Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Use Of High-Energy Radiation For Degradation Of Environmental Pollutants, Robert D. Guthrie, Manjiri Patwardhan

KWRRI Research Reports

The purpose of this project was to explore the advantages and/or limitations of high-energy radiation treatment as a method for degrading organic pollutants, particularly aryl halides, in an aqueous medium. We have done analyses of ⁶⁰Co-irradiated samples and kinetic studies using pulsed electron beams. For aryl halides containing no more than two fused rings, the main products detected are those of simple halogen replacement by hydrogen, although the amount of aryl halide destroyed was always greater than the total amount of products detected. To accomplish halogen replacement by H, the reaction solvent may not be pure water but must …

Development Of Membrane Film Fiber Optic Based Sensors For The Remote Monitoring Of The Quality Of Surface And Groundwater, Leonidas G. Bachas

KWRRI Research Reports

The objective of this study was the development of chromo- and fluoroionophores and their subsequent use in sensors capable of surface and groundwater monitoring. Several reagents (modified crown ethers and porphyrins) were synthesized based on principles of chemical recognition and used for metal and pH sensing. The modified crown ether reagents include a chromogenic or fluorogenic group. The selectivity of these reagents is controlled by the size of the crown ether ring and the type of the chromogenic or fluorogenic side-arm. In addition, a fluorogenic crown ether was synthesized that incorporates a fluorogenic side-arm and a perfluorinated carbon chain. The …

The Effect Of Preozonation On The Anaerobic Biodegradability Of Resistant Phenolic Compounds, Yi-Tin Wang, Pin-Chieh Pai, James L. Latchew

KWRRI Research Reports

Ozone pretreatment studies of four model phenolic compounds were conducted to evaluate the effects of ozonation on the anaerobic biodegradability and toxicity of these compounds. Two types of batch studies, the Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) and the Anaerobic Toxicity Assay (ATA), were performed on samples ozonated upon phenol, o-cresol, 2,5-dichlorophenol, and 2,4-dinitrophenol.

Experimental results showed that toxic and refractory phenolic compounds were converted to methane gas by means of preozonation. In general, the biodegradable fraction of the oxidation products increased as the ozone dose was increased. However, ozonation to achieve at least 60% COD reduction was necessary to faciliate methane …

Reductive Dechlorination Of Toxic Chlorocarbons, K. Grant Taylor

KWRRI Research Reports

The sodium hydride based reducing agents were prepared the method of Caubere (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl., 1983, 22, 599-613). Reagents were prepared containing nickel, iron and zinc metals. All were effective in dechlorinating 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 4-methoxy-chlorobenzene, and arochlor 1254. Most work focused on nickel based reagents, the most active. The nickel-based reducing agent used in THF at 65°C reduced to 200 ppm 1,3-dichlorobenzene (to benzene) and arochlor 1254 (to biphenyl) to below 0.2 ppm in less than 15 minutes. A two stage reduction reduced arochlor 1254 to below a detectable level as determined by gas chromatography using f.i.d. detector. Using …

An Environmental Study Of The Origin, Distribution, And Bioaccumulation Of Selenium In Kentucky And Barkley Lakes, B. E. Mcclellan, Kenneth J. Frazer

KWRRI Research Reports

Many samples of water, bottom sediment, and fish were analyzed for toxic metal ion content. The samples were collected from several selected sites along Kentucky and Barkley Lakes as well as the Cumberland River and several sub-impoundments along these aquatic systems. Emphasis was placed on selenium, although several other metal ions were determined. The results showed that there are no serious pollution problems with As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se, Sr, Zn, or Zr at any of the sites examined. Actually, none of the trace metals examined even come close to the EPA limits on fish, with the exception …

Biological And Chemical Evaluation Of The Aquatic Environment Of Selected Undeveloped Kentucky Lake Embayments, Marshall Gordon, Morgan E. Sisk

KWRRI Research Reports

This report describes research involving biological and chemical analysis of two undeveloped embayments on Kentucky Lake, namely Anderson and Vickers Bays. Field and laboratory studies were made to assess current biotic standing crops, limnological conditions, levels of inorganic and organic pollutants in the embayments.

Process Control Of Activated Sludge Treatment, Phase Ii, Richard I. Kermode, Robert W. J. Brett, Joseph D. Pault Jr.

KWRRI Research Reports

Material balances on substrate and microorganisms were derived in conjunction with various mixing configurations thought to accurately describe the activated sludge process. These models include the completely mixed with bypass, plug flow, and plug flow with bypass. Two sets of kinetic mechanisms for substrate utilization and bacterial growth were employed.

A feed forward controller was designed from linear approximations of the material balances derived in the completely mixed with bypass mixing model. Utilizing frequency response methods, the controller was found essentially identical to a completely mixed modeled controller developed in a prior investigation.

Through computer simulation the controller's effectiveness was …

Algal Growth And Decomposition: Effects On Water Quality, Phase Ii, Edward G. Foree, Ronald L. Barrow

KWRRI Research Reports

The decomposition and associated nutrient regeneration of three unialgal cultures and one mixed culture containing an indigenous population of bacteria and microscopic animals were studied under dark, constant temperature laboratory conditions. After periods of nutrient-deficient growth ranging from O to 30 days, these cultures were inoculated with decomposer populations and subjected to anaerobic and aerobic environments for the decomposition studies. The extend of decomposition was determined from the percentage volatile suspended solids and percentage particulate COD remaining after 200 days of decomposition. The average extent of decomposition was greater for aerobic than for anaerobic conditions. However, significant portions of the …

Analysis Of Solutions For Surface Active Agents, Henry H. Bauer

KWRRI Research Reports

The objective of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the behavior of surfactants in aqueous solutions at electrodes. With this understanding it should be possible to design electrochemical methods for the detection, identification, and quantitative determination of such substances. This study was concerned primarily with the influence of extraneous salts on the behavior of surface active agents when these are examined by the electrochemical technique known as tensammetry.

The tensammetric method consists essentially of the measurement of the electrical impedance of an electrochemical cell. This impedance is characteristically increased in the presence of surfactants at those potentials …

Chemistry Of The Oxidant, Ferrate, Its Interaction With Specific Organics Found In Waste Water, Donald H. Williams, J. T. Riley

KWRRI Research Reports

It became obvious during this investigation that while much work has been done with ferrate (VI) chemistry, discrepancies existed in the literature and very little attention had been given possible engineering uses. This work attempted to fulfill these two needs in an exploratory manner.

The preparative techniques were reviewed and mechanical improvements made in one which allowed improved yields. Essentially what was done was to enlarge and improve the filtering technique of the product and use cooler temperatures throughout the preparation. This greatly shortened the time required. Then it was learned that the addition of ethyl alcohol to the final …

A Study Of The Removal Of Pesticides From Water, James David Whitehouse

KWRRI Research Reports

The purpose of this study was to investigate some of the properties of pesticides as they exist in water, and to determine the effectiveness of several water treatment processes in the removal of pesticides from water. Among the pesticides investigated were malathion, DDT, aldrin, dieldrin, captan, benzene hexachloride (BHC), 2,4-D, and 2,4,5-T. The water treatment processes included aeration, chemical coagulation, adsorption on activated carbons and clays, and foam separation.

The removal of pesticides from water by aeration was found to be significant. Dieldrin was removed almost 100 percent, while aldrin, DDT, and BHC were removed to a lesser extent. 2, …