Homework No. 7
HOMEWORK #7 (Due November 7, 2013)
These water pollutants were found in 15 different community water systems including Middletown, CT.
The water-quality assessment was completed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). 5 selected water
pollutants produced by anthropogenic sources in Middletown, CT:
1. Chloroform is an organic compound with formula CHCl3. It is one of the four chloromethanes.
The colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid is a trihalomethane, and is considered somewhat
hazardous. Several million tons are produced annually as a precursor to PTFE and refrigerants,
but its use for refrigerants is being phased out. Estimated levels found from Wilton, CT
(Reference: http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/2941/CT/Connecticut/Chloroform/) is 16.78 ppb.
2. Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is manufactured via the chemical reaction of methanol and
isobutylene. Methanol is derived from natural gas, and isobutylene is derived from butane
obtained from crude oil or natural gas, therefore MTBE is derived from fossil fuels. The data I
found for MTBE is dated from 1999 and in the entire United States which produced 200,000
barrels or 32,000 m3 per day.
3. Atrazine is a white crystalline solid organic compound and is widely used herbicide for control of
broadleaf and grassy weeds. Major source of atrazine in drinking water is runoff from farm
crops. I could not find referenced quantity data for the United States.
4. Deethylatrazine is similar to atrazine and is pollutant found in Connecticut, although frequently
found in surface water that has received runoff from crop fields. Most recent data collected, I
found on Deethylatrazine is from 1982 0.05 to 0.10 fig/kg (microgram per kilogram).
5. Perchloroethylene is a colorless, nonflammable organic solvent, used in dry-cleaning solutions
and as an industrial solvent.
The reference used: http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2007/5171/
Sean Paquette
Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering
MANE-6960H01
Semester Fall 2013
Homework No. 7
See Computer Model Uploaded to webpage.
Sean Paquette
Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering
MANE-6960H01
Semester Fall 2013
Homework No. 7
I have two project proposals the first water project proposal for my water pollution engineering project
is to examine the impacts of tsunamis on water quality and the general surroundings. The second
project proposal for my water pollution engineering project is to examine the water impacts due oil
drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. To date in lecture, related to my water pollution research paper we have
reviewed units of measurement of dissolved pollutants in water and particulates in water. We reviewed
a few computer programs and their codes, for example COMSOL as well as methods to solve pollution
dispersion in a fluid flow. Furthermore, we discussed the idea of chemical equilibrium in water.
Sean Paquette
Air & Water Pollution Prevention & Control Engineering
MANE-6960H01
Semester Fall 2013