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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Measurement techniques for trace metals in coal-plant effluents: A brief review

The strong features and limitations of techniques for determining trace elements in aerosols emitted from coal plants are discussed. Techniques reviewed include atomic absorption spectroscopy, charged particle scattering and activation, instrumental neutron activation analysis, gas/liquid chromatography, gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric methods, X-ray fluorescence, and charged-particle-induced X-ray emission. The latter two methods are emphasized. They provide simultaneous, sensitive multielement analyses and lend themselves readily to depth profiling. It is recommended that whenever feasible, two or more complementary techniques should be used for analyzing environmental samples.

Singh, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Rapid, single-step most-probable-number method for enumerating fecal coliforms in effluents from sewage treatment plants

A single-step most-probable-number method for determining the number of fecal coliform bacteria present in sewage treatment plant effluents is discussed. A single growth medium based on that of Reasoner et al. (1976) and consisting of 5.0 gr. proteose peptone, 3.0 gr. yeast extract, 10.0 gr. lactose, 7.5 gr. NaCl, 0.2 gr. sodium lauryl sulfate, and 0.1 gr. sodium desoxycholate per liter is used. The pH is adjusted to 6.5, and samples are incubated at 44.5 deg C. Bacterial growth is detected either by measuring the increase with time in the electrical impedance ratio between the innoculated sample vial and an uninnoculated reference vial or by visual examination for turbidity. Results obtained by the single-step method for chlorinated and unchlorinated effluent samples are in excellent agreement with those obtained by the standard method. It is suggested that in automated treatment plants impedance ratio data could be automatically matched by computer programs with the appropriate dilution factors and most probable number tables already in the computer memory, with the corresponding result displayed as fecal coliforms per 100 ml of effluent.

Munoz, E. F.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Thermal mapping, geothermal source location, natural effluents and plant stress in the Mediterranean coast of Spain

Although no significant results were achieved during the report period, research continues. A sample of imagery showing thermal inertia and temperature differences over the northeastern United States and Europe was received. The project coordinator attended a TELLUS Project meeting in Ispra, Italy at which general guidelines for the future were established and the quality of the data received was discussed.

Delascuevas, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Thermal mapping, geothermal source location, natural effluents and plant stress in the Mediterranean coast of Spain

Data obtained by HCMM satellite over a complex area in eastern Spain were evaluated and found to be most useful in studying macrostructures in geology and in analyzing marine currents, layers, and areas (although other satellites provide more data). The upper scale to work with HCMM data appears to be 1:2.000.000. Techniques used in preprocessing, processing, and analyzing imagery are discussed as well as methods for pattern recognition. Surface temperatures obtained for soils, farmlands, forests, geological structures, and coastal waters are discussed. Suggestions are included for improvements needed to achieve better results in geographic areas similar to the study area.

Delascuevas, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1973

ERTS-1 applications in hydrology and water resources

After having been in orbit for less than one year, the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS-1) has shown that it provides very applicable data for more effective monitoring and management of surface water features over the globe. Mapping flooded areas, snowcover, and wetlands and surveying the size, type, and response of glaciers to climate are among the specific areas where ERTS-1 data were applied. In addition the data collection system has proven to be a reliable tool for gathering hydrologic data from remote regions. Turbidity variations in lakes and rivers were also observed and related to shoreline erosion, industrial plant effluent, and overall water quality.

Salomonson, V. V.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Assessment of the visibility impairment caused by the emissions from the proposed power plant at Boron, California

The current atmospheric conditions and visibility were modeled, and the effect of the power plant effluent was then added to determine its influence upon the prevailing visibility; the actual reduction in visibility being a function of meteorological conditions and observer-plume-target geometry. In the cases investigated, the perceptibility of a target was reduced by a minimum of 10 percent and a maximum of 100 percent. This significant visual impact would occur 40 days per year in the Edwards area with meteorological conditions such as to cause some visual impact 80 days per year.

Bergstrom, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Environmental parameters of the Tennessee River in Alabama. 2: Physical, chemical, and biological parameters

Physical, chemical and biological water quality data from five sites in the Tennessee River, two in Guntersville Reservoir and three in Wheeler Reservoir were correlated with climatological data for three annual cycles. Two of the annual cycles are for the years prior to the Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant operations and one is for the first 14 months of Plant operations. A comparison of the results of the annual cycles indicates that two distinct physical conditions in the reservoirs occur, one during the warm months when the reservoirs are at capacity and one during the colder winter months when the reservoirs have been drawn-down for water storage during the rainy months and for weed control. The wide variations of physical and chemical parameters to which the biological organisms are subjected on an annual basis control the biological organisms and their population levels. A comparison of the parameters of the site below the Power plant indicates that the heated effluent from the plant operating with two of the three reactors has not had any effect on the organisms at this site. Recommendations given include the development of prediction mathematical models (statistical analysis) for the physical and chemical parameters under specific climatological conditions which affect biological organisms. Tabulated data of chemical analysis of water and organism populations studied is given.

Rosing, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Effect of hydraulic retention time on inorganic nutrient recovery and biodegradable organics removal in a biofilm reactor treating plant biomass leachate

A fixed-film (biofilm) reactor was designed and its performance was determined at various retention times. The goal was to find the optimal retention time for recycling plant nutrients in an advanced life support system, to minimize the size, mass, and volume (hold-up) of a production model. The prototype reactor was tested with aqueous leachate from wheat crop residue at 24, 12, 6, and 3 h hydraulic retention times (HRTs). Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrates and other plant nutrients, carbohydrates, total phenolics, and microbial counts were monitored to characterize reactor performance. BOD removal decreased significantly from 92% at the 24 h HRT to 73% at 3 h. Removal of phenolics was 62% at the 24 h retention time, but 37% at 3 h. Dissolved oxygen concentrations, nitric acid consumption, and calcium and magnesium removals were also affected by HRT. Carbohydrate removals, carbon dioxide (CO2) productions, denitrification, potassium concentrations, and microbial counts were not affected by different retention times. A 6 h HRT will be used in future studies to determine the suitability of the bioreactor effluent for hydroponic plant production.

NASA Center KSC↗
NASA NTRS1976

Environmental parameters of the Tennessee River in Alabama. 1: Thermal stratification

Thermal stratification data of a transect across Wheeler Reservoir are correlated with the climatological data at the time of sampling. This portion of the Tennessee River is used as a heat sink for the effluent from the three reactor Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant. The transect sampling line is 1.3 miles below this point of effluence. Data are presented by weekly samplings for one year prior to plant operations. Post-operational data are presented with one reactor in operation and with two reactors in partial operation. Data gathering was terminated when the plant ceased operations. The results indicate that the effluent for partial plant operation were inconclusive. As a result, recommendations include continuing the sampling when the plant resumes operation at full capacity. Recommendations also include developing math models with the presented thermal and climatological data to be used for predicting the effluent impact in the river with varying climatological conditions and also to predict the effectiveness of the cooling towers.

Rosing, L. M.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Air pollutant production by algal cell cultures

The production of phytotoxic air pollutants by cultures of Chlorella vulgaris and Euglena gracilis is considered. Algal and plant culture systems, a fumigation system, and ethylene, ethane, cyanide, and nitrogen oxides assays are discussed. Bean, tobacco, mustard green, cantaloupe and wheat plants all showed injury when fumigated with algal gases for 4 hours. Only coleus plants showed any resistance to the gases. It is found that a closed or recycled air effluent system does not produce plant injury from algal air pollutants.

Fong, F.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Application of Landsat Thematic Mapper data for coastal thermal plume analysis at Diablo Canyon

The possibility of using Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) thermal data to derive absolute temperature distributions in coastal waters that receive cooling effluent from a power plant is demonstrated. Landsat TM band 6 (thermal) data acquired on June 18, 1986, for the Diablo Canyon power plant in California were compared to ground truth temperatures measured at the same time. Higher-resolution band 5 (reflectance) data were used to locate power plant discharge and intake positions and identify locations of thermal pixels containing only water, no land. Local radiosonde measurements, used in LOWTRAN 6 adjustments for atmospheric effects, produced corrected ocean surface radiances that, when converted to temperatures, gave values within approximately 0.6 C of ground truth. A contour plot was produced that compared power plant plume temperatures with those of the ocean and coastal environment. It is concluded that Landsat can provide good estimates of absolute temperatures of the coastal power plant thermal plume. Moreover, quantitative information on ambient ocean surface temperature conditions (e.g., upwelling) may enhance interpretation of numerical model prediction.

Gibbons, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1977

An ultraviolet video technique for visualization of stack plumes and for measuring sulfur dioxide concentration and effluent velocity

Absorption spectroscopy utilizing a video sensing technique was investigated as a means of visualizing SO2 in power plant stack plumes and for measuring SO2 concentration and effluent velocity in these plumes. The absorption of SO2 is measured in the ultraviolet region by using the sky as a background source. An additional spectral channel is used to correct for particulate scattering encountered in coal fired power plant plumes. The video system also tracks fluctuations in the SO2 concentration which leads to the determination of an eddy convection velocity. Field measurements were performed to show that the eddy convection velocity is proportional to the average in-stack velocity and to empirically determine their relationship. It was concluded that the video absorption technique is an attractive method for remotely determining both SO2 concentration and plume velocity with the same instrument.

Exton, R. J.↗