The Role of Streambed Biofilms in The Removal of Biodegradable Contaminants From Shallow Streams

Previous research has demonstrated that streambed biofilms are important in contaminant removal in shallow streams. However, the ability to predict the rate at which this removal occurs did not exist. To develop a model describing streambed biofilm activity, experiments were conducted in an 8-meter long artificial stream to assess both the short-term and long-term effects stream velocity had on COD removal rates. The rate at which streambed biofilms removed COD from gravel and cobble streambeds was more sensitive to short-term changes in water velocity than would be predicted based on changes in mass transfer alone; this was more evident with the cobble. The results suggested that the amount of surface area active in COD removal was a function of stream velocity. The sensitivity of removal rate (mass transport and active surface area effects) to short-term velocity changes was described as a function of Reynolds number based on shear velocity and streambed particle diameter; the resulting equations for the gravel and cobble streambeds were streambed-particle-size specific.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Civil Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Gantzer, Charles Jacobs, III

• Engineering, Civil

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8623301

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/77330