Award Date

1-1-2002

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Engineering (ME)

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

First Committee Member

David E. James

Number of Pages

107

Abstract

This thesis investigates the feasibility of combining ion exchange and biological reduction to remove perchlorate contamination from waters and eliminate it from the environment. Perchlorate can be removed from water by ion exchange. However, regeneration of these resins creates a waste stream, concentrating the perchlorate and other components in the regenerant solution. This waste stream can then be channeled to a biological reactor where perchlorate is reduced by microorganisms. Perchlorate-reducing microorganisms are ubiquitous in nature, yet biological treatment of these waste streams would expose these microorganisms to high salt or ammonium concentrations and high perchlorate levels. In studying the impact of these three parameters on a mixed culture of perchlorate reducers, results showed high concentrations of salt, ammonium and perchlorate negatively affected the biological reduction of perchlorate; however, possible acclimation of these microorganisms to high ammonium and perchlorate levels may be possible.

Keywords

Biological; Contaminated; Generated; Perchlorate; Remediation; Solutions; Treatment; Waste; Waters

Controlled Subject

Environmental engineering; Environmental sciences

File Format

pdf

File Size

2631.68 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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