Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1995

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Advisor

Mark Kennedy

Abstract

The model, BIOROOT, was implemented as a predictive tool to assess the fate and transport and to determine the effects of vegetative remediation anticipated during remediation of trinitrotoluene (TNT) contaminated soils. The model is designed to incorporate biological, physical, chemical, and environmental factors in predicting the degradation fate of trinitrotoluene (TNT). Lagoons from an explosives washout facility at the Umatilla Depot Activity near the city of Hermiston, Oregon were utilized to illustrate the model. Four scenarios were simulated: 1). no degradation of the TNT contaminant, 2). degradation half life values of 1 year, 3). amending the soil with 10% organic material, and 4). initiating vegetative remediation using the alfalfa plant. The amount of contaminant leached from the upper soil matrix after 1300 days was 7300 g, 1400 g, 18 g, and -50 g TNT respectively. Vegetative remediation demonstrated an ability to prevent TNT from entering the soil-water phase and leaching into the ground water. Vegetation was also capable of capturing and remediating contaminant not in direct contact with the root system. Key words: remediation, vegetation, model, TNT, munitions, wastes.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Explosives
Soil degradation -- Mathematical models
Soil remediation -- Mathematical models

Format

application/pdf

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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Rights Statement

In Copyright