Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1993

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Scarlatos, Panagiotis (Pete) D.

Abstract

A complete understanding of nitrate partitioning between water and sediments is absolutely necessary to quantify eutrophication and other harmful effects of nitrate addition to a lake. The bottom sediments can act both as source and sink for nitrates. Turbulent conditions induced by wind forces cause sediments to suspend in the water column. During suspension sediments adsorb/release nitrates and other contaminants into the ambient water. This study investigated the effects of temperature, sediment and nitrate concentration on the exchange and partitioning of nitrates between water and sediments. The Langmuir adsorption model was used to quantify the adsorption/desorption processes. A decrease in the value of partition coefficient with increase in sediment concentration was observed. The laboratory experiments revealed that an increase in temperature of the water column favored the adsorption of nitrates by the bottom sediments. The nitrate diffusion coefficients were estimated by utilizing Fick's second law of diffusion. Sediment concentration profiles were strongly dependant on the oscillating-grid induced turbulence effects.

Extent

133 p.

Comments

College of Engineering and Computer Science|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.S.E.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1993.|College of Engineering and Computer Science

Identifier

FADT14946

Format

pdf

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