Point source controls have been the primary methodology utilized to reduce pollutant loads into the waterways of the United States for the last 30 years. However, the complex dynamics that occur in the water column, in conjunction with increased amounts of urbanization in our watersheds, have made point source controls alone inadequate for solving our nation’s water quality problems. In order to determine the impacts that various water quality management strategies will have on water quality, dynamic models capable of simulating the complex interactions in both the water column and the watershed are necessary. The Blackstone River Water Quality Study was implemented to determine the impact of ongoing and proposed upgrades at wastewater treatment plants on water quality along the Blackstone River and the magnitude of corresponding reductions in pollutant loads into Narragansett Bay. The impacts of changes in land use in the surrounding watershed on water quality in the Blackstone were also analyzed as part of the study. The study utilizes an HSPF hydrologic model developed for the Blackstone River by the USGS. UMass and CDM then added water quality simulation capabilities to the model as well as discretizing the mainstem and extending its simulation period. The model continuously simulates water quantity and quality across 100+ reaches used to model the Blackstone River watershed for the period from 1996-2007. As part of the study, the construction, calibration and error bound of the model are detailed as well. Based on the results of model simulations, it is shown that improvements in instream water quality as well as decreases in the downstream pollutant transport are achieved through ongoing and proposed point source control strategies. However, it has also been shown that non-point source controls can also achieve the same instream improvement and pollutant reduction as the proposed point source controls in the watershed. Despite the significant improvements in water quality observed during the model simulations, none of the pollution reduction strategies, including the removal of all point source loads from the system allow the Blackstone River to achieve ambient water quality standards as recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Because of the endangerment of life of the human beings due to the environmental pollution, a serious study of the pollution of the environment is most vital. Because of increasing surface water pollution there is great hazard of ground water pollution. About half the United States of America derives drinking water from aquifers and much of the projected demand is expected to be met from subsurface sources. Therefore, a study was needed to determine the process of ground water contamination due to nutrients, especially Nitrogen, its degree and Length and Time of Travel and factors inhibiting its flow through soil. The present study was undertaken at the 'Pine Crest Duck Farm' at Sterling, Massachusetts, where the nature of the soil was Gravely Sandy Loam and Three unlined (from the side and bottom) waste stabilization ponds existed and there was a great danger of ground water contamination due to Nitrogen in the vicinity of ponds and further. In the field, observation wells were installed along the redial line and bi-monthly samples of water were taken to monitor the levels of B.O.D., Ammonium, Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen. Since the Adsorption of the Nitrogen by the soil is great inhibitor in the movement of the Nitrogen through soil profiles, this study was undertaken to study the adsorptive capacity of the soil in 'Bench Tests' and to test the applicability and validity of various adsorption isotherms of nitrogen in the soil; to develop a dimensional model or prediction equation for the nitrogen in the soil under natural flow conditions by studying the effects of varying concentration and flow rates on the adsorptive capacity of the soil, based on the principles of similitude; to correlate adsorption values in bench and column tests; and to determine the length and time of travel of nitrogen through soil. The soil from the Farm was obtained from a depth of six feet with enough care so that original structure was maintained. Adsorptive capacity of the soil was determined through series of 'Bench Tests' and 'Soil Adsorption Columns' in the laboratory under temperature controlled chambers. From the Bench Tests Adsorption values of the soil at various concentrations of Ammonium, Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen were determined and validity and applicability of Adsorption isotherms were confirmed. To study the Adsorption Process under natural flow conditions 'Soil Adsorption Column Tests' were done by using never done before Dimensional Model Analysis of Factors affecting Adsorption and getting dimensionless numbers and further obtaining 'Break Through Curves' at different Concentration and flow rates and Adsorption Values were obtained for Ammonium Nitrogen and Nitrite Nitrogen. Finally, Component and Prediction Equations were obtained for Ammonium Nitrogen and Nitrate Nitrogen. By knowing the Adsorption Values of the soil Length and Time of Travel of Ammonium and Nitrate Nitrogen through soil was calculated at various Concentration Levels. A mathematical Prediction Equation was also obtained between Bench and Column Tests and Length of Time of Travel, t predict the adsorption values under natural flow conditions by just performing less time consuming Bench Tests. It was also found that under equilibrium Bench Test conditions and natural flow conditions, adsorption of Ammonium, Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen increased with increasing solution concentration and adsorption of Ammonium Nitrogen was considerably higher than Nitrate and Nitrite Nitrogen. It was further found that for solution concentrations of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/l Ammonium Nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen will travel one foot distance in 183 and 115 days; 168 and 111 days; 148 and 98 days; 145 and 81 days; 130 and 98 days; and 127 and 97 days respectively. It was determined that at the present time contamination of shallow water wells does not pose Nitrogen contamination problem and installation of these wells beyond 300 feet radial distance from the waste stabilization ponds was safe.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Delaware, 2005 . / Principal faculty advisor: Biliana Cicin-Sain, College of Marine Studies. Includes bibliographical references.

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

Abstract not available

Over the past decade, the business sector has come under increasing pressure to improve their environmental, safety, and health (ESH) performance. This pressure has stemmed from both external and internal sources with the organization. Public image, legislative and regulatory requirements, stakeholder awareness of environmental performance, sustainable development, and changing corporate values are driving forces that are leading companies to take a serious look at their ESH function. The increased focus on the business and sustainable aspects of ESH issues has created a demand by management to assess the current organizational strategy related to ESH. Strategy, in this respect, can be thought of as the manner in which issues are approached and handled. Unfortunately, a comprehensive approach does not exist for assessing the ESH and sustainable development strategies of an organization and linking it to the overall competitive strategy of the organization. Developing a framework for assessing the ESH strategies in an organization was the focus of this study. The major portion of the research was the development of profiles for each of the four strategy developmental levels under the elements of an ESH management system. Six elements were identified from the literature that comprise an ESH function's strategy: 1) Strategic plan, 2) structure, 3) finance, 4) technical, 5) evaluation, and 6) information management. Within each of these elements, profiles were created for each of the strategy developmental levels that these elements may utilize: Resistive, adaptive, proactive, and sustainable. The study went beyond previous research by including safety and health aspects into the environmental strategy typologies, looking at ESH elements other than the strategic plan and structure, and providing a more detailed and comprehensive explanation of the strategy levels. These profiles were peer reviewed then transformed into a series of questions that qualitatively assess the ESH strategies used within an organization. A pilot study was completed of a large high-tech manufacturing organization in Portland, OR. The pilot study demonstrated the usefulness of the tool to identify areas of improvement in an ESH function. Use of this assessment tool is the first step an organization needs to take to understand where they exist in the scale of ESH strategies, and if this is the ideal strategy to follow. / Graduation date: 2002

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--York University, 2000. Graduate Programme in Economics. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-117). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNQ56248.

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management