Environmental Chemistry Commons^™

Desalination Concentrate Disposal: Ecological Effects And Sustainable Solutions, Ryan Hanley

Global Honors Theses

Freshwater availability is a growing global concern, and desalination is often presented as the solution, but from this important technology comes issues of toxic waste. Ecosystems are delicate areas that contain species adapted to that specific location, and any chemical or physical changes can disrupt the fitness of species. The concentrate byproduct waste from desalination plants is toxic to species if the concentrate is not compatible with the receiving water body. A critical review of scientific articles, industry-leading books, conversations with industry experts, and information from the American Membrane Technology Association conference was used to analyze the current knowledge. Species …

Investigation On The Dissociative Photoionization Mechanism Of Furfural, Investigation Of The Absolute Photoionization Cross Sections Of Three Potential Propargylic Fuels, And Ab Initio Analysis On Potential Superbases Of Several Hyperlithiated Species: Li3f2o And Li3f2(Oh)N (N = 1, 2, 3), Matthew Winfough

Master's Theses

This thesis presents the study photoionization cross sections of three different propargylic biofuels; dipropargyl ether, propargyl alcohol, and propargylamine, in chlorine radical-initiated combustion experiments at the Chemical Dynamics Beamline (9.0.2) at the Advanced Light Source of the Ernest Orlando Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California. Additionally, the unimolecular dissociative photoionization mechanism of furfural was studied using photoelectron photoionization coincidence (PEPICO) spectroscopy at the vacuum ultraviolet beamline at the Swiss Light Source of the Paul Scherrer Institut in Villigen, Switzerland. Dissociation products and mechanisms for furfural were identified over a photon energy range of 10.9 to 14.5 eV. Lastly, a study …

The Cyclodextrin-Perfluorinated Surfactant Host-Guest Complex: Fundamental Studies For Potential Environmental Remediation And Therapeutic Applications, Mary J. Errico

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are contaminants of emerging concern, and have been detected in drinking water, wildlife, humans, and the environment. Cyclodextrins (CDs), cyclic sugars composed of glucose monomers, are proposed as a potential remediation strategy. CDs can form host-guest complexes with hydrophobic molecules; this complexation could be capitalized on for PFAS removal and sequestration. These dissertation projects aim to study the fundamental host-guest interactions between a variety of PFASs and CDs for eventual applications in environmental and biological remediation. 1D and 2D Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic methods were employed to determine the strength, dynamics, and structure of the CD:PFAS …

Assessment Of The Viability Of Microwell Plates As Sample Holders For Analytical Excitation-Emission Spectroscopy Of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons In 75% Ethanol, Lauren M. Ridley-Hoffman

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment are a significant concern as many compounds in this class are potential carcinogens. PAHs resulting from petroleum spills can contaminate natural waters and the products obtain from them (fish and fish products in particular). Previous studies by Pena, et. al. on ethanolic extracts of organs from menhaden captured in the vicinity of the Deepwater Horizon (Macondo oil well) spill have shown that fluorescence excitation spectroscopy is a useful technique for detecting the presence of PAH metabolites and fluorescent vitamins. The study has also concluded that previous methods for analyzing PAHs using fluorescence spectroscopy used …

Developing A Risk Assessment Protocol To Quantify Distribution And Uptake Of Persistent Organic Pollutants In Glacial Outflows, Kimberley Rain Miner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pollutants released by industrialized nations between 1960 and 2004 have been transported northward through atmospheric processes and deposited into glaciated alpine ecosystems. Many of these chemicals retain their original structure and are absorbed into the biota thousands of miles away from where they were originally utilized. With a warming climate increasing the melt of alpine glaciers, these glaciers may be introducing growing amounts of toxins into the watershed. While studies have demonstrated the existence of resident pollutants within glaciated ecosystems, no one has developed a risk assessment to identify sources and quantity of risk posed by these compounds when released …

Environmental Dynamics Of Dissolved Organic Matter And Dissolved Black Carbon In Fluvial Systems: Effects Of Biogeochemistry And Land Use, J. Alan Roebuck Jr.

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Black carbon (BC) is an organic residue formed primarily from biomass burning (e.g., wildfires) and fossil fuel combustion. Until recently, it was understood that BC was highly recalcitrant and stabilized in soils over millennial scales. However, a fraction of the material can be solubilized and transported in fluvial systems as dissolved BC (DBC), which represents on average 10% of the global export of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from rivers to coastal systems. The composition of DBC controls its reactivity, and it has been linked with a variety of in-stream processes that induce both carbon sequestration and evasion of CO₂ from …

Predicting Spatial Patterns In Precipitation Isotope (Δ2h And Δ18o) Seasonality Using Sinusoidal Isoscapes, Scott T. Allen, James W. Kirchner, Gregory R. Goldsmith

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Understanding how precipitation isotopes vary spatially and temporally is important for tracer applications. We tested how well month‐to‐month variations in precipitation δ18O and δ2H were captured by sinusoidal cycles, and how well spatial variations in these seasonal cycles could be predicted, across Switzerland. Sine functions representing seasonal cycles in precipitation isotopes explained between 47% and 94% of the variance in monthly δ18O and δ2H values at each monitoring site. A significant sinusoidal cycle was also observed in line‐conditioned excess. We interpolated the amplitudes, phases, and offsets of these sine functions across the landscape, using multiple linear …

Hydrodeoxygenation Of Pinyon-Juniper Catalytic Pyrolysis Oil Using Red Mud-Supported Nickel Catalysts, Hossein Jahromi, Foster Agblevor

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Red mud (RM) is an alkaline waste generated in the Bayer process of alumina production. In the present study red mud supported nickel catalysts (Ni/RM) were prepared at different concentrations of nickel (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 65 wt.%) and used to hydrodeoxygenate (HDO) pinyon-juniper (PJ) catalytic pyrolysis oil. Increasing the nickel content improved the activity of Ni/RM catalysts for HDO reactions. Maximum organic liquid yield (68.6%) was obtained when 40%Ni/RM was used. The upgraded oil had oxygen content of 1.35 wt.% and higher heating value of 45.77 MJ/kg compared to 24.88 wt.% and 28.41 MJ/kg, respectively, for the …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Biodiesel Fuels From Furfuryl Alcohol And Spent Coffee Grounds, Amanda Raley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Biodiesel can be synthesized using several different triacylglycerides, alcohols, and catalysts. In this study, fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) were produced from their respective alcohols and coffee oil, using either a basic (K₂CO₃) catalyst or an acidic catalyst (H₂SO₄). Fatty acid furfuryl esters (FAFurEs) were produced using commercially-purchased cooking oils (canola, olive, corn, sunflower, and peanut) with furfuryl alcohol, a basic (K₂CO₃) catalyst, a co-solvent (THF), and an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate). All samples were produced using either conventional heating methods …

Detrital Protein Contributes To Oyster Nutrition And Growth In The Damariscotta Estuary, Maine, Usa, Cheyenne M. Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oyster aquaculture is an expanding industry that relies on identifying and utilizing natural estuarine conditions for the economically viable production of a filter-feeding crop. The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is the principal species currently cultured in Maine. In addition to preferentially consumed phytoplankton, various detrital complexes (non-algal and/or non-living organic matter) may provide some nutrition to C. virginica between times of phytoplankton abundance. Here I investigated the importance of detrital proteins in supporting the growth of oysters cultured in the upper Damariscotta Estuary. Oyster aquaculture in this area is highly successful and previous reports indicate that labile detrital protein …

Chloroform Extracts Of Ipomoea Alba And Ipomoea Tricolor Seeds Show Strong In-Vitro Antibacterial, Antifungal, And Cytotoxic Activity, Sims K. Lawson, Mary N. Davis, Carolyn Brazell

Research Horizons Day Posters

No abstract provided.

Variable Temperature Thermochromic Switching Under Varying Illumination, Alexis Corbett, Danielle Hall, John E. Sinko

Huskies Showcase

Award for "Runner-Up Poster Presentation".

Abstract

Minnesota is home to some of the greatest temperature ranges in the United States, with lows reaching below -40º Celsius and highs reaching nearly 40ºC. This results in higher than average spending on the heating and cooling of buildings. We have been investigating into responsive building materials to help address this. In particular, we have been studying a thermochromic paint that can capture solar energy and transfer it into the building as heat at low temperatures and reflect the energy at higher temperatures to keep the building cooler.

Temporal Changes In Dissolved Calcium In Stream And River Waters In Western Kentucky Watershed, Adam Martin

Scholars Week

Temporal Changes in Dissolved Calcium in Stream and River Waters in Western Kentucky Watershed

Geochemistry Of Archaeological And Marine Environments In Southwest Maine, Heather L. Bushie

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

Two archaeological excavations for the University of Southern Maine collected sediment columns from select units for geological and chemical analysis. The Spiller Farms site is a Native American site located in Wells, Maine marking a transition period between the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs, 12,000 BP. The Malaga Island site was a historic mixed-race community at the north end of Casco Bay where sediment columns were obtained in near-shore and subtidal zones. The samples obtained from Malaga Island have been radiocarbon dated to 3800 +/- 30 BP at 23 meters below the low-tide line. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis is being conducted …

Using Spectral Methods To Obtain Particle Size Information From Optical Data: Applications To Measurements From Cares 2010, Dean B. Atkinson

Chemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Multi-wavelength in situ aerosol extinction, absorption and scattering measurements made at two ground sites during the 2010 Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) are analyzed using a spectral deconvolution method that allows extraction of particle-sizerelated information, including the fraction of extinction produced by the fine-mode particles and the effective radius of the fine mode. The spectral deconvolution method is typically applied to analysis of remote sensing measurements. Here, its application to in situ measurements allows for comparison with more direct measurement methods and validation of the retrieval approach. Overall, the retrieved finemode fraction and effective radius compare well with …

Imidazolium Ionic Liquids As Multifunctional Solvents, Ligands, And Reducing Agents For Noble Metal Deposition Onto Well-Defined Heterostructures And The Effect Of Synthetic History On Catalytic Performance, Michael Drake Ballentine

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([BMIM]Tf2N) was investigated as a multifunctional solvent, ligand, and reducing agent for platinum deposition onto well-defined CdSe@CdS nanorods. Platinum deposition was carried out thermally and photochemically using Pt(acac)2 as the metal precursor. Thermal deposition was investigated in [BMIM]Tf2N with and without addition of a sacrificial reducing agent, and product topology was compared with the products obtained from polyol reduction using 1,2-hexadecanediol, oleic acid, and oleylamine in diphenyl ether. Photochemically induced platinum deposition was carried out at room temperature in [BMIM]Tf2N, and product topology was compared with the photodeposition products obtained from a toluene dispersion. Thermal deposition of platinum …

Production And Composition Of Pyrogenic Dissolved Organic Matter From A Logical Series Of Laboratory-Generated Chars, Kyle W. Bostick, Andrew R. Zimmerman, Andrew S. Wozniak, Siddhartha Mitra, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Though pyrogenic carbon (pyC) has been assumed to be predominantly stable, degradation and transfers of pyC between various pools have been found to influence its cycling and longevity in the environment. Dissolution via leaching may be the main control on loss processes such as microbial or abiotic oxidation, mineral sorption, or export to aquatic systems. Yet, little is known about the controls on pyrogenic dissolved organic matter (pyDOM) generation or composition. Here, the yield and composition of pyDOM generated through batch leaching of a thermal series of oak and grass biochars, as well as several non-pyrogenic reference materials, was compared …

Kinetic Modeling Of The Atmospheric Photooxidation Of Reduced Sulfur And Nitrogen Compounds, Jesus Alejandro Berlanga

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Atmospheric aerosols encapsulate a wide variety of particles with different compositions, sizes and sources of origin. They also directly and indirectly affect climate by their interactions with sunlight, clouds, atmospheric chemical species, and even other suspended particles. To understand the atmospheric aerosol processes and the effects they have in global and regional climate is of utmost importance for the future establishment of environmental regulations and emission policies that affect aerosol precursor compounds in an effective and beneficial manner. In particular, aerosols are known to be formed from emissions from human activities, such as fossil fuel burning, agriculture, or concentrated animal …

Automating Data Analysis For Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography/Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Non-Targeted Analysis Of Comparative Samples, Ivan A. Titaley, O. Maduka Ogba, Leah Chibwe, Eunha Hoh, Paul H.-Y. Cheong, Staci L. Massey Simonich

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

Non-targeted analysis of environmental samples, using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC × GC/ToF-MS), poses significant data analysis challenges due to the large number of possible analytes. Non-targeted data analysis of complex mixtures is prone to human bias and is laborious, particularly for comparative environmental samples such as contaminated soil pre- and post-bioremediation. To address this research bottleneck, we developed OCTpy, a Python™ script that acts as a data reduction filter to automate GC × GC/ToF-MS data analysis from LECO^® ChromaTOF^® software and facilitates selection of analytes of interest based on peak area …

Using Natural Resources To Control The Fate Of Contaminants In The Environment, Lucia Rodriguez Freire

Sustainability Seminar Series

Environmental contamination poses an increased health risk to those communities living nearby impacted sites, and it is imperative to find sustainable remediation strategies to restore the natural systems. My research investigates natural biogeochemical processes and the use of ubiquitous materials to the design remediation solutions that are site-specific and take into consideration the needs of the affected communities. The first example is the investigation of uranium (U) accumulation in plants growing along the Rio Paguate, which flows through the Jackpile Mine, and open-pit U mine listed on the National Priority List as a Superfund site. Two villages of the Laguna …