Thesis (M.S.)--University of Toledo, 2007. / Typescript. "Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements for The Master of Science degree in Biology." Bibliography: leaves 37-51.

Thesis (M.S.)--Baylor University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 62-73).

Thesis (M.S.)--Ohio University, November, 1989. / Title from PDF t.p.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-87). Also available in electronic version. Access restricted to campus users.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 98-101).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alberta, 2010. / Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on June 18, 2010). A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta. Includes bibliographical references.

The longterm fate of petroleum in four marine environments was Investigated: The fate of petroleum on the surface of the ocean was elucidated by undertaking a detailed study of petroleum residues polluting the Pacific Ocean. First, the extent of contamination of the Pacific by petroleum residues was assessed by measuring the amounts of tar in 2092 neuston tows over a nine-year period (1967-1975). The South Pacific was found to be free of tar; the Northeast Pacific was slightly polluted, with an average of 0.03 mg/m² . The Northwest Pacific, particularly the Kuroshio current system, was the most severely polluted area: all 55 tows between 25° and 40°N in the Northwest Pacific were contaminated. The average concentration in that area 2 was 2.1 mg/m² , representing a standing stock of about 25,000 metric tons of tar. Chemical analyses of the tar as well as its distribution pattern strongly imply that it originates primarily from tanker traffic, and from tanker sludge in particular. The pollutants appear to be discharged by tanker on the very large Middle East to Japan tanker route, then become entrained in the Kuroshio current and create a plume of contamination which extends downstream for 7000 kilometers across the Pacific. Initially evaporation is the most important weathering mechanism acting on the tar, removing component up to the volatility of pentadecane over a period of days or perhaps weeks. Thereafter, microbial degradation is dominant, probably acting for over a year on many particles. Both of these processes increase the density of the residues, and this effect, combined with the overburden of fouling growth that develops, eventually results in the slow sinking of the tar into the depths of the ocean. The fate of petroleum in the intertidal environment was studied by following the natural degradation of the oil after a small (200 ton) oil spill of #5 fuel oil. The most important weathering process was microbial degradation. Evaporation played only a minor role, while photo-oxidation and dissolution had no apparent effect. The microbal attack took approximately one year to complete the degradation of the n-paraffin fraction of the spilled oil, leaving a thin asphaltic residue on the beach. The combined effect of microbial degradation and abrasive weathering removed roughly 95% of the oil from the beach over the period of a year. The fate of oil in the benthic environment was studied by treating 500 ml quantities of crude oil with a commercial sinkant, then placing the oil on soft sediments in about 6 meters of water. Again in the benthic environment, microbial action was the process responsible for the degradation of the oil. Evaporation had no opportunity to act, dissolution was ineffective, and photo-oxidation did not occur because of the low energy and intensity of the light reaching the sediment. The benthic petroleum samples were slow to degrade: the oil remained unchanged in chemical composition for at least 6 months, and after 16 months the n-paraffins were only partly degraded. Oil dissolved in the water column was investigated by adding a spike of #2 fuel oil to an enclosed column of water 2 m in diameter by 15 m deep, and monitoring its fate by fluorescence spectroscopy. For water a meter or two in depth, exchange with the atmosphere played the dominant role in removing the hydrocarbons from the water column, but at 7 m and below, microbial degradation and sedimentation were the more important processes. The disappearance of the oil approximately followed an exponential decay curve. The half life for a large dissolved oil spike was about 3 days (less for a smaller spike) so that 95% removal occurred within 2 weeks. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate

The contamination of fresh water by phosphates in poultry litter results in substantial eutrophication of fresh water causing fish kills and other types of environmental damage. The poultry indus try in Kentucky is expanding rapidly. The number of broilers is increasing as more poultry farms are established in the state producing waste that needs disposal. Investigations were made to study the possibility of using microorganisms normally found in poultry litter to sequester phosphate, thereby delaying phosphate runoff after litter is applied to croplands. Little is known, however, about the microflora of poultry litter. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of 16S rDNA from bacteria was used to investigate the bacterial diversity of poultry litter. Poultry litter was collected from a local producer. DNA was isolated using commercial kits and amplified using the polymerase chain reaction with primers specific for bacterial 16S rDNA. The amplified fragments were digested using HhaI restriction endonuclease and the DNA fragment lengths were determined. To determine the sensitivity of this method, known quantities of Escherichia coli cells were spiked into litter prior to DNA extraction. Successful amplification of the bacterial rDNA was highly variable but could be improved by passing the purified DNA through two purification columns in lieu of only one column. The detection threshold for E. coli was 10 cells, however, the results also varied widely. Bacteria capable of hyper-accumulating intracellular phosphate were isolated from poultry litter as possible tools for phosphate remediation in poultry litter. Five strains of phosphate accumulating bacteria were successfully isolated from poultry litter. Poultry litter was suspended in sterile nanopure water and 100μl was plated on BHI plates containing an addtional 750mM K2HPO4. Isolated colonies were screened for intracellular metachromatic granules using the Nile blue stain, a presumptive test for polyphosphate. Positive colonies were cultured in BHI and BHI with supplementation of K2HPO4 and free intracellular phosphate concentrations were determined in cell extracts. Total phosphates were measured in cell extracts subjected to hydrolysis by addition of 12N HCl and heating at 100°C for 60 min. Polyphosphate was determined by subtraction of free phosphates from total phosphates. Results showed five isolates of gram-positive bacteria were obtained from poultry litter. All isolates were cocci arranged in chains or clusters and were catalase positive. All isolates showed considerable levels of intracellular phosphate accumulation, which were comparable to Microlunatus phosphovorus, a bacterium known to hyper-accumulate phosphate. Biolo g analysis indicated four of the five strains isolated were Staphylococcus sp. and one strain was unidentified.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Queensland, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references.

As the shortage of fresh water becomes more and more critical, alternative sources are being sought. The reuse of wastewater has become a viable option, particularly for agriculture and landscaping. However, the possible presence of the enteric pathogens, especially viruses, in wastewater has created concern about potential health risks associated with this practice. If wastewater is used for irrigation it may contaminate vegetable crops which are commonly eaten raw. Also, it may contaminate grass used for golf courses, school yards, and playgrounds where more people may be exposed. Rotaviruses may be of particular concern since they are a cause of infantile diarrhea and gastroenteritis in adults and have been a cause of waterborne disease outbreaks. No information, however, is available about the dissemination and survival of rotaviruses on uncooked food and landscaped areas. This information is necessary in developing criteria for determining safe uses of wastewater for crop irrigation. A method was developed for recovery of rotavirus from the surface of vegetables. The simian rotavirus SA-11, adsorbed onto the vegetable surfaces and effects of various eluents, pH, and exposure time, was evaluated to optimize recovery. The maximum recovery of rotavirus occurred with a solution of 3% beef extract at pH 8.0 after 5 minutes of exposure. Survival of rotavirus SA-11 on lettuce, radishes, and carrots stored at 4°C and room temperature was evaluated. Rotavirus SA-11 was able to survive up to 30 days at refrigeration temperatures and up to 25 days at room temperatures. Rotavirus survived longest on lettuce. The survival of coliphage and enteric viruses on grass was studied during winter and summer outdoors. Coliphage, poliovirus, and rotavirus SA-11 survived on two types of grass during winter and summer from 8 to 40 hours. Human rotavirus survived longer than the other enteric viruses, however, coliphage was more sensitive to inactivation. The occurrence of rotaviruses and enteroviruses in the secondarily treated sewage (activated sludge) was evaluated over a one year period. Total coliforms, pH, and turbidity were also determined. Rotavirus concentrations peaked during Spring and Winter while concentrations of enteroviruses peaked during May, September, and December. No correlation was found between the concentrations of total coliforms, rotaviruses and enteroviruses.