Evaluating the Effects of Waterjet Delivered Amendment on Benthic Organism
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Geological Engineering
Research Advisor
Burken, Joel G. (Joel Gerard)
Elmore, A. Curt
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Second Advisor's Department
Biological Sciences
Funding Source
Missouri S&T Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experiences (OURE) Program; NIH
Abstract
The remediation of contaminated sediments is regularly performed through the addition of remediation amendments. The delivery of these amendments is typically executed through mechanical mixing methods, which can be devastating to the benthic communities living in these areas. This research tests the effects of a less invasive amendment delivery system on benthic organisms. A custom waterjet nozzle combined with a pressurized amendment vessel and a standard pressure washer are currently being investigated as a means to deliver remediation amendments into contaminated sediments. The waterjet delivery system was tested on a benthic organism surrogate as a means to evaluate the newly developed delivery systems impacts on these creatures, and Styrofoam coupons were used as the surrogate. The coupons were placed in different environments and the exiting stream from the waterjet delivery system was passed over each. The variables examined in this analysis included water pressure, distance from the jet to the surrogate, depth of surrogate burial in sand and/or water, and different nozzle degree angles. For animals capable of burrowing at least an inch, like mollusks, would be safe from harm unless the waterjet was being operated within two inches of the sediment.
Biography
Grace Harper is a sophomore in Geological Engineering from Wentzville, MO. She is actively involved with Engineers without Borders as the organization’s fundraising chair and Honduras team secretary. Her research interests are in remediation and she hopes to work in environmental clean up in the future.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Document Type
Presentation
Location
Gasconade Room
Presentation Date
07 Apr 2010, 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Evaluating the Effects of Waterjet Delivered Amendment on Benthic Organism
Gasconade Room
The remediation of contaminated sediments is regularly performed through the addition of remediation amendments. The delivery of these amendments is typically executed through mechanical mixing methods, which can be devastating to the benthic communities living in these areas. This research tests the effects of a less invasive amendment delivery system on benthic organisms. A custom waterjet nozzle combined with a pressurized amendment vessel and a standard pressure washer are currently being investigated as a means to deliver remediation amendments into contaminated sediments. The waterjet delivery system was tested on a benthic organism surrogate as a means to evaluate the newly developed delivery systems impacts on these creatures, and Styrofoam coupons were used as the surrogate. The coupons were placed in different environments and the exiting stream from the waterjet delivery system was passed over each. The variables examined in this analysis included water pressure, distance from the jet to the surrogate, depth of surrogate burial in sand and/or water, and different nozzle degree angles. For animals capable of burrowing at least an inch, like mollusks, would be safe from harm unless the waterjet was being operated within two inches of the sediment.
