Date of Award

1-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

David Coulliette, PhD

Second Advisor

Edward Heyse, PhD

Abstract

The use and storage of hazardous chemicals at U.S. military facilities often adversely affect the groundwater when contaminants infiltrate the subsurface as a result of leaks and accidental spills. These contaminants, if not located and remediated in a relatively short time, may move and settle unpredictably, essentially creating a source some distance from the original leak or spill. An example of this phenomenon is found with migrating dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) contaminants. Although various methods for estimating the present day locations of these migrated contaminants are in use, accurately pinpointing the source of contaminants remains a difficult problem in current remediation technology. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is a computer enhanced statistical technique for empirical model building and exploitation that supports a systematic approach to site characterization. The use of RSM techniques may result in better mathematical models of a site and may ultimately enhance a site's conceptual model. This work demonstrates the use of RSM to pinpoint the statistically best locations of contaminant point sources that have migrated from their original location in several experiments, and outlines a process that has great potential for significantly reducing costs associated with site characterization and remediation.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GCS-ENG-97M-01

DTIC Accession Number

ADA323246

Comments

AFIT Designator printed as "AFIT-ENG-GCS-97M" on cover.

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