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ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES THE AIR FORCE MUST OVERCOME AT
CLOSED BASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AND THEY HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN ACCOMPLISHING
THIS MISSION USING A VARIETY OF CLEANUP TECHNOLOGIES.
AN INNOVATIVE AND NATURAL REMEDY CAN BE FOUND AT THE FORMER CHANUTE AFB IN RANTOUL, ILLINOIS.
INSTEAD OF PUMPS AND PIPES, THE AIR FORCE IS USING TREES AND TIME TO PROTECT GROUNDWATER
FROM LANDFILL DRAINAGE, CALLED LEACHATE, AT CHANUTE.
THESE POPLAR TREES ARE PLANTED AT LANDFILLS TO ACT AS BARRIERS PREVENTING LEACHATE MIGRATION
AND FILTERING ANY CONTAMINANTS THAT MAY BE PRESENT.
WHAT THAT DOES IS ELIMINATES A REGULAR PUMP AND TREAT SYSTEM. MOST LANDFILLS HAVE A LEACHATE
COLLECTION SYSTEM. WHAT OUR SYSTEM DOES IS THE LEACHATE GOES OUT, THE TREES SUCK IT UP
AND IT VAPORATES INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.
THIS BARRIER IS CALLED AN EVAPOTRANSPIRATION BUFFER IT PROMOTES A METHOD IN WHICH PLANTS
CLEANUP POLLUTION IN THE ENVIRONMENT USING THEIR OWN NATURAL PROCESS.
THE AIR FORCE EXPECTS THE USE OF THESE POPLAR TREES TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION, INCREASE
THE AREA’S ECOLOGICAL HABITAT, AND REDUCE THE COST OF MAINTENANCE WHILE PROVIDING SIMILAR
OR BETTER LEACHATE CAPTURE AND TREATMENT.
FOR THE AIR FORCE REAL PROPERTY AGENCY, I’M SCOTT JOHNSTON