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Research efforts in aquatic toxicology have historically centered on the chemical analyses and toxic effects of waters to aquatic organisms. More recently, sediment-source toxicity has been explored, with efforts concentrated on establishing sensitive and accurate methodologies. This study focused on the toxicity of trivalent chromium, hexavalent chromium, and fluoranthene to Pimephales promelas, Ictalurus punctatus, and Lepomis macrochirus. Test fish were exposed to both water-borne and sediment-source toxicants for 96 hours (h) and 30 days (d). A 96-h and 30-d LC50 (mg/L Cr, ug/L Fluoranthene) was determined for each fish species exposed to aqueous toxicants. In addition, 96-h and 30-d LC50s were determined for each fish species from sediment chromium concentrations (mg/kg) and sediment fluoranthene concentrations (ug/kg). Although lethality endpoints were used throughout this research, acute effects other than mortality were determined for Lepomis macrochirus exposed to hexavalent chromium. Lethal toxicity values (96-h and 30-d LC50 and their 95% confidence limits) for trivalent chromium could not be determined since trivalent chromium concentations above 6.0 mg/L could not be obtained at water pHs compatible with these fish species. Trivalent chromium addition to test waters at pHs compatible with fish survival resulted in a chromium precipitate that was not lethal to test fish. In contrast, fathead minnows, channel catfish, and bluegill sunfish exposed to hexavalent chromium in water and sediments experienced mortality. Fathead minnows exposed to fluoranthene in water for 96h demonstrated a maximum mortality of 69%, while 100% mortality was achieved with channel catfish in similar tests. Sediment tests with fluoranthene resulted in 100% mortality with both fathead minnows and channel catfish.

The analysis and modeling of the coastal farfield behavior of inlet discharge plumes is the key to understanding the fate of pollutants discharged into the ocean. These plumes disperse in chaotic and unpredictable patterns. Theoretical models are based on the average conditions and calibrated to the results of tracer studies. Data and models for freshwater discharges in coastal ocean systems are limited because of the lack of adequate tracers. On February, 2007, a tracer study was conducted on the Boynton Inlet, Florida, using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer. The objective of this study is to provide methods of analysis for the sample data collected during the experiment. The detected tracer concentrated in a bolus that migrated north of the inlet at velocities lower than predicted by the current data. The plume was successfully modeled with a Gaussian plume model, with 90% of the SF6 predictions having less than 4.6 pptr error. / by Joaquin Pire-Schmidt. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2009. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2009. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

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Call number: LD2668 .T4 1986 B57 / Master of Science / Geology

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Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The process of sand being moved parallel to the coast by wave and current action is called longshore (sediment) transport. Knowledge oflongshore transport is essential for the design of breakwaters at harbour entrances, for navigation channels and for calculating the amount of dredging they require, for beach improvement schemes and for the determination of the stability of inlets and estuaries. Different aspects oflongshore transport have been investigated, namely, (1) analysis offield data, (2) evaluation oflongshore transport formulae and (3) the development of the wave power approach as an alternative method to calculate longshore transport. In the development of a better understanding oflongshore sediment transport, the following has been done for the first time: (1) a comprehensive data set has been compiled covering almost a full range of conditions occurring on natural beaches; and (2) virtually all longshore transport formulae have been evaluated against this extensive data set. A new improved method, the applied wave power approach, has been developed and extensively calibrated against the same data set. Based on this evaluation, guidelines are now available for design engineers as to which are the best bulk and detailed predictors oflongshore sediment transport. These are respectively, the recalibrated Kamphuis formula and the applied wave power approach. Another useful first, is the derivation of confidence intervals for a longshore transport formula, showing what accuracy can be obtained and that accurate predictions are now possible. In addition, it has now been determined what the minimum required measurement period should be and what the most cost-effective way is for obtaining the true long-term mean net longshore transport rate at a particular site. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die proses waarvolgens sand ewewydig aan die kus deur golf- en stroomwerking vervoer word, word langsstrandse (sediment-) vervoer oflangsvervoer genoem. Kennis van langsvervoer is noodsaaklik vir die ontwerp van golfbrekers by hawe-ingange, navigasiekanale en vir die berekening van die hoeveelheid baggerwerk daarvoor benodig, strandverbeteringskemas en vir die bepaling van die stabiliteit van inlate en getyriviere. Verskillende aspekte van langsvervoer is ondersoek, naarnlik, (1) die ontleding van velddata, (2) die beoordeling van langsvervoerformules en (3) die ontwikkeling van die golfdrywingsbenadering as 'n altematiewe metode om langsvervoer mee te bereken .. Tydens die ontwikkeling van 'n beter begrip van langsstrandse sedimentvervoer is die volgende vir die eerste keer gedoen: (1) 'n omvattende datastel is versamel wat bykans aIle toestande wat aan natuurlike strande voorkom, dek; en (2) feitlik aile langsvervoerformules is teen hierdie uitgebreide datastel beoordeel. 'n Nuwe verbeterde metode, die aangewende golfdrywingsbenadering, is ontwikkel en omvattend teen dieselfde datastel geyk. Gebaseer op hierdie beoordeling, is riglyne nou vir ontwerp-ingenieurs beskikbaar rakende watter totaal- en detail-iangsvervoervoorspellers die beste is. Dit is onderskeidelik die hergeykte Kamphuisformule en die aangewende golfdrywingsbenadering. Nog 'n nuttige eerste is die afleiding van betroubaarheidsgrense vir 'n langsvervoerformule, wat wys watter akkuraatheid nou haalbaar is en dat noukeurige voorspellings nou moontlik is. Verder is dit nou vasgestel wat die vereiste meettydperk behoort te wees en wat die mees koste-effektiewe manier is waarop die ware langtermyn-gemiddelde netto langsvervoertempo by 'n spesifieke terrein verkry kan word.

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The Jurassic (Toarcian) Posidonienschiefer of southern Germany is famous for its well preserved vertebrate fossils and its high organic content. The majority of the Posidonienschiefer (10 meters thick in the study area) consists of the Bituminous Shale, a fossiliferous laminated illite claystone. Two thin (30-40 mm) clayey pyritic biomicrosparites, the Upper and Lower Schlacken, interrupt the Bituminous Shale. Geologists who have studied the Posidonienschiefer disagree about the exact nature of its depositional environment. The argument centers on the interpretation of an impoverished benthic fauna and whether or not the water column directly above the sediment-water interface was anoxic or normally oxygenated. Kauffman (1981) proposed that an algal/fungal mat located at or near the sediment/water interface marked the boundary between aerobic and anaerobic conditions during deposition. The purpose of my research was to investigate the geologic conditions during deposition and early diagenesis of the Bituminous Shale and the Schlacken and to search for evidence of microbial activity. A detailed petrologic investigation of these two lithologies found no evidence of an algal/fungal mat, but did reveal the important contribution of microbial activity in the formation of pyrite and calcite cement. The Bituminous Shale was deposited in a low-energy tropical seaway. The upper water-column supported a diverse marine fauna. The aerobic/anaerobic boundary in the water column may have been located several millimeters above the sediment/water interface. Pore waters of the ocean-floor mud were dysaerobic to anaerobic. Occasional oxygenation events allowed opportunistic benthic organisms to colonize the sea-floor. Compaction of the Bituminous Shale occured prior to cementation of original porosity. Framboidal pyrite was formed during sulfidic diagenesis under anaerobic, but open, sediment/pore water conditions. Euhedral pyrite formed later as communication between pores became restricted during sediment compaction. The skeletal grains of the Schlacken formed as a winnowed lag deposit of Bituminous Shale sediment. During the early stages of sulfidic diagenesis the winnowed beds were rapidly cemented in a concretion-like sheet. Early cementation preserved delicate algal spores and clay fabric. Fossil bacteria were discovered in the calcite cement of the Schlacken by modified petrographic techniques, and confirmed with the scanning electron microscope. Experiments in which live bacteria were gradually entrapped in halite produced a crystal fabric identical to that of the fossiliferous calcite cement of the Schlacken. The microbial production of bicarbonate and ammonia during sulfidic diagenesis played a significant role in altering local geochemical conditions in the Schlacken sediment and initiated the precipitation of calcite cements. Fossil bacteria in the cements of the Schlacken are direct evidence of the presence and entrapment of bacteria during cementation, but do not conclusively prove their active role in the formation of calcite. / text