A study was conducted to determine the oxygen uptake rate of resuspended estuarine bottom sediments and the biodegradability of the organic matter released during resuspension. Oxygen uptake was measured on a Gilson Differential Respirometer and the percent biodegradability was calculated by determining the soluble organic carbon on a Beckman Carbonaceous Analyzer. A preliminary study was conducted to determine if estuarine sediments contained sufficient bacteria to exert a measurable oxygen uptake or if additional bacterial seed was required. The oxygen uptake rates of unseeded and seeded sediments were compared and the results indicated that additional seeding was not necessary. Another preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the effect of storage time at 4°C on the oxygen uptake rate of resuspended estuarine bottom sediments. The oxygen uptake rate of an homogenized sample was measared up to eight days after collection. Results indicated that the oxygen uptake rate was not seriously effected by storage at 4°C within the time interval tested. Oxygen uptake rates and percent biodegradability of four estuarine sediment samples were measured. The oxygen uptake rates varied from 2 to 360 μl O₂/gram/hr. Percent biodegradability was calculated from soluble organic carbon measurements and varied from 10.4% to 81.0%. The volatile solids content of the sediment and the soluble ferrous iron, free sulfide and sulfate concentrations in the interstitial water were also measured. The data were statistically analyzed for correlation between these parameters and the oxygen uptake rate and percent biodegradability. Experimental results indicated that the oxygen uptake rate was directly related to both the volatile solids content of the sediment and the soluble organic carbon released during resuspension. The percent biodegradability of the carbonaceous material released during resuspension of the sediments was found to be related to the soluble organic carbon and the free sulfide concentration in the interstitial water. / Graduation date: 1973

Graduation date: 1973

Graduation date: 1977

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 83-85).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2005. / Dr. Curry, Judith, Committee Co-Chair ; Dr. Blanton, Jackson - Committee Chair, Committee Chair ; Dr. Cunnold, Derek, Committee Member ; Dr. Seim, Harvey, Committee Member ; Dr. Webster, Donald, Committee Member ; Dr. Webster, Peter, Committee Member ; Dr. Wong, Kuo, Committee Member.

Thesis (doctoral)--Imperial College of Science and Technology, 1952. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-74).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Connecticut, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 234-242).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

vi, 58 p. ; ill., maps. A print copy of this title is available from the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology library, under the call number OIMB QL391.A6 W5. / The tube hood orientation of Pista pacifica is non-random and related to current direction. Results from field measurements and from one flow tank experiment suggest that Pista pacifica build their tube hoods at right angles to local currents, and perhaps away from the direction of any sediment transport which may occur normal to the prevalent current direction. By orienting their tube hoods perpendicular to water currents, the animals may be making use of the kinetic energy of the water motion around them to generate a tube ventilation current. This current may in turn lessen the energetic needs of the worms by providing internal ventilation and sediment flushing currents at little energetic cost to the organism. / Adviser: Robert C. Terwilliger

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Rhode Island, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 135-146).