Masters Theses

Abstract

"In situ sediment remediation through waterjet-activated carbon amendment delivery is an innovative means to mitigate the dangers posed by hydrophobic organic compounds. Ease of use and applicability to inundated environments makes this technique valuable. This work made feasible low-pressure injections of a 15% (by dry weight) carbon/water slurry through a pulsating piston pump waterjet. The project fabricated nozzle tips and a unique injection apparatus comprising a quantitative system for the evaluation of bench scale models. Based on a series of iterative processes, injections of carbon were analyzed for depth and concentration. Injections varied in duration and they were made into a white kaolinite surrogate sediment. The carbon concentration throughout the target area was analyzed using a spectroradiometer that plotted wavelength against the reflectance of each sample. To confirm the impact of carbon placement, soil contaminated with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was used during testing to quantify the reduction in the bioavailable portion of the contaminant. The performance of carbon liquid injections into the sediment was evaluated using solid phase microextraction fibers and high-performance liquid chromatography. Testing showed that, when used in a kaolinite sediment the customized waterjet is capable of delivering a carbon/water slurry at depths up to 30 cm with a uniform concentration averaging 3.0%. Further testing in the contaminated sediment showed reductions of over 90% in the bioavailable portion of PAHs at depths of 30 cm or greater. The unique features of waterjets and their proven performance make them a viable remedial technique in subaqueous applications"--Abstract, page iv.

Advisor(s)

Elmore, A. Curt

Committee Member(s)

Cawlfield, Jeffrey D.
Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geological Engineering

Sponsor(s)

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Superfund Program (U.S.)

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2011

Pagination

viii, 121 pages

Rights

© 2011 Chris J. Redell, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

Bioavailability
Carbon, Activated
Contaminated sediments
Soil remediation
Water jets

Thesis Number

T 9857

Print OCLC #

785221753

Electronic OCLC #

752327880

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