Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Joseph J. Squier

NAME:
- Joseph J. Squier

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Environmental Science

SCHOOL:
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas (USA) (1996)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: Effect of unsaturated zone soil moisture content on vapor phase pollutant propagation in controlled laboratory experiments

Abstract: Experiments were conducted to assess and model the effects of unsaturated zone soil moisture content on vapor-phase pollutant propagation in a controlled setting. A two-dimensional sandtank was utilized for controlled vapor-phase experiments, with pollutant vapors of octane and diesel fuel introduced through a finely slotted source tube. Soil moisture content was varied from 0% to 10% by weight for octane experiments, and from 0% to 5% by weight for diesel fuel. The effects of introduced soil moisture on the transport of each pollutant vapor were observed via soil-gas sampling from access ports. Soil-gas samples were analyzed with FID gas chromatography to determine a gross hydrocarbon concentration for discrete time intervals and distances from the vapor source.

Analytical modeling methods based on Fickian diffusion, developed by Kreamer (1982), were used to estimate two primary diffusion parameters D$\sb{\rm e}$, the effective diffusion coefficient, and A*, the sorption corrected porosity. Estimations were carried out using a FORTRAN program with a non-linear subroutine. The estimated parameters were used to model concentration curves for each moisture content. The modeling indicated adverse effects on vapor propagation near 2% moisture content for octane and 2% moisture content for diesel fuel.

A trend observed for the octane vapor modeling illustrates the relationship of D$\rm\sb{e},\ D\sb{k},$ and A* to the tortuosity factor. Tortuosity was observed to decrease as moisture content increased up to 5% by mass. As moisture content increase beyond 5% gravimetrically, tortuosity began to increase as the porosity became occluded by water molecules.

MPACT Scores for Joseph J. Squier

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:17:43

Advisors and Advisees Graph