Identifier

etd-1114102-154731

Degree

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This research investigated the capability of wetland soils to function as a medium for the degradation of 1,1,2,2-TeCA and its daughter products, and the influence of different hydrogen donors and nutrients on this process. The rate constants calculated for this study, show that removal of 1,1,2,2-TeCA is occurring in the microcosms receiving hydrogen donors as well as the biotic controls. The parent compound was undergoing complete degradation to ethene, which was confirmed by ethene analysis, as well as monitoring the intermediate compounds. The analysis for the degradation products of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene is important in determining the overall potential for successful degradation of the parent compound. The major biotic daughter products of TeCA are the 1,2-dichloroethene isomers, vinyl chloride and ethene. The mass balance of the study had recoveries within 40% of the initial injection. From the data collected in this study, it can be shown that enhanced bioremediation can be a viable strategy for the improvement of the soil degradation phase of wetland remediation processes. The addition of hydrogen donors to the wetland soils showed the ability to support a complete degradation process in the deepsoil. By amending the system with a slow release hydrogen donor such as butyrate and introducing a known dechlorinating culture, early success could be achieved until over time a well established dechlorinator population is produced.

Date

2002

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

John H. Pardue

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1729

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