level of remediation, (ii) mixing the contaminated substrate that’s partially remediated with clean substrate, reinoculating, retesting and, (iii) again using clean substrate, reinoculation, and testing at the end. At the end, most of the contaminants should have been broken down by the organism.
- Initiate large-scale planting of hyperaccumulators: We use block grants to
- Construct in-situ remediation facilities
- Bulk out spawn for expanded inoculation of biomass
- Harvest hyperaccumulators with forage harvester and stockpile in bunkers with protection to prevent re-spread into trophic web
- Begin build inoculation of biomass with selected strains
- Force run of mycelium using columnar/bog/bed
- Test fruiting bodies for concentrations, substrate for levels
- Rerun in second chamber, continue in primary chamber
Year 3: Rollout of the most effective remedy
Pre Identified Toxins of Concern:
St Croix:
| Contaminant | Remediation Method | Literature Support |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrocarbon Droplets | Soil removal & inoculation w/ trained saprophyte | |
| Sulfur Dioxide | Hyperaccumulation w/ H. annulus & inoculation w/ trained saprophyte | |
| Benzene | Hyperaccumulation w/ H. annulus & inoculation w/ trained saprophyte | |
| Hydrogen Sulfide | Hyperaccumulation w/ H. annulus & inoculation w/ trained saprophyte | |
| Mercury | Moot, according to sources |
Here is a reformatted version, simplified with workstreams:
The scientific workplan outlines a structured approach for developing and testing remediation methods, focusing on identifying effective solutions and scaling up promising approaches.
Year 1: Development of the Initial Remedy
Workstream 1: Identify contaminated soil
- Develop Plume Maps: Create plume maps to identify contamination spread.
- Identify Toxins: Conduct tests along plume edges;
- Engage community.
Workstream 2: Test hyperaccumulator plants
- Trial Seed Hyperaccumulators: Plant trial patches with hyperaccumulator plants (e.g., sunflower, echinacea).
- Harvest Initial Biomass: Harvest and test biomass to identify the best accumulators.
- Test Biomass
- Test Soil Levels: Confirm levels of toxins absorbed in test plots.
Workstream 2: Test Bioremediation fungi
- Trial Primary Saprophytes: Test micro and bioremediation techniques on substrate.
- Test Initial Substrates: Evaluate substrate efficacy using harvested biomass.
- Identify Initial Strains: Determine top-performing strains for remediation.
- File Patent: File Creative Commons patent; bulk out and store selected strains.
Year 2: Test of the Most Promising Candidate Solutions
Workstream 1: Construct Mobile Infrastructure
- Construct Mobile Inoculation Facility: Set up a climate-controlled, modular facility for sterile work.
Workstream 2: Engage Community in selection of remediation sites
- Initiate Block Grant Process: Engage sites of primary concern and start grant applications.
- Notice of Award: Notify grant recipients and start site-specific mycophytoremediation.
Workstream 3: Remediate selected areas in situ
- Plant Hyperaccumulators at scale: Use grants to fund extensive hyperaccumulator planting.
- Construct In-Situ Remediation Facilities: Build facilities for on-site remediation.
Workstream 4: Innoculate Biomass
- Bulk Out Spawn for Inoculation: Increase spawn volume for biomass inoculation.
- Harvest and Stockpile Hyperaccumulators: Use forage harvesters; stockpile in protected bunkers.
- Begin Biomass Inoculation: Inoculate biomass with selected strains.
- Force Run of Mycelium: Use columnar/bog/bed systems to grow mycelium.
- Test Fruiting Bodies and Substrate: Check for toxin concentrations in fruiting bodies and substrate.
- Rerun in Second Chamber: Continue inoculation cycles to ensure remediation.