Surface spills of water produced from hydraulic fracturing can expose soil and groundwater to organics such as BTEX and naphthalene (BTEX&N) as well as high concentrations of salt. As an alternative to soil excavation, we evaluated the effectiveness of BTEX&N soil remediation using 2 grasses present in Colorado. Perennial ryegrass and foxtail barley were grown separately in pots in the greenhouse and exposed to salt or a synthesized produced-water slurry containing relevant levels of salt and BTEX&N. Plant biomass was measured 14 days post-spill, and levels of BTEX&N were quantified using GC/MS for soil, roots, and shoots at day 7 and 14 post-spill. Foxtail barley shoot growth was limited by BTEX&N, whereas perennial ryegrass shoot growth was enhanced by salt but not BTEX&N. While BTEX&N in soil associated with foxtail barley mainly decreased over time, the soil associated with perennial ryegrass mainly saw an increase in BTEX&N with time. However, further research is needed to determine the fate of BTEX&N within grasses and soil.
Keywords: BTEX; grass; produced-water spills.