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Indoor Air Quality: Determination Of Voc's In A Reproductive Clinic., Miriam Rachel Trivette Dec 2006

Indoor Air Quality: Determination Of Voc's In A Reproductive Clinic., Miriam Rachel Trivette

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to perform an indoor air quality (IAQ) investigation at the Center for Applied Reproductive Science (CARS) to assess whether VOCs exist at levels dangerous to embryo. Formaldehyde, n-hexane, benzene, and styrene concentrations were measured at six locations. Formaldehyde concentrations were comparable to office and residential indoor air. N-hexane, benzene, and styrene were not detected. In addition, acetaldehyde, ethanol, and isopropyl alcohol were detected. IAQ parameters (carbon dioxide, temperature, humidity, pressure, and particulates) were measured at 22 sites monthly for one year. Temperature and humidity readings were within Environmental Protection Agency recommendations. Particulate concentrations were …


Fluctuating Asymmetry And Its Relationship To Established Indicators Of Environmental Stress., Matthew Stephen Shotwell May 2006

Fluctuating Asymmetry And Its Relationship To Established Indicators Of Environmental Stress., Matthew Stephen Shotwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fluctuating asymmetry (FA) is commonly thought to be a predictor of environmental stress. However, the relationship between FA and established indicators for environmental stress has received little attention. In this study, 10-38 specimens of the freshwater fish Rhinichthys atratulus were collected from 15 natural populations under varying amounts of environmental stress. Asymmetry measurements in three bilateral characters of the specimens were used to investigate the relationship between FA and established indicators of environmental stress. Significant differences in the magnitude of FA were observed between sampling locations. However, the relationship between estimates of FA and established indicators produced varying results. The …


Sauger Population Ecology In Three Missouri River Mainstem Reservoirs, Brian D. S. Graeb Jan 2006

Sauger Population Ecology In Three Missouri River Mainstem Reservoirs, Brian D. S. Graeb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sauger Sander canadensis populations have experienced widespread declines across much of their range. Factors suspected to contribute to these declines include hybridization, exploitation, loss of spawning areas, and general habitat alterations associated with regulated rivers. Several sauger populations within the Missouri River basin are also experiencing similar declines, particularly in the headwaters of Montana, and the lower basin states of Nebraska and Missouri. However, sauger populations in many of the reservoirs in South Dakota (between Montana and the lower basin) have relatively stable populations. Given the paucity of information on factors influencing sauger population ecology in general, and Missouri River …


Contrasting Chemical Response To Experimental Acidification Of Five Acid-Sensitive Streams, Heather Vanessa Goss Jan 2006

Contrasting Chemical Response To Experimental Acidification Of Five Acid-Sensitive Streams, Heather Vanessa Goss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

To evaluate the role of stream water and substrates in response to acidification, we experimentally acidified five first-order streams in 2005: East Bear Brook, Hadlock Brook, and Mud Pond Inlet (Maine, USA); Fernow WS3 (West Virginia, USA); and Lesní Potok (Czech Republic). All have forested catchments and low alkalinity water. We evaluated water samples from a reference site above the point of hydrochloric acid addition and from two or three sites located 16 to 94 m downstream. Just before acid addition we collected streambed sediment samples for sequential extraction of metals. Several sediment-water and aqueous processes contributed to neutralization of …


A Geochemical, Isotopic, And Petrologic Study Of A Watershed With Arsenic-Enriched Ground Water In Northport, Maine, Gail Elizabeth Lipfert Jan 2006

A Geochemical, Isotopic, And Petrologic Study Of A Watershed With Arsenic-Enriched Ground Water In Northport, Maine, Gail Elizabeth Lipfert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

High mean arsenic concentrations up 26.6 ¹mol/L (1990 ¹g/L) occur in ground water within a watershed at Kelly's Cove, Northport, Maine, USA. The Kelly's Cove watershed is a fractured-bedrock system composed of sul¯dic schist with granitic to dioritic intrusions. Arsenic is enriched in these rocks up to 1050 mg kg¡1 (average: 68 mg kg¡1). The distribution of arsenic in the bedrock appears to be controlled by the presence of arsenopyrite and arsenian pyrite, that occur primarily in post-metamorphic, tourmaline + quartz § carbonate veins and the Kelly's Cove granite. Based on the metamorphic signature of the tourmaline chemistry and the …


Radon In Ground Water: A Study Of The Measurement And Release Of Waterborne Radon And Modeling Of Radon Variation In Bedrock Wells, Vincente E. Guiseppe Jan 2006

Radon In Ground Water: A Study Of The Measurement And Release Of Waterborne Radon And Modeling Of Radon Variation In Bedrock Wells, Vincente E. Guiseppe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Naturally occurring radon gas (222Rn) exists in ground water and drinking water supplies. Research involving radon in ground water requires the ability to accurately measure radon in water. In the absence of a national program, an intercomparison study of laboratories was sanctioned by the State of Maine. The University of Maine research laboratory supplied each laboratory with water samples of various radon concentrations, served as the reference laboratory, and analyzed the results presented here. The external review of the University of Maine laboratory and agreement with some of the participating laboratories verifies its accuracy in measuring radon in water. A …