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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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16 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1974

Ecological effects and environmental fate of solid rocket exhaust

Specific target processes were classified as to the chemical, chemical-physical, and biological reactions and toxic effects of solid rocket emissions within selected ecosystems at Kennedy Space Center. Exposure of Citris seedlings, English peas, and bush beans to SRM exhaust under laboratory conditions demonstrated reduced growth rates, but at very high concentrations. Field studies of natural plant populations in three diverse ecosystems failed to reveal any structural damage at the concentration levels tested. Background information on elemental composition of selected woody plants from two terrestrial ecosystems is reported. LD sub 50 for a native mouse (peromysous gossypinus) exposed to SRM exhaust was determined to be 50 ppm/g body weight. Results strongly indicate that other components of the SRM exhaust act synergically to enhance the toxic effects of HCl gas when inhaled. A brief summary is given regarding the work on SRM exhaust and its possible impact on hatchability of incubating bird eggs.

Nimmo, B.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Application of MODIS Products to Infer Possible Relationships Between Basin Land Cover and Coastal Waters Turbidity Using the Magdalena River, Colombia, as a Case Study

Basin development and consequent change in basin land cover have been often associated with an increased turbidity in coastal waters because of sediment yield and nutrients loading. The later leads to phytoplankton abundance further exacerbating water turbidity. This subsequently affects biological and physical processes in coastal estuaries by interfering with sun light penetration to coral reefs and sea grass, and even affecting public health. Therefore, consistent estimation of land cover changes and turbidity trend lines is crucial to design environmental and restoration management plans, to predict fate of possible pollutants, and to estimate sedimentary fluxes into the ocean. Ground solely methods to estimate land cover change would be unpractical and traditional methods of monitoring in situ water turbidity can be very expensive and time consuming. Accurate monitoring on the status and trends of basin land cover as well as the water quality of the receiving water bodies are required for analysis of relationships between the two variables. Use of remote sensing (RS) technology provides a great benefit for both fields of study, facilitating monitoring of changes in a timely and cost effective manner and covering wide areas with long term measurements. In this study, the Magdalena River basin and fixed geographical locations in the estuarine waters of its delta are used as a case to study the temporal trend lines of both, land cover change and the reflectance of the water turbidity using satellite technology. Land cover data from a combined product between sensors Terra and Aqua (MCD12Q1) from MODIS will be adapted to the conditions in the Magdalena basin to estimate changes in land cover since year 2000 to 2009. Surface reflectance data from a MODIS, Terra (MOD09GQ), band 1, will be used in lieu of in situ water turbidity for the time period between 2000 and present. Results will be compared with available existing data.

Madrinan, Max Jacobo Moreno↗
NASA NTRS2023

Natural sunlight-driven oxidation of Mn 2+ (aq) and heterogeneous formation of Mn oxides on hematite

The oxidation of dissolved Mn 2+ (aq) plays a critical role in driving manganese cycles and regulating the fate of essential elements and contaminants in environmental systems. Based on sluggish oxidation rate, abiotic processes have been considered less effective oxidation pathway for manganese oxidation in environmental systems. Interestingly, a recent study (Jung et al., 2021) has shown that the rapid photochemical oxidation of Mn 2+ (aq) could be a feasible scenario to uncover the potential significance of abiotic Mn 2+ (aq) oxidation. Nevertheless, the significance of photochemical oxidation of Mn 2+ (aq) under natural sunlight exposure remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the rapid photocatalytic oxidation of Mn 2+ (aq) and the heterogeneous growth of tunnel-structured Mn oxides under simulated freshwater and seawater conditions in the presence of natural sunlight and hematite. The natural sunlight-driven photocatalytic oxidation of Mn 2+ (aq) by hematite showed kinetic constants of 1.02 h -−1 and 0.342 h −1 under freshwater and seawater conditions, respectively. The natural sunlight-driven photocatalytic oxidation rates are quite comparable to the results obtained from the previous laboratory test using artificial sunlight, which has ∼4.5 times stronger light intensity. It is likely because of ∼5.5 times larger light exposure area in the natural sunlight-driven photocatalytic oxidation than that of the laboratory test using artificial sunlight. We also elucidate the roles of cation species in controlling the oxidation rate of Mn 2+ (aq) and the crystalline structure of Mn oxide products. Specifically, in the presence of large amounts of cations, the oxidation rate of Mn 2+ (aq) was slower likely because of competitive adsorption. Furthermore, our findings highlight that Mn 2+ contributes significantly to the formation of large-tunneled Mn oxides. These results illuminate the importance of abiotic photocatalytic processes in controlling the redox chemistry of Mn in real environmental aqueous systems on the oxidation of Mn 2+ (aq), and provide an environmentally sustainable approach to effectively remediate water contaminated with Mn 2+ (aq) using natural sunlight.

Junyeong Choi↗
NASA NTRS2017

The Incidence and Fate of Volatile Methyl Siloxanes in a Crewed Spacecraft Cabin

Volatile methyl siloxanes (VMS) arise from diverse, pervasive sources aboard crewed spacecraft ranging from materials offgassing to volatilization from personal care products. These sources lead to a persistent VMS compound presence in the cabin environment that must be considered for robust life support system design. Volatile methyl siloxane compound stability in the cabin environment presents an additional technical issue because degradation products such as dimethylsilanediol (DMSD) are highly soluble in water leading to a unique load challenge for water purification processes. The incidence and fate of VMS compounds as observed in the terrestrial atmosphere, water, and surface (soil) environmental compartments have been evaluated as an analogy for a crewed cabin environment. Volatile methyl siloxane removal pathways aboard crewed spacecraft are discussed and a material balance accounting for a DMSD production mechanism consistent with in-flight observations is presented.

Perry, Jay L.↗
NASA NTRS2023

Sewage Treatment Plant #1 Area, SWMU 117 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Site Assessment Progress Report

This Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Site Assessment (SA) Progress Report (SAPR) discusses the investigation activities and findings for the Sewage Treatment Plant #1 (STP1) Area located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida (Figure 1-1). This site has been designated Solid Waste Management Unit (SWMU) 117 under KSC’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action Program, as the sewage treatment plant and associated areas were identified as a potential source of PFAS to the environment. This PFAS SAPR was prepared by Tetra Tech, Inc., for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Contract 80KSC019D0011-80KSC019F0070. This is the first progress report to document on-going SA activities; supplemental progress reports will be provided as additional data is collected. PFAS SA activities were conducted between April 2020 and March 2022 to collect additional data to supplement the existing datasets to better understand the extent of PFAS impacts to the environment in the STP1 Area. The SA for the STP1 Area covers an approximately 130-acre investigation area with multiple structures and buildings. The focus of the SA is the STP1 Complex and associated structures, including the former Polishing Pond, former Sludge Disposal8 Area, and former Spray Field. The STP1 Complex is located in the KSC Industrial Area, at the southwest corner of 4th Street SE and C Avenue SE. The STP1 Complex is located approximately ¼-mile south and downgradient of the Fire Station #1 site (SWMU 116), which is also currently undergoing a PFAS SA because of potential releases of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). During the SA, a total of seven soil, 131 groundwater direct push technology (DPT), 24 groundwater monitoring well, and 11 surface water samples were collected between April 2020 and March 2022. Monitoring well samples were analyzed for 18 PFAS compounds, with all other samples analyzed for 28 PFAS compounds. The SA sample results were used along with historical results to evaluate the extent of PFAS impacts to the environment in the STP1 Area. Data generated to date and prior results were screened against the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) May 2022 Tap Water Regional Screening Levels (RSL) for groundwater and residential RSLs for soil (hazard quotient of 0.1). Surface water results were screened against the State of Florida Human Health Surface Water Screening Levels (SWSLs). Results from the SA showed exceedances of the applicable screening criteria for groundwater and surface water. Considering the current and historical dataset, PFOS is the prevalent PFAS compound. Based on these results, additional groundwater DPT and surface water sampling should be considered for PFAS analysis, focused on evaluating surface water bodies in the southeast portion of the Industrial Area, which discharge into the Banana River. Additionally, installation of monitoring wells should be considered to evaluate the interaction between the groundwater and surface water at the site. Collection of additional samples for TOC analysis should also be considered from representative groundwater (saturated soils) and surface water locations to further evaluate potential correlations between PFAS and TOC to provide a more comprehensive dataset to assist in fate and transport analyses.

Sewage Treatment Plant↗
NASA NTRS2002

Noachian Martian Volcanics a Water Source

H2O was supplied to the Noachian atmosphere by eruptions, or in association with large impacts. Most water outgassed into an extremely cold atmosphere, and condensate deposits were inevitable. High heat flow could lead to subglacial melting only if ice thicknesses were greater than 500-1000m, which is extremely unlikely. Subareal melting and flow is contingent upon temperatures periodically exceeding 273 K, and retarding evaporative loss of the flow. In still air, evaporation into a dry atmosphere is in the free convection regime, and a stream with 2 cu m/s discharge, flowing 1 m/s could persist for hundreds of days and cover distances greater than any valley reach. The zero-wind-shear condition is considered implausible however. We investigate the possibility that evaporation rates were suppressed because the atmosphere was regionally charged with H2O as it moved over snow/ice fields. Our initial concern is precipitation from volcanic plumes. A Kilauea-style eruption on the martian surface would cover a 10km circular deposit with 10cm of H2O, if all H2O could be precipitated near the vent. The characteristics of the eruption at the vent, (vent size, temperature, H2O content, etc.) are independent of the environmental conditions. The subsequent behavior of the plume, including precipitation of ash and H2O condensate depends strongly on the environment. Hence, the proximal fate of volcanic H2O is amenable to treatment in a model. A simple bulk thermodynamic model of the rise of an H2O plume through a stably stratified CO2 atmosphere, with only adiabatic cooling, produces runaway plume rise. A more complex treatment includes the effects of latent heat release, wind shear along the plume, divergence of ash and H2O, and will yield more realistic estimates of H2O transport in eruptive plumes. Results of these simulations will be presented.

Zent, A. P.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Ecological physiology of Synechococcus sp. strain SH-94-5, a naturally occurring cyanobacterium deficient in nitrate assimilation

Synechococcus sp. strain SH-94-5 is a nitrate assimilation-deficient cyanobacterium which was isolated from an ammonium-replete hot spring in central Oregon. While this clone could grow on ammonium and some forms of organic nitrogen as sole nitrogen sources, it could not grow on either nitrate or nitrite, even under conditions favoring passive diffusion. It was determined that this clone does not express functional nitrate reductase or nitrite reductase and that the lack of activity of either enzyme is not due to inactivation of the cyanobacterial nitrogen control protein NtcA. A few other naturally occurring cyanobacterial strains are also nitrate assimilation deficient, and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the ability to utilize nitrate has been independently lost at least four times during the evolutionary history of the cyanobacteria. This phenotype is associated with the presence of environmental ammonium, a negative regulator of nitrate assimilation gene expression, which may indicate that natural selection to maintain functional copies of nitrate assimilation genes has been relaxed in these habitats. These results suggest how the evolutionary fates of conditionally expressed genes might differ between environments and thereby effect ecological divergence and biogeographical structure in the microbial world.

Nitrates/metabolism↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Spacecraft Fire Safety Predictions using Verified Saffire Model

A model developed using Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) that aimed to determine the effect of a fire in a spacecraft was validated by data collected during the Saffire campaign. The model used inlet and outlet temperatures and CO 2 concentrations of the Saffire payload where fire spread was taking place to determine the amount of heat and combustion products that made it into Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus vehicle. The model was then validated using six remote sensors in various places in the vehicle, as well as a far field device (FFD) in the open zenith section that was representative of average vehicle values. The current work focuses on using the model to predict fire safety scenarios. One simulation aimed to determine the fate of HCl, which sticks to surfaces. The model prediction showed that the HCl was removed from the atmosphere rapidly. This compared well against the FFD data in the Saffire VI campaign event where a bottle of 5% HCl was released into the vehicle. An additional simulation where the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) was shut off once the FFD reached 5 ppm of HCl showed that HCl stayed in the atmosphere considerably longer. Continuing the simulation with the ECLSS activated and after temperatures returned to their initial conditions, resulted in a rapid removal of HCL similar to that observed in the original HCl release scenario model. Finally, a simulation that used the heat release rate from a lithium-ion battery test to determine the effect it would have on a spacecraft was performed. This simulation used a heat addition rate that is considerably higher than what was determined from the burning of solid fuels in the Saffire campaign and hence produced a non-trivial temperature increase in more locations within the vehicle.

Fire Safety↗
NASA NTRS2010

Status of Solar Sail Technology Within NASA

In the early 2000s, NASA made substantial progress in the development of solar sail propulsion systems for use in robotic science and exploration of the solar system. Two different 20-m solar sail systems were produced and they successfully completed functional vacuum testing in NASA Glenn Research Center's (GRC's) Space Power Facility at Plum Brook Station, Ohio. The sails were designed and developed by ATK Space Systems and L Garde, respectively. The sail systems consist of a central structure with four deployable booms that support the sails. These sail designs are robust enough for deployment in a one-atmosphere, one-gravity environment and were scalable to much larger solar sails perhaps as large as 150 m on a side. Computation modeling and analytical simulations were also performed to assess the scalability of the technology to the large sizes required to implement the first generation of missions using solar sails. Life and space environmental effects testing of sail and component materials were also conducted. NASA terminated funding for solar sails and other advanced space propulsion technologies shortly after these ground demonstrations were completed. In order to capitalize on the $30M investment made in solar sail technology to that point, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) funded the NanoSail-D, a subscale solar sail system designed for possible small spacecraft applications. The NanoSail-D mission flew on board the ill-fated Falcon-1 Rocket launched August 2, 2008, and due to the failure of that rocket, never achieved orbit. The NanoSail-D flight spare will be flown in the Fall of 2010. This paper will summarize NASA's investment in solar sail technology to-date and discuss future opportunities

Johnson, Les↗
NASA NTRS1985

Planetary ecology; Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry, Santa Fe, NM, October 10-14, 1983

Topics presented include biological evolution and planetary chemistry; C-1 compounds; transport, deposition, and weathering; sulfur transformations; ground water; transformation processes for nitrogen oxides; and soils. Papers are presented on immunological studies on the organic matrix of recent and fossil invertebrate shells; biogenic gases in sediments deposited since Miocene times on the Walvis Ridge, South Atlantic Ocean; aspects of the biogeochemistry of Big Soda Lake, NV; mesophilic manganese-oxidizing bacteria from hydrothermal discharge areas at 21 deg North on the East Pacific Rise; and autotrophic growth and iron oxidation and inhibition kinetics of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans. Consideration is also given to thermophilic archaebacteria occurring in submarine hydrothermal areas; fate of sulfate in a soft-water, acidic lake; geochemical conditions in the ground water environment; microbial transformations as sources and sinks for nitrogen oxides; and the biogeochemistry of soil phosphorus.

Caldwell, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Can MODIS Data Calibrate and Validate Coastal Sediment Transport Models? Rapid Prototyping Using 250 m Data and the ECOMSED Model for Lake Pontchartrain, LA USA

Field measurements from small boats and sparse arrays of instrumented buoys often do not provide sufficient data to capture the dynamic nature of biogeophysical parameters in may coastal aquatic environments. Several investigators have shown the MODIS 250 m images can provide daily synoptic views of suspended sediment concentration in coastal waters to determine sediment transport and fate. However, the use of MODIS for coastal environments can be limited due to a lack of cloud-free images. Sediment transport models are not constrained by sky conditions but often suffer from a lack of in situ observations for model calibration or validation. We demonstrate here the utility of MODIS 250 m to calibrate (set model parameters), validate output, and set or reset initial conditions of a hydrodynamic and sediment transport model (ECOMSED) developed for Lake Pontchartrain, LA USA. We present our approach in the context of how to quickly assess of 'prototype' an application of NASA data to support environmental managers and decision makers. The combination of daily MODIS imagery and model simulations offer a more robust monitoring and prediction system of suspended sediments than available from either system alone.

Miller, Richard L.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Fate in humans of the plasticizer, DI (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, arising from transfusion of platelets stored in vinyl plastic bags

Platelet concentrates were shown to contain 18-38 mg/100 ml of a phthalate plasticizer (DEHP) which arose by migration from the vinyl plastic packs in which the plateletes were prepared and stored. Transfusion of these platelets into 6 adult patients with leukemia resulted in peak blood plasma levels of DEHP ranging from 0.34 - 0.83 mg/100 ml. The blood levels fell mono-exponentially with a mean rate of 2.83 percent per minute and a half-life of 28.0 minutes. Urine was assayed by a method that would measure unchanged DEHP as well as all phthalic acid-containing metabolities. In two patients, at most 60 and 90% of the infused dose, respectively, was excreted in the urine collected for 24 hours post-transfusion. These estimates, however, could be high due to the simultaneous excretion of DEHP remaining from previous transfusions or arising from uncontrolled environmental exposures.

Rubin, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Improving the Capture and Re-Use of Data with Wearable Computers

At the Goddard Space Flight Center, members of the Real-Time Software Engineering Branch are developing a wearable, wireless, voice-activated computer for use in a wide range of crosscutting space applications that would benefit from having instant Internet, network, and computer access with complete mobility and hands-free operations. These applications can be applied across many fields and disciplines including spacecraft fabrication, integration and testing (including environmental testing), and astronaut on-orbit control and monitoring of experiments with ground based experimenters. To satisfy the needs of NASA customers, this wearable computer needs to be connected to a wireless network, to transmit and receive real-time video over the network, and to receive updated documents via the Internet or NASA servers. The voice-activated computer, with a unique vocabulary, will allow the users to access documentation in a hands free environment and interact in real-time with remote users. We will discuss wearable computer development, hardware and software issues, wireless network limitations, video/audio solutions and difficulties in language development.

Pfarr, Barbara↗
NASA NTRS2024

Hydrocarbon Burn Facility, SWMU 007 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Assessment Report Addendum

This document discusses the Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) assessment activities performed from May through August 2023 at the Hydrocarbon Burn Facility (HBF) located at Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. HBF was used for firefighting training between 1966 and 1994. Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) that contained PFAS were used as suppressants for fighting petroleum fuel fires during training. PFAS sampling was first completed at HBF in 2015. This PFAS Assessment Report Addendum (ARA) is a continuation of sampling efforts, with an overall objective to further delineate PFAS concentrations in groundwater to the pGCTLs and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tapwater Regional Screening Levels (RSLs) dated November 2023 and better understand groundwater to surface water interaction at the Site. The field activities presented in this PFAS ARA were conducted between May and August 2023 and included the collection of 132 direct push groundwater samples and the collection of five colocated surface water, sediment, and pore water samples from locations south/southeast of HBF in August 2023. Exceedances of the pGCTLs and Tapwater RSLs were observed in the direct push groundwater results; however, groundwater has been delineated to the pGCTLs. Exceedances of the Florida provisional Surface Water Screening Levels (pSWSLs) were observed in surface water and porewater, and concentrations of PFAS in these media confirm PFAS migration within surface channels to the south of the HBF site area. Maximum sediment concentrations, which correlate with the maximum surface water and porewater concentrations, demonstrate that PFAS impacted surface water is the source of sediment impacts. Overall, elevated concentrations of PFAS are centered on the HBF site area that trend north and south along the surface water filled swales and along the edge of Banana River. Based on analytical results, not all surface water features in this area exhibit evidence of transport. PFAS migration/transport appears to be more dominant in surface water features during the wet season. Discharges to the Banana River primarily occur where surface water facilitates transport. In contrast, groundwater transport is more effective during the dry season. During precipitation events in either the dry season or the wet season, there appears to be migration from the intermediate groundwater zone to the shallow zone into the surface water features. Additional sampling and data collection is recommended to support further refinement of PFAS groundwater delineation, a remedial alternative evaluation, and the fate and transport model.

Jennifer Buel↗
NASA NTRS2003

Planetary protection and the search for life beneath the surface of Mars

The search for traces of extinct and extant life on Mars will be extended to beneath the surface of the planet. Current data from Mars missions suggesting the presence of liquid water early in Mars' history and mathematical modeling of the fate of water on Mars imply that liquid water may exist deep beneath the surface of Mars. This leads to the hypothesis that life may exist deep beneath the Martian surface. One possible scenario to look for life on Mars involves a series of unmanned missions culminating with a manned mission drilling deep into the Martian subsurface (approximately 3Km), collecting samples, and conducting preliminary analyses to select samples for return to earth. This mission must address both forward and back contamination issues, and falls under planetary protection category V. Planetary protection issues to be addressed include provisions stating that the inevitable deposition of earth microbes by humans should be minimized and localized, and that earth microbes and organic material must not contaminate the Martian subsurface. This requires that the drilling equipment be sterilized prior to use. Further, the collection, containment and retrieval of the sample must be conducted such that the crew is protected and that any materials returning to earth are contained (i.e., physically and biologically isolated) and the chain of connection with Mars is broken. c2002 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗
NASA NTRS1994

Hycrest crested wheatgrass accelerates the degradation of pentachlorophenol in soil

We investigated the effects of vegetation on the fate of pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil using a novel high-flow sealed test system. Pentachlorophenol has been widely used as a wood preservative, and this highly toxic biocide contaminates soil and ground water at many sites. Although plants are known to accelerate the rates of degradation of certain soil contaminants, this approach has not been thoroughly investigated for PCP. The fate of [14C]PCP, added to soil at a concentration of 100 mg/kg, was compared in three unplanted and three planted systems. The plant used was Hycrest, a perennial, drought-tolerant cultivar of crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fischer ex Link) Schultes]. The flow-through test system allowed us to maintain a budget for 14C-label as well as monitor mineralization (breakdown to 14CO2) and volatilization of the test compound in a 155-d trial. In the unplanted systems, an average of 88% of the total radiolabel remained in the soil and leachate and only 6% was mineralized. In the planted system, 33% of the radiolabel remained in the soil plus leachate, 22% was mineralized, and 36% was associated with plant tissue (21% with the root fraction and 15% with shoots). Mineralization rates were 23.1 mg PCP mineralized kg-1 soil in 20 wk in the planted system, and for the unplanted system 6.6 mg PCP kg-1 soil for the same time period. Similar amounts of volatile organic material were generated in the two systems (1.5%). Results indicated that establishing crested wheatgrass on PCP-contaminated surface soils may accelerate the removal of the contaminant.

Non-NASA Center↗