Valerie Rapson Greece Olympia High School Advisor: Kenneth L. Marshall University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics Summer High School Research Program 2005 1. Abstract Sol-gel coatings are used on the OMEGA laser optics as anti-reflection (AR) coatings to maximize their transmittance. Over time, trace organic compounds in the laser bay contaminate these sol-gel coatings, reducing th...

Uncertainty, Sensitivity and Geostatistical Studies of Flow and Contaminant Transport in Heterogeneous Unsaturated Zone by Feng Pan Dr. Zhongbo Yu, Examination Committee Chair Associate Professor of Hydrology University of Nevada Las Vegas Dr. Jianting Zhu, Examination Committee Co-Chair Associate Professor of Hydrologic Science Desert Research Institute The objectives of this study are: (1) to...

Despite their importance as ecosystem drivers, our understanding of the influence of bacterial diversity on ecosystem functioning is limited. After identifying twelve bacterial strains from two petroleum-contaminated sites, we experimentally explored the impact of biodiversity on total density by manipulating the number of strains in culture. Irrespective of the origin of the bacteria relative ...

Detection of contamination events in water distribution systems is a crucial task for maintaining water security. Online monitoring is considered as the most cost-effective technology to protect against the impacts of contaminant intrusions. Optimization methods for sensor placement enable automated sensor layout design based on hydraulic and water quality simulation. However, this approach res...

A mathematical model has been simulated to describe natural in situ bioremediation of contaminated soil. The model equations consist of a system of three non-linear partial differential equations. Sensitivity analysis conducted by numerically solving them, has demonstrated the effect of initial contaminant concentration on the time and mechanism of remediation. The result of simulation indicate...

Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a persistent and ubiquitous environmental contaminant. No published data exist on the temporal variability or important predictors of urinary PCP concentrations in young children. In this further analysis of study data, we have examined the associations between selected sociodemographic or lifestyle factors and urinary PCP concentrations in 115 preschool children over...

We study the kinetics of infiltration in which contaminant particles, which are suspended in a flowing carrier fluid, penetrate a porous medium. The progress of the "invader" particles is impeded by their trapping on active "defender" sites which are on the surfaces of the medium. As the defenders are used up, the invader penetrates further and ultimately breaks through. We study this process i...