Results :: Search Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs)

Control of Acid Rock Drainage from Mine Tailings through the Addition of Dissolved Organic Carbon: Author: Sturman, Paul John; Date: 2004-12-15; Program: Engineering; Abstract: Acid mine drainage detrimentally affects thousands of surface watercourses throughout the world and costs tens of millions of dollars annually in site remediation expenditures. This process is accelerated by the activity of iron- and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria which grow chemolithotrophically in mine tailings. Low cost, environmentally acceptable, and low maintenance treatment technologies are needed to both treat acid mine drainage and prevent its occurrence. The addition of dissolved organic carbon to mine tailings has the potential to stimulate beneficial heterotrophic populations of bacteri...; Download File | View full details

Design of Model Reactor Systems for Evaluating Disinfectants Against Biofilm Bacteria: Author: Goeres, Darla Marie; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Engineering; Abstract: Laboratory reactors are devices which grow biofilms under controlled and/or field relevant conditions for the purpose of developing biofilm control strategies. In disinfectant efficacy testing, as well as in research, choosing the best reactor to use is important because different laboratory reactors impart unique characteristics in the biofilm that influence everything form biofilm architecture and protein regulation to the response of biofilm bacteria to disinfection. In this dissertation, three laboratory reactors and associated standard operating protocols were developed to provide a relia...; Download File | View full details

Impact of a Model Soil on the Biotransformation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene and its Amine Metabolites: Author: Walker, Diane Kathryn; Date: 2004-05-15; Program: Environmental Engineering; Abstract: The end of the Cold War resulted in the closure of many sites where explosives were manufactured, processed, and stored, and packaging practices left behind highly contaminated surface waters, groundwater and soils. Chief among the explosives contaminating these sites is the xenobiotic, 2,4, 6- trinitrotoluene (TNT) whose electron-withdrawing nitro-groups make this aromatic compound highly resistant to biodegradation. An alternative option to mineralization as a bioremediation strategy, however, is immobilization. TNT can be biotransformed under reducing conditions to 2,4,6-triaminotoluene (TA...; Download File | View full details

Kinetics and Community Profiling of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria in Organic Carbon Treated Mine Tailings: Author: McBroom, Mark David; Date: 2005-05-15; Program: Environmental Engineering; Abstract: Acid rock drainage (ARD) poses a significant health and environmental hazard worldwide via the discharge of highly acidic waters and potentially toxic levels of mobile metals. This is a result of weathering and microbial oxidation of pyretic minerals present in mine tailings. Sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), which are often indigenous to mine tailings, have demonstrated promising potential in metabolically raising effluent pH and immobilizing metals through precipitation and biomineralization. The addition of an organic carbon source has the potential of stimulating the SRB and reducing ARD at...; Download File | View full details