Back to results

Virginia Tech

Phosphorus readsorption on Occoquan sediments

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent of phosphorus readsorption on Occoquan sediments and the amount of subsequent removal because of settling of the particles with time. Occoquan sediments were placed in six polyurethane cylinders and submerged. In two separate experiments, the cylinders were driven anaerobic, which allowed phosphorus, previously bound in the sediments, to release. The sedimentâ water system was then reaerated and mixed with a porous air diffuser. Analyses were conducted before and after the mixing period. From the results obtained, the following conclusions were drawn: phosphate readsorption occurred upon mixing the system, and as the turbidity decreased, the phosphate concentration decreased; phosphate readsorption occurred in a two-step process; each suspension tended toward equilibrium after mixing; interstitial waters contributed significant amounts of phosphorus upon mixing of the sediment-water systems; Occoquan sediments released variable amounts of phosphorus even within samples from similar sites; sediments from the Occoquan Creek arm contained less phosphorus than Bull Run sediments; and sediments low in phosphorus concentrations removed greater amounts of phosphorus in a shorter period of time.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Environmental Sciences and Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
1976

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Shugart, Steven Lee
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Hoehn, Robert C.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Randall, Clifford W.
  • Sherrard, Joseph H.

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-07242012-040030
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43884

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Shugart, Steven Lee. Phosphorus readsorption on Occoquan sediments. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 1976. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/43884