Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Determination Of Trace Quantities Of Selenium And Arsenic In Canned Tuna Fish Using Electroanalytical Techniques, Ann Marie Higham

Theses

Toxic metals are present in the environment and are known to be present in food. Selenium, which is considered an essential micronutrient, is recognized as a toxic metal at slightly higher concentrations. Arsenic is also recognized as a toxic metal. Selenium and Arsenic tend to accumulate in food, specifically fish and seafood.

Fifteen brands and types of tuna fish were analyzed for selenium using differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry. The cans with the high and low concentrations of selenium were analyzed for arsenic using differential pulse polarography. Three samples with three percent recoveries and a blank were analyzed for each …

Forecasting For Local Water Management, Douglas Alan Putnam

Dissertations and Theses

Forecast models are investigated and developed for use in local water management to aid in determining short term water requirements and availability. The forecast models include precipitation occurrence and depth using a Markov chain model, temperature and solar radiation with a multivariate autoregressive model, and streamflow with autoregressive-moving average models. The precipitation, temperature, and solar radiation forecasts are used with a soil moisture model to determine water demands. A state space approach to the Muskingum-Cunge streamflow routing technique is developed. The forecast water demands and streamflow forecasts are used as inputs to this routing model. Forecast model errors and propagation …

A Study Of Parameters Indicating Microbial Activity In Mixed Aerobic Cultures, William Smith

Theses

Mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), oxygen uptake rate (OUR) and general dehydrogenase activity, as expressed by the reduction of the electron-acceptor Dye 3-(4',5'-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 4-diphenyltetra-zolium bromide (MTT), were compared for their ability to measure microbial activity in mixed aerobic cultures. A fourth parameter, specific enzyme activity, was dropped from consideration because of the difficulty of developing a satisfactory experimental technique. Measurement of the parameters was applied to the biodegradation of phenol and o-chlorophenol by activated sludge from a municipal sewage treatment plant, and by two commercially available bacterial preparations.

MLSS, although the most commonly used of the three parameters tested, is …

Protective Laboratory Measures For The Flexible Wall Permeameter And The Atterberg Limits Tests Using Hazardous And Toxic Chemicals, Robert A. Tetla

Theses

Safety procedures for performing geotechnical testing with hazardous and toxic materials, excluding radioactive wastes, are developed for the Flexible Wall Permeameter and the Atterberg Limits Tests. The tests were evaluated in detail to determine the critical points at which the technician would be exposed to the hazardous and/or toxic permeant. It was found that the following safety measures should always be taken; 1) the apparatus and all testing should be undertaken in a sliding sash hood using the proper face velocity, 2) air monitoring using a personal dosimeter and/or a detector tube is required to assure that the concentration of …

The Evaluation Of New Jersey's Remedial Response Program With Regard To The Use Of Risk Assessment In Determining Extent Of Cleanup, Susan Christine Gieser

Theses

In order to effectively manage the cleanup of hazardous waste sites the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection developed a comprehensive Master Plan. Under P. L. 1983, c. 222 (A-1255) the Hazardous Waste Advisory Council was charged with reviewing New Jersey's remedial action program. One issue identified by the Council for review was the use of risk assessment for determining extent of cleanup. The study was comprised of a literature search, review of legislation that impacts on this issue, interviews with DEP personnel, and consultation with others from academia and industry to recommend what is an acceptable risk and its …

Magnitude And Frequency Of Floods : A Comparison Of Regional Methods In The United States, Frank A. Rogalla

Theses

To allow the safe and economical design of structures in flood plains of natural streams, techniques to estimate the magnitude and frequency of floods are established through multiple regression analysis for each state, relating flood peaks to topographic and climatic characteristics of the drainage basins. This study describes and compares the regional equations to assess peak flows for 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100-year recurrence intervals in different states of the U.S.A.

Publications from 40 continental states were reviewed and the regression equations analyzed on similarities and accuracy. Tables compare parameters, their frequency of occurence, and the constants and …

The Kinetics And Hepatotoxicity Of Benzyl Chloride Vapor In Rats, Hari V. Rao

Theses

Male Sprague Dawley rats (250g) were exposed to benzyl chloride vapor at a concentration of 220 ppm for 6 hours. During inhalation, the blood benzyl chloride concentration increased to reach a steady state level of 9-10 ug/ml between 4 and 6 hours of exposure. A small concentration of benzyl chloride (0.86 ug/ml) was present in the blood four hours after the termination of exposure. The absorption half life was 0.53 hours (0.39-0.81) and the elimination half life was l.12 hour (0.93-l.40).

The absorbed benzyl chloride was largely retained in the blood and some of it (0.22 ug/g) was sequestered into …

Scheduling Effects Of 5-(3,3-Dimethyl-1-Triazeno)Imidazole-4-Carboxamide (Dtic) And 1,3-Bis-Chloroethyl-1-Nitrosourea (Bcnu) On Mouse Melanoma Cells B16cl5, Gracie V. Coffey

Theses

DTIC and BCNU have been demonstrated to have enhanced chemotherapeutic effects in mice bearing Bl6 mouse melanoma cells. The order of administration seems to be important in maintaining optimum effects. This was shown is a study by Hill et al. (unpublished).

In the present study, mouse melanoma cells, Bl6CL4, were treated with either DTIC or BCNU. The drug was allowed to remain on the cells for 2, 3, or 4 days. The drug-containing media were then removed, the cells were washed and fresh medium was added. The cells were incubated in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% air at …

Laser Levelling Land For Flood Irrigation, M D. Green, J. P. Middlemas

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Since the introduction of laser levelling to Western Australia's South-West irrigation area five years ago, many farmers have benefited from this new and precise method of land-forming.

The use of lasser controlled earthmoving equipment to redevelop irrigated paddocks has led to improved irrigation efficiency and drainage. Less water is used for each irrigation, water is applied more evenly and less labour is needed. many older, grass-dominated paddocks have been reseeded to improve pasture species.

Fate Of Heavy Metals From Highway Runoff In Stormwater Management Systems, Harvey H. Harper

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The movement and fate of heavy metal inputs (Cd, Zn, Mn, Cu, Al, Fe, Pb, Ni and Cr) from highway runoff were investigated in a three-year study on 1.3 hectare retention facility near the Maitland Interchange on Interstate 4, north of Orlando, Florida. Physical characteristics of the retention pond and surrounding watershed were defined and field instrumentation was installed. Stormwater samples were collected over a one-year period, representing a wide range of intensities and antecedent dry periods. Stormwater characteristics were compared with average retention pond water quality to determine removal efficiencies for heavy metals within the pond. A total of …

Transient Flow Inverse Study Calculation Of Unsaturated Permeability Of Wood, Farid Piroozmandi

Dissertations and Theses

One of the major processes in lumber industry is wood drying. This process consumes large amounts of energy and capital, and due to the length of time it takes, it acts as a governing factor in lumber production levels. Development of improvements in processes and equipment used in wood drying can be expedited through computer simulation of various drying procedures. These numerical simulations depend on the accuracy of numerical models representing wood transport properties, including functional dependency of liquid permeability through wood with respect to local saturation level. Data available in the literature mainly represent wood permeability properties at fully …

Microbial Characteristics Of An Activated Sludge And Three Commercial Preparations After Exposure To Phenolics, Laurie Gneiding

Theses

The biological characteristics of four microbial mixtures were examined after successive exposure to phenol and 2-chlorophenol at room temperature. One of the microbial mixtures was an activated sludge from the Livingston, NJ municipal wastewater treatment plant. The other three mixtures were commercial preparations sold by Polybac Corp.(Hydrobac), Sybron Corp. (BI-CHEM DC 1006/1007), and General Environmental Sciences(LLMO).

The characteristics examined were relative counts and species of gram negative/gram positive bacteria, yeast and fungi, protozoa, and higher organisms. For the gram negative bacteria and yeasts, culturing techniques and diagnostic tubes were used to determine the predominant species. Biochemical tests were done on …

Contaminant Transport Against A Slowly Moving Fluid : An Experimental Investigation, Surya Man Shakya

Theses

Leachate migration into groundwater from leaking lagoons, hazardous waste sites, solid waste disposal sites, etc. has recently become a major cause of groundwater pollution. A possible solution to prevent leachate migration into groundwater is to create a negative hydraulic gradient toward the site. This can be achieved by installing two parallel slurry trench cut-offs around the perimeter of a leaking lagoon and by filling it with water. The water und-er the influence of positive hydraulic gradient will move toward the site and will finally find its way on the surface of the lagoon. Along with the flow of water, the …

Correlation Of Dissolved Oxygen With Flowrate And Water Temperature In The Passaic River Basin, Shan-Pei Fanchiang

Theses

Passaic River water is utilized by a number of major water purveyors in New Jersey. They are the North Jersey Water Supply District Commission, the city of Jersey City, the city of Newark, the Commonwealth Water Company, and the Passaic Valley Water Commission (i.e. PVWC).

Since all are interrelated in that the demands and releases of each affect the other, there is an interest in insuring sufficient water to maintain adequate water quality for the last user on the line (i.e. PVWC) who draws water close to Little Falls.

Having daily data of flowrate, water temperature and dissolved oxygen in …

The Effects Of Pressure On The Kinetics And Mechanisms Of The Bod Reaction, Peter Sereico

Dissertations

The research was concerned with the kinetics and mechanisms of BOD reduction due to pressurization. The initial investigations involved attempts to reproduce and interpret the results of previous investigators. Thereafter, actual wastewater samples were pressurized and changes in the wastewater characteristics were analyzed and recorded. Based on the findings, possible mechanisms for creating the changes noted were proposed.

To test the mechanisms considered, samples of pure compounds were prepared and pressurized. The results of this analysis eliminated all of the mechanisms but the actual one. The mechanism responsible for changes in BOD profile under pressure conditions is the hydrolysis of …

The Manhattan Project Legacy : Low Level Radioactive Waste Health Effects, An Epidemiological Study, Lisa Fetterman Voyce

Theses

An epidemiological survey was performed that included the area surrounding a former Department of Energy thorium processing and disposal facility. This facility processed monazite sands to obtain thorium under Federal Government contracts from 1941-1973.

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection radiological surveys had shown elevated radiation levels at the Site and in the vicinity of the plant. The area was divided into sections according to distance from the site and from Sheffield Brook, which is also contaminated. Questionnaires were mailed to 400 families, with 112 responses. These represent 362 people.

Statistical analysis of the accumulated data regarding lifestyle, occupation, reproductive …

Investigations Into Rates And Mechanisms Of Mercury Depuration In The Killifish, Fundulus Heteroclitus, Joanne A. Korpanty

Theses

Metallothionein (MT) and glutathione (GSH) have been shown in mammalian research to play a role in the sequestration and depuration of mercury. The sulfhydryl groups on both these peptides have a strong affinity for mercury, MT for Hg²⁺ and GSH for CH₃Hg⁺. In this study, killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) were force-fed one piece of squid laced with labelled mercuric nitrate to give a final food concentration of 20 ppm ²⁰³Hg²⁺ and 0.03 -0.05 µg g-1 Hg²⁺ total dose. Most of the mercury, 84.1 ± 12.1% (mean ± standard deviation), is depurated within the …

The Effects Of Heavy Metals On The Chick Embryo Development, Yasmin Alibhai

Theses

The following is a research report on the effects of heavy metals on the avian embryo. A total of eight metals were used in the study. The metalE included were : cobalt, copper, indium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, arsenic and cadmium. A total of 800 eggs were used for the study. Salts of each of the metal were dissolved in physiological saline and injected into the air sacs of white Leghorn chick eggs. Dose levels varied with the metal to be tested. Control eggs were injected with an equivalent volume of saline (0.1 ml per egg). The eggs were injected on …

Volatile Organic Pollutant Levels In Indoor Environments From The Use Of Kerosene Heaters, Kashinath Banerjee

Theses

The indoor air pollutant levels caused by use of kerosene stoves as sources of heat in residences is of increasing concern as the use of such heaters becomes more widespread. Emission of volatile organic. species (aliphatic hydrocarbons from hexane to dodecane, cyclohexane and aromatic species including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, m/p xylenes, o-xylene and styrene) from these devices were measured at different sites. The organic vapor samples have been collected by adsorption on Tenax GC, and quantitatively analyzed by thermal desorption into a high Resolution capillary column gas chromatograph. Mass spectral analysis was also conducted for qualitative identification of sample …

Analysis Of Selected Volatile Organic Substances Associated With Residential Kerosene Heater Use And The Health Implications, Catherine Coombs Bobenhausen

Theses

Volatile organic species (aliphatic hydrocarbons from hexane to dodecane, cyclohexane and aromatic species including benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, m,p, and o—xylenes, nitrobenzene, styrene and naphthalene) associated with residential kerosene heater emissions were measured at two sites. One was a small room having a total volume of 23.66 cubic meters and an air change rate of 2.71 air changes per hour, and the other, a living/dining room area having a combined volume of 79.30 cubic meters and an estimated air change rate of .7 air changes per hour. The analytical procedure involved collection of a series of air samples in stainless …

Acrylamide Effects On Nerve Terminal Enzymes, Christopher S. E. Marlowe

Theses

Acrylamide causes a peripehral neuropathy. The biochemical mechanism by which it does so is the subject of intense investigation. One of the principal hypotheses for this mechanism centers on acrylamide's ability to inhibit glycolysis. This study examines the effects of in vivo exposure to acrylamide on the enzymes of the nerve terminal particle, the synaptosome.

A method for measuring glycolytic enzyme inhibition in the synaptosome was developed. Acrylamide (500 mg/kg) was administered to rats intraperitoneally. Synaptosomes were prepared by the method of Dodd et al, and lysed by sonication. GAPDH activity and NSE concentration were measured. GAPDH inhibition measured in …

Fundy Tidal Power Development : Preliminary Evaluation Of Its Environmental Consequences To The Resources Of The State Of Maine, Bigelow Laboratory For Ocean Sciences

Maine Collection

Fundy Tidal Power Development : Preliminary Evaluation of Its Environmental Consequences to the Resources of the State of Maine

A Report to the Maine State Planning Office by the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, April, 1984.

"Technical Report No. 35 - Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, West Boothbay Harbor, Maine - A Division of Northeastern Research Foundation, Inc."

Contents: Executive Summary / Introduction / Methods / Physical and Biological Consequences / Socio-Economic Consequences / Research Needs / Bibliography / Appendix I. Written Comments on Greenberg Model

State Space Approach To Flood Stage Estimation, Gregory Allen Jones

Dissertations and Theses

A flood routing and stage prediction model is developed using the techniques of State Space and Kalman filtering. The governing equation is the physically based hydrologic method of flood routing with the output being an optimal estimate of stage given known inputs of streamflow. These equations are developed in state space and the Kalman filter is employed to estimate the flow and river stage.

The model is applied to the Toutle and Cowlitz Rivers in the State of Washington, where the stage is affected by a shifting bed elevation. With the deterministic inputs at Mayfield Dam on the Cowlitz and …

Sol Probe And Method Of Obtaining Moisture,Temperature And Root Distribution Of A Soil Profile, Marvin Twersky, William E. Splinter, Bruce C. Sandhorst

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

To provide a profile of simultaneous moisture, temperature and root density characteristics at different depths of soil, a soil probe is inserted in the soil with a viewing and camera section extending above the soil. Similarly, the probe provides a profile of simultaneous moisture, temperature and presence of molds, insects or other foreign matter in grain or similar media including liquid as well as solid granulated material. The portion of the probe that is in the soil or other media includes a source of light or light conveyance and windows which transmit an image of the soil at various depths …

Evaluating The Effects Of Alum With Polyelectrolyte Coagulant Aids In Treatment Of Low Turbidity Waters, Kenneth John Stockwell

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Potable water sources usually require treatment for removal of suspended organic and inorganic particles. Conventional treatment processes incorporate chemical coagulants for removal of these suspended particles. Alum is a widely used coagulant that can provide adequate removals of turbidity. However, high alum dosages are required for treatment of low turbidity waters producing a voluminous sludge that is difficult to dewater.

Recent Federal regulations have limited disposal options for chemical sludges. This has prompted a reevaluation of coagulants and their dosages with the goal of reducing the amount of sludge produced and improving the sludge handling characteristics necessary for ultimate disposal. …

The Effects Of Limited Food Availability On The Striped Bass Fishery In Lake Mead, John R. Baker, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

The original range of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) was along the Atlantic Coast. They were introduced into the lower Sacramento River in 1879 and are now also found along the Pacific Coast. A landlocked striped bass fishery was established in Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina, in 1954, and they have since been introduced into numerous other reservoirs, including Lake Havasu, Lake Mead and Lake Powell on the Colorado River. Striped bass were introduced into Lake Mead in 1969 in response to declines in the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fishery that occurred during the 1960s and in order to further utilize the …

The Effects Of Impoundments On Salinity In The Colorado River, Larry J. Paulson, John R. Baker

Publications (WR)

The increase in salinity of our western rivers has been identified as one of the most serious water quality problems in the nation. This is of special concern in the Colorado River where salinity has increased from pristine levels estimated at 380 mg/1 to present-day levels of 825 mg/1 at Imperial Dam. Flow depletions, associated with decreased runoff and increased evaporation and diversions, coupled with high salt loading from natural and man-created sources are considered the primary causes for rising salinity in the river. The urban and agricultural development projected to occur in the basin through this century could deplete …

Scientific Perspectives On Integrated Aquatic Resources Management Of The Colorado River, Larry J. Paulson

Publications (WR)

When management requires water quality standards, we should establish standards in a scientific and logical manner to serve the long-term needs of the users. It was this very process that led to enactment of the Reclamation Act of 1902 and the Boulder Canyon Project Act of 1928 - legislation that still serves the needs of users in the Colorado River Basin. This process can work again if we can make the "tradeoffs" that are so vital in management of a multi-purpose river. In order to do this, however, we must first be able to identify "tradeoffs." This requires good scientific …

A History Of The Board Of Engineers For Rivers And Harbors, Richard G. Waugh, Judith M. Hourigan

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

CHAPTER I: THE BOARD IS ESTABLISHED
Theodore F. Burton • Constituting the Board

CHAPTER II: STARTING BUSINESS
First Board Members • Location • The First Reviews • Early Board Reviews • Public Hearings • Board Meetings • Expenses • Staff

CHAPTER III: THE MISSIONS OF THE BOARD
The Primary Mission • The Review Process • Assigned Missions • Planning Associates Program • Waterborne Commerce Statistics • Permanent International Association of • Navigation Congresses (PIANC) • Foreign Trade Zones • Processing Reports for State and • Washington-Level Agency Review • Former Missions • Marine Design • Transportation Economics • National Capital …

The Removal And Recovery Of Fluoborate From Plating Rinse Waters, Terrence A. Hunter

Theses

Fluoborate poses a problem to electroplaters when discharged in their wastestreams. Therefore, a method for removing fluoborate from rinse waters is necessary. An ion floatation technique using a surfactant was developed at N.J.I.T. to perform this job. However, this technique requires long time periods therefore other methods were investigated.

Ultrafiltration was investigated as a replacement for the ion floatation technique. It would cut down the time required for the fluoborate removal. Also, electrolysis and the addition of excess acetic acid were tried in an attempt to separate the fluoborate and the surfactant in the ultrafiltration retentate. This system was evaluated …