Abstract: The handheld data-logging spray apparatus incorporates a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and microcontroller into a conventional handheld spray unit. As an operator dispenses a chemical using the handheld data-logging spray apparatus, the microcontroller records (among other things) the volume of chemical dispensed and the GPS location of the sprayer. The recorded data is processed and stored on a removable USB thumb drive. The operator can download the data from the thumb drive and manipulate the data using a conventional spreadsheet program or a commercially-available geographic information system program.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for treating ship or barge ballast water. The system includes a ballast tank storing ballast water and one or more nozzles located in the ballast tank. One or more pumps supply a chemical into the ballast tank and water to the nozzles. The nozzles are strategically located in the ballast tank to circulate the ballast water and mix the chemical with the ballast water without removing the ballast water from the ballast tank to a separate mixing and treatment area located outside the tank either onboard or off of the ship or barge. A controller receives a signal from a flow sensor in the ballast tank to control the one or more pumps to enable operating the nozzles alternately and intermittently to circulate the ballast water and the mix the chemical with the ballast water to minimize energy consumption.

Abstract: A chlorine resistant polyamide is formed from the reaction product of an amine and an acid chloride monomer wherein both the amine and the acid chloride monomer are modified with electron-withdrawing groups that exhibit sufficient activity to (i) minimize any chlorination on both the amine and acid chloride and (ii) minimize N-chlorination. A membrane is made from the polyamide for use, for example, in a desalination unit.

Abstract: A movement monitoring device to monitor and record movement of animals through an aquatic animal passage system, regardless of water turbidity. A housing connected to the aquatic animal passage system has an entrance to receive an animal and an exit for the animal to leave the housing. A ramp within the housing has a lower end and an upper end, and the lower end is positioned at the entrance. A platform within the housing has one end connected to the upper end of the ramp and the other end positioned at the exit. The platform is elevated so that water from the aquatic animal passage system flows underneath the platform, and the animal climbs up the ramp, out of the water, and onto the platform. A photographic system focused on the platform records an image of the animal on the platform out the water.

Abstract: A system for mapping and characterizing a hydrocarbon plume in seawater by measuring seawater capacitance. Multiple streamer cables are towed in the sea behind a ship, each at a different depth, simultaneously. Each streamer cable includes transmitters and receivers at the free end thereof. The free ends of the streamer cables pass through the plume and the transmitters transmit an electrical current into the plume. The receivers detect any secondary signals produced by capacitive effects of the hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon and dispersant surrounded by conductive seawater in response to the inducing electrical current. Pre-amplifiers connected to the receivers and a two-step calibration procedure and various grounding and shielding steps provide noise rejection. An electronics system on board the ship processes the secondary signals to provide immediate development of detailed maps of plume location, and to provide tracking and characterization of how the plume changes shape and character over time.

Abstract: A sampling method, fluid collection assembly, and auxiliary sampling device to assist an autosampler in collecting samples from a fluid source. The auxiliary sampling device includes a support frame with a pivot member. A linear actuator having a piston is attached to the support frame. A rotatable sample arm assembly has an upper end attached to the piston and to the pivot member of the support frame, and a lower end with an inlet to receive a fluid sample. A fluid conduit within the sample arm assembly has a fluid intake end connected to the inlet and a fluid discharge end connected to the autosampler. The linear actuator pushes or retracts the piston to vertically pivot the sample arm assembly until the inlet reaches desired positions within the fluid source so that the autosampler collects multiple samples at various depths.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a high flux, high salt rejection cellulose acetate desalination membrane. In this method, cellulose acetate polymer is dissolved in a first solvent such as methylene chloride or 2-methyltetrahydrofuran to produce a solution. Further steps involve stirring the solution, and thereafter permitting the solution to settle, for a time sufficient for a majority of the cellulose acetate to precipitate out of the solution to form a cellulose acetate precipitate. Next, the cellulose acetate precipitate is stirred into an excess methanol. Thereafter, the cellulose acetate is filtered out and used in making the desalination membrane.

Abstract: A microbial composition for concurrent dechlorination of a mixture of chlorinated ethanes and chlorinated ethenes includes a isolated consortium of bioremediative microorganisms comprising strains of microorganism comprising Clostridium, Acetobacterium, Dehalobacter, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. The composition may also include Methanomicrobia.

Abstract: A pore-water profiler and method for sampling pore water. The pore-water profiler includes a sample intake probe that receives the fluid to be sampled. A clog-resistant first filter filters the fluid as it enters the sample intake probe. A second filter, which has a pore size less than the pore size of the first filter, filters the fluid a second time before the fluid enters a sample container. A sample triggering system connected to the sample container initiates sampling by causing the fluid to be drawn into the sample intake probe. The profiler provides high-resolution (centimeter-scale) vertical pore-water profiles. The sequential filtration of the pore water avoids the problem of sample-circuit clogging, even in sediments dominated by fine or organic-rich particles. The profiler has all non-metallic, acid-washable components that contact the fluid sample, making the profiler suitable for trace-inorganic studies.

Abstract: A chlorine resistant polyamide is formed from the reaction product of an amine and an acid chloride monomer wherein the acid chloride monomer is modified with electron-withdrawing groups that exhibit sufficient activity to (i) minimize any chlorination on both the amine and acid chloride side and (ii) minimize N-chlorination. A membrane is made from the polyamide and, in one application, the membrane is used in a desalination unit.

Abstract: A baffle apparatus and method for use in a well to mitigate convective in-well flow. The baffle apparatus includes a baffle member attached to a rod. The baffle member prevents vertical flow of water in the well after the baffle apparatus is deployed in the well. At least one centralizer is attached to the rod to maintain correct orientation of the baffle member within the well. The baffle member and the at least one centralizer allow well water to pass during deployment and recovery of the baffle apparatus.

Abstract: A sequential, time-integrated collector having an electronic controller that actuates either of two electrically-actuated valves, each connected to a water reservoir. At a preset time interval (e.g., every 30 minutes), time-integrated water samples are transferred into sample vials in a multi-sample carousel. Evaporation that could change the isotopic composition of a precipitation sample is minimized by sealing the opening of each sample vial by pressing each vial against a flat, low-friction surface, such as a Teflon® sheet, from the time each sample vial is filled until it is removed from the collector.

Abstract: A removable plug and collar for a hollow stem screened auger and a method of collecting water samples using the plug and collar. The plug has an outer threaded surface that is threaded in a first direction. The top of the plug has an internal threaded cavity that is threaded in a second direction opposite that of the first direction. The collar is pressure fit within the top of the screened auger, held in place with an auger bolt, and has an internal threaded surface to receive the plug. The plug has multiple ports to receive air and sample tubes, enabling samples to be collected without removing the plug from the screened auger. To set a well after sampling, the plug is removed from the collar down hole as a drill rod is threaded into the plug's internal threaded cavity in a direction the same as the second direction.

Abstract: Near-infrared molecular assays can be used to detect small quantities of a molecule of interest in vivo or in vitro using laser dyes. A hand-held portable device is provided which can rapidly read small quantities of selected molecular tags in tissues of fish or other animals in the field. The device is composed of four components: (1) a light source, such as a laser diode; (2) a sample holder; (3) an optical system; and (4) a detector.

Abstract: A level assembly for a wading rod used to measure current flow velocity of a wadable body of water, such as a stream or a river. The level assembly includes a level body that is attached to the hexagonal or depth rod of the wading rod at a desired position using a fastener. The level body has a level indicator to determine whether the wading rod is plumb. An alignment bar is attached to the level body and positioned parallel to a wading tagline to aid in maintaining a perpendicular orientation of the wading rod. The level assembly can be repositioned by loosening the fastener, sliding it up or down the depth rod, and re-tightening the fastener at another desired position. The level assembly is used to maintain a level and perpendicular orientation of the top setting wading rod to the tagline, enabling more accurate flow velocity measurements.

Abstract: A method of and system for removing phosphorus from wastewater using a waste sludge that has a high affinity for phosphorus. In order for the waste sludge to be used in a flow-through contact reactor to remove the phosphorus from a wastewater stream, the waste sludge is pelletized. The waste sludge pellets are packed into one or more flow-through contact reactors. In the configuration described herein, phosphorus removal is maximized by flowing the wastewater through the reactor(s) in a “pulsed” manner, rather than continuously. Thus, wastewater is flowed through the reactor(s) for a period of time and stopped for a period of time. By giving the sludge absorbant a rest period, the absorption capacity of the sludge is increased significantly, thus decreasing the frequency of regeneration or replacement of the sludge. Sludge regeneration can be accomplished with a stripping step using an alkaline solution of pH 13, followed by rinsing with water.

Abstract: A method and device for sampling pore water, including an elongated tubular outer body having a grid framework forming multiple perforations throughout the entire outer body. The grid framework surrounding the perforations has raised and beveled sides. An elongated, perforated tubular inner body is contained within the outer body. The inner body has a diameter less than a diameter of the outer body, which forms a cavity between the inner body and the outer body. The cavity is filled with an inert granular filler material. A first outer cap and a second outer cap cover respective ends of the outer body. A coupling is placed in fluid communication with the inner body and protrudes through the first outer cap. A tube is attached to the coupling protruding through the first outer cap to transfer a water sample to a sample collection site.

Abstract: A method of and system for removing phosphorus from wastewater using a waste sludge that has a high affinity for phosphorus. So the waste sludge can be used in a flow-through contact reactor to remove the phosphorus from a wastewater stream, the waste sludge is pelletized. The waste sludge pellets are packed into one or more flow-through contact reactors. In the configuration described herein, phosphorus removal is maximized by flowing the wastewater through the reactor(s) in a “pulsed” manner, rather than continuously. Thus, wastewater is flowed through the reactor(s) for a period of time and stopped for a period of time. By giving the sludge absorbent a rest period, the absorption capacity of the sludge is increased significantly, thus decreasing the frequency of regeneration or replacement of the sludge. Sludge regeneration can be accomplished with a stripping step using an alkaline solution of pH 13, followed by rinsing with water.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining surface area of a sample uses polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) dispersed in a solution containing the sample, and determining the amount of PVP that has deposited on the sample.

Abstract: Near infrared molecular assays can be used to detect small quantities of a molecule of interest in vivo or in vitro using laser dyes. A hand-held portable device is provided which can rapidly read small quantities of selected molecular tags in tissues of fish or other animals in the field. The device is composed of four components: (1) a light source, such as a laser diode; (2) a sample holder; (3) an optical system; and (4) a detector.