Biological Engineering Commons^™

Theory And Application Of Landfarming To Remediate Pahs And Mineral Oil Contaminated Sediments: Beneficial Reuse, J. Harmsen, W. Rulkens, Ronald C. Sims, P. Ritjema, A. Zweers

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

When applying landfarming for the remediation of contaminated soil and sediment, a fraction of the soil-bound contaminant is rapidly degraded; however, a residual concentration may remain, which slowly degrades. Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mineral oil can be described using a multi-compartment model and first-order kinetics, in which three degradable fractions are distinguished; (1) rapid, (2) slowly, and (3) very slowly degradable. Using this model populated with data from long-term experiments (initiated in 1990), it is shown that time frames from years to decades can be necessary to clean the soil or sediment to obtain a target below …

Validating Surface Energy Balance Fluxes Derived From Airborne Remote Sensing, José Luis Chávez Egüez

Biological Engineering

Remote sensing-derived energy balance components were compared against measured eddy covariance energy balance terms using heat flux source area models to validate the airborne multispectral remote sensing procedure in the estimation of instantaneous and daily evapotranspiration rates.

A procedure was developed to generate raster layers of the footprint weights for weighting/integrating the different components of the energy balance model and obtain meaningful comparisons to similar energy balance terms measured at eddy covariance and/or Bowen ratio stations.

Soil heat flux and surface aerodynamic temperature models were studied in an effort to improve the remote sensing estimation of distributed evapotranspiration rates. Aerial …

Beneficial Reuse And Sustainability: The Fate Of Organic Compounds In The Land-Applied Waste, M. R. Overcash, Ronald C. Sims, J. L. Sims, K. C. Nieman

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Land application systems, also referred to as beneficial reuse systems, are engineered systems that have defined and permitted application areas based on site and waste characteristics to determine the land area size requirement. These terrestrial systems have orders of magnitude greater microbial capability and residence time to achieve decomposition and assimilation compared with aquatic systems. In this paper we focus on current information and information needs related to terrestrial fate pathways in land treatment systems. Attention is given to conventional organic chemicals as well as new estrogenic and pharmaceutical chemicals of commerce. Specific terrestrial fate pathways addressed include: decomposition, bound …

Bie6810 - Biochemical Engineering, Spring 2004, Ron Sims

Biological and Irrigation Engineering - OCW

Biochemical processes, thermodynamics, and kinetics are used in the application of engineering principles to analyze, design, and develop processes using biocatalysts. Processes covered in the course include those that are involved in the formation of desirable compounds and products or in the transformation, or destruction of unwanted or toxic substances.

Bie6300 - Irrigation & Conveyance Control Systems, Spring 2004, Gary P. Merkley

Biological and Irrigation Engineering - OCW

This is a course regarding measurement of flow rates and water levels. Calibration, design, and selection of open-channel flow measurement structures. Design of irrigation conveyance and distribution system infrastructure.

Bie6150 - Surface Irrigation Design, Spring 2004, Wynn Walker

Biological and Irrigation Engineering - OCW

This course was originally developed for the United States Department of Agriculture. It contains nearly 20 video lecture presentations with accompanying slides in English, Arabic, and French, an online textbook, homework assignments, and downloadable surface irrigation simulation software also developed by Dr. Walker. This course highlights design and evaluation of surface irrigation systems, field measurements for evaluating and improving uniformity and efficiency, simulation of surface systems, and land leveling computation and equipment. Note: The simulation software is designed to run on a PC only.

Short-Term Water Use Dynamics In Drainage Lysimeters, Musa V. Dlamini

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Turfgrass water use (seasonal turfET) and crop coefficients were determined and a mathematical soil-water balance model for non-weighing drainage lysimetcrs, which simulates the occurrence (timing and amount) of drainage, was developed. Pairs of non-weighing drainage lysimeters were used to determine crop coefficients for turfgrass in four locations in the state of Utah: Logan Golf and Country Club, Murray Golf Course, Brigham Young University (Spanish Fork) Experiment Farm, and Sunbrook Golf Course (St. George).

Daily weather data including air temperature, relative humidity, average wind travel, total solar radiation, precipitation, and average soil temperature were collected with an electronic weather station at …

Evapotranspiration Using A Satellite-Based Surface Energy Balance With Standardized Ground Control, Ricardo Trezza

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study evaluated the potential of using the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) as a means for estimating evapotranspiration (ET) for local and regional scales in Southern Idaho. The original SEBAL model was refined during this study to provide better estimation of ET in agricultural areas and to make more reliable estimates of ET from other surfaces as well, including mountainous terrain. The modified version of SEBAL used in this study, termed as SEBAL_ID (lD stands for Idaho) includes standardization of the two SEBAL "anchor" pixels, the use of a water balance …

Fate And Behavior Of Lead In Soils Planted With Metal-Resistant Species (River Birch And Smallwing Sedge), S. P. Klassen, J. E. Mclean, P. R. Grossl, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Phytoremediation of metal-contaminated soils requires an understanding of the interactions between metal-tolerant plant species and soil chemical properties controlling the bioavailability of metals. We conducted controlled laboratory studies to investigate the effects that river birch (Betula occidentalis Hook.) and smallwing sedge (Carex microptera Mack.) had on the fate and behavior of Pb in a contaminated soil (3000 mg Pb/kg) and tailings (13 000 mg Pb/kg) collected from an abandoned mining site in Utah. Significant Pb accumulation in aboveground tissue was observed in smallwing sedge (≥1000 mg/kg dry wt.) in both the soil and tailings, but Pb was primarily excluded by …

Controlled Environment Potentiostat To Study Solid-Aqueous Systems, R A. Petrie, P. R. Grossl, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

We designed a redox apparatus that controls electropotenial (Eh), pH, and temperature. The apparatus is fully automated and can be assembled from equipment found in most soil analytical laboratories. The reactor can maintain environmental conditions used to evaluate the chemical fate of contaminants under natural conditions (natural attenuation) or adjust them to a new steady state to evaluate the effect of engineered remediation on a subsurface system. It can operate within a wide range of redox potential values (−400 to 400 mV) and at any pH value. The stability and accuracy of the instrument was tested by performing Eh-pH titrations …

Mn-Catalyzed Oxidation Of Multiple-Ringed Aromatics, G. Whelan, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

The role of manganese (Mn) oxides in catalyzing the abiotic oxidation of polynuclear aromatic compounds (PNAs) has been investigated by monitoring the oxidation of dihydrodiol and dione PNAs and corresponding reduction of Mn in an aqueous environment. 1,4-, 1,3-, and 2,3-naphthalenediol, 1,4-naphthoquinone, and l,4-dihydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione (Quinizarin) were oxidized in an oxic, aqueous environment, where each of these organic compounds is soluble in water, except Quinizarin. A mathematical model is presented, which describes the redox reactions, and suggests that electron transfer/organic release from the oxide surface is rate limiting with the reaction apparently proceeding through a free-radical formation. Results indicate significant oxidation …

Treatment Of Pentachlorophenol With Manganese Oxide Addition To Biotic And Abiotic Sediments, R. Petrie, J. E. Mclean, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Laboratory microcosms containing subsamples of a complex environmental sediment were used to evaluate the addition of oxidized manganese as the primary electron acceptor in the presence of pentachlorophenol (PCP) as the primary electron donor. Manganese oxide (MnO₂) particles were added to poisoned abiotic and non-poisoned biotic microcosms and incubated at 11°C in the presence of sediment samples that were shown capable of mineralizing PCP with indigenous microorganisms. Reduction in PCP concentration and production of reduced manganese was measured for both abiotic and biotic systems.

PCP was observed to be transformed most rapidly and to the greatest extent in …

Evaluation Of Biological Treatability Of Soil Contaminated With Manufactured Gas Plant Waste, J. S. Ginn, Ronald C. Sims, I. P. Murarka

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

The biological treatability of subsurface soil contaminated with manufactured gas plant (MGP) waste was evaluated. Mineralization assays incorporating ¹⁴C-phenanthrene were used to evaluate the biotransformation potential of indigenous microorganisms at the site. Multi-phase laboratory microcosms were used to evaluate the interphase transfer potential and chemical mass distribution of phenanthrene. The Microtox™ bioassay was used to evaluate detoxification trends at the site. Mineralization results indicated that indigenous microorganisms at the site were capable of transforming phenanthrene, a component of coal-tar creosote. Results also indicated that spiked ¹⁴C-phenanthrene mineralization was influenced by nutrient addition and by the amount of contamination. …

Mn-Catalyzed Oxidation Of Naphthalenediol, G. Whelan, Ronald C. Sims

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

This study investigates the effects that manganese(IV) dioxide particles have on 2,3-naphthalenediol at varying pH levels (i.e., initial pH of 4.58, 5.85, and 8.75) and under different organic concentration conditions (4×¹⁰⁻³, 4×¹⁰⁻⁴, and 4×¹⁰⁻⁵ M), and assesses the importance of Mn oxides on abiotic catalysis of the multiple-ringed aromatic compound. Proton concentration affected the rates of reductive dissolution; as the pH values increased, the rate of reductive dissolution decreased, as predicted by theory. Also, as the concentration of naphthalenediol increased, the rate of reductive dissolution increased, although not proportionally; thus indicating that a majority of …

Hycrest Crested Wheatgrass Accelerates The Degradation Of Pentachlorophenol In Soil, A. Ferro, Ronald C. Sims, B. Bugbee

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

We investigated the effects of vegetation on the fate of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil using a novel high-flow sealed test system. Pentachlorophenol has been widely used as a wood preservative, and this highly toxic biocide contaminates soil and ground water at many sites. Although plants are known to accelerate the rates of degradation of certain soil contaminants, this approach has not been thoroughly investigated for PCP. The fate of [14C]PCP, added to soil at a concentration of 100 mg/kg, was compared in three unplanted and three planted systems. The plant used was Hycrest, a perennial, drought-tolerant cultivar of crested wheatgrass …

Analysis Of Cutthroat Flume Discharge Ratings, Liyan Ren

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Sixteeen sets of original laboratory data collected by many investigators for various Cutthroat flume sizes are thoroughly reviewed and organized. Best-fit discharge parameters are obtained by performing the free-flow analysis and the submerged-flow analysis. Then, the transition submergence can be calculated. Afterwards, the unified free-flow and submerged-flow discharge parameters are developed for each flume size in order to generalize the calibrations for Cutthroat flumes. This is a very tedious process requiring a trial-and-error approach. Finally, comparisons are made of the measured laboratory discharges with the predicted discharges for both free flow and submerged flow using both the best-fit and the …

Comparison Of Optimization Methodologies For Sustained-Yield Groundwater Pumping Planning In East Shore Area, Utah, Shu Takahashi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Combined simulation and optimization models, which are helpful for long-term groundwater planning of complex nonlinear aquifer systems, are developed using alternative modelling approaches. The models incorporate a representation of steady-state, quasi-three-dimensional head response to pumping within an optimization. An embedding model which describes exactly the nonlinear flow of an unconfined aquifer is presented. In contrast with the embedding models presented in the Utah State University Ground Water Model, it directly achieves the optimal solution without a "cycling." To address the nonlinearity of the flow system, response matrix models couple superposition with the cycling procedure. Their linear influence coefficients are generated …

Microstructure Of Mica Glass-Ceramics And Interface Reactions Between Mica Glass-Ceramics And Bone, W. Holand, W. Gotz, G. Carl, W. Vogel

Cells and Materials

This review paper characterizes glass-ceramics containing mica as main crystal phase. The phase formation reactions in dependence of the chemical composition and the microstructure are shown. Microstructure of mica glass-ceramics has been studied by electron replica and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques.

Mica glass-ceramics have previously been developed in Si02-B20rA120rMgO-F--base glasses. The material is machinable because of the precipitation of micas of fluorophlogopite-type. Also, a machinable glass-ceramic for dental applications was developed based on KMg2_5(Si40 10)F2-micas. We developed mica glass-ceramics in the Si02-Al20rMgO-NaiO-K20-F glass system. Phase formation within these glasses was observed by SEM. A double controlled nucleation and crystallization …

The Effect Of Polymethylmethacrylate Bone Cement Vibration On The Bone-Cement Interface, A. M. C. Thomas, D. J. W. Mcminn, M. Haddaway, I. W. Mccall

Cells and Materials

Low frequency vibration of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement reduces the viscosity of the cement by shear thinning. The effect of this low frequency vibration on the bone-cement interface was studied using microfocal radiography (MFR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Effects were studied in-vitro and in-vivo. In-vitro, samples of Palacos low viscosity PMMA were placed on blocks of Kiel bone and vibrated. MFR and SEM demonstrated an improvement in the appearance of the bone-cement interface. In-vivo, PMMA was injected into the upper tibia of the dog. An assessment of the effect of high and low pressure injection, and the effect of …

Ultrastructural Assessment Of Lesion Development In The Collared Rabbit Carotid Artery Model, J. E. Beesley, A. C. Honey, J. F. Martin

Cells and Materials

Cellular reactions associated with the formation of lesions generated in the carotid artery of rabbits fed either normal or high cholesterol diets by the placement of a flexible, silastic collar around the artery, were studied by electron microscopy.

Endothelial cells remained as a monolayer throughout lesion development. The endothelial cell surface in both experimental and sham operated carotids, 4 hours and 8 hours after the initiation of the experiments, were covered with platelets and leukocytes. Neutrophils were present until 7 days in the arteries from within the collar of animals maintained on a normal diet, but only to 1 day …

Applications Of Fourier Transform Infrared (Ft-Ir) Microscopy To The Study Of Mineralization In Bone And Cartilage, Adele L. Boskey, Nancy Pleshko, Stephen B. Doty, Richard Mendelsohn

Cells and Materials

Knowledge of the phase, composition, and crystallite size and perfection of the mineral in normal and abnormally calcified tissues provides insight into the mechanism by which this mineral was deposited. These data also can be used to develop rational therapies for pathological conditions characterized by abnormal mineral deposition. As illustrated in this review, coupling of an optical microscope with a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrophotometer permits the mapping at 20 μm spatial resolution of changes in mineral characteristics (content, particle size, composition) in the growth plate, in bone biopsies, in mineralizing cell culture systems, and in soft tissue calcifications. Based …

A Model For A Model: Pressure Jackets On Nude Mice With Implants Of Hypertrophic Scars, C. Ward Kischer, Jana Pindur

Cells and Materials

The hypertrophic scar, a consequence of deep surface injury, is peculiar to humankind. Subcutaneous implants of these tissues in nude mice provide a quasi - animal model for experimental use. An efficacious treatment to promote acceleration of maturation of the hypertrophic scar is controlled topical pressure produced by flexible dacron fabric wraps. Implants in the nude mouse provide a model for study of the effects of pressure. Preliminary results indicate that those implants in nude mice, responding favorably to pressure jackets, show changes consistent with those previously obtained in human studies. The collagen matrix shows reduced density and parallel layering …

Quantitative Scanning Electron Microscopy (Sem) To Study The Adhesion And Spreading Of Human Endothelial Cells To Surface-Modified Poly(Carbonate Urethane)S, C. James Kirkpatrick, Tillmann Otterbach, Dirk Anderheiden, Johannes Schiefer, Horst Richter, Hartwig Hartwig Hocker, Christian Mittermayer, Albert Dekker

Cells and Materials

The polymers currently in use as vascular prostheses are, in the native state, poor substrates for endothelial cell (EC) adhesion and growth. This has a negative effect on the success of pre-seeding regimes. One attempt to improve the polymer substrate is to covalently couple reactive molecules to the surface, which can be used as anchorage points for EC or serve as spacer molecule to couple biological signal molecules such as oligopeptides. We have used a digitized image analysis system coupled to a scanning electron microscope to study the adhesion and spreading of human venous EC to unmodified poly(carbonate urethane) (uPCU), …

Comparative Assessment Of The Cytotoxicity Of Various Substrates In Organ Culture And Cell Culture: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study, J. L. Duval, R. Warocquier-Clerout, M. F. Sigot-Luizard

Cells and Materials

A comparative study of the behavior of chick embryo endothelial cells grown on various substrates was performed in order to establish the reliability and the limitation of both cell and organ culture methods. Following substrates were analyzed to compare these two different culture techniques: bovine serum albumin, pigskin gelatin and albumin + gelatin cross-linked by glutaraldehyde or carbodiimide, fibrin glue and negative control (Thermanox*). Parameters of cell growth and adhesion were calculated and compared with electron microscopic observations of cell morphology and of the extracellular matrix. Both culture methods provided complementary results and led to a similar classification of the …

Scanning Electron Microscopy Of The Bone Interface With Titanium, Titanium Alloy And Hydroxyapatite, R. D. Orr, J. D. De Bruijn, J. E. Davies

Cells and Materials

Screw implants of commercially pure titanium and titanium alloy together with rods of slip-cast dense hydroxyapatite were implanted transfemorally in young adult rats. The femora were harvested after fixation and freeze-fractured in liquid nitrogen to create two tissue fragments of each specimen. The first contained the implant while the second enabled examination of the tissue immediately adjacent to the implant. In all cases, the tissue abutting the implant was a cement line-like layer which separated the implant from the surrounding bone proper. Greater adherence of this interfacial tissue was demonstrated to hydroxyapatite samples compared with the titanium screws, while no …

Microstructural Changes In Retrieved Amalgam Restorations, Grayson W. Marshall Jr., D. D. Mccoy, John H. Kinney, Hugo Letzel, Sally J. Marshall

Cells and Materials

Many blended or dispersed phase high Cu amalgams show excellent clinical performance in long term clinical trials. However, little is known concerning the microstructural changes that occur during clinical use of these systems. This investigation sought to characterize some of the changes that occur in the Ag-Cu particles and their surrounding reaction zones based on a study by backscattered scanning electron microscopy (BSEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy and a new rnicroprobe technique called Colorad which assigns various colors to elements and element combinations and indicates changes in elemental concentration by changes in color value (brightness). Restorations were retrieved from clinical trials …

The Role Of Implant Surface Geometry On Mineralization In Vivo And In Vitro; A Transmission And Scanning Electron Microscopic Study, B. Chehroudi, J. Ratkay, D. M. Brunette

Cells and Materials

The purpose of th.is study was to examine the effect of substratum surface topography on bone formation in vivo and in vitro. Precise control over substratum topography was achieved using micromachining, a technique developed from the fabrication of microelectronic components. In the in vivo studies, titanium-coated epoxy replicas of micromachined surfaces were implanted subcutaneously in the parietal area of rats. After 6 weeks, bone-like tissue was found adjacent to some micromachined surfaces. Detailed observation of this tissue with the transmission electron microscope revealed osteoblast/osteocyte-like cells and a fully or partially mineralized collagenous matrix. Mineralized matrix and collagen bundles were …

Bone Regeneration Materials For The Mandibular And Craniofacial Complex, Jeffrey Hollinger, Anshumali Chaudhari

Cells and Materials

Due to different functional demands and vascularity, the mandibular and craniofacial complex require bone regenerating materials with physical and chemical properties that are different from long bone. However, certain common requirements to both locales must be addressed. Furthermore, reasons why the autograft and allogeneic bank bones are successful in regenerating bone need to be understood if the researcher is to develop satisfactory alternatives. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the requirements needed for bone regenerating materials for mandibular and craniofacial bone repair. In that effort, we have briefly described the autograft and allogeneic bank bones, animal …

The Tissue Responses To Tricalcium Phosphate Ceramics In Bone And Marrow, R. S. Archer, S. Downes, M. V. Kayser, S. Y. Ali

Cells and Materials

Calcium phosphate ceramics are described as "bioactive". Evidence of biological activity associated with calcium phosphate implanted in bone and marrow can be seen as changes in the morphology of the interfaces. In this in vivo model the sequence of progressive bone growth and bone merger with a dense calcium phosphate ceramics were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. A spectrum of tissue responses to dense tricalcium phosphate ceramics was observed at intervals over a six week period. It is now well established that calcium phosphate ceramics permit bone ingrowth with little or no immunological response; however, a layer of …

Fine Structure Of Remodeling Sites On Iliac Cancellous Bone In Senile Osteoporosis: A Study By Scanning Electron Microscopy Using An Improved Organic Specimen Preparation Method, Toshihiko Takita, Tomonori Naguro, Kichizo Yamamoto

Cells and Materials

We improved on the organic specimen preparation method in order to investigate the details of the functional state of bone in osteoporosis at high magnification level. The usefulness and possibilities of this method are discussed showing fine structural images of remodeling sites. Iliac bones of senile osteoporotic patients obtained by transilial biopsies were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using the improved preparation method. Excepting the region near the corticoendosteal surface, most of the iliac cancellous bone was composed of thin rod-shaped trabeculae. Remodeling sites on trabeculae appeared as concavities of various sizes and were easily distinguished from inert surfaces. …