Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is a difficult air pollutant to characterize spatially since it is primarily emitted from a few point sources typically having tall stacks. A better comprehension of the behavior and advection of ambient SO2 in metro Atlanta will help in the interpretation of epidemiologic analyses as well as establish an understanding of the source contributions to ambient SO2 in Atlanta. The operation and SO2 emission characteristics of four coal-fired power plants and a coal-fired cement kiln, all of which lie in the vicinity of Atlanta, were examined. Data retrieved from three downtown Atlanta monitoring stations that record ambient SO2 concentrations were also examined. Trends from ambient SO2 data agree with emission trends from the four coal-fired power plants, suggesting that one or more of the power plants are contributing to the ambient SO2 in Atlanta. SO2 rose plots using concentration and wind direction data from downtown monitoring stations were developed to identify from which direction the elevated levels of ambient SO2 were originating. A strong peak in the northwest direction of Atlanta suggests that Plant Bowen, Plant McDonough, or Lafarge Building Materials may be contributing to high concentrations of ambient SO2 in Atlanta. Further analysis concluded that Lafarge was not a likely contributor to the northwest peak. The plumes of Plant Bowen and Plant McDonough were modeled using air parcel trajectories and the Gaussian dispersion model. The results suggest that, when the wind is blowing from the northwest direction, Plant McDonoughs plume is the primary contributor to the elevated levels of SO2 recorded by downtown Atlanta monitoring stations.

Cuando observamos el cielo con los instrumentos más avanzados en la frecuencia de las microondas, los fotones que vemos fueron originados en regiones muy diferentes del universo. La mayoría proceden de nuestra propia galaxia (emisión difusa de sincrotrón, free-free y polvo), otros se originan en galaxias y cúmulos de galaxias muy lejanos, y, finalmente, una fracción tendrá su origen en la radiación del Big Bang, conocida como la Radiación del Fondo Cósmico de Microondas. Esta radiación está contaminada por las otras y su separación de ellas de una forma satisfactoria sigue siendo un problema abierto. En esta tesis exploraremos diferentes técnicas basadas en filtros lineales para detectar y separar uno de estos contaminantes, la contribución a la señal que se observa de radio galaxias y galaxias infrarrojas lejanas. Éstas son conocidas como fuentes puntuales porque aparecen como objetos puntuales no resueltos -- debido a las típicas resoluciones angulares de los instrumentos usados en los experimentos. En primer lugar, vamos a estudiar las propiedades de una familia de filtros adaptados para la detección de fuentes puntuales, donde modificamos la escala del filtro y usamos un test de Neyman-Pearson para definir la región de aceptación. En segundo lugar, consideramos un nuevo filtro (BSAF) que tiene dos parámetros que se pueden optimizar para maximizar el número de detecciones reales fijado un número de detecciones espurias. En tercer lugar, extendemos el BSAF al caso dos-dimensional y lo comparamos con la ondícula de sombrero mejicano (MHW). En cuarto lugar, estudiamos una nueva técnica de fusión de lineal y cuadrática de imágenes. En quinto lugar, comparamos tres filtros usando simulaciones realistas de Planck. En sexto lugar, para terminar, usamos el segundo miembro de la familia de ondículas de sombrero mejicano para hacer una detección no-ciega en las cinco frecuencias del satélite WMAP, analizando 2491 objetos observados a 5 GHz y produciendo un catálogo de 932 objetos observados a 3σ y 380 a 5σ. / When we observe the sky with the most advanced instruments operating at microwave frequencies, the photons that we see were originated in very different regions in the universe. Most of them come from our own Galaxy (diffuse synchrotron, free-free and dust emission), others come from very distant galaxies and clusters of galaxies, and, finally, a fraction will have their origin in the relic radiation of the Big Bang, known as the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation. This radiation is contaminated by the other components and the separation of the different emissions in a satisfactory way is still an open problem. In this thesis we will explore different techniques based on linear filters to detect and separate one of the contaminants, the contribution to the observed signal of distant radio and infrared galaxies. These galaxies are known as extragalactic point sources because, for the angular resolution of the typical experiments in microwave frequencies, they appear as point-like unresolved objects. First, we will study the performance of a family of matched filters when detecting point sources, where we allow the scale of the filter to be modified and where we introduce a Neyman-Pearson test to define the region of acceptance. Second, we will consider a new one-dimensional linear filter, the Biparametric Scale-Adaptive Filter (BSAF), that has two parameters that can be optimised to maximise the number of real detections for a fixed number of spurious detections, used in conjuction with a Neyman-Pearson test. Third, we will extend the BSAF to two dimensions, and compare it with the Mexican Hat Wavelet. Fourth, we will explore a new technique that combines lineal and quadratic fusion of images with linear filters, testing it with realistic simulations of one of the Planck satellite channels. Fifth, we will study in detail the performance of three filters, the Matched filter and two members of the Mexican Hat wavelet in realistic simulations of the nine channels of Planck. To conclude, we will use the second member of the Mexican Hat Family to do a non-blind study in the five frequencies of WMAP of a complete sample of 2491 sources observed at 5 GHz, producing a catalogue of 932 objects detected above 3σ and a catalogue of 380 objects observed above 5σ.

The Kaoping River basin is the largest and the most intensively used river basin in Taiwan. It is 171 km long, drains a catchment of more than 3,257 km2, and has a mean flow of 239 m3/s. It serves as a water supply to the Kaohsiung City (the second largest city in Taiwan), several towns, two counties, and a number of large industries (electronic, steel, petrochemical, etc.). Although the mean annual rainfall in this river basin is close to 3,000 mm, over 90% of which appears in the wet season. The period of high flow rate in the stream usually occurs in the late spring and summer due to the impacts of monsoon and typhoon. Non-Point Sources (NPS) pollutants, which are associated with stormwater runoff from agricultural land uses can be quite diffuse and difficult to treat. In this study, land use identification in the basin was performed by properly integrating the skills of geographic information system (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS). Remote sensing image and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Kaoping River Basin were applied for the land use identification task. An integrated watershed management model (IWMM) was applied for simulating the water quality and evaluating NPS pollutant loads to the Kaoping River. The watershed was divided into catchments and river segments. The land use patterns were defined by the surface coverage of each catchment. The underneath soil can have several layers, and each land use has its vegetation characteristic and erosion coefficient. The model was calibrated and verified with field data from water quality monitoring stations. The calibrated model was used to develop best management practices (BMP). Moreover, the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP) was also applied for the water quality simulation. The model was calibrated and verified with water quality data, and the model was used to analyze the impacts of NPS loading on water quality. The major objectives of this study were to (1) investigate and identify the current contributions of NPS pollutants to the Kaoping River pollution, (2) perform the land use identification and construct the watershed GIS to effectively manage the watershed, (3) perform water quality and soils sampling and analyses, (4) apply multimedia models for NPS pollution evaluation and water quality simulation, and (5) evaluate the effectiveness of the applied remedial strategies on watershed management and water quality improvement. This study identified major land-use patterns in Kaoping River Basin using SPOT images and GIS/GPS/RS techniques. The major findings from the GIS, field, and modeling tasks include the following: (1) Fourteen types of land-use patterns in the watershed area of the basin were classified with the aid of the Erdas Imagine process system; (2) Orchard gardens, rice paddies, sugarcane fields, betel palm farms, and tea gardens dominate the farmland areas in the basin and are scattered around on both sides of the river corridor; and (3) Simulated results indicate that NPS pollution plays a significant role in the deterioration of the downstream water quality of Kaoping River and caused a significant increase in suspended solids loads into the basin¡¦s water bodies. Concern about the deteriorating condition of the river led the Government of Taiwan to amend relevant legislation and strengthen the enforcement of discharge regulations to effectively manage the river and control pollution. Based on the results of this study, application of BMPs [e.g., source reduction, construction of grassy buffer zone, and land-use management] for NPS pollutant control are required. Multimedia modeling results indicate that the application of the following specific BMPs can reduce the effects of NPS suspended solids pollution on the water quality of Kaoping River: (1) Conversion of farmlands on hillsides of the upper catchment to forest; and (2) Conversion of rice paddies and agricultural lands to buffer zones (e.g., grassy strip, detention pond, and constructed wetland) along the riverbank areas of the three sub-basins. With application of these two proposed BMPs, the peak suspended solids concentrations in the wet seasons could be significantly reduced. Results and experience obtained from this study will be helpful in designing the watershed management strategies for other similar river basins.

The mining, agricultural and energy sectors, along with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) are critical role players in managing South Africa’s water resources. Water resources are under increasing pressure due to continuous population growth and economic development. It is critical to adopt a management policy that can lead to sustainable water supply. The National Water Act, 1998, (Act 36 of 1998), Section 56(1) instructs the Minister of Water Affairs to establish a Pricing Strategy for charges for any water use described in Section 21 of the Act. In light of this the Department implemented the Waste Discharge Charge System (WDCS). The WDCS is based on the polluter-pays principle and is focussed on load reduction on order to achieve or maintain resource quality objectives. One of the legal requirements in the mining industry is to have a water use license under Section 21 of the National Water Act of 1998 (South Africa, 1998b) which will lead to the application of the WDCS to the mining industry. This mini-dissertation assesses how the WDCS can be practically implemented from a gold mining perspective. The WDCS require the identification of point and diffuse sources from various pollution sources. A case study was used to determine what information and instruments will be required at a gold mine to implement the WDCS. The determining of the point and diffuse discharges require multidisciplinary studies with the integration of different spheres of the environment. To assist with this a GoldSim model was developed. The main function of the model was to determine the seepage rates per day from pollution sources using the available information. The seepage rates and the water qualities were used to determine the waste loads discharged to the environment. Using the instruments above, a methodology was provided to determine the point and diffuse sources of pollution and calculate the load that will be discharged to the environment which will form the basis of the WDCS. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The mining, agricultural and energy sectors, along with the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) are critical role players in managing South Africa’s water resources. Water resources are under increasing pressure due to continuous population growth and economic development. It is critical to adopt a management policy that can lead to sustainable water supply. The National Water Act, 1998, (Act 36 of 1998), Section 56(1) instructs the Minister of Water Affairs to establish a Pricing Strategy for charges for any water use described in Section 21 of the Act. In light of this the Department implemented the Waste Discharge Charge System (WDCS). The WDCS is based on the polluter-pays principle and is focussed on load reduction on order to achieve or maintain resource quality objectives. One of the legal requirements in the mining industry is to have a water use license under Section 21 of the National Water Act of 1998 (South Africa, 1998b) which will lead to the application of the WDCS to the mining industry. This mini-dissertation assesses how the WDCS can be practically implemented from a gold mining perspective. The WDCS require the identification of point and diffuse sources from various pollution sources. A case study was used to determine what information and instruments will be required at a gold mine to implement the WDCS. The determining of the point and diffuse discharges require multidisciplinary studies with the integration of different spheres of the environment. To assist with this a GoldSim model was developed. The main function of the model was to determine the seepage rates per day from pollution sources using the available information. The seepage rates and the water qualities were used to determine the waste loads discharged to the environment. Using the instruments above, a methodology was provided to determine the point and diffuse sources of pollution and calculate the load that will be discharged to the environment which will form the basis of the WDCS. / Thesis (M. Environmental Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Les eaux résiduaires urbaines du bassin versant du lac du Bourget sont largement collectées et traitées. Les gestionnaires du lac s'interrogent, dans le contexte de l'évolution climatique et de l'évolution des usages des sols, sur l'impact et les modalités de maîtrise des pertes en phosphore et en particulier de la contribution des sources diffuses d'origine agricole. La thèse vise à modéliser les régimes d'exportation du phosphore vers le lac, dans la perspective de tester des scénarios de maîtrise des flux. Elle s'inscrit dans un dispositif de recherche opérationnelle CIFRE entre le bureau d'étude SAFEGE et l'UMR CARRTEL, en partenariat avec le CISALB (Comité Intersyndical pour l'Assainissement du Lac du Bourget). Dans ce cadre, deux sous bassins versants expérimentaux emboîtés représentatifs de la géographie du bassin du Bourget, (l'un rural dominé par l'élevage laitier de 250 ha, l'autre périurbain et agricole de 6800 ha) ont été équipés et suivis à leur exutoire durant une période de 18 mois. Les suivis hydrochimiques ont permis une caractérisation qualitative et quantitative des régimes d'exportations à l'exutoire de chaque bassin versant (flux hydrologique, de matières en suspension, du phosphore total, particulaire, et dissous, et de certaines formes d'azote – nitrate, ammonium). Ces flux ont été modélisés à l'aide du modèle SWAT. Pour rendre compte de certains processus spécifiques de mobilisation et de transfert de la charge en phosphore, des développements ont été mis en œuvre (extension de l'aire de saturation des sols en relation avec la mise en charge des nappes, stockages transitoires, remobilisations au sein du réseau hydrographique) qui constituent une des principales avancées de la thèse. Les résultats obtenus apportent une amélioration des connaissances scientifiques sur les mécanismes de transfert du phosphore. Les développements en termes de modélisation constituent un outil adapté pour accompagner la mise en place d'un plan d'actions visant la réduction des flux de phosphore parvenant au lac du Bourget, ceci dans la perspective des évolutions climatiques. / Urban wastewater are now widely collected and treated. Many questions still remain about the impact of climatic or anthropic evolution on the mobilisation and the transfer of phosphorus to Lake Bourget. This work deals with hydrological and nutrient modelling to understand phosphorus mobilization and transfers processes and to test mitigation options. Thesis is supported by a CIFRE agreement between SAFEGE office and UMR CARRTEL, in partnership with the CISALB. In this context, 2 experimental watersheds nested and variable in land uses (one agricultural of 250 ha, the other suburban and agricultural of 6,800 ha) were instrumented and followed at their outlet over a period of 18 months (continuous measurement of flow and some key parameters of physico-chemical water quality). Hydro-chemical measurements led to a qualitative and quantitative characterization of the exports regime at the outlet of each watershed (water flow, suspended solids, some forms of phosphorus – total, particulate, dissolved - and nitrogen). The exports were then modeled. To account for some specifics processes of mobilization and transfer of phosphorus (variable source areas, "in-stream" processes), some developments of the SWAT model were implemented. IIn this context, this works provides an improved scientific understanding of the mechanisms of transfer of phosphorus. Modeling tool can support the development of mitigation options for best management practices included in the framework of the "Lake Bourget watershed contract".

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:51:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T12:51:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-09T14:06:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Vazamentos em tubos pressurizados geram ondas acústicas que se propagam através das paredes destes tubos, as quais podem ser captadas por acelerômetros ou por sensores de emissão acústica. O conhecimento de como estas paredes podem vibrar, ou de outro modo como as ondas acústicas se propagam neste meio, é fundamental em um processo de detecção e localização da fonte de vazamento. Neste trabalho, foi implementado um modelo analítico, através das equações de movimento da casca cilíndrica, com o objetivo de entender o comportamento da superfície do tubo em função de uma excitação pontual. Como a superfície cilíndrica é um meio fechado na direção circunferencial, ondas que iniciaram sua jornada, a partir de uma fonte pontual sobre a superfície, se encontrarão com outras que já completaram a volta na casca cilíndrica, tanto no sentido horário como no anti-horário, gerando interferências construtivas e destrutivas. Após um tempo suficiente, uma estacionariedade é atingida, criando pontos de picos e vales na superfície da casca, os quais podem ser visualizadas através de uma representação gráfica do modelo analítico criado. Os resultados teóricos foram comprovados através de medidas realizadas em uma bancada de testes composta de um tubo de aço terminado em caixa de areia, simulando a condição de tubo infinito. Para proceder à localização da fonte pontual sobre a superfície, adotou-se o processo de solução inversa, ou seja, conhecidos os sinais dos sensores dispostos na superfície do tubo, determina-se através do modelo teórico onde a fonte que gerou estes sinais pode estar. / Tese (Doutoramento) / IPEN/T / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN/CNEN-SP

Human activities such as urbanisation, sewage treatment, industrialisation and agriculture represent major human interference in water resources. The water resources are affected both quantitatively as well as qualitatively by these activities. The impact of human interference in the Mukuvisi River catchment hydrology was studied by determining the concentration values of eight selected physico - chemical and biological parameters. These are pH, temperature, total nitrates, total phosphates, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, lead, copper and Total Faecal Coliform Count. Seven sites were sampled along the river, from up the river in Mukuvisi woodlands up to the point where the river discharges into Lake Chivero. Analysis of the results obtained was undertaken using SPSS (paired sample T test) and descriptive graphs were drawn using Microsoft Excel 2010. Nitrates, phosphates, copper, lead and Total Faecal Coliform Counts were found to be higher than the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) maximum and World Health Organisation, 2011 (WHO) permissible standards from site 3 to site 7. Site 6 recorded the highest concentrations of all the measured parameters, except for pH and Dissolved Oxygen. Mean DO and BOD concentrations were 2.53 mg/l and 40 mg/l respectively at site 6. Mean total nitrates were 17.5 mg/l at site 6 above the ZINWA and WHO threshold of 10 mg/l. Site 6 also recorded a mean total phosphate of 5.9 mg/l which was above the ZINWA and WHO threshold of 0.5 mg/l. Mean TFCC was 992.6 mpn100ml-1 higher than the threshold of nil according to ZINWA and WHO threshold. Site 3 recorded the mean DO and TFCC of 2.4 mg/l and 2.80 mpn100ml-1 respectively. Site 2 had the lowest mean TFCC concentrations of 2.80 mpn100ml-1, which did not differ significantly from the WHO and ZINWA threshold of nil at p<0.05. The quality of water in the river varied from site to site in direct relation to the intensity and type of human activities along the river course. Levels of all the water quality indicators increased after discharge from the Firle sewage treatment plant at site 6 with the exception of temperature and pH. Sewage effluents, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents were found to be responsible for the high nutrient levels and high metal concentrations in the river which in turn reduced DO levels and increased BOD / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Vazamentos em tubos pressurizados geram ondas acústicas que se propagam através das paredes destes tubos, as quais podem ser captadas por acelerômetros ou por sensores de emissão acústica. O conhecimento de como estas paredes podem vibrar, ou de outro modo como as ondas acústicas se propagam neste meio, é fundamental em um processo de detecção e localização da fonte de vazamento. Neste trabalho, foi implementado um modelo analítico, através das equações de movimento da casca cilíndrica, com o objetivo de entender o comportamento da superfície do tubo em função de uma excitação pontual. Como a superfície cilíndrica é um meio fechado na direção circunferencial, ondas que iniciaram sua jornada, a partir de uma fonte pontual sobre a superfície, se encontrarão com outras que já completaram a volta na casca cilíndrica, tanto no sentido horário como no anti-horário, gerando interferências construtivas e destrutivas. Após um tempo suficiente, uma estacionariedade é atingida, criando pontos de picos e vales na superfície da casca, os quais podem ser visualizadas através de uma representação gráfica do modelo analítico criado. Os resultados teóricos foram comprovados através de medidas realizadas em uma bancada de testes composta de um tubo de aço terminado em caixa de areia, simulando a condição de tubo infinito. Para proceder à localização da fonte pontual sobre a superfície, adotou-se o processo de solução inversa, ou seja, conhecidos os sinais dos sensores dispostos na superfície do tubo, determina-se através do modelo teórico onde a fonte que gerou estes sinais pode estar. / Leaks in pressurized tubes generate acoustic waves that propagate through the walls of these tubes, which can be captured by accelerometers or by acoustic emission sensors. The knowledge of how these walls can vibrate, or in another way, how these acoustic waves propagate in this material is fundamental in the detection and localization process of the leak source. In this work an analytic model was implemented, through the motion equations of a cylindrical shell, with the objective to understand the behavior of the tube surface excited by a point source. Since the cylindrical surface has a closed pattern in the circumferential direction, waves that are beginning their trajectory will meet with another that has already completed the turn over the cylindrical shell, in the clockwise direction as well as in the counter clockwise direction, generating constructive and destructive interferences. After enough time of propagation, peaks and valleys in the shell surface are formed, which can be visualized through a graphic representation of the analytic solution created. The theoretical results were proven through measures accomplished in an experimental setup composed of a steel tube finished in sand box, simulating the condition of infinite tube. To determine the location of the point source on the surface, the process of inverse solution was adopted, that is to say, known the signals of the sensor disposed in the tube surface, it is determined through the theoretical model where the source that generated these signals can be.