Date of Award

11-1995

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Charles A. Bleckmann, PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to use respirometry to measure the impact of nutrient combinations or treatments on JP - 8 biodegradation under simulated fuel spill soil conditions. The study was designed observe one soil type at a constant fuel exposure level of 1% and a constant moisture of 60% of field capacity. Three experiments conducted were of two and three factor designs with potassium nitrate and sodium phosphate addition levels serving as two factors and fuel serving as a third factor in Experiments 1 and 2. Cumulative oxygen values obtained by the respirometer were assumed to be a direct indicator of JP-8 biodegradation. Therefore, cumulative oxygen values were used as the response variable for statistical analysis to determine the impact of nutrient enhancement on biodegradation 0fJP - 8.O2 consumption and CO2 production rate data were collected to ensure respiration activity levels were declining or stable to allow for cumulative oxygen data interpretation. Nutrient enhancement was found not to have a positive impact on biodegradation under these conditions. Additionally, losses due to degradation of the JP - 8 were found to be less than losses from volatilization.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GEE-ENV-95D-17

DTIC Accession Number

ADA307163

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