Masters Theses

Abstract

"Recent discoveries regarding volatile organic compounds’ (VOCs) fate in phytoremediation have confirmed that diffusion and subsequent volatilization from trees comprise a fundamental transport processes. Diffusion of VOCs through woody plant tissues has direct impact on contaminant fate in phytoremediation. Diffusion studies experiments were conducted to investigate the transport rates of VOCs in wood tissues. Compounds investigated were chlorinated compounds such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethene (PCE), and tetrachloroethane (TeCA), and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).

Direct measurement of diffusion rates was carried out on hybrid poplar tree cores (P delotoides X P nigra, clone DN34). Diffusivities were determined by modeling the diffusive transport using one dimensional diffusive flux with appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Diffusivities found to be inversely related to molecular weight of the compounds. The determined diffusivities compare favorably with theory-based predictions, considering wood as a three phase media. Confirming and enhancing the theoretical model, this study opens the door to projecting the potential fate of many volatile and semi volatile compounds that have not been studied explicitly and will increase the understanding and potentially the acceptance of VOC phytoremediation efforts"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)

Committee Member(s)

Morrison, Glenn
Frank, Ronald L.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Environmental Engineering

Sponsor(s)

National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Midwest Hazardous Substance Research Center

Comments

This research was funded by National Science Foundation (NSF-BES 9984064) and EPA Midwest Hazardous Substance Research Center-Purdue University. Authors

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Spring 2006

Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation

Direct Measurement of VOC Diffusivities in Tree Tissues: Impacts on Tree-based Phytoremediation

Pagination

x, 59 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references.

Rights

© 2006 Krishna Kumar Baduru, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Partition coefficient (Chemistry)PhytoremediationVolatile organic compounds -- MeasurementXylem

Thesis Number

T 8914

Print OCLC #

79473124

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