Biopiles are a common treatment for the ex-situ remediation of contaminated soil. Much research has been carried out on understanding and modelling of bioremediation techniques related to biopiles, but hitherto no study has attempted to model the effect on a biopile by its ambient surroundings. A hydraulics-based approach to simulating a biopile in the context of its ambient surroundings is presented in this study, taking into account physical, chemical and biological processes within the pile, external conditions of wind and temperature, the location of aeration pipes and venting pressure, and considering the spatial distribution of treatment as well as contaminant within the pile. The simulation approach was based upon a fluid flow model which couples Eulerian multiphase flow model and Darcy’s Law for immiscible fluid flow through porous media, a species transport model integrating advection, diffusion/dispersion and biodegradation, and a heat transfer model considering the interphase temperature equilibrium. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) system has been developed to solve this set of mathematical models by applying the commercial CFD package FLUENT, and various trial simulations have been carried out to examine the potential of the hydraulics approach for practical applications. The simulation produces reasonable results: the biodegradation process relates to the temperature within the pile, and the temperature in turn relates to wind speed and aeration details; due to the various fluid flow patterns, the contribution of each remediation mechanism (contaminant loss to atmosphere via pile surface, contaminant loss to aeration pipe and biodegradation) varies according to the aeration method; contaminant interphase transfer between different pairs of phases have greatly different impacts on contaminant removal. A number of counter-intuitive results are presented, indicating that simulations of this type will give valuable insight into the practical design of biopiling systems. The simulation system also allows the total environmental footprint of biopiling to be considered, examining not just degradation of contaminant but also its removal via volatilization and the energy used in heating air for venting. Further, the application of the approach formulated in this study is not limited to biopiles, but can also be expanded to related in situ bioremediation techniques.

Sawmills which conducted dipping operations is a breach where previously used chemicals mean that you generally can expect to find contaminated areas. To investigate contaminated areas the Swedish environmental protection agency developed a method for investigation of polluted areas (MIFO). The purpose of a MIFO analysis is to provide a unified approach and risk classification system for polluted areas. The aim of this thesis it to perform a soil survey according to MIFO phase 2 (general investigations) at the former sawmill in Lövsele, Västerbotten county. The study is based on assumptions about the presence of dioxins in the area, due to the previous use of the wood preservative Ky-5. Dioxins are dangerous substances and are considered poisonous for both humans and the environment. The field study was conducted 30 September 2016 in 8 selected points where the greatest risk to find dioxins were considers to exist after completion of background investigations. 9 samples were the chosen for analysis by ALS Scandinavia AB. The completed analysis shows that pollution levels above the guideline values of both sensitive land use (KM) and less sensitive land use (MKM) were discovered in 7 out of 9 analyzed samples. The MIFO analysis was conducted to answer questions about the pollution hazards, pollution level, distribution conditions and the sensitivity and protection value in the area. The result of the MIFO-analysis is evaluated as class 1, very high risk to human health and the environment. Further studies should therefore be conducted to determine the pollution situation in the area and to provide data for remediation measures to reduce the risk to human health and the environment.

A bacteriological study was made of a number of prepared foods that were bought ready-to-eat, for home consumption, from several food establishments in Dallas, Texas. The purpose of this study was to show whether these foods could be a potential source of food poisoning; whether there are any particular foods that should have greater care than others in order to protect their quality; and whether the bacteriological contamination could have been prevented by strict observance of the city regulations for handling foods.

A área de estudo situada no município de Taboão da Serra, Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, possui histórico de ocorrências anômalas de chumbo na água subterrânea, frequentemente reportando concentrações acima dos valores orientadores da CETESB. Verifica-se que em muitos casos de contaminação ambiental por metais de forma geral, e principalmente o chumbo, os procedimentos realizados não são suficientes para que seja feita uma análise mais apurada da contaminação das águas subterrâneas, fazendo com que, em muitos casos a fonte da contaminação seja atribuída, erroneamente, ao material geológico. A presente dissertação teve como objetivo analisar a metodologia de investigação empregada pela empresa bem como avaliar o comportamento do chumbo na água subterrânea local quanto aos fatores geológicos e físico -químicos que produziram a sua ocorrência e presença na forma solúvel em meio aquoso. Dessa forma, para atender os objetivos acima, foram realizados estudos de caracterização hidrogeológica e hidroquímica. Os métodos hidrogeológicos foram realizados de forma a se obter dados básicos como, carga hidráulica, potenciometria, direção e velocidade da água no aquífero local. Os métodos hidroquímicos seguiram com a coleta de dados em campo como sondagem para coleta de solo, amostragem de águas subterrâneas, medidas de parâmetros físico-químicos e análises laboratoriais. Com relação aos dados dos parâmetros físico-químicos, o pH verificado para a área apresentou valores entre 5,43 a 9,7. A análise das concentrações históricas do íon chumbo no meio aquoso em relação ao diagrama de especiação, sugere que as formas mais estáveis do chumbo na faixa de pH encontrada corresponde, em porcentagem, as espécies: \'Pb POT.2+\' (20%) e \'Pb(OH) POT.+\' (20%). O restante, 60% pode ser identificado no diagrama Pb-S-C-O-H. Como a variação do pH nas campanhas de amostragem ficaram entre 6 e 9, e as condições de Eh positivas, a principal forma estável nesse contexto é o \'PbCO IND. 3\' . Entretanto, por conta do baixo carbono orgânico total COT em torno de 1%, o chumbo tende a se manter na matriz do solo ligado a fração argilosa em minerais como a caulinita, muscovita ou oxi-hidróxidos de ferro e alumínio presentes no solo segundo os resultados obtidos por Difração de Raio X. Dessa forma verifica-se que a avaliação da contaminação por chumbo pode estar relacionada com sua interação química com outros compostos no sistema aquífero. O que em termos das ações empresariais em caso ambiental sugere um levantamento mais amplo da investigação analisando a matri z do solo e as condições de solubilidade de seus principais constituintes. / The study area is located in the county of Taboão da Serra, São Paulo Metropolitan Region, has a history of anomalous occurrences of lead in groundwater, often reporting concentrations above the guideline values by CTESB. It is noted that in many cases of environmental contamination by metals, and especially lead, the procedures are not sufficient for a more accurate analysis of groundwater contamination is made, so that in many instances the source contamination is wrong attributed to the geological material. This thesis aims to analyze the research methodology employed by the company as well as evaluating the behavior of lead in local groundwater as the geological and physical- chemical factors that produced its occurrence and presence in soluble form in aqueous. Thus to meet the above objectives method of hydrogeological and hydrochemical characterization were performed. Hydrogeological methods were performed in order to obtain basic data as hydraulic load, potentiometry, direction and speed of the water at aquifer. The hydrochemical methods followed by collecting field data as probing for collecting soil, groundwater sampling, measures of physical-chemical parameters and laboratory analyses. According the data of physico-chemical parameters, pH checked for the area showed values between 5.43 to 9.7. The analysis of historical concentrations of lead ion in the aqueous in relation to the speciation diagram suggests that the most stable forms of lead in the pH range found corresponds in percentage species: \'Pb POT.2+\' (20%) and \'Pb (OH) POT.+\' (20%). The remaining 60% can be identified in the diagram Pb-S-C-O-H. As the pH variation in the sampling campaigns were between 6 and 9, and the conditions of positive Eh, the main stable in this context is \'PbCO IND.3\' . However, due to the low total organic carbon TOC around 1 %, lead tends to remain in the soil matrix bound to clay fraction minerals such as kaolinite, muscovite or oxy-hydroxides of iron and aluminum in the soil according to the results obtained by X-ray Diffraction. Thus it appears that the evaluation of lead contamination may be related to its chemical interaction with other compounds in the aquifer. In according of corporate actions in environmental cases suggests a broader survey of research analyzing the soil matrix and conditions of solubility of its main constituents.

Resultado da realização de determinadas atividades, como indústrias, depósitos, disposição de resíduos, a contaminação do solo e das águas subterrâneas é um tema que só num passado muito recente ganhou certa evidência, em razão dos efeitos danosos ao meio ambiente e à saúde em geral e da descoberta e divulgação de casos que se tornaram emblemáticos. Na cidade de São Paulo, a reutilização de locais com tais características tem ocorrido muitas vezes de modo impróprio, num contexto de mudanças de uso do solo em função da alteração do perfil econômico da cidade. A existência dessas áreas contribui efetivamente para a deterioração do espaço urbano, com conseqüências imediatas na paisagem. A contaminação, no entanto, não significa a inviabilização da utilização de uma área, desde que procedimentos adequados sejam adotados, o que pode representar uma oportunidade para a requalificação de importantes regiões da cidade. Dessa forma, o objeto deste trabalho compreende o estudo das potencialidades e das limitações apresentadas na formulação, implantação e monitoramento de projetos paisagísticos em áreas contaminadas na cidade de São Paulo. / Result of the performing of certain activities, such as industries, warehouses, waste disposal, the soil and groundwater contamination is a theme which has gained certain prominence in a very recent past, due to the damaging effects to the environment and the health in general as well to the discovery and revealing of cases that became emblematic. In the city of São Paulo, the reuse of places with such characteristics has frequently occurred in an inappropriate way, within a context of change of the land use as a result of the modification in the economical characteristics of the city. The existence of those areas contributes effectively to the deterioration of the urban space with immediate consequences to the landscape. The contamination, however, doesn?t mean the unfeasibility of the reuse of an area, since the right procedures are adopted, which may represent an opportunity of requalification of important regions of the city. Thus, the object of this work deals with the study of the potentialities and the limitations presented in the formulation, implementation and monitoring of landscape designs in contaminated sites in the city of São Paulo.

No description available.

Soil Washing is a promising alternative treatment method for contaminated site remediation. An industry contaminated site - the OMEX site was selected for the study, and several extraction additives (chelating agent and surfactant) were used to investigate the application of soil washing for the removal of heavy metals and hydrocarbons. The interactions and transport of the contaminants were studied by bench-scale experiments for both heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Soil characterization was performed before the experiments.The soil characterization indicated that the OMEX soil contained large amounts of Pb, Zn (heavy metal) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). The contaminant concentrations were 986 mg/kg of Pb, 284 mg/kg of Zn, and 29000 mg/kg of TPH. The contaminated soil was also high in moisture content, organic content and total organic carbon (TOC). From soil analyses on different particle size fractions, most contaminants were concentrated in the fine soil fraction, below 150gm, which constituted about 35% by weight of the contaminated soil.Heavy metal removal by chelating agents was conducted first. The results showed that 3% EDTA solution offered the highest removal efficiency for both Pb and Zn. About 90% of Pb and 65% of Zn were removed by using 3% EDTA solution for 29 hours. The extraction kinetics proved to be slow, reaching equilibrium in a relatively long time (more than 10 hours). In soil washing the solution pH had some effect on the removal of both Pb and Zn with marginally better removals observed at a lower pH. The experimental study indicated that the ratio of washing solution volume to soil weight (LIS) had little effect on the percentage removal of both Pb and Zn.In hydrocarbons removal tests, experiments verified that surfactant solutions can be effective in removing organics from coarse soil fraction, while some amount of surfactants were ++ / adsorbed by fine soil particles. Anionic surfactants such as SIDS exhibited less sorption capacity than nonionic surfactants due to the electrostatic repulsion of the former. 4% SDS solution had the highest TPH removal efficiency for OMEX soil, but the 2% SIDS solution was used as it produced only marginally lower results than the 4%. The percentage removal of TPH was about 78% by using 2% SIDS solution. The TPH removal by SDS solution was observed to be a slow and non-equilibrium process. Higher solution temperature can improve removal efficiency of TPH from OMEX soil. Combined washing with a chelating agent and a surfactant was effective in removing both heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Removals of 78% Pb, 82% Zn and 81% TPH were obtained from OMEX soil in the combination test. However, the TPH concentration in fine soil was still very high after washing and would need further treatment.

This project was a part of a study to evaluate natural attenuation (NA) as a viable remedial option for petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination at upstream oil- and gas-contaminated sites in Alberta, Canada. Laboratory mesocosms were set up using groundwater and sediment materials collected from two PHC contaminated sites (Site 1 and Site 3) in Alberta to investigate the enhancement of anaerobic PHC biodegradation by amendment of terminal electraon acceptors (TEAs, nitrate or sulfate) and/or nutrients (ammonium and phosphate). Multiple lines of evidence, including the removal of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) and CCME F1 fraction hydrocarbons (C6 to C10), rapid depletion of TEAs, the production of biogenic gases, and detection of the metabolites verified that anaerobic PHC biodegradation was occurring in both laboratory mesocosm studies. Selective biodegradation of PHCs under different reducing conditions was observed. However, there was no conclusive evidence that one reducing condition will universally favor the biodegradation of specific PHCs. In both studies, nutrient amendment showed no enhancement effects. The calculated first-order biodegradation rates in Site 1 mesocosm study ranged from 0.0032 to 0.033 d-1 for benzene, 0 to 0.028 d-1 for ethylbenzene, 0.0021 to 0.036 d-1 for m-, p-xylenes, and 0.0006 to 0.0045 d-1 for F1-BEX (F1 hydrocarbons exclduding BEX) under the tested conditions. The laboratory first-order biodegradation rates of BEX were higher than the estimated field rates, indicating the potential of enhanced anaerobic biodegradation in situ. However, when comparing the TEA amended mesocosms with the unamended controls (in which iron reduction might be the predominant process), the enhancement effects were less apparent and inconsistent. The calculated first-order biodegradation rates in Site 3 mesocosm study ranged from 0 to 0.0009 d-1 for benzene, 0 to 0.011 d-1 for ethylbenzene, 0 to 0.0016 d-1 for m- and p-xylenes, and 0 to 0.15 d-1 for o-xylene. Sulfate amendment significantly stimulated biodegradation of all xylenes and CCME F1 hydrocarbons. However, there was no definitive evidence that nitrate or sulfate amendment could enhance benzene or ethylbenzene biodegradation. / Environmental Engineering

The scope of extreme-environment diving defined within this work encompasses diving modes outside of the generally accepted no-decompression, open-circuit, compressed-air diving limits on selfcontained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) in temperate or warmer waters. Extreme-environment diving is scientifically and politically interesting. The scientific diving operational safety and medical framework is the cornerstone from which diving takes place in the scientific community. From this effective baseline, as evidenced by decades of very low DCS incidence rates, the question of whether compressed air is the best breathing medium under pressure was addressed with findings indicating that in certain depth ranges a higher fraction of oxygen (while not exceeding a PC 2 of 1.6 ATA) and a lower fraction of nitrogen result in extended bottom times and a more efficient decompression. Extremeenvironment diving under ice presents a set of physiological. equipment, training and operational challenges beyond regular diving that have also been met through almost 50 years of experience as an underwater research tool. Diving modes such as mixed-gas, surface-supplied diving with helmets may mitigate risk factors that the diver incurs as a result of depth, inert gas narcosis or gas consumption. A close approximation of inert gas loading and decompression status monitoring is a function met by dive computers, a necessity in particular when the diver ventures outside of the single-dive profile into the realm of multi-level, multi-day repetitive diving or decompression diving. The monitoring of decompression status in extreme environments is now done exclusively through the use of dive computers and evaluations of the performance of regulators under ice have determined the characteristics of the next generation of life-support equipment for extreme-environment diving for science. These polar, deep and contaminated water environments require risk assessment that analyzes hazards such as cold stress, hydration, overheating, narcosis, equipment performance and decompression sickness. Scientific diving is a valuable research tool that has become an integral methodology in the pursuit of scientific questions in extreme environments of polar regions, in contaminated waters, and at depth.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the treatment efficiency of a trichloroethylene(TCE)-contaminated aqueous solution and soil by combined technologies of the emulsified nanoscale zero-valent iron slurry (ENZVIS) and electrokinetic remediation process. Nanoiron was synthesized using the chemical reduction method by industrial grade chemicals. The synthesized nanoparticles contained elemental iron and iron oxide as determined by X-ray diffractmetry(XRD). Micrographs of FE-SEM have shown that a majority of nanoiron were in the size range of 30~50 nm. The stability study of food-grade soybean oil emulsion was conducted using six non-ionic surfactants and soybean oil. The results have shown that the emulsion prepared by mixed surfactants (Span 80 and Tween 40) and soybean oil yielded a better emulsion stability. Based on the above finding, the nanoiron slurry, soybean oil and aforementioned, mixed surfactants were used to prepare ENZVIS. Degradation of TCE by ENZVIS under various operating parameters was carried out in batch experiments. The experimental results have indicated that emulsified nanoiron outperformed nanoiron in TCE dechlorination rate. ENZVIS (0.75 g-Fe0/L) degradated TCE (initial conc.= 10 mg/L) down to 45 %. An increase of the oil dosage could improve the stability of the emulsion, but yielding a negative influence on degradation of TCE. Experimental results also showed that ENZVIS could remove TCE up to 94 % when pH=6. It was also formed that a higher TCE initial concentration would result in a higher TCE removal efficiency. In addition, using ENZVIS to degraded TCE-contaminated artificial groundwater has indicated that nitrate and carbonate of groundwater will suppress nanoiron reaction with TCE. Especially, a high concentration of carbonate in the reaction system might form a passive film or precipitates on nanoiron surface. This study further evaluated the treatment efficiency of combining ENZVIS and electrokinetic technology in treating a TCE-contaminated soil. Experimental conditions were given as follows:(1) initial TCE concentration in the range of 98~118 mg/kg; (2) an electric potential gradient of 1 V/cm; (3) a daily addition of 20 mL ENZVIS; and (4) a reaction time of 10 days. Experimental results have shown that an addition of ENZVIS to the anode reservoir of strongly acidic and oxidative environment would cause nanoiron to corrode rapidly and decrease TCE removal efficiency. On the other hand, an addition of ENZVIS to the cathode reservoir would enhance the degradation of TCE therein. In summary, an addition of ENZVIS to the cathod reservoir would yield the best TCE removal efficiency.