Date of Award
6-1994
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Chemistry
First Advisor
Dr. Michael J. Barcelona
Second Advisor
Dr. Bing Zeng
Third Advisor
Dr. Michael E. McCarville
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Thomas Houser
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
The geochemical evolution of Low Molecular Weight Fatty Acids (LMWFA's) in various ground water samples and aquifer solid samples from both contaminated and uncontaminated sites has been studied. An improved analytical method has been established for both qualitative and quantitative determination of LMWFA's. The low molecular weight (LMW) organic acids are metabolic intermediates of the oxidative biodegradation of hydrocarbon contaminants. The hydrocarbons are believed to be the electron donors in these redox reactions. Formic and acetic acids were found to be the major LMWFA's in these ground water samples and aquifer solid samples. Their concentrations increase as the redox condition of sample sites changed from oxidizing condition to reducing condition. Increased concentrations of formic and acetic acids were also observed as dissolved ferrous iron concentration increased. Aquifer solids were found to contain higher concentration of LMWFA's than in ground water. The data indicate that LMWFA's in both ground water and aquifer solid are very important to a better understanding of the details of biodegradation processes.
Recommended Citation
Lu, Jie, "Application of a Modified Analytical Derivatization Method to the Determination of Microbial Metabolites in Aquifer Systems" (1994). Masters Theses. 4808.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/4808