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This project will answer important questions regarding measuring redox potential changes during contaminant remediation. Current practice uses unreliable electrode methods, but recent work shows that fiber optic sensors can be successfully used to follow redox changes in model biodegradation systems. The proposed work will apply improvements in fiber optic sensor technology to monitor redox changes in model systems. Redox potential changes are often difficult to measure, although commercial oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) meters are available. Since ORP meter measurements typically involve a reaction at an electrode surface, species that do not readily react at such surfaces may be missed, leading to inaccuracy. There is also the possibility for surface active agents, such as humic materials, to interfere with required surface reactions. To overcome such shortcomings, a variety of redox potential surrogate parameters are used, ranging from consumption rates of terminal electron acceptors to changes in optically active dyes. Optically active dyes are to be used in the work proposed here; dyes as indicators have often been used in relatively large cuvette or sorbed resin bead systems, with limited use in fiber optic sensors. In this project, modification of a commercially available fiber optic immersion probe will be evaluated, using previously proven techniques. |
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Class of 2010 in Engineering, Sciences, or Math |
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Perform library and laboratory research investigating new measurement methods and summarize results in writing. |
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| Environmental Engineering |
| Fiber Optics |
| Electronics |
| Signal Analysis |
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