O Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares IPEN-CNEN/SP produz rotineiramente o combustível nuclear necessário para a operação de seu reator de pesquisas IEA-R1. Esse combustível é formado por placas combustíveis contendo núcleos de dispersões U3Si2-Al, obtidas por laminação. As placas combustíveis sofrem um tratamento químico para limpeza de sua superfície, com o objetivo de garantir a remoção de qualquer impureza presente em suas superfícies, incluindo resíduos de urânio. Nos últimos 10 anos foram constatados de forma esporádica aumentos significativos na atividade radioativa da água da piscina do reator IEA-R1. O aumento da atividade no ambiente do reator foi relacionado à entrada na piscina de elementos combustíveis recém-fabricados, entrando em operação. Apesar do processo de tratamento superficial atual estar perfeitamente estável e reprodutível, uma possível causa para o aumento da atividade da água da piscina do reator IEA-R1 é a presença de contaminação residual de urânio na superfície não retirada pelo tratamento químico superficial. Durante anos, esse problema não foi observado devido à baixa potência de operação do reator, no nível de 2 MW. Contudo, com o aumento da potência, acima de 3,5 MW, esse problema começou a ser observado. Esse trabalho verifica a hipótese da contaminação residual de urânio na superfície das placas combustíveis de forma estatística e caracteriza a adequação do processo de tratamento superficial de placas combustíveis. Utilizou-se uma metodologia estatística de avaliação do processo em três níveis: produção presente, contaminação intencional, produção histórica. A contagem de emissões alfa por contador de NaI permitiu a quantificação de urânio residual. Como resultado global, verificou-se que pode ocorrer contaminação abaixo de 1 g de 235U por elemento combustível. Essa contaminação não é significante para causar eventuais acidentes de aumento de atividade no reator IEA-R1. Provou-se no presente trabalho que a metodologia de contagens de emissões alfa é segura, precisa e rápida para se analisarem contaminações superficiais de urânio nas placas combustíveis. / Nuclear and Energy Research Institute - IPEN-CNEN/ SP routinely produces its own nuclear fuel elements, necessary for the operation of its research reactor IEA-R1. This fuel consists of fuel plates containing cores U3Si2-Al dispersions obtained by rolling. Fuel plates undergo a chemical treatment for surface cleaning, aiming to ensure the removal of any impurity present on the surface, including uranium residual dust. Over the past 10 years, it was found sporadically a significant increase of radioactivity emission in water pool of IEA-R1 reactor. The increased activity in the reactor environment was related to the use of newly fabricated fuel elements fed into the core. Although the actual surface treatment process to be perfectly stable and reproducible, a possible cause for the activity increase would be the presence of residual uranium contamination over the surface, which was not removed by chemical surface treatment. For years, this problem was not observed due to the low power of reactor operation, at the level of 2 MW. However, with the increase in power above 3.5 MW, this problem started to be observed. This work verifies the hypothesis of residual uranium contamination on the surface of the fuel plates in a statistical methodology and features the adequacy of the fuel plate surface treatment process. We evaluated, statistically, the process into three levels: present production, intentional contamination, historical production. The NaI alpha emission counter allowed quantification the amount of uranium residual. As an overall result, it was found that contamination may occur below 1 g of 235U per fuel element. The contamination was judged as not significant to cause any activity accidents in the IEA-R1. It has been proven in this paper that the methodology to count alpha emissions is secure, accurate and fast to analyze surface uranium contamination in nuclear fuel plates.

2008年三鹿三聚氰胺毒奶粉事件震驚國內外，該事件導致六名嬰兒腎結石死亡，逾三萬嬰幼兒從此生活在各種腎疾病的陰霾之下。此後奶產品安全問題尋出不窮，對國內奶產業造成嚴重的負面影響，令消費者對整個國內奶產業信心下降。事實上，在很多奶產品安全的危機中，遭受質疑的企業組織最後均被政府的檢測結果證實是無辜的。在危機中，組織的形象受到威脅，組織需通過不同的方法進行自我辯護。現存的文獻提出，危機溝通策略和組織對責任承擔的態度是兩個影響公眾對組織信心和媒體報導語調的重要因素。組織類型（國有或外資）也會影響公眾對組織的信心和媒體報導語調。過往研究也發現，公眾對組織的信心與媒體報導語調之間存在正相關的聯繫。此研究通過對兩個犯行危機情景的案例研究（2009多美滋危機事件和2010聖元危機事件），目的在於評估危機溝通策略的效用，同時也探討在不同的階段中危機溝通策略、組織責任承擔、組織類型、公眾對組織的信心和媒體報導語調之間的關係。研究成果發現文獻建議之在不同階段的最佳策略和組織責任承擔對公眾對組織的信心和媒體報導語調均無重要影響。然而，使用越少藉口和越多提供信息策略的組織贏得更多公眾信心，從而提升正面媒體報導。研究也發現，外企在第一和第二階段報導更正面，但最後國企反而取得正面的媒體報導。另外，組織類型與階段對組織選取策略與組織責任承擔均有影響。本研究結果顯示西方危機處理理論在低信任度社會如中國等未必適用。研究一方面透過更複雜的情境角度，進一步加深對現有危機傳播文獻的理解，例如引入不同階段的概念來評估危機管理的成效，另一方面也為在低信任社會中的奶產業企業提供有效的危機管理建議。 / Sanlu Melamine-contaminated Milk Scandal, the frequent outbreak of dairy product safety crises had a severe impact on the domestic dairy industry, resulting in a general loss of the consumers' confidence in the entire domestic dairy industry. In fact, in many crises the crisis-ridden organizations were eventually proven innocent by governmental departments. During a crisis, an organization's image is threatened, so that various communicative entities are used to defend this image. Based on the existing literature, this study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of crisis communicative strategies (CCSs) as well as investigating the relationships among CCSs, organization responsibility acceptance, organization ownership type (domestically owned or foreign-invested), confidence in organization and media coverage in different stages during the crisis by comparing the Dumex case in 2009 and the Synutra case in 2010. The results found that the posited optimal CCS in a particular stage and organization responsibility acceptance generally did not have significant effects on confidence in organization or media image coverage. However, the findings revealed that the less excuses and the more information providing strategies were employed, the higher the stakeholders' confidence in organization would be, which in turn significantly increased the positive image coverage. Certain CCSs, i.e., diversion, no response, also showed significant direct effects on media coverage. Moreover, foreign-invested organization appeared to enjoy favorable image coverage in Stage 1 and Stage 2, but domestically owned organization surpassed it in the last stage. Organization ownership type and stages also had significant impacts on the choices of CCSs and degree of organization responsibility acceptance. Stage was also a significant negative predictor of confidence in organization but not for media coverage. This study on one hand revealed that the western crisis management theory might not be accommodative to the low-trust context in mainland China and thus theoretically further the understanding of existing crisis communication literature in a more complex contextual perspective through integrating stages as a significant time factor into the evaluation of crisis management. On the other hand it also pragmatically provides useful suggestions on effective crisis strategic management to dairy corporate in low-trust societies. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Huang, Peiyi. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 159-177). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts also in Chinese; appendixes in Chinese. / ABSTRACT (English version) --- p.i / ABSTRACT (Chinese version) --- p.iii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.v / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ix / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 2. --- CONCEPTUALIZATION --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1 --- Crisis Management --- p.9 / Crisis --- p.9 / Crisis Management --- p.11 / Chapter 2.2 --- Outcome: Media Image Coverage --- p.14 / Chapter 2.3 --- Time Factor: Stages --- p.16 / Chapter 2.4 --- Strategic Factors --- p.20 / Crisis Communicative Strategies (CCSs) --- p.20 / Organization Responsibility Acceptance --- p.46 / Chapter 2.5 --- Organizational Factor: Organization Ownership Type --- p.50 / Chapter 2.6 --- Mediator: Confidence in Organization --- p.52 / Chapter 2.7 --- Research Framework, Hypotheses and Research Questions --- p.55 / Chapter 3. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.58 / Chapter 3.1 --- Case Selection --- p.58 / Case --- p.58 / Design --- p.61 / Chapter 3.2 --- Content Analysis --- p.65 / Data Collection --- p.65 / Data Coding --- p.67 / Inter-coder Reliability --- p.70 / Chapter 4. --- RESULTS --- p.71 / Chapter 4.1 --- Basic Sample Information --- p.71 / Chapter 4.2 --- Hypothesis Tests of Two Individual Cases --- p.71 / Case 1 (Dumex) --- p.73 / Chapter tCase 2 (Synutra) --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3 --- The Overall Results of Cases and Research Questions --- p.91 / Media Valance --- p.92 / Research Question 1 --- p.95 / Research Question 2 --- p.99 / Research Question 3 --- p.107 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary of the Findings --- p.116 / Chapter 5. --- DISCUSSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS --- p.126 / Chapter 5.1 --- Stage as A Complex Concept --- p.126 / Controlling Other Dangers in a Dynamics Crisis --- p.127 / The Role of Governmental Intervention in a Low-trust Society --- p.129 / Chapter 5.2 --- Effects of CCSs on Media Image Coverage inLow-trust Society --- p.132 / Chapter 5.3 --- Mediating Effects of Confidence in Organization --- p.139 / Chapter 5.4 --- Suggestions of Applications of CCSs in Low-trust Society --- p.141 / Chapter 5.5 --- Limit Predictive Power of Organization Responsibility Acceptance --- p.148 / Chapter 5.6 --- Effects of Organization Ownership Type --- p.150 / Chapter 6. --- LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH DIRECTIONS --- p.154 / Chapter 7. --- REFERENCES --- p.159 / Chapter 8. --- APPENDIXES --- p.178

La contamination fongique des produits laitiers est à l’origine de pertes économiques conséquentes et de gaspillage alimentaire. Dans un contexte de demande pour plus de « naturalité », les cultures de bioprotection et leurs métabolites représentent une alternative d’intérêt aux conservateurs chimiques pour lutter contre ces contaminants.Les objectifs de cette thèse étaient i) de sélectionner des micro-organismes présentant une activité antifongique, pour élaborer des cultures de bioprotection applicables dans des produits laitiers, et ii) d’étudier les composés potentiellement supports de l’activité antifongique observée. Dans un premier temps, l’activité antifongique de 32 souches de bactéries lactiques et propioniques a été étudiée en modèles « fromage » et « yaourt ». L’étude de combinaisons de souches et de leur innocuité a conduit à sélectionner 2 combinaisons binaires de lactobacilles (A1 et A3). Leur efficacité et applicabilité a été évaluée à l’échelle pilote en fabrication de crème fraîche et de fromage.Les challenges tests et tests d’usages ont montré que selon le produit laitier, A1 et A3 ont une activité antifongique similaire ou supérieure que les cultures bioprotectrices commerciales. Selon l’inoculum ajouté, ces cultures n’impactent pas les caractéristiques technologiques et organoleptiques des produits laitiers. Des méthodes chromatographiques des composés antifongiques suivies d’analyses statistiques ont permis de mettre en évidence des « cocktails » de 2 à 17 composés, selon la matrice et la culture considérée, qui sont probablement supports de l’activité antifongique.Ces travaux contribuent à une meilleure compréhension des mécanismes d’action de l’activité antifongique et devraient conduire au développement de cultures antifongique pour remplacer les conservateurs dans les produits laitiers. / Fungal contamination of dairy products is responsible for economic losses and food waste. In a context of “preservative-free” product demand, bioprotective cultures and their metabolites represe,t an alternative of interest of chemical preservatives to control these spoilers.The objective of this study was i) to select microorganisms exhibiting an antifungal activity, in order to elaborate bioprotectivecultures applicable in dairy products, and ii) to study the compounds potentially supporting the observed activity. Firstly, the antifungal activity of 32 strains of lactic acid and propionic bacteria screened in cheese model and yogurt. Strain combinaison study and safety assessment led to the selection of 2 binary lactobacilli combinations (A1 and A3). Their efficiency and applicability were then evaluated in pilot-scale productions of sour cream and cheese.Challenge and shelf life tests showed that depending on the dairy product, A1 and A3 have a similar or higher antifungal activity than the commercial bioprotective cultures. In addition, depending of inoculum, A1 and A3 did not impact the technological and organoleptic characteristics. Chromatographic methods and statistical analyses allowed identifying cocktails of 2 to 17 compounds, according to the considered dairy product and culture that probably support the antifungal activity.The obtained results contribute to a better understanding of the antifungal activity action mechanisms and should lead to the development of antifungal cultures to replace preservatives in dairy products.

O Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares IPEN-CNEN/SP produz rotineiramente o combustível nuclear necessário para a operação de seu reator de pesquisas IEA-R1. Esse combustível é formado por placas combustíveis contendo núcleos de dispersões U3Si2-Al, obtidas por laminação. As placas combustíveis sofrem um tratamento químico para limpeza de sua superfície, com o objetivo de garantir a remoção de qualquer impureza presente em suas superfícies, incluindo resíduos de urânio. Nos últimos 10 anos foram constatados de forma esporádica aumentos significativos na atividade radioativa da água da piscina do reator IEA-R1. O aumento da atividade no ambiente do reator foi relacionado à entrada na piscina de elementos combustíveis recém-fabricados, entrando em operação. Apesar do processo de tratamento superficial atual estar perfeitamente estável e reprodutível, uma possível causa para o aumento da atividade da água da piscina do reator IEA-R1 é a presença de contaminação residual de urânio na superfície não retirada pelo tratamento químico superficial. Durante anos, esse problema não foi observado devido à baixa potência de operação do reator, no nível de 2 MW. Contudo, com o aumento da potência, acima de 3,5 MW, esse problema começou a ser observado. Esse trabalho verifica a hipótese da contaminação residual de urânio na superfície das placas combustíveis de forma estatística e caracteriza a adequação do processo de tratamento superficial de placas combustíveis. Utilizou-se uma metodologia estatística de avaliação do processo em três níveis: produção presente, contaminação intencional, produção histórica. A contagem de emissões alfa por contador de NaI permitiu a quantificação de urânio residual. Como resultado global, verificou-se que pode ocorrer contaminação abaixo de 1 g de 235U por elemento combustível. Essa contaminação não é significante para causar eventuais acidentes de aumento de atividade no reator IEA-R1. Provou-se no presente trabalho que a metodologia de contagens de emissões alfa é segura, precisa e rápida para se analisarem contaminações superficiais de urânio nas placas combustíveis. / Nuclear and Energy Research Institute - IPEN-CNEN/ SP routinely produces its own nuclear fuel elements, necessary for the operation of its research reactor IEA-R1. This fuel consists of fuel plates containing cores U3Si2-Al dispersions obtained by rolling. Fuel plates undergo a chemical treatment for surface cleaning, aiming to ensure the removal of any impurity present on the surface, including uranium residual dust. Over the past 10 years, it was found sporadically a significant increase of radioactivity emission in water pool of IEA-R1 reactor. The increased activity in the reactor environment was related to the use of newly fabricated fuel elements fed into the core. Although the actual surface treatment process to be perfectly stable and reproducible, a possible cause for the activity increase would be the presence of residual uranium contamination over the surface, which was not removed by chemical surface treatment. For years, this problem was not observed due to the low power of reactor operation, at the level of 2 MW. However, with the increase in power above 3.5 MW, this problem started to be observed. This work verifies the hypothesis of residual uranium contamination on the surface of the fuel plates in a statistical methodology and features the adequacy of the fuel plate surface treatment process. We evaluated, statistically, the process into three levels: present production, intentional contamination, historical production. The NaI alpha emission counter allowed quantification the amount of uranium residual. As an overall result, it was found that contamination may occur below 1 g of 235U per fuel element. The contamination was judged as not significant to cause any activity accidents in the IEA-R1. It has been proven in this paper that the methodology to count alpha emissions is secure, accurate and fast to analyze surface uranium contamination in nuclear fuel plates.

L’exposition cutanée aux produits chimiques par des rejets criminels ou accidentels impose une méthode de décontamination rapide et efficace pour sauver des vies et limiter le transfert de la contamination. L’exploration bibliographique recense des produits toxiques (armes chimiques, toxiques industriels) ainsi que les décontaminants naturels ou synthétiques et leurs méthodes d’application dans un contexte d’intervention sur le terrain. Le sujet vise à la qualification d’un outil de décontamination, la terre de foulon dans des formulations simples, faciles à mettre en œuvre en urgence par les services de Sécurité civile (sapeurs-pompiers). Le travail réalisé comporte :La caractérisation chimique et structurale de la poudre de terre de foulon NBC-Sys qui a permis d’identifier le composant principal : la palygorskite, La formulation et la caractérisation galénique et physico-chimique (granulométrie, zêta potentiel) en milieu concentré et milieu dilué des systèmes dispersés,La capacité d’adsorption de la terre de foulon et ses formulations vis-à-vis d’un modèle contaminant, le 4-cyanophenol, d’intérêt pour l’évaluation de la décontamination, in vitro en milieu aqueux, ex vivo sur explant cutané. L’adsorption du 4-CP en solution aqueuse (10, 100 et 500 mg/L-1) est rapide (5-15min) au contact de la terre de foulon, varie avec le ratio terre de foulon/4-CP, atteint un plateau (saturation) entre 45 et 60 min, l’équilibre entre 60 min et 120 min. Les suspensions de terre de foulon sont plus efficaces (90%) pour la décontamination que les poudres (70%) et l’eau (60%) dans des conditions expérimentales identiques. L’évaluation de la terre de foulon et ses formulations sur les paramètres physiologiques de la peau (perte insensible en eau et conductance) in vivo chez l’homme ne montre pas d’altération de la fonction barrière cutanée.L’ensemble est un premier pas vers une référence (qui n’existe pas actuellement), incluant une méthodologie de décontamination chimique / Cutaneous exposure to contaminants chemicals after criminal or accidental release enforces a rapid and efficient decontamination to save lives and avoid cross contamination. A bibilographic exploration of this work identifies toxic chemical (chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals), raw and synthetic decontaminants and their application methods applied in emergency. The aim of this study focuses on a decontamination tool qualification, the fuller’s earth (FE), simple formulated, easy to apply in emergency by civil Security services (fire fighter brigades). The work performed includes :The chemical and structural characterization of the powder of fuller’earth NBC-Sys , that lead to identify the palygorskite as main component, The formulation of dispersed systems and their physico chemical characterization (granulometry, zêta potentiel) in concentrated or diluted medium. The adsorption capacity of the FE and formulations for a contaminant model, the 4-cyanophenol, to assess decontamination in vitro, in aqueous medium, ex vivo on cutaneous explant.4-CP adsorption in aqueous solutions (10, 100 et 500 mg/L-1) is rapid (5-15min), when contact with FE, vary with the ratio FE/ 4-CP, to reach a plateau phase (saturation) between 45 and 60 minutes, and an steady state between 60 and 120 min. FE suspensions are more efficient (90%) than powder (70%) and water (60%) in the same experimental conditions. L’évaluation de la terre de foulon et ses formulations sur les paramètres physiologiques de la peau (perte insensible en eau et conductance) in vivo chez l’homme ne montre pas d’altération de la fonction barrière cutanée. FE and its suspensions were assessed on physiological skin parameters (Transepidermal water loss and conductance) in vivo in a human study and exhibit no alteration on the skin barrier function. Results obtained is a first step towards a reference (that actually don’t exist) including a chemical decontamination method

The current environmental status of the majority of Bermuda’s one hundred sixty-six known caves was investigated. This survey replicated a historical cave study performed in 1983, wherein each was analyzed for positive and negative features. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the historical and current survey ratings, with an overall decrease in environmental status. A water quality study was performed on twenty different caves with sea level pools in various locations around the island. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and phosphate levels were measured from varying depths in these caves. Fifteen of these caves were also tested for the presence of fecal bacterial contamination. High nitrate levels were discovered in some of the caves, particularly in surface samples. Additionally, bacterial contamination was detected in some caves. No obvious relationship between cave size or location and contamination existed for any of the pollutants sampled. Three separate caves from this group were dived and analyzed using a Hydrolab Sonde 3 Multiprobe Logger to acquire in situ water column data including depth, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Each cave studied had its own unique trends in hydrology at varying depths in the water column. A later water sampling study with a randomized experimental design was created and caves were divided into four classes based on size and location. Surface and subsurface samples were gathered from twelve randomly selected caves, three from each class. Each sample was analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia concentrations. The results were analyzed using multiple analysis of variance statistics. A significant difference between the nitrate concentrations in the surface and subsurface water samples was discovered. None of the other comparisons were statistically significant. To represent the data visually, a Bermuda Cave and Karst Information System (BeCKIS) was created using the environmental survey data and water quality information. Some of the maps generated highlighted regions where negative environmental impacts on caves were concentrated geographically, thus demonstrating how this geographic information system could be used as a conservation tool.

In order to preserve groundwater resources from contamination by volatile organic compounds and to clean up sites contaminated with the compounds, we should understand fate and transport of contaminants in the subsurface systems and physicochemical processes involving remediation technologies. To enhance our understanding, numerical studies were performed on the following topics: (i) multiphase flow and contaminant transport in subsurface environments; (ii) biological transformations of contaminants; (iii) in-situ air sparging (IAS); and, thermal-enhanced venting (TEV). Among VOCs, trichloroethylene (TCE) is one of the most-frequently-detected chemicals in the contaminated groundwater. TCE and its daughter products (cis-1,2-dichloroethylene (cDCE) and vinyl chloride (VC)) are chosen as target contaminants. Density-driven advection of gas phase is generated by the increase in gas density due to vaporization of high-molecular weight contaminants such as TCE in the unsaturated zone. The effect of the density-driven advection on fate and transport of TCE was investigated under several environmental conditions involving infiltration and permeability. Biological transformations of contaminants can generate byproducts, which may become new toxic contaminants in subsurface systems. Sequential biotransformations of TCE, cDCE, and VC are considered herein. Under different reaction rates for two bioreaction kinetics, temporal and spatial concentration profiles of the contaminants were examined to evaluate the effect of biotransformations on multispecies transport. IAS injects clean air into the subsurface below the groundwater table to remediate contaminated groundwater. The movement of gas and the groundwater as a multiphase flow in the saturated zone and the removal of TCE by IAS application were analyzed. Each fluid flow under IAS was examined in terms of saturation levels and fluid velocity profiles in a three-dimensional domain. Several scenarios for IAS systems were simulated to evaluate remedial performance of the systems. TEV was simulated to investigate its efficiency on the removal of a nonaqueous phase liquid in the unsaturated zone under different operational conditions. For numerical studies herein, the governing equations for multiphase flow, multispecies transport, and heat energy in porous media were developed and solved using Galerkin finite element method. A three-dimensional numerical model, called TechFlowMP model, has been developed.

The current environmental status of the majority of Bermuda’s one hundred sixty-six known caves was investigated. This survey replicated a historical cave study performed in 1983, wherein each was analyzed for positive and negative features. Statistical analysis of the data showed a significant difference between the historical and current survey ratings, with an overall decrease in environmental status. A water quality study was performed on twenty different caves with sea level pools in various locations around the island. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, and phosphate levels were measured from varying depths in these caves. Fifteen of these caves were also tested for the presence of fecal bacterial contamination. High nitrate levels were discovered in some of the caves, particularly in surface samples. Additionally, bacterial contamination was detected in some caves. No obvious relationship between cave size or location and contamination existed for any of the pollutants sampled. Three separate caves from this group were dived and analyzed using a Hydrolab Sonde 3 Multiprobe Logger to acquire in situ water column data including depth, temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. Each cave studied had its own unique trends in hydrology at varying depths in the water column. A later water sampling study with a randomized experimental design was created and caves were divided into four classes based on size and location. Surface and subsurface samples were gathered from twelve randomly selected caves, three from each class. Each sample was analyzed for nitrate, nitrite, and ammonia concentrations. The results were analyzed using multiple analysis of variance statistics. A significant difference between the nitrate concentrations in the surface and subsurface water samples was discovered. None of the other comparisons were statistically significant. To represent the data visually, a Bermuda Cave and Karst Information System (BeCKIS) was created using the environmental survey data and water quality information. Some of the maps generated highlighted regions where negative environmental impacts on caves were concentrated geographically, thus demonstrating how this geographic information system could be used as a conservation tool.

There are thousands of subterranean coal fires in the world that, because of incomplete combustion, emit a wide variety of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds to the atmosphere, water, and soil at concentrations that could pose health risks to humans and wildlife. The main goals of this study were to (1) review methods that are used to characterize physical and chemical characteristics of coal-fire sites, (2) determine relationships between gas emissions and physical and chemical characteristics of coal-fire sites, using a combination of regression and multivariate statistical methods, and (3) determine the concentrations of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds in water and soil at two coal-fire sites in eastern Kentucky. More specifically: The objective of Chapter 1 was to review past works and list technologies used over time. Eight years of coal-fire collection technologies were reviewed. A variety of methods and technologies were identified. Qualitative and quantitative preferences were noted. The objective of Chapter 2 was to identify and list uncontrolled coal-fire variables. These variables include complete/incomplete combustion; fire temperature and size; distance to fire; relative humidity and moisture in the system; geology, geochemistry, and age of coal; condition of the mine, sampling time of day; sampling equipment differences; and human error. A secondary objective of this chapter was to determine which coal-fire gases have strong relationships by using the principal component analysis (PCA) software JMP. The strongest relationship was between CO and H2S. Temperature and CH4 were also important. This indicates that incomplete combustion and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) formation are likely occurring, setting the stage for Chapter 3. The objective of Chapter 3 was to identify and define the extent of soil and water hydrocarbon contamination at the Truman Shepherd and Lotts Creek coal fires in eastern Kentucky. No groundwater contamination was detected at either location. Soil contamination was found at both, but was much higher at Lotts Creek, potentially because of sorption onto soil organic matter (which is reduced at Truman Shepherd by an excavation attempt) and other physicochemical mechanisms. Soil contamination was localized to relatively small areas around coal-fire vents. Based on the results, future studies should consider: Attempting to duplicate these results in other geologic regions Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from coal fires to consider their contribution to climate change. Coal-fired power plants are regulated, but coal fires, which produce many more harmful gases, are not Determining the feasibility of an oxygen-injection system to engender more complete combustion, therefore possibly reducing harmful gases Determining the feasibility of electricity production from coal fires Adopting a consistent federal coal-fire policy

The use of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) as (i) covers for arsenic-rich gold mine tailings and landfills, (ii) subsurface barrier for migration of hydrocarbons in the Arctic, and (iii) basal liner for sewage treatment lagoons were examined. After 4 years in field and laboratory experiments, it was found that best cover configuration above gold mine tailings might include a layer of GCL product with polymer-enhanced bentonite and a geofilm-coated carrier geotextile serving above the tailings under ≥ 0.7 m overburden. However, acceptable performance could be achieved with using a standard GCL with untreated bentonite provided that there is a minimum of 0.7 m of cover soil above the GCL. When GCL samples were exhumed from experimental landfill test cover with complete replacement of sodium in the bentonite with divalent cations in the adjacent soil, it was observed that the (i) hydraulic head across the GCLs, (ii) size of the needle-punched bundles, and (iii) structure of the bentonite can all significantly affect the value of the inferred in-situ hydraulic conductivity measured at the laboratory. The higher the hydraulic head and the larger the size of the needle-punched bundles, the higher the likelihood of internal erosion/structural change of bentonite at bundles that will cause a preferential flow for liquids to occur. A key practical implication was that GCLs can perform effectively as a single hydraulic barrier in covers provided that the water head above the GCL kept low. The hydraulic performance of a GCL in the Arctic was most affected by the location within the soil profile relative to the typical groundwater level with the highest increase in the hydraulic conductivity (by 1-4 orders of magnitude) for GCL below the water table. However, because the head required for jet fuel to pass through the GCL was higher than that present under field conditions, there was no evidence of jet fuel leakage through the barrier system. The leakage through GCLs below concrete lined sewage treatment lagoons was within acceptable limits, in large part, due to the low interface transmissivity between GCLs and the overlying poured concrete. / Thesis (Ph.D, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-02-28 08:53:29.171