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Bujatzeck, Baldur. "Statistical evaluation of water quality measurements." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1998. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape11/PQDD_0017/MQ44134.pdf.
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Jiang, Meng. "Evaluation of Low-Cost Water Quality Measurement System." Thesis, Mittuniversitetet, Avdelningen för elektronikkonstruktion, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-27179.
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Water is a very important element in our daily life, being able to check the water quality by ourselves would be a useful project to improve our life quality. My idea is to create something cheap and easy to examine the water quality and test it to see if it is capable for outdoor using as well. In this project I chose a DS18B20 as a temperature sensor. To get a system which can work as a water pump I chose an L298P as a motor driver board to support the electric motor, a Hall flow meter to get the flow and quantity, and a Water sensor to get the conductivity. With the Arduino and the Visual Studio user interface program, the system can extract the data that we want. The result of the measurement shows it is possible to analyse the water quality by comparing the conductivity of the known liquid to a test sample in a controlled environment. The system shows great promise of being a cheaper and easier system but still needs to improve accuracy, by reducing outside influence (like temperature), thereby enabling the system to work in more harsh environments.
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Rajele, Molefi Joseph. "A comparison of SAAS and chemical monitoring of the rivers of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2004. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
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The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority routinely uses the South African Scoring System version 4 (SASS4) in conjunction with water chemistry to monitor water quality of rivers in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project areas. The objective of this study was to test the efficiency of SASS4 in these areas.
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Saberi, Atefeh. "Automatic outlier detection in automated water quality measurement stations." Master's thesis, Université Laval, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11794/25908.
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Des stations de mesure de la qualité de l’eau sont utilisées pour mesurer la qualité de l'eau à haute fréquence. Pour une gestion efficace de ces mesures, la qualité des données doit être vérifiée. Dans une méthode univariée précédemment développée, des points aberrants et des fautes étaient détectés dans les données mesurées par ces stations en employant des modèles à lissage exponentiel pour prédire les données au moment suivant avec l’intervalle de confiance. Dans la présente étude, ne considérant que le cas univarié, la détection de points aberrants est améliorée par l’identification d’un modèle autorégressif à moyenne mobile sur une fenêtre mobile de données pour prédire la donnée au moment suivant. Les données de turbidité mesurées à l'entrée d'une station d'épuration municipale au Danemark sont utilisées comme étude de cas pour comparer la performance de l’utilisation des deux modèles. Les résultats montrent que le nouveau modèle permet de prédire la donnée au moment suivant avec plus de précision. De plus, l’inclusion du nouveau modèle dans la méthode univariée présente une performance satisfaisante pour la détection de points aberrants et des fautes dans les données de l'étude de cas.Water quality monitoring stations are used to measure water quality at high frequency. For effective data management, the quality of the data must be evaluated. In a previously developed univariate method both outliers and faults were detected in the data measured by these stations by using exponential smoothing models that give one-step ahead forecasts and their confidence intervals. In the present study, the outlier detection step of the univariate method is improved by identifying an auto-regressive moving average model for a moving window of data and forecasting one-step ahead. The turbidity data measured at the inlet of a municipal treatment plant in Denmark is used as case study to compare the performance of the use of the two models. The results show that the forecasts made by the new model are more accurate. Also, inclusion of the new forecasting model in the univariate method shows satisfactory performance for detecting outliers and faults in the case study data.
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Sharpe, Taylor Jeffery. "Assessing a Fluorescence Spectroscopy Method for In-Situ Microbial Drinking Water Quality." PDXScholar, 2017. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/3838.
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Waterborne disease is a significant contributor to the global burden of disease, in particular among high-risk populations in developing nations. State-of-the-art methods for the enumeration of microbial pathogens in drinking water sources have important limitations, including high initial cost, 24-48 hour delays in results, high staffing and facility requirements, and training requirements which all become especially problematic in the developing nation context.
A number of alternative approaches to microbial water quality testing have been proposed, with the goal of decreasing the required testing time, decreasing overall costs, leveraging appropriate technology approaches, or improving sensitivity or specificity of the water quality testing method. One approach that may offer solutions to some of these limitations involves the deployment of sensor networks using fluorescent spectroscopy to detect intrinsic protein fluorescence in water samples as a proxy for microbial activity. In recent years, a number of researchers have found significant and meaningful correlations between indicator bacteria species and the protein fluorescence of drinking water samples. Additionally, advances in the semiconductor industry could be used to drive down the cost of such sensors. This technology may also be extensible to other water quality parameters, including dissolved organic matter or the presence of fluorescent pollutants.
In this thesis, a literature review describes the fundamentals of fluorescence spectroscopy, historical and recent work regarding the fluorescence of the amino acid tryptophan and associated bacterial fluorescence, possible mechanisms for this association, and potential applications of this technology for drinking water quality monitoring and waste water process control. Extensibility of the technology is also discussed.
Next, experimental methodology in reproduction of similar results is described. Samples were taken from seven (7) surface water sources and tested using membrane filtration and an off-the-shelf fluorescence spectrometer to help examine the association between the presence of indicator bacteria and the tryptophan fluorescence of the water sample. The results, showing an association of R2 = 0.560, are compared to the results of recent similar experiments.
Finally, two prototypes are described, including their design requirements and data from prototype testing. The results of the testing are briefly discussed, and next steps are outlined with the goal of developing a low-cost, in-situ microbial water quality sensor using fluorescence spectroscopy principles.
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Kwong, Pui-ki, and 鄺沛琪. "Surface water quality indicators in China and their implications for sustainability." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B36618718.
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Nam, Kijin. "Optimization of paths and locations of water quality monitoring systems in surface water environments." Diss., Atlanta, Ga. : Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/24745.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009.Committee Chair: Aral, Mustafa; Committee Member: Guan, Jiabao; Committee Member: Kim, Seong-Hee; Committee Member: Roberts, Philip; Committee Member: Uzer, Turgay.
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岑永昌 and Wing-cheong Sham. "The determination of mercury in sediment, river water and seawater samples, and the determination of Cr(VI) in river water." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1991. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31210533.
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Peacock, Steven. "Storm Water System Monitoring for the Small Municipality Under Phase II of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2003. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4298/.
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Storm water quality can have a significant impact on receiving water bodies. The chief recipients of these impacts are aquatic life in the receiving water body and downstream water users. Over the last few decades, legislation, regulations, institutions and facilities have evolved to recognize the impact of urban storm water on receiving streams. This increased emphasis has caused contaminants in storm water to be identified as a major concern. This developing concern has generated an increased interest in the water quality of our streams and lakes and emphasized the need for more monitoring efforts. With the passage of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II requirements, small municipalities are responsible for storm water impacts on receiving waters within their jurisdiction. For the purposes of NPDES Phase II requirements, small municipalities are identified as these municipalities that are typically composed of 10,000 but less than 100,000 in population.
The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a manual for use by the staff of small municipalities in meeting the requirements prescribed by changes initiated in the NPDES Phase II regulations. Attempts were made to comply with these requirements within a very limited manpower and budget framework and to develop procedures that would allow for permit compliance using testing equipment that was both reliable and robust.
The users' manual provides valuable guidance in the establishment of a knowledge base for characterization of the watersheds selected for study. Chapter 3 of the dissertation contains a users' manual, designed for use by municipal staff members in their efforts to comply with the NPDES Phase II requirements.
Using the techniques and equipment capabilities developed during the writing of the users' manual a characterization of three watersheds within Denton County, Texas was developed. Non-storm water samples were taken from each of the streams and a baseline analysis was established. The three watersheds represented agricultural, suburban and urban settings. Storm water samples were obtained from multiple storms within all three watersheds and data analysis used to determine the character and impact of urban runoff.
Determination of the constituents for analysis was based on monitoring requirements of the NPDES Phase I and II requirements for owners and operators of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and on the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The three watersheds were determined to have multiple statistically significant differences for some parameters between their Base Flows and Storm Flows. The impact of urban runoff on the receiving waters of these three drainage systems was clearly demonstrated throughout the testing period.
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Slaughter, Andrew Robert. "Modelling the relationship between flow and water quality in South African rivers." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006196.
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The National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) provides for an ecological Reserve as the quantity (flow) and quality of water needed to protect aquatic ecosystems. While there are methods available to quantify the ecological Reserve in terms of flow, methods of linking flow to water quality are lacking. Therefore, the research presented in this thesis investigated various modelling techniques to estimate the effect of flow on water quality. The aims of the research presented in this thesis were: Aim 1: Can the relationship between flow and water quality be accurately represented by simple statistical models? Aim 2: Can relatively simple models accurately represent the relationship between flow and water quality? Aim 3: Can the effect of diffuse sources be omitted from a water quality model and still obtain realistic simulations, and if so under what conditions? Aim 4: Can models that solely use historical monitoring data, accurately represent the relationships between flow and water quality? In Chapter 3, simple Q-C regressions of flow and water quality were investigated using Department of Water Affairs (DWA) historical monitoring data. It was found that while flow versus salinity regressions gave good regression fits in many cases, the Q-C regression approach is limited. A mechanistic/statistical model that attempted to estimate the point and diffuse signatures of nutrients in response to flow was developed in Chapter 4 using DWA historical monitoring data. The model was verified as accurate in certain case studies using observed point loading information. In Chapter 5, statistical models that link land cover information to diffuse nutrient signatures in response to flow using DWA historical data were developed. While the model estimations are uncertain due to a lack of data, they do provide an estimation of the diffuse signature within catchments where there is flow and land cover information available. Chapter 6 investigates the extension of an existing mass-balance salinity model to estimate the effect of saline irrigation return flow on in-stream salinity. The model gave accurate salinity estimates for a low order stream with little or no irrigation within its catchment, and for a permanently flowing river within a catchment used extensively for irrigation. Chapter 7 investigated a modelling method to estimate the reaction coefficients involved in nitrification using only DWA historical monitoring data. Here, the model used flow information to estimate the residence time of nutrients within the studied river reaches. While the model obtained good estimations of nitrification for the data it was applied to, very few DWA data sets were suitable for the model. Chapter 8 investigated the ability of the in-stream model QUAL2K to estimate nutrient concentrations downstream of point and diffuse inputs of nutrients. It was found that the QUAL2K model can give accurate results in cases where point sources dominate the total nutrient inputs into a river. However, the QUAL2K simulations are too uncertain in cases where there are large diffuse source inputs of nutrients as the load of the diffuse inputs is difficult to measure in the field. This research highlights the problem of data scarcity in terms of temporal resolution as well as the range of constituents measured within DWA historical monitoring data for water quality. This thesis in addition argues that the approach of applying a number of models is preferable to applying one model to investigate the research aims, as particular models would be suited to particular circumstances, and the development of new models allowed the research aims of this thesis to be explored more thoroughly. It is also argued that simpler models that simulate a few key processes that explain the variation in observed data, are more suitable for implementing Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) than large comprehensive water quality models. From this research, it is clear that simple statistical models are not adequate for modelling the relationship between flow and water quality, however, relatively simple mechanistic models that simulate a limited number of processes and water quality variables, can provide accurate representations of this relationship. Under conditions where diffuse sources are not a major factor within a catchment, models that omit diffuse sources can obtain realistic simulations of the relationship between flow and water quality. Most of the models investigated in this thesis demonstrate that accurate simulations of the relationships between flow and water quality can be obtained using solely historical monitoring data.
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Heller, Winfried. "Hydro-dynamic effects with particular consideration of water quality and their measurement methods." Doctoral thesis, Tönning; Lübeck; Marburg : Der Andere Verl, 2005. http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=979397405.
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Heller, Winfried. "Hydro-dynamic Effects with Particular Consideration of Water Quality and their Measurement Methods." Doctoral thesis, Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2006. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:swb:14-1141217614058-76453.
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Die Entwicklung der Strömungsmechanik im 20. Jahrhundert wurde auch durch intensive Forschungen geprägt, um die zahlreichen in der Praxis auftretenden hydrodynamischen Effekte zu ergründen, die physikalischen Abläufe und Zusammenhänge zu verstehen und diese mathematisch zu beschreiben. Dies wurde notwendig, da mit den hydrodynamischen Grundgleichungen allein keine Beschreibung der aus den Fluideigenschaften resultierenden Erscheinungen in Flüssigkeitsströmungen möglich war. Um die Qualität der Flüssigkeiten bezüglich ihres Gasgehaltes und ihrer Keimverteilung beurteilen zu können, wurden mit Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts unterschiedliche Messmethoden und Apparaturen entwickelt und gebaut. Diese Entwicklung ließ sich annähernd vollständig darstellen, hierbei besonders die Entwicklungen von Apparaturen zur Bestimmung des Gesamtgasgehaltes. Neben der zumeist schwierigen Handhabung dieser Messgeräte und Methoden wird dabei nur der Einfluss einzelner Messgrößen, wie Gesamtgasgehalt, Gelöstsauerstoffgehalt, Keimgehalt, Keimverteilung und Keimgrößenverteilung auf hydrodynamische Effekte untersucht. Die aber in realen Strömungen auftretenden Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Einflussgrößen werden nicht berücksichtigt. Schon am Ende des 19. Jahrhundert begann die Entwicklung von Geräten und Methoden zur Bestimmung von Zugspannungen in Flüssigkeiten. Den anfänglich statischen Methoden folgten mit Beginn der 70-er Jahre des 20. Jahrhunderts die bis heute andauernden Entwicklungen dynamischer Methoden. Während für speziell behandelte Flüssigkeiten unter statischen Bedingungen Zugspannungen von einigen hundert bar gemessen wurden, liegen die typischen Werte für Wasser mit der Wirbel- oder Dralldüse gemessen, zwischen null und zwei bar. Das zeigt den starken Einfluss der Wechselwirkungen aller Einflussgrößen auf die Zugspannung in strömenden Flüssigkeiten. Außer auf die Schallgeschwindigkeit und die Druckverteilung an Profilen hat die Wasserqualität einen besonders starken Einfluss auf bestimmte Kavitationserscheinungen. Weltweite Kavitationstests zeigten, dass ohne Bestimmung der aktuellen Zugspannung des Testwassers keine reproduzierbaren Ergebnisse bezüglich des Kavitationsbeginns möglich sind. Bei Untersuchungen zur Kavitationserosion wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen Wasserqualität und erosiver Aggressivität und Erosionsrate eindeutig nachgewiesen. Die permanente Messung der Zugspannung der Testflüssigkeit ist bei Kavitationsexperimenten an Modellkörpern offensichtlich zwingend notwendig, um die Messergebnisse korrekt interpretieren zu können. Kavitationserscheinungen an Profilen oder Durchströmteilen bewirken Änderungen von Auftriebs-, Widerstands- und Verlustbeiwerten in Abhängigkeit vom Fortschrittsgrad der Kavitation. Hierbei spielen die Beeinflussung der Transition, Ablösung, Versperrung und Druckverteilung eine besondere Rolle. Bei elektrisch leitfähigen Fluiden ist die Qualität durch die Leitfähigkeit bestimmt. Mittels elektromagnetischer Felder werden Lorentzkräfte erzeugt, deren Wirkung sich zeigt in der Unterdrückung von Strömungsablösung, Widerstandsverringerung und stärkerem Auftrieb. Vielfältige experimentelle Forschungsergebnisse auf dem Gebiet der Strömungsmechanik haben gezeigt, dass für die Beschreibung realer Strömungsvorgänge die Qualität des Fluides berücksichtigt werden muss. Da die vielen Einflussgrößen in der Strömung permanenten Wechselwirkungen unterliegen, führt letztlich die Summe aller Einzeleinflüsse auf die genannten Effekte. Für die Bestimmung der Wasserqualität z.B. bei Kavitationsexperimenten kann die Zugspannung des Testwassers gemessen werden, wodurch die genauere mathematische Beschreibung des Kavitationsbeginns möglich wirdThe development of fluid mechanics during the twentieth century has been affected by intense research in order to fathom numerous practically relevant hydrodynamic effects, to understand the physical processes and correlations and to describe them mathematically. This became necessary because employing only the fundamental hydrodynamic equations, the description of certain phenomena in fluid flows caused by fluid properties was impossible. In order to assess the quality of fluids regarding their gas contents and their nuclei distributions, various measuring methods and devices have been developed and constructed since the beginning of the twentieth century. This historical development could be described nearly completely in this work, particularly the development of devices to determine the total gas content. Apart from the mostly difficult handling of these measurement methods and devices, only the influence of single parameters such as the total gas content, the dissolved oxygen content, nucleus content, nucleus distribution and the distribution of nucleus sizes on hydrodynamic effects was examined. However, the correlations between these single parameters, as they occur in real flows, could not be taken into consideration. As early as the end of the ninetieth century the development of methods and devices began to determine the tensile strength of fluids. The initially static methods have been followed by the developments of dynamic methods since the beginning of the 1970s. While for specially prepared fluids, tensile strengths of several hundred bar were measured under static conditions, the typical values for water, measured with the eddy and swirl nozzle, range between zero and two bar. This illustrates the strong influence of interactions between all parameters on the tensile strength in flowing fluids. Except for sound velocity and pressure distribution at profiles, water quality particularly affects certain cavitation phenomena. Various cavitation tests around the world have shown that without determining the actual tensile strength of the test water, it is impossible to obtain reproducible results regarding cavitation inception. In experiments concerning cavitation erosion, the correlation between water quality, erosive aggressiveness and erosion rate was proven unmistakably. Evidently, permanent measurement of the test fluid?s tensile stress during cavitation experiments with model bodies is compulsory in order to be able to interpret measurement results correctly. Cavitation phenomena at profiles or other parts affected by flow cause changes of lift, drag and loss coefficients depending on the degree of the cavitation progress. The influence of transition, detachment, obstruction and pressure distribution plays a special role. The quality of electrically conductive fluids is determined by their conductivity. By means of electromagnetic fields Lorentz-forces are generated, whose effect can be observed in lessening of flow detachment, drag reduction and increased lift. Manifold experimental research results in the area of fluid mechanics have proven that the fluid quality must be taken into account when describing real flow processes. Since the many flow parameters are subject to permanent interaction, ultimately, the sum of all single parameters lead to the effects mentioned. For the determination of the water quality such as in cavitation experiments, the tensile stress of the water can be measured making the mathematical description of cavitation inception possible. - (The German online version of this thesis for qualification as university teacher has been published under the titel "Hydrodynamische Effekte unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Wasserqualität und ihre Messverfahren" - http://hsss.slub-dresden.de/hsss/servlet/hsss.urlmapping.MappingServlet?id=1141215758714-7391)
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Cheng, Man-shun, and 鄭文順. "A review of river water quality in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1998. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31253982.
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Kauten, Rebecca Lynn. "Chloride and corrosiveness: trends, indices, scales of measurement, and agency management capacity to address freshwater salinization." Diss., University of Iowa, 2019. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/6970.
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This study localizes dimensions of freshwater salinization by directly measuring chloride concentrations in ungauged urban streams, assessing the relationship between chloride, copper and zinc in sample data, measures statewide trends for Iowa, and considers the regulatory and cultural environment of managing winter roads. Chloride concentrations in local, urban streams generally persist at higher levels than what is typical of natural Iowa waters. Runoff from snow melt events violate water quality standards, with chloride concentrations more closely resembling sea water than freshwater. Meanwhile, long-term trends at the statewide scale suggest levels are decreasing over time. Dissolved ions in groundwater from limestone aquifers encourage chemical buffering. Surface runoff in urban areas does not contain groundwater but does contain a large amount of salt from roads and other sources. More salt present year-round in streams influenced by surface water hydrology likely increases the potential for storm sewers, bridge decks and other urban infrastructure to corrode. Public agencies take varied approaches to freshwater salinization and related concerns. Regulation focuses on drinking water protection, and accounts for both household and industrial chloride sources. Snow and ice “fighters” see chloride as a tool, whereas scientists and regulated agencies consider it a pollutant of concern. This split leads to inconsistent patterns in decision-making and prioritization. Salt is a commodity, generating billions of dollars for suppliers throughout North America. Industry can play a significant role in solving what may ultimately become one of the most challenging water quality problems of the 21st Century.
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Ngwenya, Faith. "Water quality trends in the Eerste River, Western Cape, 1990 - 2005." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2006. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_2843_1189582559.
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The Eerste River is a river system which has, over the years, been subjected to human interference. The purpose of this study was to investigatge temporal and spatial trends in the water quality of the Eerste River between 1990 and 2005. The study results revealed that the major trends in the water quality of the Eerste River are more spatial than temporal.
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Juza, Holly Kay. "Water Quality Model for South Slough, Coos Bay, Oregon." PDXScholar, 1995. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/5046.
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The South Slough Estuary is located off Coos Bay along the southern coast of Oregon. It is divided into two channels that meet and continue to Coos Bay at the Charleston Harbor. There are six major contributing streams to South Slough. After rainfall events, the level of coliform bacteria in the slough increases because of stream bacteria loading. This is due to cattle grazing in the drainage areas, failed septic systems from private homes, and sewage sludge applied to the County landfill, which drains into the slough. The Oregon Health Division has enforced a Sanitation Management Plan for Commercial Shellfish Harvesting in South Slough that specifies closure of commercial shellfish harvesting for certain rainfall and flood events. The purpose of this study is to analyze and improve the current understanding of the hydraulics and water quality of the South Slough Estuary. This was achieved by calibrating the South Slough using the water quality model CEQUAL- W2. It was calibrated for the following parameters water surface elevations, velocity, temperature and total dissolved solids. A management analysis was also done analyzing the transport of bacteria and a conservative tracer. Model predictions for water surface elevations at one of the monitoring sites, Hinch Road Bridge, was significantly lower than measured elevations. There was an excellent correlation of velocity, and reasonable timing of peaks due to tidal effects. Model predictions for temperature and total dissolved solids match measured values well. To improve the accuracy of the model the following was recommended; install a raingage in the South Slough, measure temperature and constituent concentrations at inflow locations, survey the S4 current meter, new soundings performed of the Winchester Creek arm and at the Hinch Road Bridge gaging station, and investigate the possibility of an obstruction near the Hinch Road Bridge gaging station.
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Fiallos, Celi Diana E. "Water quality assessment of Prairie Creek Reservoir in Delaware County, Indiana." Virtual Press, 2008. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/1391474.
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The Prairie Creek Reservoir, located in east central Indiana in an agricultural watershed, serves as a secondary drinking water source as well as a recreational facility. Limited research of water quality performed at the reservoir has affected management decisions over the past years, threatening its future.. Consequently, additional investigation was necessary to examine the reservoir dynamics, and continue to provide data to determine long-term water quality trends. Basic water quality parameters were measured using a Hydrolab Sonde, nutrients were measured spectrophotometrically, and a Secchi disk was used to determine water transparency. The Prairie Creek Reservoir was categorized as an eutrophic water body. Concentrations of the measured nutrients were higher in the hypolimnion and increased as summer progressed. Concentration of ammonia and soluble reactive phosphorus exceeded the recommended water quality guidelines. Increased concentration of phosphorus has resulted in nitrogen limitation in the reservoir. Internal loading of nutrients, especially phosphorus, was found to deteriorate water quality. Dissolved oxygen concentrations varied vertically and anoxic conditions frequently reached 50% of the total reservoir depth. Reservoir restoration and watershed protection programs need to address internal P load and nitrogen limitation to prevent development of toxic algal blooms and eutrophication in the future.Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
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Heller, Winfried [Verfasser]. "Hydro-dynamic effects with particular consideration of water quality and their measurement methods / Winfried Heller." Tönning, 2005. http://d-nb.info/979397405/34.
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Coetzee, George. "Handheld infrared CO2 gas detector." Thesis, Port Elizabeth Technikon, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/28.
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A handheld InfraRed (IR) Carbon Dioxide (CO2) gas detector was developed and used to carry out a study of water and urine samples in South Africa. The details of the model and the results of the study are discussed here. The overseas markets are not geared for the current South African conditions. Use is made of components that can be obtained locally. Imported components are very expensive and should an imported model be damaged, it has to be returned overseas to be repaired. As an illustration of this technology it was decided to perform research in water technology and then develope a handheld Infrared CO2 gas detector based prototype which would: highlight the benefits of using handheld IR CO2 gas detectors; be built locally; be powered by a 12 Volt supply; be very easy to maintain; and be cost effective. Experimental results on the accuracy and stability of the instrument formed part of this study. The IR CO2 Gas detector that was developed was used throughout the project as a prototype and testing vehicle for numerous designs. It proved to be superior to the current imported commercial instruments in terms of size, cost effectiveness and user friendliness. A further advantage of the instrument is its robustness.
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Williams, Chavon R. "A National survey of Mercury levels in South Africa's water management areas." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2010. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&action=viewtitle&id=gen8Srv25Nme4_8674_1298356510.
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This study forms part of a broader project co-funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC), and CSIR Parliamentary Grant (PG) and Strategic Research Panel (SRP) research grants, aimed at surveying selected water resources within the 19 Water Management Areas in South Africa. Furthermore, it aims at determining the concentrations of Hg and MeHg in various environmental compartments collected from priority water resources, to identify the potential Hg hotspots, and to assess the degree of compliance with national and international guidelines. Mercury concentrations in the environment have increased globally and this has caused much anxiety in terms of the adverse effects it has on aquatic ecosystems, their organisms, and the communities they sustain. Human health risks associated with the consumption of fish elevated containing Hg concentrations have received minimal attention particularly in South Africa. It is imperative that any potential adverse impacts of Hg on aquatic ecosystems, and the subsequent impacts on human health, be investigated.
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Telci, Ilker Tonguc. "Optimal water quality management in surface water systems and energy recovery in water distribution networks." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/45861.
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Two of the most important environmental challenges in the 21st century are to protect the quality of fresh water resources and to utilize renewable energy sources to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This study contributes to the solution of the first challenge by providing methodologies for optimal design of real-time water quality monitoring systems and interpretation of data supplied by the monitoring system to identify potential pollution sources in river networks. In this study, the optimal river water quality monitoring network design aspect of the overall monitoring program is addressed by a novel methodology for the analysis of this problem. In this analysis, the locations of sampling sites are determined such that the contaminant detection time is minimized for the river network while achieving maximum reliability for the monitoring system performance. The data collected from these monitoring stations can be used to identify contamination source locations. This study suggests a methodology that utilizes a classification routine which associates the observations on a contaminant spill with one or more of the candidate spill locations in the river network. This approach consists of a training step followed by a sequential elimination of the candidate spill locations which lead to the identification of potential spill locations. In order to contribute the solution of the second environmental challenge, this study suggests utilizing available excess energy in water distribution systems by providing a methodology for optimal design of energy recovery systems. The energy recovery in water distribution systems is possible by using micro hydroelectric turbines to harvest available excess energy inevitably produced to satisfy consumer demands and to maintain adequate pressures. In this study, an optimization approach for the design of energy recovery systems in water distribution networks is proposed. This methodology is based on finding the best locations for micro hydroelectric plants in the network to recover the excess energy. Due to the unsteady nature of flow in water distribution networks, the proposed methodology also determines optimum operation schedules for the micro turbines.
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Decker, Timothy Joseph. "An assessment of water quality on Little and Big Duck Creeks near Elwood, Indiana." Virtual Press, 1987. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/539626.
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A water quality study was conducted on Big Duck Creek and Little Duck Creek near Elwood, Indiana during the summer, autumn and winter of 1978 - 1979 and compared to measurements made in 1938.Samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, ammonia, total coliform bacteria, hydrogen ion concentration and temperature. Significant differences in concentrations were observed for each environmental parameter measured in 1979 when evaluated on a basis of sampling location. With the exception of dissolved oxygen concentrations, the effect of stream volume on the concentration of environmental parameters was in most instances small.When the up and downstream stations were compared, a definite decrease in water quality was noted. The dissolved oxygen concentrations decreased as the water flowed through the city. Due to increased organic loading, the biochemical oxygen demand increased in the downstream area.Elwood increased the suspended solids level of Big Duck Creek. Agricultural and urban runoff together with untreated sewage discharges significantly increased the suspended solids level within the inner city region. Dilution by treated sewage as well as cleaner water from Little Duck Creek help reduce the suspended solids level in the downstream location. Relatively high ammonia concentrations were observed in the upstream portions of the creeks. This was apparently related to farm practices. The higher readings of ammonia were noted after animal manure was spread on the fields along the stream. The downstream levels were also high. This was probably due to ammonia in the effluents of the sewage treatment plant. In contrast, only small changes in the hydrogen ion concentration was observed throughout the creek.The number of total coliform bacteria increased in the center of town because of a sewer bypass into the creek. Below Elwood the concentration of bacteria decreased due to dilution with disinfected effluents from the sewage treatment plant.Except for a noticeable increase in biochemical oxygen demand and ammonia, the Elwood sewage treatment plant effluent together with flow from Little Duck Creek appears to improve Big Duck Creek's condition as it leaves the city to join White River.Significant differences were observed between measurements made in 1938 and 1978 - 79. Results of the study showed a significant improvement in water quality of Big Duck Creek since 1938. This was probably due to the construction of Elwood's wastewater collection system and sewage treatment plant in the 1940s.However, there was still degradation of water quality within the city due to untreated wastewater discharges. Consequently, emphasis should be focused on the inner city problem since Elwood residents would be in the proximity to this area.Department of Natural Resources
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Ko, Man-yan Fanny, and 高文欣. "A review of the indicators used for monitoring beach water quality in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2000. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31254573.
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Albus, Kelly. "Long-Term Citizen Science Water Monitoring Data: An Exploration of Accuracy over Space and Time." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2018. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1404518/.
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The Texas Stream Team (TST) is one of an increasing number of citizen science water monitoring programs throughout the US which have been continuously collecting surface water quality data under quality assurance protocols for decades. Volunteer monitoring efforts have generated monitoring datasets that are long-term, continuous, and cover a large geographic area - characteristics shown to be valuable for scientists and professional agencies. However, citizen science data has been of limited use to researchers due to concerns about the accuracy of data collected by volunteers, and the decades of water quality monitoring data collected by TST volunteers is not widely used, if at all. A growing body of studies have attempted to address accuracy concerns by comparing volunteer data to professional data, but this has rarely been done with large-scale, existing datasets like those collected by TST. This study assesses the accuracy of the volunteer water quality data collected across the state of Texas by the TST citizen science program between 1992-2017 by comparing it to professional data from corresponding stations during the same time period, as well as comparing existing and experimental data from a local TST partner agency. The results indicate that even large-scale, existing volunteer and professional data with unpaired samples that may have been taken months apart can show statewide agreement of 80% for all parameters (DO = 77%, pH = 79%, conductivity = 85%) over the 38 years of sampling included in the analyses, across all locations. The local case study using paired datasets for which a greater number of factors were controlled for show an even higher agreement between volunteers and professionals (DO = 91%, pH = 87%, conductivity = 100%) and show no significant difference between experimental and existing sampling data. The results from this study indicate that TST has been collecting water sampling data for decades that is comparable to professional data and provides compelling evidence for researchers and managers to better utilize TST's and other large-scale monitoring datasets already in existence from similar citizen science water monitoring programs across the country.
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Meyers, Jennifer. "Developing Non-lethal Biomarkers to Detect Exposure to Organic Contaminants in Aquatic Habitats." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2009. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/MeyersJ2009.pdf.
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Moynan, Kathleen M. "The effects of acid and water hardness on bluegill embryo-larvae determined by laboratory and on-site toxicity tests." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/46053.
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The sensitivity of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) to low pH in soft (12 or 18 mg/L CaCO3) and hard (165 or 197 mg/L CaCO3) water was compared in five day laboratory toxiclty tests. Embryo-larval bluegill were exposed to pH levels ranging from 3.8 to 7.0 in soft water and from 3.8 to 8.0 in hard water. An on-site toxicity test, using lake water (3.4 mg/L CaCO3) adjusted to pH levels ranging from 3.5 to 7.3, was conducted to compare laboratory and field results. At low pH, hatching was reduced, the hatching period prolonged, and the incidence of partial hatching increased. Increased water hardness mitigated acid toxiclty, enhanced larval survival, and promoted hatchability. Hatching rates were decreased over those of the controls by 76 percent in soft water and by 23 percent in hard water at pH 4.0, and hatching was negligible at pH 3.8. The length of the hatching period was prolonged by 24 to 48 hours at pH levels â ¤4.6. Partial hatching averaged 43 percent in pH 4.4. Increasing acidity resulted in increased embryo-Iarval mortality, averaging >62 percent at pH levels â ¤4.6; mortality was 100 percent at pH levels <4.4 in soft water and 3.8 in hard water. Bluegill larvae were more sensitive than eggs. The embryo-larval LC50â s were pH 4.67 in soft water and pH 4.06 in hard water; LC1â s were pH 5.66 in soft water and 5.04 in hard water. In the on-site field experiment, approximately 50 percent mortality occurred at pH 4.6 which was nearly identical to the LC5O of pH 4.67 in laboratory (soft water).
Growth of larvae was not affected by low pH. As acid levels increased, yolk-sac volumes decreased, physical deformities (fin, eye, and spinal abnormalities) increased and behavioral abnormalities were evident. Yolk-sac volume was decreased at pH levels <5.5 in soft water and <5.1 in hard water, perhaps reflecting higher energy expenditures by larvae held at sublethal pH levels. Spinal curvature and fin erosion of larvae were apparent at pH levels <5.25 in soft water. Larvae were lethargic and swimming ability was impaired at pH levels â ¤5.5 in soft water and â ¤5.1 in hard water. Exposure of embryo-larval bluegill to low pH levels (<5.7) in soft water may compromise their ability to survive, forage efficiently, and escape predation under natural conditions.
Master of Science
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Li, Weiping. "A subsurface water quality evaluation system for assessing NPS pollution potential by pesticides." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1993. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40028.
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A watershed scale water quality evaluation system was developed for assessing spatial variation of subsurface pesticide movement. The system consists of a linked-transport model component for performing simulation and a GIS component for processing spatially-related data. The surface heterogeneity caused by agricultural activities, topographic, hydrologic, and soil type variations in a watershed was handled by partitioning the watershed into homogeneous subfields. The subsurface soil profile and aquifer heterogeneities were considered by dividing the subsurface domain into root zone, intermediate vadose zone, and saturated zone, respectively. On each of the homogeneous subfields, the physically-based models, PRZM and VADOFT, were linked to simulate pesticide transport in the root and intermediated vadose zones. Pesticide movement in groundwater underneath the watershed was simulated by linking the other two models with SUTRA. An irregular shape finite element mesh generator was developed for fitting the irregular shape watershed boundary and reducing the number of nodes of the finite element mesh. Either transient or steady state flow and transport simulation could be performed with the system. The system is able quantitatively to produce detailed spatial variation maps of pesticide concentrations at any desired depth in the unsaturated zone and in groundwater.
The system requires spatially-distributed information as inputs. Management of large volumes of spatially-referenced data which represent the heterogeneous properties of the watershed were facilitated by a developed GIS component. The GIS data processing component was composed of spatial data manipulation and display, attribute database management, and model input information extraction subcomponents. The spatial data processing component consists of data format conversion, map registering, map editing, new information generation, and map display subcomponents.Ph. D.
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Rossano, Eriko Morishita. "Definition and measurement of stream health in Japan based on index of biological integrity (IBI) concepts /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/5401.
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Huang, Jianyin. "Development and Evaluation of the Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (DGT) Techniques for the Measurement of Nutrient Concentrations in Natural Waters." Thesis, Griffith University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367045.
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Due to rapid industrialisation, the growing global population, and the impacts of climate change, the availability and quality of water resources around the world has become degraded. Some regions are suffering water shortages despite sufficient water reserves, because surface and ground waters are contaminated to such a degree that they have become inadequate for potable use. Agricultural practices, industrial discharges and human wastewater are responsible for most contamination of water.
Nitrogen (ammonium, nitrate and nitrite) and phosphorus (phosphate) are the most common nutrients in freshwaters and estuaries that impact water quality. Excess nutrient loadings to water bodies can affect many aquatic organisms and, ultimately, contribute to the degradation of freshwater, estuarine and coastal marine ecosystems. Furthermore, high concentrations of nutrients in drinking water sources can cause health impacts to human beings. Due to the potential sporadic nature of the contamination sources, grab sampling may fail to identify contamination events. Nutrient loadings to waterways from point and non-point sources are of major ecological concern and represent one of the most significant water quality issues in surface water bodies, and hence require use of accurate and representative approaches to monitor nutrient concentrations. DGT as diffusive gradients in thin films, a well-established passive sampling technique, allows determination of time-weighted average measurements over environmentally relevant time-scales.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Griffith School of Environment
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
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Un, Ka Man. "Real-time ocean optical fiber sensing of phytoplankton for studies in size distribution, concentration and biomass." HKBU Institutional Repository, 1999. http://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/265.
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Jones, Philip Edward James. "Evaluation of water distribution system monitoring using stochastic dynamic modeling." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40441.
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A stochastic dynamic constituent transport model was developed, capable of simulating the operation of a water distribution system containing pumps and storage tanks, and subject to random demands and contaminant inputs. Long term operation of a hypothetical small town water supply system containing one pump station and one storage tank was simulated while the system was subjected to external contaminant inputs. Repeated simulations were made under different regimes of external contamination applied to the tank, the pump station and at system nodes, and internal contamination representing biofilm effects based on assumed relationships between flow velocities and bioflim cell detachment. Seven sampling plans representing regulatory requirements and industry practice were applied during the simulation to evaluate their ability to detect the contamination under a presence/absence criterion.
The simulations were able to identify contamination patterns and provide information useful in the definition of sampling plans. Time of sampling was found to be as important as location. This was true both within the monitoring period, and particularly within the diurnal cycle of demand. Spreading samples over different days within the monitoring period rather than sampling all on one day, always improved contaminant detection. Detection by plans based on fixed times and locations were very sensitive to those times and locations.
There was no best plan suitable for all situations tested. The better sampling plans were those that captured the temporal and spatial contamination patterns present in the system. No consistent advantage was noted from sampling in proportion to population served or in locating sampling nodes systematically instead of randomly. The location and timing of sampling for most plans could be improved with the knowledge of actual contamination patterns and timing provided by the model.
The presence of a storage tank was found to have a strong influence on hydraulic patterns and the location and timing of contamination reaching different parts of the system.Ph. D.
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Fourie, Shani. "An assessment of water quality and endocrine disruption activities in the Eerste/Kuils River catchment system, Western Cape, South Africa." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20917.
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Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Water quality analysis forms the basis in assessing and monitoring catchments. As urban development continuously increase, pollution sources increase in either point source (wastewater treatment works, industrial effluents) and/or non-point source origin (storm water discharge, domestic pollutants), accumulating pollutants in the environment. It was only recently discovered that certain pollutants have subtle disrupting effects on the endocrine system resulting in health related problems associated with the reproductive system and thyroid system (growth and development) of animals and potentially humans. Natural water resource management proves to include limited biological assays measuring endpoints for cytoxicity, inflammatory activity and endocrine disruption. The broad objective of this study was therefore to include several bioassays, not normally used in municipal (City of Cape Town) monitoring programmes, along with water quality data collected by the City of Cape Town. The Eerste/Kuils River catchment system, Western Cape, under the auspices of the City of Cape Town was chosen, and although this catchment does not contribute to drinking water resources, is subjected to a range of anthropogenic influences (industrial effluents, household wastewater, agricultural runoff). Within the short time-frame available for this study (six months) two months, July (following a dry summer and autumn season) and October (following a wet winter and early spring season) were selected for water quality monitoring. Spatial variation (with relevance to specific point and non-point contamination) among sampling sites were also obtained by choosing several (n=10) along the catchment. Specific aim of the study therefore included: Firstly (Chapter 2), the use of in vitro bioassays, lactate-dehydrolises assay (LDH) for cytotoxic activity, pro-inflammatory hormone Interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion by human blood cells and a specific Salmonella ELISA for faecal contamination, in conjunction with routine chemical and biological (mostly microbiological) monitoring activities. The study indicated significant variation among sites in all microbiological measures as well in IL-6 secretion and Salmonella presence. Between months, variations were also evident in certain variables. Secondly (Chapter 3), two bioassays using the yolk precursor protein, vitellogenin (Vtg) as endpoint was implemented in a) an in vitro Xenopus laevis liver slice assay (five day exposure) and b) an in vivo Zebrafish (Danio rerio) bioassay (seven day exposure) assessing estrogenic activity in the Eerste/Kuils River catchment. Although estrogen spiked positive control water samples stimulated Vtg production in vitro as well as in vivo, no dramatic estrogenic activity was measured at any of the selected sites. Thirdly (Chapter 4), a bioassay using the thyroid controlled metamorphosis in Xenopus laevis tadpoles to assess effects on the thyroid hormonal system was implemented. Thyroid stimulatory activity, compared with a negative control sample, was measured at two sites along the catchment. Although the practical implementation of the tadpole semi-static exposure protocol (water replacement) proved to be labour intensive, all the added bioassays proved to be valuable tools to add valuable information regarding water quality. It is clear that more research related to anthropogenic influences along the Eerste/Kuils River catchment system are needed, specifically in monitoring monthly variations to better understand annual variation in several of the endpoints studied.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Waterkwaliteit vorm die basis vir die evaluering en monitering van opvangsgebiede. Voortdurende stedelike ontwikkeling gee aanleiding tot ‘n toename in die voorkoms van besoedelstowwe in die natuurlike omgewing deur gelokaliseerde (punt) bronne (rioolwerke/industriële uitvloeisel) en/of nie gelokaliseerde (nie punt) bronne (vloed uitlaat/huishoudelike uitvloeisels) van besoedeling. Dit het onlangs aan die lig gekom dat van hierdie chemise besoedelstowwe subtiel die endokriene sisteem versteur en so aanleiding gee tot gesondheidsprobleme in terme van die voortplantingsisteem en tiroied sisteem (groei en ontwikkeling) by diere en moontlik ook die mens. Daar is beperkte gebruik van biologiese toetse wat inligting verskaf oor sitotoksiteit, inflammatoriese aktiwiteit en endokriene versteuring. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om van hierdie biologiese toetse, wat normaalweg nie deel uitmaak van die roetine munisipale (Stad van Kaapstad) opvangsgebied monitering nie, gebruik te maak. Die Eerste-, Kuilsrivier, Wes Kaap, onder beheer van Stad Kaapstad is gekies en alhoewel die opvangsgebied nie water bydra tot drinkwaterbronne nie, word die opvangsgebied beïnvloed deur verskeie mensgemaakte bronne van besoedeling (afloop vanuit omliggende lanbougebiede). Binne die kort tydsraamwerk van die projek (ses maande) is besluit om twee maande, Julie (volg ‘n droë somer en herfs seisoen) en Oktober (volg ‘n nat winter en vroeë lente seisoen) vir water kwaliteit monitering te kies. Ruimtelike variasie langs die loop van die opvangsgebied is ingesluit deur moniteringspunte (n=10), met in ag name van die potensiële besoedelingsbronne. Spesifieke doelwitte van die projek sluit in: Eerstens (Hoofstuk 2), om die in vitro biotoetse, laktaat hidrolise (LDH) vir sitotoksisiteit, proinflammatoriese hormoon Interleuikin-6 (IL-6) vir inflammatoriese aktiwiteit, vrygestel deur menslike bloedselle en ‘n Salmonella ELISA vir ontlasting besoedeling saam met bestaande chemise en biologiese (hoofsaaklik migrobiologiese) veranderlikes te gebruik. Die studie het getoon dat beduidende variasie in alle mikrobiologiese toetse asook IL-6 vrystelling en Salmonella voorkoms bestaan het tussen versamelpunte. Maandelikse variasie in sekere van die veranderlikes het ook voorgekom. Tweedens (Hoofstuk 3), is twee biotoetse wat die dooiervoorloperproteïen, vitellogeen (Vtg) as eindpunt gebruik geimplimenteer in a) ‘n in vitro Xenopus laevis lewersnit biotoets (vyf dag blootstelling) en b) ‘n in vivo Zebravis (Danio rerio) biotoets (sewe dag blootstelling) om estrogenisiteit in die Eerste-, Kuilsrivier opvangsgebied te evalueer. Alhoewel, die estrogeen behandelde positiewe kontrole water monsters Vtg produksie veroorsaak het in beide die in vitro lewer-kulture en in vivo vistoets, is geen dramatiess estrogeniese aktiwiteit by enige van die moniteringspunte gevind nie. Derdens (Hoofstuk 4), is ‘n biotoets wat die tiroïedbeheerde metamorfose in Xenopus laevis paddavisse gebruik om effekte op die tiroïedsisteem te evalueer. Die differensiële stimulering (versnelling), in vergelyking met ‘n negatiewe kontrole watermonster, van die tiroied sisteem is by twee moniteringspunte in die opvangsgebied waargeneem. Alhoewel die praktiese implementering van die paddavis semi-statiese (water word gereeld vervang) biotoets arbeidsintensief is, het alle bykomstige biotoetse waardevolle bykomstige inligting oor water kwaliteit verskaf wat ‘n belangrike bydrae tot ingeligte bestuursbesluite kan verleen. Dit is duidelik dat meer navorsing int verband met die menslike invloed langs die Eerste-, Kuilsrivier opvangsgebied nodig is, veral met maandlikse monitering vir seisoenale veranderinge.
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Mensah, Paul Kojo. "Environmental water quality management of glyphosate-based herbicides in South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001987.
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Although the use of pesticides is necessary to meet the socio-economic needs of many developing countries, especially in Africa, side effects of these bio-active chemicals have contributed to contaminating aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Environmental water quality degradation by pesticides interferes with ecosystem health and poses numerous risks to aquatic life. In South Africa, glyphosate-based herbicides are frequently used to control weeds and invading alien plants, but ultimately end up in freshwater ecosystems. However, there are no South African-based environmental water quality management strategies to regulate these bio-active chemicals. Therefore, this study sought to provide a sound scientific background for the environmental water quality management of glyphosate-based herbicides in South Africa, by conducting both laboratory and field investigations. In the laboratory investigations, aquatic ecotoxicological methods were used to evaluate responses of the freshwater aquatic shrimp Caridina nilotica exposed to Roundup® at different biological system scales, and the responses of multiple South African aquatic species exposed to Roundup® through species sensitivity distribution (SSD). In the field investigations, the effect of Kilo Max WSG on the physicochemical and biological conditions of three selected sites in the Swartkops River before and after a spray episode by Working for Water were evaluated through biomonitoring, using the South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5) as a sampling protocol. Both Roundup® and Kilo Max WSG are glyphosate-based herbicides. All the data were subjected to relevant statistical analyses. Findings of this study revealed that Roundup® elicited responses at different biological system scales in C. nilotica, while SSD estimates were used to derive proposed water quality guidelines for glyphosate-based herbicides in South Africa. The biomonitoring revealed that using glyphosate-based herbicides to control water hyacinth within the Swartkops River had a negligible impact on the physicochemical and biological conditions. Based on these findings, a conceptual framework that can be used for the integrated environmental water quality management of glyphosate-based herbicides in South Africa was developed as part of integrated water resource management (IWRM). The combined data sets contribute to a sound scientific basis for the environmental water quality management of glyphosate-based herbicides in South Africa.
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Marinaro, Ralph Michael. "Investigation of water vapor effects on the detection of nitric acid vapor with the tungstic acid technique." Diss., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/71262.
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An automated tungstic acid technique (TAT) has been successfully used to measure gaseous HNO₃ in the presence of water vapor. The TAT is based on the diffusion of gaseous HNO₃ to the interior walls of a tube coated with tungsten VI oxide (WO₃), where it is selectively chemisorbed. The collected HNO₃ sample is thermally desorbed from the WO₃ surface, as NO, and measured by a chemiluminescent oxides of nitrogen analyzer. The integrated analyzer response is directly proportional to the nitric acid collected.
Based on nitric acid hydration characteristics, a decrease in the diffusion coefficient and thus collection efficiency for denuder type measurement techniques may result with increased atmospheric water vapor (i.e., relative humidity). This study emphasizes the effect of water vapor (i.e., relative humidity) as a potential interferent for HNO₃ collection with the TAT system.
The effect of water vapor (< 78% RH) on the collection efficiency for HNO₃ with the tungstic acid technique is negligible at 25°C, but is significant only at elevated sampling temperatures. This threshold effect is further substantiated and eliminated when a modified sampling collection system was designed with coolant capabilities. The new design has been tested to sub-part-per-billion (NOx analyzer detection limit) levels with minimal loss of gaseous HNO₃ signal, thereby increasing sensitivity to atmospheric HNO₃ concentrations and maintaining the gas/aerosol sample integrity.Ph. D.
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Ma, Ying. "Monitoring of heavy metals in the Bottelary River using Typha capensis and Phragmites australis." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
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The aim of this study was to use plants to determine the degree of heavy metal contamination in water and sediments in order to effectively monitor and provide possible recommendation to improve the water quality in the aquatic ecosystem of the Bottelary River.
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Ляшок, Максим Олексійович. "Вимірювання рівня якісної води в організмі людини – шлях до її здоров’я." Thesis, Молодіжна наукова ліга, 2021. https://er.knutd.edu.ua/handle/123456789/18980.
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У сучасному світі великих швидкостей і цифрових технологій дуже гостро стоїть питання збереження активного способу життя та здоров’я. У зв’язку з цим окрему нішу зайняли інструменти digital health, в тому числі мобільні додатки для управління та контролю стану організму людини. Сфера digital health активно розвивається, створюючи нові та вдосконалюючи свої продукти, впроваджуються цифрові інновації в клінічну практику і повсякденне життя.
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Retief, Daniel Christoffel Hugo. "Investigating integrated catchment management using a simple water quantity and quality model : a case study of the Crocodile River Catchment, South Africa." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017875.
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Internationally, water resources are facing increasing pressure due to over-exploitation and pollution. Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) has been accepted internationally as a paradigm for integrative and sustainable management of water resources. However, in practice, the implementation and success of IWRM policies has been hampered by the lack of availability of integrative decision support tools, especially within the context of limited resources and observed data. This is true for the Crocodile River Catchment (CRC), located within the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. The catchment has been experiencing a decline in water quality as a result of the point source input of a cocktail of pollutants, which are discharged from industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants, as well as diffuse source runoff and return flows from the extensive areas of irrigated agriculture and mining sites. The decline in water quality has profound implications for a range of stakeholders across the catchment including increased treatment costs and reduced crop yields. The combination of deteriorating water quality and the lack of understanding of the relationships between water quantity and quality for determining compliance/non-compliance in the CRC have resulted in collaboration between stakeholders, willing to work in a participatory and transparent manner to create an Integrated Water Quality Management Plan (IWQMP). This project aimed to model water quality, (combined water quality and quantity), to facilitate the IWQMP aiding in the understanding of the relationship between water quantity and quality in the CRC. A relatively simple water quality model (WQSAM) was used that receives inputs from established water quantity systems models, and was designed to be a water quality decision support tool for South African catchments. The model was applied to the CRC, achieving acceptable simulations of total dissolved solids (used as a surrogate for salinity) and nutrients (including orthophosphates, nitrates +nitrites and ammonium) for historical conditions. Validation results revealed that there is little consistency within the catchment, attributed to the non-stationary nature of water quality at many of the sites in the CRC. The analyses of the results using a number of representations including, seasonal load distributions, load duration curves and load flow plots, confirmed that the WQSAM model was able to capture the variability of relationships between water quantity and quality, provided that simulated hydrology was sufficiently accurate. The outputs produced by WQSAM was seen as useful for the CRC, with the Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA) planning to operationalise the model in 2015. The ability of WQSAM to simulate water quality in data scarce catchments, with constituents that are appropriate for the needs of water resource management within South Africa, is highly beneficial.
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Hwang, Du-Hyun Dwayne. "Flow quality measurement based on stratification of flow in nitrogen gas-water and HFC-134a refrigerant-PAG oil two-phase flow systems." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/MQ58743.pdf.
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Kamish, Wageed. "Hydrosalinity modelling of the Berg River using ACRUSalinity." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2067.
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Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.In recent years, concern about the water quality in the Berg River received a fair degree of attention, particularly with the imminent construction of the Berg Water Project (BWP). Particular concerns have been expressed about the water quality with respect to total dissolved salts (TDS) at Misverstand Dam. In previous studies (Fourie and Görgens, 1977) it was identified that the saline water was mostly generated in the lower portion of the Berg River Catchment (Matjies, Moorreesburg and Sandspruit Rivers) and that the abstraction of acceptable quality water higher up in the Berg River could possibly result in salinity problems at Misverstand Dam. Contrary to expectation, these studies also showed that for the most saline catchments, a winter peak in TDS concentrations also existed. To help address these concerns, a Water Research Commission (WRC) project was initiated in 2003 in which the newly-developed salinity module of the daily Agricultural Catchment Research Unit (ACRU) agrohydrological model, known as ACRUSalinity, would be configured for the Berg River Catchment. This model had previously been configured and calibrated for the Mkhomazi Catchment (Teweldebrhan, 2003) which exhibited relatively low streamflow TDS concentrations (100 mg/l) and it was deemed necessary to ascertain whether comparable TDS values could be simulated in the Berg River Catchment, where TDS concentration could rise to well above 1 000 mg/l in certain tributaries. In this project, ACRUSalinity was configured for the Berg River Catchment on a distributed basis, aiming to capture the spatial distribution of rainfall and geophysical characteristics which inherently exist in a catchment as expansive as the Berg. Initial application of the "Beta version" of ACRUSalinity to the Berg River Catchment revealed that it failed to produce simulated TDS values which were representative of the observed data. It became evident that the model required both additional salinity-related functions and modifications of existing functions. After the implementation of these algorithm changes the correspondence of simulated and observed TDS concentrations improved markedly. Verification of the ACRUSalinity simulated flows and calibration of the salinity-related parameters was based on the values of predefined objective functions. Reasonably representative flows could be obtained provided that the catchment discretisation and driver rainfall selection process were adequate. Salinity related parameters were determined purely on an iterative basis, although a priori estimation of these parameters was possible. Preliminary interdependency tests of these parameters revealed that the final calibrated set of salinity-related parameters was probably not unique and that some a priori decision making would be required when selecting the most realistic set of parameters. Quantification of the potential effect of the Berg River Dam on the TDS concentrations at Misverstand Dam was achieved as follows: the ACRUSalinity model was verified for flow and calibrated for TDS at available and reliable flow gauging stations. This was then followed by a long-term simulation run which yielded daily TDS time series for comparison, on an exceedance basis, with the observed record. Since the concern about the possible deterioration of water quality at Misverstand Dam was only a winter concern (May to September), comparisons were only drawn over this period. The flow-routing option in ACRUSalinity was not activated and a 1:1 daily comparison of flows and TDS concentrations, based on values of the objective function, was thus not possible. Results from this study showed that even with a daily model, the exceedance percentages of the TDS concentrations after the construction of the Berg River Dam were comparable with the exceedance percentages obtained from the original monthly modelling study (DWAF, 1993). In this study, however, it was possible to capture the increasing TDS concentration which was evident over winter months in the observed data record for the Matjies River and Sandspruit River catchments. The testing of the model’s effectiveness in the evaluation of engineering options was accomplished as follows: several options for ameliorating the possible deterioration of water quality at Misverstand Dam were defined, based on its practicality and cost of implementation. For example, the Withoogte water treatment works abstracts water from Misverstand Dam for supply to the West Coast region when water quality is acceptable (i.e. a TDS lower than 450 mg/l). It was proposed that to minimise the effect of periods when no abstraction from Misverstand could occur due to unacceptable water quality, a second reservoir at the treatment works should be lined and used to provide bridging storage for water from Misverstand Dam when the water quality was acceptable. The calibrated ACRUSalinity model was then modified to reflect the physical attributes of this engineering scenario of interest to produce sets of flow and TDS time series which could be further analysed to determine assurance of supply, in terms of predetermined TDS concentration thresholds in Misverstand Dam. Using this particular engineering option, the analysis revealed that a 300 mg/l TDS upper-limit at Misverstand was too stringent and that 450 mg/l was probably more realistic.
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Rosfjord, Catherine Harney. "An Evaluation of 20 Year Changes in Chemistry in the EPA Easter Lake Survey, A Statistical Population of Lakes in the Northeastern U.S." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2005. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/RosfjordCH2005.pdf.
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Chan, Ka Ming. "The use of the rock shell, thais clavigera, as a biomonitor of tributyltin contamination in Hong Kong and Shenzhen." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2008. http://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/860.
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Kleyi, Phumelele Eldridge. "The development of functionalized electrospun nanofibers for the control of pathogenic microorganisms in water." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013134.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis presents the development of functionalized electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers for the eradication of pathogenic microorganisms in drinking water. Imidazole derivatives were synthesized as the antimicrobial agents and were characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray crystallography. The first set of compounds (2-substituted N-alkylimidazoles) consisted of imidazole derivatives substituted with different alkyl groups (methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl and benzyl) at the 1-position and various functional groups [carboxaldehyde (CHO), alcohol (CH2OH) and carboxylic acid (COOH)] at the 2-position. It was observed that the antimicrobial activity of the compounds increased with increasing alkyl chain length and decreasing pKa of the 2-substituent. It was also observed that the antimicrobial activity was predominantly against a Gram-positive bacterial strains [Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 5-160 μg/mL) and Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii (MIC = 5-20 μg/mL)], with the latter being the more susceptible. However, the compounds displayed poor antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacterial strain, E. coli (MIC = 150- >2500 μg/mL) and did not show any activity against the yeast, C. albicans. The second set of compounds consisted of the silver(I) complexes containing 2-hydroxymethyl-N-alkylimidazoles. The complexes displayed a broad spectrum antimicrobial activity towards the microorganisms that were tested and their activity [E. coli (MIC = 5-40 μg/mL), S. aureus (MIC = 20-80 μg/mL), Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii (MIC = 5-40 μg/mL) and C. albicans (MIC = 40-80 μg/mL)] increased with the alkyl chain length of the 2-hydroxymethyl-N-alkylimidazole. The third set of compounds consisted of the vinylimidazoles containing the vinyl group either at the 1-position or at the 4- or 5- position. The imidazoles with the vinyl group at the 4- or 5-position contained the alkyl group (decyl) at the 1-position. For the fabrication of the antimicrobial nanofibers, the first two sets of imidazole derivatives (2-substituted N-alkylimidazoles and silver(I) complexes) were incorporated into electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers while the third set (2-substituted vinylimidazoles) was immobilized onto electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers employing the graft polymerization method. The antimicrobial nylon nanofibers were characterized by IR spectroscopy and SEM-EDAX (EDS). The electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers incorporated with 2-substituted N-alkylimidazoles displayed moderate to excellent levels of growth reduction against S. aureus (73.2-99.8 percent). For the electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers incorporated with silver(I) complexes, the levels of growth reduction were >99.99 percent, after the antimicrobial activity evaluation using the shake flask method. Furthermore, the grafted electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers showed excellent levels of growth reduction for E. coli (99.94-99.99 percent) and S. aureus (99.93-99.99 percent). The reusability results indicated that the grafted electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers maintained the antibacterial activity until the third cycle of useage. The cytotoxicity studies showed that grafted electrospun nylon 6 nanofibers possess lower cytotoxic effects on Chang liver cells with IC50 values in the range 23.48-26.81 μg/mL. The thesis demonstrated that the development of antimicrobial electrospun nanofibers, with potential for the eradication of pathogenic microoganisms in water, could be accomplished by incorporation as well as immobilization strategies.
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Rheem, Sungsue. "Multivariate nonparametric trend assessment with environmental applications." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/40145.
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Catterall, Kylie. "Development of a Rapid Microbial-Based Toxicity Assay Employing Ferricyanide as an Artificial Respiratory Electron Acceptor." Thesis, Griffith University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367811.
Full textAbstract:
The use of ferricyanide-mediated microbial reactions was investigated with a view to developing a rapid microbial-based toxicity assay to overcome the short falls of existing techniques currently employed in the water and wastewater industry. This assay, known as the ferricyanide-mediated toxicity (FMTOX) assay, employs ferricyanide in place of oxygen as an artificial electron acceptor during microbial respiration. The principle behind this assay is similar to conventional microbial-based toxicity assays that quantify the inhibition of the electron transport system of microorganisms. In this case, however, rather than monitoring changes in bioluminescence (Microtox), oxygen (OEeD 209 Activated Sludge Respiration Inhibition Assay) or the production of oxidised nitrogen (ISO 9509 Activated Sludge Nitrification Inhibition Assay), the FMTOX assay quantifies microbially produced ferrocyanide derived from ferricyanide cellular respiration using an electrochemical detection system.
In order to ascertain the relevance and practicality of the newly developed FMTOX assay, a tool box was developed that included a list features that an ideal microbialbased toxicity assay would have when applied to the water and wastewater industry. An assessment of other available microbial-based toxicity assays against the ideal toxicity assay was also made. Throughout this study, the use of this tool box approach served as a means to direct systematic research on FMTOX development and optimisation and also to evaluate if this new assay improves on the currently available microbial toxicity assays.
FMTOX method validation, proof of concept investigations and optimisation of key experimental parameters was facilitated employing, Escherichia coli and 3,5-Dichlorophenol (3,5-DCP) as a model microorganism and test substance respectively. Following a concentration-response experimental design using a range of organic and inorganic test substances, the versatility of the generic FMTOX assay developed using E. coli was successfully applied without further modification (excluding exposure temperature) to three other microbial test species (Pseudomonas jluorescens, Bacillus subtilis and Acetobacter calcoaceticus). Furthermore, when a test substance exerted a measurable inhibitory effect, the trends obtained were found to display classic sigmoid shaped concentration-response curves reported for conventional toxicity assays.
The degree of similarity between the ranked IC50 values calculated for the FMTOX microorganisms and literature values reported for standard microbial-based toxicity assays were compared using the Bray Curtis similarity matrix and visually displayed using hierarchal cluster analysis. While the trends obtained revealed that each of the microorganisms within the assays have their own sensitivity profiles, some similarities were evident. For example, of the microorganisms investigated in the FMTOX assay, B. subtilis was generally found to be the most sensitive test microorganism and the toxicity profiles obtained were found to be 88% similar to the ranked IC50 values reported for the Microtox assay. Consequently, it was proposed that the FMTOX B. subtilis assay would be relevant for applications where the Microtox assay has been typically employed, such as those requiring high sensitivity. On the other hand, owing to generally higher IC50 values, the FMTOX assay using A. calcoaceticus was found to be more comparable the activated sludge based assays as evidenced by relatively high percent similarities (93%) for both the OECD 209 assay and the ISO 9509 assay. It was therefore suggested that FMTOX A. calcoaceticus would be more suitable for applications where the activated sludge based toxicity assays are employed, such as WWTP influent monitoring, WWTP process control, and compliance monitoring of industries discharging into sewers.
The successful application of the single microorganisms in the FMTOX assay prompted the investigation and development of a FMTOX assay employing activated sludge obtained from a WWTP. The results of this investigation are significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, this is the first report that has demonstrated that a mixed microbial consortium of activated sludge is able to reduce the artificial electron acceptor, ferricyanide, to ferrocyanide during cellular respiration. Secondly, using the test substances employed for the FMTOX single microorganisms, 97% (45 and 75 minutes total exposure times) and 100% similarity (135 minute total exposure time) in the ranked IC50 values were found between the OECD 209 assay and the FMTOX activated sludge. Comparison with the ISO 9509 assay also yielded excellent agreement as percent similarities ranging from 87% to 90% were found for each of the three FMTOX activated sludge assay exposure times. Importantly, the FMTOX activated sludge assay was able to achieve these comparable results in a much faster time frame (45 min.-135 min.) compared to the OECD 209 assay (3 hours) and the ISO 9509 assay (4 hours). Finally, the FMTOX activated sludge assay was also found to be much simpler to perform and required significantly reduced preparation and analysis time. Based on these very promising results it was concluded that the FMTOX assay employing activated sludge assay would be more appropriate for assessing the impact of wastewaters to the specific activated sludge community inhabiting any WWTP.
The flexibility of being able to modify the biocatalyst(s) in the FMTOX assay demonstrates the versatility of the assay as it means that biocatalysts can be selected based on the indigenous species present in the environment being monitored and/or on the sensitivity and selectivity profiles required for specific applications. Importantly, this flexibility together with other significant advantages means that the FMTOX assay shows the necessary attributes of an ideal microbial-based toxicity assay that would be relevant to a wide variety of applications in the water and wastewater industry. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that additional developmental work is still required, such as, analysis of the day to day variability of the FMTOX assay, further investigations of more test microorganisms, including tailor made mixed microbial consortiums and test batteries; further investigations of more test substances including mixtures and real samples; and further investigations of possible interferences to the FMTOX detection system.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Environmental and Applied Science
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Appel, Patrick L. "Use of Automated Sampler to Characterize Urban Stormwater Runoff in Pecan Creek." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2000. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2681/.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to use the Global Water Stormwater Sampler SS201 to characterize the urban runoff in Pecan Creek. Location of the samplers was influenced by land use and ease of installation. Determination of the constituents for analysis was modeled after those used in the NPDES permit for seven cities within the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex. Some metals, notably cadmium and arsenic, exceeded the U.S. EPA's MCL's. Statistical analysis revealed first flush samples to be significantly more concentrated than composite samples. Minimum discharge loadings were found to be significantly lower than maximum discharge loadings. Additionally there were significant differences of specific constituents between station locations and storm events.
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Li, Weijia, and n/a. "Development of New Binding Phases for Speciation Measurements of Trace Metals with the Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Technique." Griffith University. School of Environmental and Applied Science, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20040504.150905.
Full textAbstract:
The recently developed technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) for speciation measurement of analytes in the environment was further developed through the development of series of new binding phases including poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) copolymer hydrogel (PAM-PAA), poly(acrylamidoglycolic acid-co-acrylamide) (PAAGA-PAM) hydrogel, the Whatman P81 cellulose phosphate ion exchange membrane (P81) and a liquid binding phase of poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS). A new diffusion layer, cellulose dialysis membrane, was also employed for the liquid binding phase DGT. PAM-PAA copolymer hydrogel was prepared by the controlled hydrolysis of polyacrylamide (PAM) in an alkaline solution of 10% sodium hydroxide. The capacity of the copolymer hydrogel to bind various metal ions was tested under a range of uptake conditions. Ions such as Cu2+ and Cd2+ were bound more strongly to the copolymer hydrogel than the competing ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. Metals bound to the copolymer hydrogel can be efficiently eluted in 2 M HNO3 solution (>94%). Application of this new binding material to DGT technique was validated in a synthetic lake water (Windermere, Lake District, UK) with a recovery of 99.0% for Cu2+. PAAGA-PAM hydrogel was prepared by copolymerising 2-acrylamidoglycolic acid with acrylamide. The metal ion binding properties of the hydrogel were characterised for Cu2+, Cd2+ and competing ions under various experimental conditions. The hydrogel was shown to bind Cu2+ and Cd2+ strongly under non-competitive binding conditions, with binding capacities of 5.3 and 5.1 micromol cm-2, respectively. The binding capacity of each metal decreased, under competitive binding conditions (with a range of metal ions present at 17.8 mN), to 1.3 and 0.17 micromol cm-2, respectively, indicating a strong selective binding towards Cu2+. The metal ions were readily recovered (>94%) by eluting with 2 M HNO3. Finally, the copolymer hydrogel was tested as a binding phase with the DGT technique. A linear mass vs. time relationship was observed for Cu2+ in Windermere water with a recovery of close to 100%. The use of a commercially available solid ion exchange membrane (P81) as the binding phase in DGT analysis was demonstrated. P81 is a strong cation exchange membrane. Its performance characteristics as a new binding phase in DGT measurement of Cu2+ and Cd2+ were systematically investigated. Several advantages over the conventional ion exchange resin-embedded hydrogel based binding phases used in DGT were observed. These include: simple preparation, ease of handling, and reusability. The binding phase preferentially binds to transition metal ions rather than competing ions. Within the optimum pH range (pH 4.0 - 9.0), the maximum non-competitive binding capacities of the membrane for Cu2+ and Cd2+ were 3.22 and 3.07 micromol cm-2, respectively. The suitability of the new membrane-based binding phase for DGT applications was validated experimentally. The results demonstrated excellent agreement with theoretically predicted trends. The reusability of this binding phase was also investigated. Application of a liquid binding phase and a dialysis membrane diffusive layer were proposed for the first time. The binding phase was a 0.020 M solution of poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) polyelectrolyte using a specially designed DGT device. The binding properties of Cd2+, Cu2+, and a range of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions to the PSS solution were characterised. The PSS behaved like a cation exchanger with preferential binding to Cd2+ (6.0 micromole ml-1, log K = 9.0) and Cu2+ (2.5 micromole ml-1, log K = 8.1) under competitive binding conditions. The DGT devices were successfully validated for Cd2+ and Cu2+ in Windermere water. The speciation performance of the solid and liquid binding phases developed in this study was investigated in solutions containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA), humic acid (HA), glucose (GL), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBS) and tannic acid (TA) with Cu2+ and Cd2+. The ratios of labile metals over total metals were at good agreement with calculated theoretical values using Stability Constants Database. The results indicated that the DGT-labile concentration measured by DGT with these binding phases is essentially free metal ion concentration in the sample. All newly developed DGT binding phases were successfully applied for environmental speciation. The field deployments were carried out in both freshwater and salt-water test sites.
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Li, Weijia. "Development of New Binding Phases for Speciation Measurements of Trace Metals with the Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Technique." Thesis, Griffith University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/367741.
Full textAbstract:
The recently developed technique of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) for speciation measurement of analytes in the environment was further developed through the development of series of new binding phases including poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) copolymer hydrogel (PAM-PAA), poly(acrylamidoglycolic acid-co-acrylamide) (PAAGA-PAM) hydrogel, the Whatman P81 cellulose phosphate ion exchange membrane (P81) and a liquid binding phase of poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS). A new diffusion layer, cellulose dialysis membrane, was also employed for the liquid binding phase DGT. PAM-PAA copolymer hydrogel was prepared by the controlled hydrolysis of polyacrylamide (PAM) in an alkaline solution of 10% sodium hydroxide. The capacity of the copolymer hydrogel to bind various metal ions was tested under a range of uptake conditions. Ions such as Cu2+ and Cd2+ were bound more strongly to the copolymer hydrogel than the competing ions such as Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+. Metals bound to the copolymer hydrogel can be efficiently eluted in 2 M HNO3 solution (>94%). Application of this new binding material to DGT technique was validated in a synthetic lake water (Windermere, Lake District, UK) with a recovery of 99.0% for Cu2+. PAAGA-PAM hydrogel was prepared by copolymerising 2-acrylamidoglycolic acid with acrylamide. The metal ion binding properties of the hydrogel were characterised for Cu2+, Cd2+ and competing ions under various experimental conditions. The hydrogel was shown to bind Cu2+ and Cd2+ strongly under non-competitive binding conditions, with binding capacities of 5.3 and 5.1 micromol cm-2, respectively. The binding capacity of each metal decreased, under competitive binding conditions (with a range of metal ions present at 17.8 mN), to 1.3 and 0.17 micromol cm-2, respectively, indicating a strong selective binding towards Cu2+. The metal ions were readily recovered (>94%) by eluting with 2 M HNO3. Finally, the copolymer hydrogel was tested as a binding phase with the DGT technique. A linear mass vs. time relationship was observed for Cu2+ in Windermere water with a recovery of close to 100%. The use of a commercially available solid ion exchange membrane (P81) as the binding phase in DGT analysis was demonstrated. P81 is a strong cation exchange membrane. Its performance characteristics as a new binding phase in DGT measurement of Cu2+ and Cd2+ were systematically investigated. Several advantages over the conventional ion exchange resin-embedded hydrogel based binding phases used in DGT were observed. These include: simple preparation, ease of handling, and reusability. The binding phase preferentially binds to transition metal ions rather than competing ions. Within the optimum pH range (pH 4.0 - 9.0), the maximum non-competitive binding capacities of the membrane for Cu2+ and Cd2+ were 3.22 and 3.07 micromol cm-2, respectively. The suitability of the new membrane-based binding phase for DGT applications was validated experimentally. The results demonstrated excellent agreement with theoretically predicted trends. The reusability of this binding phase was also investigated. Application of a liquid binding phase and a dialysis membrane diffusive layer were proposed for the first time. The binding phase was a 0.020 M solution of poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) polyelectrolyte using a specially designed DGT device. The binding properties of Cd2+, Cu2+, and a range of alkali and alkaline earth metal ions to the PSS solution were characterised. The PSS behaved like a cation exchanger with preferential binding to Cd2+ (6.0 micromole ml-1, log K = 9.0) and Cu2+ (2.5 micromole ml-1, log K = 8.1) under competitive binding conditions. The DGT devices were successfully validated for Cd2+ and Cu2+ in Windermere water. The speciation performance of the solid and liquid binding phases developed in this study was investigated in solutions containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt (EDTA), humic acid (HA), glucose (GL), dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (DBS) and tannic acid (TA) with Cu2+ and Cd2+. The ratios of labile metals over total metals were at good agreement with calculated theoretical values using Stability Constants Database. The results indicated that the DGT-labile concentration measured by DGT with these binding phases is essentially free metal ion concentration in the sample. All newly developed DGT binding phases were successfully applied for environmental speciation. The field deployments were carried out in both freshwater and salt-water test sites.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Environmental and Applied Science
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Lambert, Patricia. "Evaluation of the Chlorophyll/Fluorescence Sensor of the YSI Multiprobe: Comparison to an Acetone Extraction Procedure." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2001. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2794/.
Full textAbstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the suitability of the YSI model 6600 Environmental Monitoring System (multiprobe) for long term deployment at a site in Lewisville Lake, Texas. Specifically, agreement between a laboratory extraction procedure and the multiprobe chlorophyll/fluorescence readings was examined. Preliminary studies involved determining the best method for disrupting algal cells prior to analysis and examining the precision and linearity of the acetone extraction procedure. Cell disruption by mortar and pestle grinding was preferable to bath sonication. Comparison of the chlorophyll/fluorescence readings from the multiprobe and the extraction procedure indicated that they were significantly correlated but temperature dependent.
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Wagner, Derrick Lee. "Hydrogeologic Characterization of Dutch Canyon, Scappoose, Oregon." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1020.
Full textAbstract:
Dutch Canyon is located directly west of the City of Scappoose in Columbia County Oregon. This area is proximate to Highway 30, a major access corridor to downtown Portland, and is experiencing a population increase, which is expected to continue and likely accelerate. As a result, there is growing pressure on water resources. Individual and community efforts to utilize groundwater resources have been hampered by generally poor groundwater yields and water quality concerns outside of the Columbia River corridor and a lack of published hydrogeologic information for the region.
The intent of this study is to identify the water-bearing units present in Dutch Canyon and to characterize water quality within these units. The physical hydrogeology of Dutch Canyon was assessed mainly through the collation of 196 local well reports that contained lithologic information from which individual hydrostratigraphic units were identified and characterized. Hydraulic parameters for individual units were estimated using pump rates and drawdowns provided in select well reports. Water quality for the units identified was assessed through the collection of 48 samples of well, spring, and stream water from Dutch Canyon. Measurements of pH, specific conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, reduction potential, and alkalinity were recorded in the field and samples were analyzed for major ions, arsenic, and stable isotopes.
The major water-bearing units of Dutch Canyon were separated into five physically distinct hydrostratigrapic units: the lower, middle, and upper units of the sedimentary Lower Miocene Scappoose Formation, and the Wapshilla Ridge and Ortley members of the Lower to Middle Miocene Grande Ronde Basalt. Groundwater flow likely occurs in discrete, relatively thin (~2- to 10-m thick) zones within the Grand Ronde Basalt members. These units only occur along the slopes and ridges of Dutch Canyon west of the Portland Hills Fault, which parallels the eastern margin of the study area. The Scappoose Formation units contain clay- and silt-rich layers and lenses that limit the useable aquifer volume and vertical movement of groundwaters. In general, all hydrostratrigraphic units east of the Portland Hills Fault have low transmissivities and water wells completed in each of them are commonly low- yielding wells, though there are some exceptions.
Geochemically, the lower and middle units of the Scappoose Formation were similar to one another with many wells yielding groundwater with high total dissolved solids (TDS) contents (mean TDS = 330 mg L-1; n = 27). Nearly 20% of the wells sampled that were screened in these units (5 of 27) yielded groundwater that exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's National Secondary (non-enforceable) Drinking Water Regulation standard of 500 mg L-1 TDS. The upper unit of the Scappoose Formation and the overlying Grande Ronde Basalt members generally yield water with lower TDS contents (mean < 200 mg L-1; maximum = 342 mg L-1; n = 20).
Groundwater resources in Dutch Canyon are limited and low well yields are common. The primary water quality concern is saline water, which is generally found in the lower and middle units of the Scappoose Formation near the valley floor. Low recharge rates determined from hydrograph analysis of stream discharge measurements are consistent with the geology and steep terrain of the area and further limit the available groundwater and the degree of flushing of what may be connate waters in the deeper units.
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Ververs, James. "A quantitative method for reproducible ionization chamber alignment to a water surface for external beam radiation therapy depth dose measurements." VCU Scholars Compass, 2011. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2600.
Full textAbstract:
Ionization chambers (ICs) are the most commonly used detectors for radiation therapy dose measurements. Typical IC measurements use cylindrical ICs in a water phantom and therefore require initial IC alignment to the water surface. This alignment has long been ignored and only recently has a qualitative governing recommendation been made. This thesis describes a reproducible methodology for quantitative ionization chamber water surface alignment. Depth-ionization measurements are taken with twenty-eight IC designs under varying conditions including, but not limited to, changes in scan direction, speed, and resolution, radiation beam type, field size, energy, and electron contamination. Measurements are acquired using standard radiotherapy accelerators in the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Radiation Oncology and at the National Research Council of Canada, where a customized scanning system capable of better than 0.15 mm IC positioning precision is used. Measurements are also performed with standard commercial scanning equipment on the Accuray CyberKnife, a specialized radiosurgery-class accelerator. An analytical model is developed from basic principles to test the theoretical foundations of IC response near a water surface. The theoretical foundation is further validated via Monte Carlo simulation models that fully account for all details of the ICs used to take measurements. It is determined that the dose gradient as a function of depth is maximized when a given IC reaches the water surface when moving from depth in water. This effect is unchanged under all of the measurement scenarios tested. Measurements taken at 0.1 mm resolution for several seconds per point over several millimeters near the surface will yield a gradient peak that can be used for quantitative alignment. Using developed software, multiple scans at variant resolutions can be stitched into typical clinical scans so as not to significantly affect clinical measurement workflow. The recommended measurement method is developed in a format suitable for inclusion into a clinical protocol for depth-ionization measurement acquisition.