Thesis (Ph. D.) -- Lincoln University, 2005. / Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 27, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 57-62). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 170 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

The potential of utilizing a new form of chemical processing technology called SpinChem® Rotating Bed Reactor (RBR), in combination with different reactive materials, for the purpose of remediating multi-contaminated aquifers under changing environmental conditions, was investigated using laboratory studies and geochemical models. Four different reactive materials, or combinations thereof, were tested: heat-treated peat powder combined with zero-valent iron (ZVI); IronPeat, which consists of peat powder coated with a ferriferous hydrosol (FFH); and a powdered steel waste product. Results showed that the powdered steel waste was compatible with the technology while the peat-based sorbents were not. However, there were no indications that the kinetics of the sorption reactions increased. This was attributed to the fact that the rate-limiting steps, for the binding of the studied metal(loid)s onto iron oxide, are generally considered to be dependent on the later stages of the sorption process related to diffusion mechanisms and not to the rate of mass transfer through the bulk liquid phase, which is what primarily is increased through application of the SpinChem® RBR technology.

abstract: Characterization of petroleum spill site source zones directly influences the selection of corrective action plans and frequently affects the success of remediation efforts. For example, simply knowing whether or not nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) is present, or if there is chemical storage in less hydraulically accessible regions, will influence corrective action planning. The overarching objective of this study was to assess if macroscopic source zone features can be inferred from dissolved concentration vs. time data. Laboratory-scale physical model studies were conducted for idealized sources; defined as Type-1) NAPL-impacted high permeability zones, Type-2) NAPL-impacted lower permeability zones, and Type-3) dissolved chemical matrix storage in lower permeability zones. Aquifer source release studies were conducted using two-dimensional stainless steel flow-through tanks outfitted with sampling ports for the monitoring of effluent concentrations and flow rates. An idealized NAPL mixture of key gasoline components was used to create the NAPL source zones, and dissolved sources were created using aqueous solutions having concentrations similar to water in equilibrium with the NAPL sources. The average linear velocity was controlled by pumping to be about 2 ft/d, and dissolved effluent concentrations were monitored daily. The Type-1 experiment resulted in a source signature similar to that expected for a relatively well-mixed NAPL source, with dissolved concentrations dependent on chemical solubility and initial mass fraction. The Type-2 and Type-3 experiments were conducted for 320 d and 190 d respectively. Unlike the Type-1 experiment, the concentration vs. time behavior was similar for all chemicals, for both source types. The magnitudes of the effluent concentrations varied between the Type-2 and Type-3 experiments, and were related to the hydrocarbon source mass. A fourth physical model experiment was performed to identify differences between ideal equilibrium behavior and the source concentration vs. time behavior observed in the tank experiments. Screening-level mathematical models predicted the general behavior observed in the experiments. The results of these studies suggest that dissolved concentration vs. time data can be used to distinguish between Type-1 sources in transmissive zones and Type-2 and Type-3 sources in lower permeability zones, provided that many years to decades of data are available. The results also suggest that concentration vs. time data alone will be insufficient to distinguish between NAPL and dissolved-phase storage sources in lower permeability regions. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2014

M.Sc.

There is a public concern over the potential accumulation of heavy metals in soils. Numerous studies have already demonstrated that areas in close proximity to vehicular traffic are marked noticeably by contamination of soil, air and water. Hence, such activities can affect humans and other living organisms. The aim of this study is to investigate the pollution of soils caused by vehicular traffic, on agricultural land in Azzawiyah, Liby with the view of assessing potential application of phytoremediation options for the remediation of contaminated soils and determine whether soil amendments would improve soil remediation. In an effort to improve the status of pollution of soils by vehicular traffic, a phytoremediation method of remediation of contaminated land has been used in this study, as it is relatively inexpensive and has the potential through the appropriate selection of plant species to be effective. This method is a soil clean up technology that uses the ability of metal accumulator plants to extract metal from contaminated soil with their roots and to concentrate these metals in above-ground plant parts. In this study, the investigation area was in Azzawiyah city where the soil samples and Doedonea viscose plant were collected from the road side. These soil samples were analysed using different experiments to determine physical and chemical properties, such as pH, OM and CEC. Heavy metals in soil and Doedonea viscose shoot and root were analysed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). The findings of the study show that all soils samples collected along the highway road connecting Azzawiyah with the southern parts of Libya were found to be granular with a sandy texture. It is also found that the metal content in soil collected from the site, which is close to the roadside was relatively higher than that soil collected from the agricultural field in the same area. Furthermore, the level of Pb (840mg/kg-1) in roadside soils was higher than the natural levels of Pb in soils. In addition, Doedonea viscose plant was not a hyperaccumulor plant. Greenhouse experiments used three plants (E. camaldeulensis, Brassica Juncea and Medicago sativum) to uptake heavy metal, such as Cd, Zn and Pb from the soil samples. The greenhouse experiment results indicate that E. camaldeulensis was the best plant species for phytoremediation of Pb contaminated soils than the other two plants species (Brassica Juncea, Medicago sativum). The efficiency of the E. camaldeulensis was increased by adding amendments (e.g. compost, compost, EDTA, Hoagland solution and Alcaligenes eutrophus) to the plants pots in order to uptake the lead form soil samples. The results of the pots amendments experiments indicate that 15 mmol of EDTA and bacterial inoculums (Alcaligenes eutrophus) were the best amendments to extract lead from the soils. The study suggests that using the Alcaligenes eutrophus with the E. camaldeulensis are more suitable for phytoremediation in terms of accumulation and cost.

Introduction This thesis has two aims. The first was to systematically review the literature on the effect of computer assisted cognitive remediation (CACR) for schizophrenia on psychosocial functioning, with a focus on methodological quality and efficacy. The second aim was to evaluate the implementation of CACR in a high secure forensic setting. Method Database searches and hand searches returned 16 randomised controlled trials of CACR that included a functional outcome measure. These were reviewed against predefined quality criteria and effect sizes were calculated. In addition, an uncontrolled pre-post test design was used to evaluate the implementation of CACR in a high secure forensic hospital. Attrition rates, predictors of attrition, and participant feedback were evaluated, along with symptom and functional outcomes. Results The systematic review found a range of methodological limitations. Studies that did not share these limitations did not provide evidence that CACR improves psychosocial functioning. However, CACR may be effective in improving functional outcomes when delivered alongside interventions targeting functional skills. The experimental study found a high attrition rate; poor adherence to the treatment protocol; no clinical, risk or demographic factors to distinguish treatment completers from those dropping out during treatment; and few improvements to performance on treatment activities or functional outcome measures. Conclusion The systematic review indicates that more methodologically rigorous research is required. Future studies with a general psychiatric population should examine the effect of CACR delivered in conjunction with interventions that aim to develop functional skills. Motivational deficits may have undermined the outcomes of the experimental study and it will be important to ensure the delivery of CACR in forensic psychiatric settings is designed to incorporate strategies for enhancing motivation. In addition, using CACR to target functional outcomes may be inappropriate within a high secure forensic setting. The role of CACR as in managing risk and enhancing the outcomes of other interventions should be explored.