Author
Price, Steven Dwight, 1961-Issue Date
1989Advisor
Arnold, Robert G.
Metadata
Show full item recordPublisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Corrosion of concrete sewer crowns will cost the County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County approximately $150 million for repairs to their deteriorating sewage system. Other parts of the country are experiencing similar problems. Crown corrosion is induced by microbial oxidation of reduced sulfur to sulfuric acid, which attacks the concrete. Bacteria, of the genus Thiobacillus are generally responsible for catalyzing these reactions. Thiobacillicollected from sewers were used to establish stoichiometry and biochemical aspects of sulfide oxidation. Metals inhibition was studied among the same cultures. Thiobacilli collected from extremely corroded sewers possess a greater tolerance for metals than those from lightly corroded areas. Acidophilic isolates grow at greater rates and oxidize sulfide more efficiently than non-acidophiles. Chemical inhibitor studies indicated that S(-II) oxidation is tightly linked to respiration by T. thiooxidans. It is doubtful that initial steps in bacterially catalyzed S(-II) oxidation are linked to oxidative phosphorylation.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegeCivil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics