Digital Commons Network^™

Dechlorinating And Iron Reducing Bacteria Distribution In A Trichloroethene Contaminated Aquifer, Carmen Lourdes Yupanqui Zaa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Operable Unit 5 (OU 5) area of Hill Air Force Base currently has two trichloroethene-contaminated groundwater plumes underneath residential areas in Sunset and Clinton, Utah. Bioremediation by biological reductive dechlorination can be an important mechanism for the removal of chlorinated compounds from the plumes. The presence of suitable bacteria to carry on reductive dechlorination is the key in the bioremediation process. The goal of this study was to determine the distribution and population density of the 16S rRNA genes of Bacteria, Dehalococcoides ethenogenes, Desulfuromonas michiganensis, Geobacter spp and Rhodoferax ferrireducens-like bacteria, as well as the functional genes trichloroethene reductive …

Integrating Surface And Sub Surface Flow Models Of Different Spatial And Temporal Scales Using Potential Coupling Interfaces, Alphonce Chenjerayi Guzha

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main objective of this research was to develop and utilize a coupled surface water groundwater model to simulate hydrological responses of watersheds. This was achieved by coupling the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) groundwater flow model, MODFLOW, and the rainfall runoff model, TOPMODEL, in one case study and coupling MODFLOW with a networked version of TOPMODEL called TOPNET in another case study. The model coupling was achieved using the InCouple approach, which utilizes Potential Coupling Interfaces (PCIs) that are abstractions from model flow diagrams that expose only those aspects of a model relevant to coupling. Coupling the rainfall-runoff models to …

The Effect Of Climate Change On The Hydrology Of A Mountainous Catchment In The Western United States: A Case Study At Reynolds Creek, Idaho, Anurag Nayak

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research is focused on understanding the sensitivity of a hydrologic regime at the Reynolds Creek Experimental Watershed (RCEW), a snowmelt dominated semi-arid mountain basin located in southwest Idaho, to climate warming.

Climate data, collected during 1962 to 2006 at many locations in the RCEW, was carefully checked, preprocessed, and corrected for errors and noise signals introduced by the instrument malfunctioning and extreme weather conditions. An Automated Precipitation Correction Program (APCP) was developed to remove mechanical errors from the weighing-recording bucket type precipitation gauge measurements. APCP produces comparable results to the manual techniques but a degree faster (few minutes against …

Rank-Data Distribution Method (R-D Method) For Daily Time-Series Bayesian Networks And Total Maximum Daily Load Estimation, Joon-Hee Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Daily time series-based models are required to estimate the higher frequency fluctuations of nutrient loads and concentrations. Some mechanistic mathematical models can provide daily time series outputs of nutrient concentrations but it is difficult to incorporate non-numerical data, such as management scenarios, to mechanistic mathematical models. Bayesian networks (BNs) were designed to accept and process inputs of varied types of both numerical and non-numerical inputs.

A Rank-Data distribution method (R-D method) was developed to provide large time series of daily predicted flows and Total Phosphorus (TP) loads to BNs driving daily time series estimates of T-P concentrations into Hyrum and …

Estimating Total Phosphorus And Total Suspended Solids Loads From High Frequency Data, Amber Spackman Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Frequently measured turbidity was examined as a surrogate for total phosphorus (TP) and total suspended solids (TSS) loads at two locations in the Little Bear River, Utah, USA. Using regression techniques, equations were developed for TP and TSS as functions of turbidity. The equations accounted for censored data, and additional explanatory variables to represent hydrological conditions were considered for inclusion in the equations. By using the resulting surrogate relationships with high frequency turbidity measurements, high frequency estimates of TP and TSS concentrations were calculated. To examine the effect of sampling frequency, reference loads were determined from the concentration records for …

Hydrogen Production By Anaerobic Fermentation Using Agricultural And Food Processing Wastes Utilizing A Two-Stage Digestion System, Reese S. Thompson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hydrogen production by means of anaerobic fermentation was researched utilizing three different substrates. Synthetic wastewater, dairy manure, and cheese whey were combined together at different concentrations under batch anaerobic conditions to determine the optimal hydrogen producing potential and waste treatment of each. Cheese whey at a concentration of 55% was combined with dairy manure at a concentration of 45% to produce 1.53 liters of hydrogen per liter of substrate. These results are significant because the control, synthetic wastewater, which was a glucose-based substrate, produced less hydrogen, 1.34 liters per liter of substrate, than the mixture of cheese whey and dairy …

Development Of A Mathematical Model For 3d Reconstruction Of Target Objects By Photogrammetry, Keith F. Blonquist

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis outlines the development of a mathematical model which can be used to perform 3D reconstruction of a target object from surveillance images. 3D reconstruction is a common procedure in photogrammetry, but performing 3D reconstruction from surveillance images can be more difficult than typical photogrammetry applications.

Surveillance images are generally captured in an unsystematic manner because there is no control over the target that is being photographed. Surveillance images can have a wide variety of fields of view, are often captured with uncalibrated cameras, and typically the targets are objects for which there is no other a priori information. …

Evaluation Of Arrayed-Field Concentration Measurements And U. S. Epa-Regulatory Models For The Determination Of Mixed-Source Particulate Matter Emissions, Derek Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With the continued population growth and the blurring of the urban and rural interface, air quality impacts associated with agricultural particle-producing processes are becoming increasingly important. There is a lack of emission rate data from these source types and no prescribed measurement technique available to the agricultural and regulatory communities. One technique that has shown promise is combining field measurements with inverse modeling. This approach was used herein to examine particulate emissions from an almond harvesting operation, a cotton ginning facility, and comparative emissions from conservation versus conventional tillage practices. EPAapproved models ISCST3 and AERMOD were used with AirMetrics samplers. …

Uptake And Release Kinetics Of Sulfolane By Cattail Plants, Tiffany Leo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sulfolane (tetrahydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide, C₄H₈O₂S) is a highly water-soluble, non-ionizable, organic compound used along with diisopropanolamine in the Sulfinol™️ process to remove hydrogen sulfide from natural gas. Sulfolane has been identified in wetland vegetation near a sour gas processing facility in Alberta, Canada, and extensive uptake of sulfolane by cattails has also been demonstrated in a laboratory environment. Consequently, it has been suggested that plants could play an important role in the natural attenuation of sulfolane in contaminated wetlands. This assumes that the sulfolane is metabolized and/or sequestered in the plant and not released back …

Air Demand In Free Flowing Gated Conduits, David Peter Oveson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A physical experimental setup of a circular, gated closed conduit was built at the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL). Setup configurations were modified and data were measured to aid in the study of physical variables on air demand. It was determined that gate opening, gate and water surface roughness, and conduit length all were significant variables on the air demand measured through the conduit air vent. It was also determined that no noticeable air velocity profile existed above the air-water interface. A linear relationship was found between the air flow rate to water flow rate ratio (air-demand ratio) and head-to-gate …

Identification Of Chlorinated Solvent Sources In The Indoor Air Of Private Residences Around Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Andrew Jensen Hall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Volatile chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE), 1,2 dichloroethane (1,2 DCA), and perchloroethylene (PCE) have been identified in the indoor air of residences located near Hill Air Force Base (AFB), Utah. These vapors can originate from either volatilization of contaminates from shallow contaminated groundwater and transport into residences or from sources within the residence. The focus of the thesis was the development of a testing strategy for determining sources of TCE, 1,2 DCA, and PCE in the indoor air of residences near Hill AFB.

Eight residences were selected for this study by Hill AFB based on prior detections of TCE, …

Generalized Event Tree Algorithm And Software For Dam Safety Risk Analysis, Anurag Srivastava

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Event tree analysis is a most commonly used method in dam safety risk analysis modeling. Available software tools for performing event tree analyses lack the flexibility to efficiently address many important factors in dam safety risk analysis. As a result of these practical limitations, spreadsheets have been used, sometimes including Visual Basic macros, to perform these analyses. However, this approach lacks generality and can require significant effort to apply to a specific dam or to modify the event tree structure. In response to these limitations, here a generalized event tree analysis tool, DAMRAE (DAM safety Risk Analysis Engine), has been …

Volatilization Of Trichloroethylene From Shallow Subsurface Environments: Trees And Soil, Rachel Melanie Winters

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Results from two previous studies conducted at Operable Unit 2 (OU2) of Hill Air Force Base, Utah indicate that the phytovolatilization (volatilization from leaves and trunk) of TCE by indigenous trees as well as soil surface flux may play a significant role in the removal of TCE from shallow groundwater plumes around the base. Previous studies investigated late summer and early autumn TCE leaf volatilization but no attempt was made to examine potential TCE volatilization seasonal variability and the volatilization of TCE directly from tree trunks. Whole tree transpiration rates were also not directly measured. To address those limitations and …

Measuring And Modeling Of Plant Root Uptake Of Organic Chemicals, Erik Dettenmaier

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Determining the root uptake of xenobiotic organic chemicals into plants is critical for assessing the human and ecological health risks associated with the consumption of plants growing in contaminated environments. Root uptake of xenobiotic organics occurs passively in conjunction with transpiration and the transport from root to shoot is ultimately controlled by passage through one or more lipid root membranes. The transpiration stream concentration factor (TSCF), the ratio between the concentration of a chemical in the xylem to that in the solution used by the roots, is used to describe the relative ability of an organic chemical to be passively …

The Influence Of Debris Cages On Critical Submergence Of Vertical Intakes In Reservoirs, Skyler D. Allen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study quantifies the influence of debris cages on critical submergence at vertical intakes in reservoir configurations. Four model debris cages were constructed of light panel material. A vertical intake protruding one pipe diameter above the floor of a model reservoir was tested in six configurations: open intake pipe, a debris grate placed directly over the intake pipe, and debris cages representing widths of 1.5*d and 2*d and heights of 1.5*c and 2*c, where d is diameter of the intake and c is height of intake above reservoir floor. A selection of top grating configurations and a submerged raft configuration …

Application Of Structural Control For Civil Engineering Structures, Abdollah Shafieezadeh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study presents the application of control methods in seismic mitigation of structural responses. The study consists of two parts. In the first section, fractional order filters are utilized to enhance the performance of the conventional LQR method for optimal robust control of a simple civil structure. The introduced filters modify the state variables fed back to the constant gain controller. Four combinations of fractional order filter and LQR are considered and optimized based on a new performance criterion defined in the paper. Introducing fractional order filters is shown to improve the results considerably for both the artificially generated ground …

Analysis Of Effectiveness Of Bridges With Partial Isolation, Wenying Hu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A special class of seismically isolated bridges shares a common feature in that both ends of the superstructure are restrained and isolators over the columns of bridge uncouple the superstructure from the ground motions. They are defined as partial isolation bridges. From measured acceleration responses, effectiveness of full seismic isolation had been confirmed widely. However, the seismic isolation behavior in the partial isolation has not been widely observed.

The effectiveness of partial isolation is evaluated in this study. The static design procedures for linear and nonlinear partially isolated bridges are developed. Results from the static analysis of linear and nonlinear …

Calculated Surface Velocity Coefficients For Prismatic Open Channels By Three-Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling, Nat Marjang

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A turbulence model was developed for computing surface velocity coefficients and discharge under steady, uniform flow conditions for rectangular and compound open-channel cross sections. Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, Reynolds stress equations, and kinetic energy and dissipation equations were applied in the model using the finite-volume method with the SIMPLER algorithm. The models show graphical results of the velocity distributions in the longitudinal bed slope direction, secondary velocities, pressure, turbulence kinetic energy, and kinetic energy dissipation rate across the cross section. Also, the surface velocity coefficients were computed at increments of one-eighth of the base width from the vertical walls to …

Nutrient Mobility From Biosolids Land Application Sites, Mai Anh Vu Tran

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Three types of biosolids (lime-stabilized, aerobically digested, and anaerobically digested biosolids) were applied on 0.13-ha test plots on disturbed rangelands in Western Utah at rates of up to twenty times (20X) the estimated N-based agronomic rate. Soil samples at depths up to 1.5 m were collected and analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, regulated metals, pH, and electrical conductivity for up to two years after biosolids application.

NH₄-N at the soil surface (0.2 m) was primarily lost through ammonia volatilization and nitrification. This observation was consistent with reported increases in nitrate (NO₃-N) concentrations found within the soil surface …

Transitional Flow Between Orifice And Non-Orifice Regimes At A Rectangular Canal Gate, Omar Alminagorta Cabezas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main objective of this research was to analyze the hydraulic transition between non-orifice and orifice flow regimes at a rectangular sluice gate through the calibration of various discharge equations, and determining the value of a coefficient, which defines the transition between orifice and non-orifice flow conditions. The second objective was to determine whether a single equation could be used to represent the stage-discharge relationship for both free and submerged non-orifice flow through a rectangular sluice gate.

Several hundred data sets were collected in a hydraulic laboratory, each including the measurement of water upstream depth and downstream for five different …

Algorithm Development Of The Aglite-Lidar Instrument, Christian Marchant

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Particulate emissions from agricultural operations are increasingly receiving attention from regulatory bodies as a potential source of air pollution. The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) has developed the Aglite system, a suite of instruments including a lidar that is capable of measuring particulate emission levels from agricultural facilities. This system provides a novel method of measuring particulate mass (PM) pollution, allowing measurements to be taken of diverse types of facilities with high temporal and spatial resolution. This high resolution allows for the measurement of emission levels generated by specific activities, fostering the development and determination of best management practices.

The Aglite …

A Collection Of New Studies Using Existing And Proposed Techniques And Instrumentation For Nondestructive Testing And Analysis Of Concrete Materials And Structures, Shane D. Boone

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A variety of studies were performed using existing and newly proposed techniques and instrumentation to further the understanding of nondestructive testing of concrete. A new combined stress wave propagation method was developed that combined the existing methods of the spectral analysis of surface waves, impact echo, and free-free resonant column experimental and analysis techniques. The method was used to determine the stiffness profile and location of embedded voids in a concrete tunnel lining modeled as a three layer concrete slab. A new equation was proposed that predicted the level of damage of concrete samples based on the functions of the …

Bridge Instrumentation And The Development Of Non-Destructive And Destructive Techniques Used To Estimate Residual Tendon Stress In Prestressed Girders, Brian Michael Kukay

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research embodied a three-prong approach for directly determining the residual prestress force of prestressed concrete bridge girders. For bridges that have yet to be constructed, outfitting girders with instrumentation is a highly effective means of determining residual prestress force in prestressed concrete bridge girders. This constitutes the first prong. Still, many bridges are constructed without such instrumentation. For these bridges, a destructive technique can be used to directly determine the residual prestress in a prestressed concrete bridge girder. This implies that the girder(s) being tested have already been taken out of service. This constitutes the second prong.

For bridges …

Distributed Hydrologic Modeling For Streamflow Prediction At Ungauged Basins, Christina Bandaragoda

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Hydrologic modeling and streamflow prediction of ungauged basins is an unsolved scientific problem as well as a policy-relevant science theme emerging as a major challenge to the hydrologic community. One way to address this problem is to improve hydrologic modeling capability through the use of spatial data and spatially distributed physically based models. This dissertation is composed of three papers focused on 1) the use of spatially distributed hydrologic models with spatially distributed precipitation inputs, 2) advanced multi-objective calibration techniques that estimate parameter uncertainty and use stream gauge and temperature data from multiple locations, and 3) an examination of the …

Decision Analysis Considering Welfare Impacts In Water Resources Using The Benefit Transfer Approach, Ashraf Shaqadan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Decision making in environmental management is faced with uncertainties associated with related environmental variables and processes. Decision makers are inclined to use resources to acquire better information in one or more uncertain variable(s). Typically, with limited resources available, characterizing the feasibility of such investment is desirable yet complicated.

In the context of reducing inherent uncertainty, decision makers need to tackle two difficult questions, first, the optimal selection of variable(s) and second, the optimal level of information collection which produces maximum gain in benefits.

We develop a new framework to assess the socioeconomic value of potential decisions of collecting additional information …

A Laboratory Study Of Streambed Stability In Bottomless Culverts, Brian Mark Crookston

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Traditional culvert designs, in many cases, have become habitat barriers to aquatic animal species. In response, environmentally sensitive culvert designs have been developed to function as ecological bridges. Bottomless and buried invert culverts are examples of such designs and are commonly used for fish passage. Additional design guidance specific to streambed stability in buried-invert or bottomless culverts under high flow events is needed. This study investigated incipient motion conditions for four substrate materials in a 2-ft (0.61-m) diameter circular bottomless arch culvert and in a 1-ft (0.30-m) wide rectangular flume in a laboratory setting. General scour of the streambed within …

Models And Algorithms For Addressing Travel Time Variability: Applications From Optimal Path Finding And Traffic Equilibrium Problems, Zhong Zhou

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

An optimal path finding problem and a traffic equilibrium problem are two important, fundamental, and interrelated topics in the transportation research field. Under travel time variability, the road networks are considered as stochastic, where the link travel times are treated as random variables with known probability density functions. By considering the effect of travel time variability and corresponding risk-taking behavior of the travelers, this dissertation proposes models and algorithms for addressing travel time variability with applications from optimal path finding and traffic equilibrium problems. Specifically, two new optimal path finding models and two novel traffic equilibrium models are proposed in …