Fractal dimensions of aggregates formed under natural and engineered fluid environments
Publisher
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
Fractal dimensions of aggregates formed under natural and engineered fluid environments were investigated. Latex microsphere aggregates were generated under two separate hydrodynamic environments. Fractal dimensions were determined using power law relationships and relationships with slopes of aggregate size distributions. Aggregate properties were measured with a particle counter and an image analysis system. Aggregates generated in a paddle mixer and a rolling cylinder had D3 fractal dimensions of 1.92 ± 0.04 and 1.59 ± 0.16, respectively, indicating rolling cylinder aggregates are more fractal than paddle mixer aggregates. Fractal dimensions of marine snow aggregates were determined from image analysis of in-situ aggregate photographs at two different research facilities. Fractal dimensions from the two facilities were equal, indicating this analysis technique is independent of equipment and analyst. Fractal dimensions were determined for sloughed biofilm aggregates in trickling filter effluent aged under four different fluid environments. D1 and D2 fractal dimensions were 1.29 ± 0.03 and 1.71 ± 0.04, respectively, and remained unchanged.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)