ESST 3001

Environmental Fate & Transport

Problem Set #3 Solutions

1. Consider an electroplating facility that discharges to a river liquid wastes containing

chromium. The effluent flow rate is 0.1 m3/s and the flow rate of the river is 7 m3/s.
If the concentration of chromium in the river is not allowed to exceed 100 g/L, what
is the maximum allowable concentration of chromium in the effluent from the
electroplating facility?

Electroplating
facility

Qin-factory = 0.1 m3/s

Cin-factory = ??

3
Qin-river = 7 m3/s Qout-river = 7.1 m /s
Cin-river = 0 μg/L Control volume Cout-river = 100 μg/L

Diagram of system and control volume showing all inputs and outputs to the control volume.

In this problem, it is assumed that the system is at steady state, so the theory of conservation of mass
applies. Therefore: Rate of mass input of Cr = Rate of mass output of Cr. One other necessary
assumption is made, that the [Cr]in from the river (upstream of electroplating facility) is negligible.
The problem gives no information, so this is the best assumption. The rate of mass input is calculated
as follows:
𝑚3 𝐿 𝜇𝑔 𝜇𝑔
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝑄 × 1000 3 × 𝐶 = 1000 × 𝑄 × 𝐶
𝑠 𝑚 𝐿 𝑠
In previous problem sets the units would have been left as is since the conflicting units eventually
𝜇𝑔
cancel out leaving the desired ( ). This may not always be the case, therefore students should be
𝐿
aware that the units of volume (L and m3) should ideally be the same.
Note the units are harmonised (m3 and L), and when the units are simplified, the units you are left
with are for rate of mass input (or output, g/s). However, for ease of calculation, in this problem,
and others similar, we are going to leave the units as they are, and not simplify them. (In the equations
below, the units are left at the end, in brackets.
Problem approach:
 Determine the rate of mass input for each input source.
 Determine the total rate of mass input (for all sources).
 Determine rate of mass output.
 Use the theory of conservation of mass (rate of mass input = rate of mass output).
 Solve for the unknown.

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #3

 𝑚3 𝐿 𝜇𝑔 𝐿 𝜇𝑔
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦 = 0.1 × 1000 3 × 𝐶 = 100 × 𝐶 ( × )
𝑠 𝑚 𝐿 𝑠 𝐿
𝑚3 𝐿 𝜇𝑔 𝐿 𝜇𝑔
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = 7 × 1000 3 × 0 = 0( × )
𝑠 𝑚 𝐿 𝑠 𝐿
𝐿 𝜇𝑔 𝐿 𝜇𝑔 𝐿 𝜇𝑔
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 100 × 𝐶 ( × ) + 0 ( × ) = 100 × 𝐶 ( × )
𝑠 𝐿 𝑠 𝐿 𝑠 𝐿
𝑚3 𝐿 𝜇𝑔 𝐿 𝜇𝑔
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = 7.1 × 1000 3 × 100 = 710,000 ( × )
𝑠 𝑚 𝐿 𝑠 𝐿
The total flow of the water is used as the Qout, as conservation of mass applies for the water as well
as the contaminant. So if 7 m3/s comes in from the river, and 0.1 m3/s comes in from the facility, then
7.1 m3/s must go out at the river exit.
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
𝜇𝑔 𝐿 𝐿 𝜇𝑔
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒: = 𝐶 × 100 = 710,000 ( × )
𝐿 𝑠 𝑠 𝐿
Solve for C.
𝐿 𝜇𝑔
𝜇𝑔 710,000 ( 𝑠 × 𝐿 ) 𝝁𝒈
𝐶 = = 𝟕, 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐿 𝐿 𝑳
100
𝑠

2. Tetrachloroethylene (C2Cl4), also known as PCE, is a solvent that was used

extensively in the past to remove grease from metal machine parts. PCE wastes
were often disposed in open seepage basins.
Consider an industrial site in which the PCE concentration in soil below an old
seepage basin is 820 mg/kg. The original seepage basin has since been removed and
the surface paved.
The PCE in the soil is degraded by naturally occurring bacteria at the site, and the
process can be approximated as first order with a half-life of 350 days.

(a) Which of the simple models is most appropriate for this problem?

The first order removal (pulse) model is the most appropriate for this problem. The question indicates
that there is no long-term source of the PCE, so the constant-source, first order removal model is not
suitable. There is no information about flows of PCE into and out of an identifiable control volume, so
the mass conservation model is not appropriate.

(b) Assuming that bacterial degradation is the dominant process affecting PCE
concentration in the soil, calculate the concentration of PCE in the soil 12 years
from now.
The first order removal model is as follows: 𝐶(𝑡) = 𝐶 0 × 𝑒 −𝑘𝑡 .
From the data in the question, the required values are as follows:
C0 = 820 mg/kg
t = 12 years
k = ??

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #3

Before you can continue, you have to get a value for k, the rate constant. The question gives you a
value for the half life, not k. You have to convert the half life to the rate constant, k, before you can
continue.
1 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟
Half life = 350 days x 365 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 = 0.959 years (units of half life and t must be consistent).

ln 0.5 ln 0.5
𝑘= = = 0.723 𝑦𝑟 −1
−𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓−𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 −0.959 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠
Now you can use the first order removal model, as you have all of the components.
𝑚𝑔 −1 𝑚𝑔 𝒎𝒈
𝐶(12 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠) = 820 × 𝑒 −0.723 𝑦𝑟 ×12 𝑦𝑟 = 820 × 𝑒 −8.676 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒𝟎
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔 𝒌𝒈

3. Consider an ecosystem consisting of the compartments specified in Table 1 below.

A contaminant, X, is introduced to the ecosystem, and it is distributed among the
various environmental compartments in the ecosystem. The partition coefficients
for contaminant X are as follows:
𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝑚3 (𝑎) 𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝑘𝑔(𝑠)
𝑃𝐹𝑎𝑤 = 10 𝑃𝐹𝑠𝑤 = 100
𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝐿(𝑤) 𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝐿(𝑤)

𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝑘𝑔(𝑏) 𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝑘𝑔(𝑓)
𝑃𝐹𝑏𝑤 = 100 𝑃𝐹𝑓𝑤 = 1000
𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝐿(𝑤) 𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝐿(𝑤)

(Note: mg(c) means mg of contaminant X, m3(a) means m3 of air, etc.)

Table 1. Compartment data for Problem 2.

Mass density of
Compartment Dimensions
compartment matrix
Air (a) 1000 m × 1000 m × 1000 m 1.3 kg/m3
Soil (s) 1000 m × 800 m × 0.125 m 1500 kg/m3
Water (w) 1000 m × 200 m × 5 m 1000 kg/m3
Bottom sediment (b) 1000 m × 200 m × 0.05 m 1500 kg/m3
Fish (f) 1m×1m×1m 500 kg/m3

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #3

 (a) Draw a diagram using boxes to illustrate the different compartments in this
ecosystem. Include and label arrows to show the different partitioning
reactions, which are listed below.
𝑃𝐹𝑎𝑤
𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ↔ 𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟
𝑃𝐹𝑏𝑤
𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ↔ 𝑋𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑃𝐹𝑠𝑤
𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ↔ 𝑋𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝑃𝐹𝑓𝑤
𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ↔ 𝑋𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ

PFaw
Air Soil
PFsw

Water
PFbw

Bottom PFfw
Fish
sediment

(b) Write the expression for the partition factor (equilibrium constant for the
partitioning reaction) for each of the partitioning reactions listed above.

Use your understanding of equilibria and equilibrium constants to write the expressions for each of
the equilibrium reactions above. Remember: K = [Products]/[Reactants].

[𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 ]
𝑃𝐹𝑎𝑤 =
[𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
[𝑋𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 ]
𝑃𝐹𝑏𝑤 =
[𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
[𝑋𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 ]
𝑃𝐹𝑠𝑤 =
[𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
[𝑋𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ ]
𝑃𝐹𝑓𝑤 =
[𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #3

 (c) Write expressions for the concentration of X in each compartment as a function
of PF and [Xwater].

Rewrite each of the expressions from part (b), making the concentration of X in each compartment
the subject of the equation.

[𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 ] = 𝑃𝐹𝑎𝑤 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]

[𝑋𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 ] = 𝑃𝐹𝑏𝑤 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
[𝑋𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 ] = 𝑃𝐹𝑏𝑤 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
[𝑋𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ ] = 𝑃𝐹𝑓𝑤 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]

(d) Write expressions for the mass of X in each compartment as a function of

[Xwater].

Mass, concentration and volume are related as follows: mass = concentration × volume. Use the
information in the table about the dimensions and bulk density of the various compartments to get
the volume of the compartment, and hence the mass. Be very careful you are using the correct units
for the concentration of X in each compartment. Check the list of PF values at the start of the
question to help you get the right units.

Volume of water compartment =1000 m × 200 m × 5 m = 1×106 m3 = 1×109 L

Concentration of X in water compartment (mg/L) = [Xwater] mg/L

𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1 × 109 𝐿 × [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] = 1 × 109 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] 𝑚𝑔
𝐿

Volume of air compartment =1000 m × 1000 m × 1000 m = 1×109 m3

Concentration of X in air compartment (mg/m3) = [Xair] mg/m3

𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 1 × 109 𝑚3 × [𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 ]
𝑚3

Note that [Xair] = PFaw[Xwater], from your rearrangements in part (c). So you can replace the [Xair] term
above with PFaw[Xwater], which will give you the required expression for the mass of X, in terms of
[Xwater].

𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝑚3 (𝑎) 𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 1 × 10 𝑚 × [𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 ] = 1 × 109 𝑚3 × 𝑃𝐹𝑎𝑤
9 3 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝐿(𝑤) 𝐿
𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 = 1 × 109 𝑚3 × 10 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] = 1 × 1010 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] 𝑚𝑔
𝑚3

Volume of fish compartment =1 m × 1 m × 1 m = 1 m3

Concentration of X in fish compartment (mg/kg) = [Xfish] mg/kg

Note that we cannot multiply a concentration in mg/kg units with a volume in m3 (or L). We need to
convert the ‘volume’ of the fish compartment from m3 to kg. For that we need the density of the fish,
which is 500 kg/m3.

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #3

 𝑘𝑔
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 1 𝑚3 × 500 = 500 𝑘𝑔
𝑚3
𝑚𝑔 𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝑘𝑔(𝑓) 𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ = 500 𝑘𝑔 × [𝑋𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ ] = 500 𝑘𝑔 × 𝑃𝐹𝑓𝑤 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝐿(𝑤) 𝐿
𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ = 500 𝑘𝑔 × 1000 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] = 500,000 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]𝑚𝑔
𝑘𝑔

I will let you worth through the last two for the soil and bottom sediment compartments. Repeat the
approach for the fish, using the information for the soil, and you will get the following:
𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 1.5 × 108 𝑘𝑔 × 100 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] = 1.5 × 1010 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]𝑚𝑔
𝑘𝑔
𝑚𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑠𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 1.5 × 107 𝑘𝑔 × 100 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] = 1.5 × 108 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]𝑚𝑔
𝑘𝑔

(e) Given that the sum of the mass of X in each compartment is 10 kg, find [Xwater].

From the answers in part (d), you will have obtained an expression for the mass of X in each of the
compartments, in terms of [Xwater]. The sum of these masses has been given to you as 10 kg, which
can be expressed as:

𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 + 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 + 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑓𝑖𝑠ℎ + 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑠𝑜𝑖𝑙 + 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑠𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
= 10 𝑘𝑔

Each term can be entered into the equation, and then solved for [Xwater].

1 × 109 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] 𝑚𝑔 + 1 × 1010 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ] 𝑚𝑔 + 500,000 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]𝑚𝑔 + 1.5 × 1010 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]𝑚𝑔
+ 1.5 × 108 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]𝑚𝑔 = 10 𝑘𝑔 = 1.0 × 109 𝑚𝑔

26,150,500,000 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]𝑚𝑔 = 1.0 × 109 𝑚𝑔

𝒎𝒈
[𝑿𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 ] = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟖𝟐
𝑳

(f) Fill in the blanks in Table 2.

From your answers to part (c), you have a relationship between the concentration of X in each
compartment, and the concentration of X in the water compartment. As an example, consider the air
compartment:
[𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 ] = 𝑃𝐹𝑎𝑤 [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
A value for [Xwater] was calculated in part (e). All that remains is to calculate the value for [Xair]:
𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝑚3 (𝑎) 𝑚𝑔(𝑐) 𝒎𝒈(𝒄)
[𝑋𝑎𝑖𝑟 ] = 10 × 0.0382 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟖𝟐
𝑚𝑔(𝑐)/𝐿(𝑤) 𝐿(𝑤) 𝒎𝟑 (𝒂)
I leave the rest of these for you to calculate, and fill in the table completely.
The fractional inventory is the mass of X present in each compartment as a fraction of the total amount
of X in the system.

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #3

From the answers to part (d), you have expressions for the mass of X in each compartment as a
function of [Xwater]. You have a value for [Xwater] already, so it is just a matter of plugging the values in.
Consider the following example for the water compartment:
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1 × 109 × [𝑋𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ]
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑋 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1 × 109 × 0.0382 = 3.82 × 107 𝑚𝑔
3.82 × 107 𝑚𝑔
𝐹𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = = 0.0382
1.0 × 109 𝑚𝑔

You can repeat this for the other compartments to get the values for the fractional inventory column.

Table 2. Results of calculations for Problem 2.

Concentration Fractional
Compartment
(mg(c)/m3 or mg(c)/kg or mg(c)/L) inventory

Air 0.382 mg/m3

Soil
Water 0.0382

Bottom sediment
Fish

(g) What environmental compartment is most at risk from contamination by

contaminant X?
After completing Table 2, you will be able to determine the answer to this question, based on the
fractional inventory and the concentration of X in each compartment.

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #3