Graduation Year
2009
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Granting Department
Environmental Science and Policy
Major Professor
Kathy Carvalho-Knighton, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Henry Alegria, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Ashanti Pyrtle, Ph.D.
Keywords
Environmental Chemistry, Solid Phase Microextraction, Vieques, PR, Explosives, Nitroaromatics
Abstract
This research focused on the use of nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) to remediate trinitrotoluene (TNT). Zero-valent iron has demonstrated effective degradation of TNT, however, these particles themselves have significant problems in treating sorbed phase TNT in the aerobic environment. This research was comprised of four areas: degradation studies of neat nano-iron with aqueous TNT, degradation studies of nanoiron emulsion with aqueous TNT, characterization of TNT in Vieques, Puerto Rico sediment, and Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) technique interface with HPLC. Both neat and emulsion NZVI studies showed TNT degradation. More degradation was seen in studies using fresher iron. The results from our characterization study in Vieques, PR showed no presence of TNT within our detection limits of 0.0625ppm. Also, SPME is a new extraction solvent saving technique being explored because of its reproducible extractions in water. This work also gives a brief history of SPME and possible uses with TNT.
Scholar Commons Citation
Echols, Erica, "Environmental Remediation of TNT using Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Metal" (2009). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/1946
