Full metadata
Title
Novel integrative methods for sampling environmental contaminants
Description
Up to 25 percent of the operating budget for contaminated site restoration projects is spent on site characterization, including long-term monitoring of contaminant concentrations. The sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility of analytical methods have improved to the point where sampling techniques bear the primary responsibility for the accuracy and precision of the data. Most samples represent discrete concentrations in time and space; with sampling points frequently limited in both dimensions, sparse data sets are heavily extrapolated and the quality of data further limited.
Methods are presented for characterizing contaminants in water (groundwater and surface waters) and indoor air. These techniques are integrative, providing information averaged over time and/or space, as opposed to instantaneous point measurements. Contaminants are concentrated from the environment, making these methods applicable to trace contaminants. These methods have the potential to complement existing techniques, providing the practitioner with opportunities to reduce costs and improve the quality of the data used in decision making.
A conceptual model for integrative sampling of environmental waters is developed and a literature review establishes an advantage in precision for active samplers. A programmable sampler was employed to measure the concentration of chromate in a shallow aquifer exhibiting time-dependent contaminant concentrations, providing a unique data set and sustainability benefits. The analysis of heat exchanger condensate, a waste stream generated by air conditioning, is demonstrated in a non-intrusive method for indoor air quality assessment. In sum, these studies present new opportunities for effective, sustainable environmental characterization.
Methods are presented for characterizing contaminants in water (groundwater and surface waters) and indoor air. These techniques are integrative, providing information averaged over time and/or space, as opposed to instantaneous point measurements. Contaminants are concentrated from the environment, making these methods applicable to trace contaminants. These methods have the potential to complement existing techniques, providing the practitioner with opportunities to reduce costs and improve the quality of the data used in decision making.
A conceptual model for integrative sampling of environmental waters is developed and a literature review establishes an advantage in precision for active samplers. A programmable sampler was employed to measure the concentration of chromate in a shallow aquifer exhibiting time-dependent contaminant concentrations, providing a unique data set and sustainability benefits. The analysis of heat exchanger condensate, a waste stream generated by air conditioning, is demonstrated in a non-intrusive method for indoor air quality assessment. In sum, these studies present new opportunities for effective, sustainable environmental characterization.
Date Created
2015
Contributors
- Roll, Isaac B (Author)
- Halden, Rolf U. (Thesis advisor)
- Johnson, Paul C (Committee member)
- Kavazanjian, Edward (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
- Environmental engineering
- active sampling
- Environmental sampling
- groundwater monitoring
- indoor air condensate
- solid phase extraction
- time-integrated average
- Environmental sampling--Equipment and supplies--Technological innovations.
- Environmental sampling
- Water--Pollution--Analysis.
- Water
- Indoor air pollution--Analysis.
- Indoor air pollution
Resource Type
Extent
xiii, 179 pages : illustrations (some color), maps (some color)
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.36454
Statement of Responsibility
by Isaac B. Roll
Description Source
Viewed on February 5, 2016
Level of coding
full
Note
Vita
thesis
Partial requirement for: Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2015
bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 99-107)
Field of study: Civil and environmental engineering
System Created
- 2016-02-01 07:05:54
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:25:44
- 3 years 2 months ago
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