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Air Force Institute of Technology

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Articles 301 - 330 of 421

Full-Text Articles in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Expeditious Methods For Site Characterization And Risk Assessment At Department Of Defense Hazardous Waste Sites In The Republic Of Korea, Dean H. Hartman Mar 1999

Expeditious Methods For Site Characterization And Risk Assessment At Department Of Defense Hazardous Waste Sites In The Republic Of Korea, Dean H. Hartman

Theses and Dissertations

The overall goal of this research was to provide Department of Defense (DoD) decision-makers in the Republic of Korea (ROK) with preferred innovative site characterization technologies and risk assessment methods to meet their needs in obtaining hazardous waste site data and then prioritizing those sites for remediation based upon risk. The study examined the following: primary sources and types of existing contamination at DoD installations in the ROK; available site characterization data; criteria to be used in selecting innovative site characterization technologies; costs and capabilities of the innovative site characterization technologies; risk assessment or risk-based corrective action (RBCA) methods available …

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Exploring The Management Of Outsourcing And The Determination Of Civil Engineering Minimum Manning Numbers In Order To Optimize Air Force Benefits, David J. Anason Mar 1999

Exploring The Management Of Outsourcing And The Determination Of Civil Engineering Minimum Manning Numbers In Order To Optimize Air Force Benefits, David J. Anason

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the relationship between peacetime and wartime tasks for Air Force Civil Engineering career fields in regard to outsourcing. Relevant literature in civilian sector outsourcing techniques is then studied to determine how they decide on what to outsource and what to keep insourced. Peacetime tasks performed by individual career fields are correlated with the wartime tasks to determine if there is any valuable wartime training gained from the completion of peacetime work orders. Several interviews completed with Air Force Civil Engineer readiness experts to evaluate an importance factor for each career field wartime mission. This importance factor and …

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Substrate Availability In Solid Waste Landfills, Brian D. Benter Mar 1999

Substrate Availability In Solid Waste Landfills, Brian D. Benter

Theses and Dissertations

Numerous models exist to both predict and represent the many biological activities that occur in the modern landfill. These different models use varying methods of characterizing what is happening, what is thought to happen, or what should be happening based on both empirical data and theoretical reasoning. The model presented here is an extension of the system dynamics model originally presented by Colborn in 1997. The revamped model presents a different perspective on what happens as solid organic waste is transformed to simpler substances. This new view involves a bacterial population performing hydrolysis whose growth is limited by the amount …

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The Determinants Of Locational Choice For Air Force Military Renters: Implications For Policy, Eldrick L. Hill Mar 1999

The Determinants Of Locational Choice For Air Force Military Renters: Implications For Policy, Eldrick L. Hill

Theses and Dissertations

Housing allowances and military family housing make up approximately $7 billion dollars of the budget for the Department of Defense (DoD). The military uses a Housing Market Analysis (HMA) to determine rental housing availability around its installations. This thesis describes and analyzes the locational choices of military renters. This thesis examines 16 bases in the continental U.S. using military and census data. It is concluded that the locational preferences of military renters vary inversely with distance from their duty location and this needs to be accounted for when assessing the availability of military rental housing. The implications of military renter …

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Development Of Site Characterization Simulator, Neil W. Kassel Mar 1999

Development Of Site Characterization Simulator, Neil W. Kassel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop a tool for Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) to learn and practice the site characterization process. One of the key difficulties encountered by RPMs during site characterization is the need to develop a model of the site based on limited data. These limited data are used to determine parameters that describe hydrogeologic and contaminant properties (aquifer hydraulic conductivity, contaminant concentration, etc.) and are obtained using sampling techniques that interrogate a very small volume, usually much smaller than node spacing of the computer model used to simulate site conditions. The value of the parameter …

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Individual Housing Choices Among Air Force Members, Michael J. Johnson Mar 1999

Individual Housing Choices Among Air Force Members, Michael J. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force members have three different housing choices: live in MFH, rent in the local community, or buy a house in the local community. A set of six constructs (Housing Attributes, Safety, Pet Importance, Location, Military Housing Perception, and Community) that encompass members' considerations is developed and analyzed. The data was extracted from a survey that was specifically designed to illicit the relative importance of each construct during the housing decision making process. Each construct was measured using a Likert scale score. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the overall Likert mean score for each construct. Using the Likert mean …

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Natural Attenuation Of Chlorinated Ethenes By Anaerobic Reductive Dechlorination Coupled With Aerobic Cometabolism, Derek D. Veerkamp Mar 1999

Natural Attenuation Of Chlorinated Ethenes By Anaerobic Reductive Dechlorination Coupled With Aerobic Cometabolism, Derek D. Veerkamp

Theses and Dissertations

Chlorinated solvents and their daughter products are the most common contaminants of groundwater at industrial and military facilities in the United States. Limitations of conventional technologies have intensified efforts to find alternative methods to remediate contaminated sites to regulatory goals set by CERCLA. Natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents is a promising alternative to traditional pump and treat methods but has not been well understood or widely accepted. This modeling study investigated the ability of TCE to completely degrade under various aquifer conditions and rate order constants. It also examined a case study of a former landfill site at Moody AFB. …

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Textual Analysis Of Environmental Compliance Assessment Program Findings, Arthur L. Gepner Jr. Mar 1999

Textual Analysis Of Environmental Compliance Assessment Program Findings, Arthur L. Gepner Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force (USAF) is committed to assessing environmental compliance; this is achieved in the USAF through the Environmental Compliance Assessment Management Program (ECAMP). These ECAMP audits are designed strictly to assess compliance performance at one point-in-time. They are not intended to assess underlying environmental management systems. This study provides insight into the USAF Environmental Management System (EMS) through a textual analysis of ECAMP data. The analysis discovers eleven categories that emerged from the data: performance, communication, documentation, coordination, training, guidance, notification, resource, human resource, material resource, and financial resource. These categories display a hierarchical relationship. This hierarchical …

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Environmental Management Strategies In Public Sector Organizations, Charles P. Roberts Mar 1999

Environmental Management Strategies In Public Sector Organizations, Charles P. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental management research investigates environmental and ecological practices in organizations. Environmental strategy models or typologies are developed to classify organizations according to their environmental and ecological practices. Past research for environmental management strategy has focused on the profit sector versus the public sector. Drivers such as market and financial forces may not be as evident in the public sector as they are in the profit sector. This research explored environmental management strategies in public sector organizations. An environmental management strategy typology was developed to investigate the structural aspects of organizations. The typology and respective instruments were used in a case …

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Biodegradation Of Aircraft Deicing Fluid Components In Soil, Baron W. Burke Mar 1999

Biodegradation Of Aircraft Deicing Fluid Components In Soil, Baron W. Burke

Theses and Dissertations

Aircraft de-icing fluids (ADFs) are used worldwide to ensure safe aircraft operations. This research effort was conducted to analyze the biodegradation effects of two chemical components of ADFs, propylene glycol (PG) and tolyltriazole (TTA), in a high-clay soil. The research used four test methods; automated respirometry, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), microbial colony population counts (MCPC), and agar well diffusion tests (AWDT). The research was partitioned into two phases of investigation. Phase-one analyzed individual and combined ADF chemical components on uncontaminated soil. The presence of TTA, from 25 - 1,000 mg/kg, reduced the maximum respiration rate of 1,000 mg/kg PG …

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Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Cosolvent Flushing To Treat Groundwater Contamination Source Areas, Stacey L. Anason Mar 1999

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Cosolvent Flushing To Treat Groundwater Contamination Source Areas, Stacey L. Anason

Theses and Dissertations

Dense non-aqueous phase liquids (DNAPLs) in the zone beneath the water table can be a virtually permanent source of groundwater contamination that cannot be remediated by currently available technologies. Cosolvent flushing is a new technology that has the potential to remediate these sites and could pose a solution to the problem of DNAPL source areas. A computer model was developed to determine the cost and time to remediate an aquifer using cosolvent flushing. Included in the model is a module to calculate the costs of recycling the alcohol that is used as the cosolvent. The model was validated using site …

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Expeditious Method For Estimating Cleanup Costs At Department Of Defense Installations In Korea, John M. Griffin Mar 1999

Expeditious Method For Estimating Cleanup Costs At Department Of Defense Installations In Korea, John M. Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop and test a method that can be used to expeditiously estimate costs of hazardous waste site remediation at US DoD installations in Korea allowing decision-makers to formulate remediation strategy. This objective was addressed through answering the following questions: (1) What cost and time constraints do the decision-makers have in developing remediation cost estimates; (2) What degree of accuracy do the decision-makers require in cost estimates; (3) What estimating models are available for determining costs of remediation activities; (4) Have models been used to estimate remediation activities' costs at Korean installations; and (5) …

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Sorption Of The Aircraft Deicing Fluid Component Methyl-Benzotriazole In Soil, David L. Kellner Mar 1999

Sorption Of The Aircraft Deicing Fluid Component Methyl-Benzotriazole In Soil, David L. Kellner

Theses and Dissertations

The air transportation industry requires deicing/anti-icing (ADAF) fluids to maintain flight operations in cold weather conditions. Additives to the ADAF aid in the performance of these agents. Approximately 52M liters of concentrated aircraft deicing fluid are used in North America per year in an attempt to correct this safety problem. Among the additives to ADAF are corrosion inhibitors flame retardants, wetting agents, and thickening agents. Some of these agents are known to be toxic to microorganisms. Identification of the transport processes of these agents in the environment is a necessary first step to understanding how to remediate ADAF. Methyl-Benzotriazole (MeBT) …

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Optimal Pulsed Pumping Schedule Using Calculus Of Variation Methodology, Tay W. Johannes Mar 1999

Optimal Pulsed Pumping Schedule Using Calculus Of Variation Methodology, Tay W. Johannes

Theses and Dissertations

Application of a variational optimization technique has demonstrated the potential strength of pulsed pumping operations for use at existing pump-and-treat aquifer remediation sites. The optimized pulsed pumping technique has exhibited notable improvements in operational effectiveness over continuous pumping. The optimized pulsed pumping technique has also exhibited an advantage over uniform time intervals for pumping and resting cycles. The most important finding supports the potential for managing and improving pumping operations in the absence of complete knowledge of plume characteristics. An objective functional was selected to minimize mass of water removed and minimize the non-essential mass of contaminant removed. General forms …

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Investigating Sorbent Geometry Response Surfaces From Sorption Rate Data, H. Michael Harrison Mar 1998

Investigating Sorbent Geometry Response Surfaces From Sorption Rate Data, H. Michael Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

Sorption and desorption of hydrophobic organic compounds (HOCs) into soil particles occurs at Air Force contamination sites. Long-term desorption extends clean up time, costing billions. Accurately modeling desorption will reduce costs and improve clean up designs. State of the art models depict soil as uniform spherical particles which lose the effect of longer sorption path lengths. An alternate approach, the multiple sites in series (MSS) model, describes the sorption capacity of a mixture of soil particle sizes and shapes using a composite particle defined by a two parameter statistical distribution. When the MSS model uses a general radial geometry function …

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A Risk Analysis Of Remediation Technologies For A Doe Facility, Helene A. Wilson Mar 1998

A Risk Analysis Of Remediation Technologies For A Doe Facility, Helene A. Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The Department of Energy is responsible for selecting a remediation technology to clean up the Waste Area Group (WAG) 6 site at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) in Kentucky. WAG 6 is contaminated with an uncertain amount of trichloroethylene (TCE) and technetium-99 (Tc-99). Selecting a remediation technology involves a certain degree of risk because many of these technologies are new or proven only for a specific type of contaminant or a particular set of site conditions. Differences between contaminant type and site conditions are enough to make the performance of a remediation technology uncertain. This research identifies the technological …

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A Modeling Study For The Implementation Of In Situ Cometabolic Bioremediation Of Trichloroethylene-Contaminated Groundwater, John A. Christ Dec 1997

A Modeling Study For The Implementation Of In Situ Cometabolic Bioremediation Of Trichloroethylene-Contaminated Groundwater, John A. Christ

Theses and Dissertations

The limitations of conventional groundwater remediation technologies have led to the development of innovative technologies which may achieve national hazardous waste site remediation goals. Before an innovative technology can be implemented in the field, remedial project managers, regulators and other stakeholders require adequate modeling tools to help assess the applicability of the technology at a particular site. This modeling study investigates how an innovative technology, in situ cometabolic bioremediation, might be implemented to remediate a TCE-contaminated site, under different site conditions. A steady-state model is developed which couples an analytical expression to simulate the effect of flow between multiple pumping …

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Mobilization Of Trace Elements In Aquifers By Biodegradation Of Hydrocarbon Contaminants, Scott L. Kearney Dec 1997

Mobilization Of Trace Elements In Aquifers By Biodegradation Of Hydrocarbon Contaminants, Scott L. Kearney

Theses and Dissertations

This study had two objectives: (1) to determine the extent of metal mobility within petroleum-contaminated aquifers, (2) to determine if biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons can explain metal mobility. The approach reviewed analytical results from 2305 groundwater sampling events, taken from 958 wells, located at 136 sites found at 53 Air Force installations. The study showed that high levels of metals are present at petroleum hydrocarbon sites where metals would not generally be expected. Of the metals with drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), mercury and silver were detected the least frequently. Barium and copper were detected at the sites, but …

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Metabolic Inhibition Of A Toluene-Enriched Microbial Population Due To Lead (Pb2+): Verification Of A Free Metal Ion Toxicity Model, Patrick J. S. Marbas Dec 1997

Metabolic Inhibition Of A Toluene-Enriched Microbial Population Due To Lead (Pb2+): Verification Of A Free Metal Ion Toxicity Model, Patrick J. S. Marbas

Theses and Dissertations

A dissolved oxygen probe and an ion specific electrode were used to study the lead-induced metabolic inhibition in a toluene-enriched microbial population. Predicted toxicity values were compared to the actual toxicity responses using a free metal ion toxicity model (TM) which linked metabolic inhibition with lead activity. Experimentally derived values for the model parameters (lead activity and a lead distribution coefficient) were used in the TM. It was postulated that cellular metabolism is disrupted by the conformational changes to the cell's plasma membrane produced by lead ion adsorption. The predicted toxicity values were higher than the actual toxicity response. This …

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Forecasting Methodologies For Usaf Facility Maintenance And Repair Funding Requirements, Gregory R. Ottoman Dec 1997

Forecasting Methodologies For Usaf Facility Maintenance And Repair Funding Requirements, Gregory R. Ottoman

Theses and Dissertations

Eighteen methodologies for forecasting facility maintenance and repair funding requirements were investigated and analyzed to determine which methodology is best suited for use by the United States Air Force (USAF). The literature review identified four primary factors, or criteria, that determine facility maintenance and repair funding requirements. The methodologies were scored against the four criteria with respect to their appropriate application to USAF requirements. An analysis of dominance was accomplished; the results suggested that no one methodology was clearly superior. Fourteen of the methodologies were dominated, and consequently eliminated from further analysis. Four methodologies were non-dominated: the U.S. Army Construction …

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Department Of Defense Hazardous Waste Site Remediation Issues In The Republic Of Korea, Edwin H. Oshiba Dec 1997

Department Of Defense Hazardous Waste Site Remediation Issues In The Republic Of Korea, Edwin H. Oshiba

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to provide information to DoD decision makers regarding factors influencing hazardous waste site remediation policy for South Korea. This study addressed: International agreements and U.S. and South Korean laws and policies relevant to hazardous waste sites; objectives of DoD environmental policy makers; extent and effects of soil and groundwater contamination; cleanup precedents set in other foreign countries; availability of resources and technical capabilities to investigate and remediate hazardous waste sites in South Korea; and opportunities for cooperation between the U.S. and South Korean military with regard to hazardous waste site remediation. Data were collected …

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Pollution Prevention Process Influences In The Weapon System Acquisition Life Cycle, Tedmond B. Grady Dec 1997

Pollution Prevention Process Influences In The Weapon System Acquisition Life Cycle, Tedmond B. Grady

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops a system structure for the pollution prevention acquisition process and uses system dynamics modeling to develop management strategies that optimize life cycle cost. The structure of the pollution prevention acquisition process is developed by identifying primary influences and mechanisms and determining how they interact within the acquisition process. The model structure is based on the premise that rising total projected Life Cycle Cost (LCC) would provide an incentive to perform pollution prevention changes to reduce the overall LCC cost. The model successfully produces the expected reasonable behavior and confidence in the model structure is achieved using standard …

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Biodegradation Of Deicing Agents In Various Soil Types, Annmarie Halterman-O'Malley Dec 1997

Biodegradation Of Deicing Agents In Various Soil Types, Annmarie Halterman-O'Malley

Theses and Dissertations

Airports have found that spent deicing fluids eventually reach the airfield's stormwater system and soil surrounding the airfield. Due to toxic effects of spent deicing fluids, containing and collecting the fluid for treatment can be a very costly activity for airports. One alternative to dispose of the used deicing fluid is to institute a land treatment system if it can be proven that the deicing fluid is readily biodegradable in a soil system. The primary concern of this research effort was to monitor the behavior of a simulated aircraft deicing fluid in various soil systems. An automated respirometer monitored the …

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A Cercla-Based Decision Model To Support Remedy Selection For An Uncertain Volume Of Contaminants At A Doe Facility, Christine E. Kerschus Dec 1997

A Cercla-Based Decision Model To Support Remedy Selection For An Uncertain Volume Of Contaminants At A Doe Facility, Christine E. Kerschus

Theses and Dissertations

The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) operated by the Department of Energy is challenged with selecting the appropriate remediation technology to cleanup contaminants at Waste Area Group (WAG) 6. This research utilizes value focused thinking and multi attribute preference theory concepts to produce a decision analysis model designed to aid the decision makers in their section process. The model is based on CERCLA's five primary balancing criteria, tailored specifically to WAG 6 and the contaminants of concern, utilizes expert opinion and the best available engineering, cost, and performance data, and accounts for uncertainty in contaminant volume. The model ranks 23 …

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A System Dynamics Investigation Of Environmental Attitudes And Behaviors Influencing Solid Waste Reduction, Louis E. Lilley Dec 1997

A System Dynamics Investigation Of Environmental Attitudes And Behaviors Influencing Solid Waste Reduction, Louis E. Lilley

Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between attitudes and behavior is investigated in regard to the reduction of solid waste in a community. The theory of reasoned action, as identified by Ajzen and Fishbein in 1975, is investigated using as system dynamics approach. The closed loop system structure that would produce the expected real world response is established. The structure is then translated into a flow diagram and coded into a mathematical model. The model quantifies the values of beliefs, attitudes, intentions, behaviors, external and demographic variables, perceptions, and waste generation levels in order to illustrate how each changes over time when influenced by …

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Evaluation Of The Natural Biodegradation Of Aircraft Deicing Fluid Components In Soils, Laura M. Johnson Dec 1997

Evaluation Of The Natural Biodegradation Of Aircraft Deicing Fluid Components In Soils, Laura M. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort was conducted to analyze the biodegradation of propylene glycol (PG) and tolyltriazole in two different soil types; a sandy soil and a high clay soil. Both an automated respirometer and a high performance liquid chromatograph (H PLO) were used in the analysis. Two separate experiments were conducted. In the first experiment, one level of tolyltriazole was added to the soils to determine whether or not there was a difference in the biodegradation rates of tolyltriazole in the two soils. The respirometer results indicated that there was a significant difference between the respiration rates of the microorganisms in …

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An Examination Of Elements Necessary For Transfer Of An Environmental Remediation Technology From Full-Scale Demonstration To Implementation, Glenn C. Mandalas Dec 1997

An Examination Of Elements Necessary For Transfer Of An Environmental Remediation Technology From Full-Scale Demonstration To Implementation, Glenn C. Mandalas

Theses and Dissertations

The fact that an innovative environmental remediation technology has been proven feasible in a full scale evaluation does not assure that the technology will be implemented. A number of regulatory, economic, and institutional barriers may impede the transition of a remediation technology from full scale demonstration to implementation. This research explores these barriers, suggesting means to overcome them. Regulators, technology users, and other remediation decision makers apply the nine criteria specified in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to evaluate the applicability of an innovative remediation technology at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. These criteria consider such things …

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A System Dynamics Model Of The Bioavailability Of Metals In Constructed Wetland Sediment, Timothy S. Wood Dec 1997

A System Dynamics Model Of The Bioavailability Of Metals In Constructed Wetland Sediment, Timothy S. Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Constructed wetlands used for storm water treatment accumulate metals primarily in their sediment. This sediment has the potential to produce toxic effects in benthic organisms at some period in time. Bioavailability of metals in sediment is directly linked to pore water metal activity. The mechanisms that influence pore water metal activity are included in physical, chemical, and biological processes. A system dynamics model was developed to represent these processes and the major influences affecting pore water metal activity in a treatment wetland receiving storm water influent. The model structure and behavior was tested and validated using several system dynamics validation …

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Optimal Pulsed Pumping For Remediation Of Aquifers When Sorption Is Rate-Limited, Lawrence J. Schmitt Dec 1997

Optimal Pulsed Pumping For Remediation Of Aquifers When Sorption Is Rate-Limited, Lawrence J. Schmitt

Theses and Dissertations

A variational optimization technique is developed to acquire an optimal schedule of pulsed pumping operations for use at existing pump-and-treat aquifer remediation sites. The optimization problem is stated as a minimization of a generic management objective functional, constrained by the contaminant transport equations in two-dimensional or three-dimensional flow models which account for rate-limited sorption. The two-dimensional case is fully developed and a first-order rate equation is used to describe the transport of sorbing contaminant. The first variation provides necessary optimality conditions that must be met by any optimal solution, in turn leading to a pulsed pumping schedule of operation. The …

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Modeling Uptake And Translocation Of Lead (Pb) In Maize For The Purposes Of Phytoextraction, Mark A. Brennan Dec 1997

Modeling Uptake And Translocation Of Lead (Pb) In Maize For The Purposes Of Phytoextraction, Mark A. Brennan

Theses and Dissertations

Phytoextraction is a remediation technology that uses plants to remove heavy metals from soil. This technology has the potential to decrease the costs of remediating contaminated sites by several orders of magnitude compared to traditional technologies. To effectively implement this technology requires an understanding of the plant processes that control uptake and translocation of metals from the soil. Currently these processes are poorly understood, and especially so for Pb. The purpose of this thesis was to gain insights concerning the plant mechanisms that control uptake and translocation of Pb and how these mechanisms interact to control levels of Pb accumulation …

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