ESST 3001

Environmental Fate & Transport

Problem Set #5
Solutions
1. A frozen railroad track causes a train carrying radioactive cesium to wreck.
Unfortunately, the track segment is located on a bridge over a lake, and cesium is
released into the water, resulting in a uniform concentration of 6.00 g/L in the lake
water. The flow rate of water through the lake is 5,000 m3/year, and cesium has a
half-life of 30.17 years. The volume of the lake was left out, it should be 27,800 m3.
(a) Draw a fully labelled diagram to illustrate the system in this problem.

C0 = 6.00 g/L 3
Q = 5,000 m3/yr V = 27,800 m3 Q = 5,000 m /yr

Removal by reaction.
Half-life = 30.17 years

(b) Which of the models is best suited to this problem?

Lake model, pulse input. Pulse input, as it is a one time release of material, not over
time.

(c) Assuming complete mixing and a pulse release, calculate the concentration of
cesium in the lake after 20 years.
The appropriate equation is:
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = 𝐶0 ∙ 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡)
The relevant rate constants are dilution and reaction; there is no information that
would allow the calculation or estimation of settling, so it should be left out.
𝑚3
𝑄 5,000
𝑦𝑟
𝛼𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = = = 0.18 𝑦𝑟 −1
𝑉 27,800 𝑚3
The question provides the half-life, but it must be converted to reaction AKA k AKA
reaction rate constant before it can go in the equation.
ln(0.5) = −𝑘 × 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓−𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒
ln(0.5) ln(0.5)
𝑘 = 𝛼𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = − =− = 0.023 𝑦𝑟 −1
𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓−𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 30.17 𝑦𝑟

The alphas must be summed to give the overall first order rate constant that goes in
the equation.

∑ 𝛼𝑖 = 0.18 + 0.023 = 0.203 𝑦𝑟 −1

𝑖

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #5

 𝜇𝑔 −1 𝜇𝑔 𝝁𝒈
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = 6.00 × 𝑒 (−0.203𝑦𝑟 ×20 𝑦𝑟) = 6.00 × 𝑒 (−4.06) = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟎𝟒
𝐿 𝐿 𝑳

(d) At what point in time does the cesium concentration become undetectable?
(The best technologies can detect cesium at a concentration of 10–12 M.)
For this problem, the initial concentration is the original C0, and the final
concentration, or CT is 10–12 M. The rest of the information remains the same, and
you must solve for t. This will tell you how long it will take before the cesium becomes
undetectable.
𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑔 𝜇𝑔 𝜇𝑔
𝐶𝑇 = 1 × 10−12 × 132.9 × 1 × 106 = 1.329 × 10−4
𝐿 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑔 𝐿
𝜇𝑔 𝜇𝑔 −1
1.329 × 10−4 = 6.00 × 𝑒 (−0.203𝑦𝑟 ×𝑡 𝑦𝑟)
𝐿 𝐿
Solve for t:
𝜇𝑔
1.329 × 10−4
−1
𝑒 (−0.203𝑦𝑟 ×𝑡 𝑦𝑟) = 𝐿 = 2.215 × 10−5
𝜇𝑔
6.00
𝐿
−0.203 × 𝑡 = ln(2.215 × 10−5 )
ln(2.215 × 10−5 )
𝑡= = 𝟓𝟐. 𝟖 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔
−0.203

2. A contaminant from a settling basin located adjacent to a well-mixed reservoir

leaches from the basin and enters the reservoir at a rate of 2 kg/yr. The reservoir
has a volume of 5 × 108 L and the flow rate through the reservoir is 3 × 109 L/yr.
The average suspended sediment concentration is 10 mg/L.
(a) Draw a fully labelled diagram to illustrate this system.

Settling
basin
W = 2 kg/yr

Reservoir
Q = 3×109 L/yr 9
Q = 3×10 L/yr
Volume = 5×108 L
SS = 10 mg/L

(b) Neglecting sorption, what is the dissolved-phase contaminant concentration

(in mg/L) in the reservoir?
This problem requires a lake transport, step input model, as it is a lake, and the input
is occurring over time. The appropriate equation is:
𝑊 + 𝐶𝑇,𝑖𝑛 𝑄
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡) ] + 𝐶0 × 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡)
𝑉 ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #5

 Not all of the parameters in this equation will be required, as there are certain
limiting circumstances that will reduce the number of variables that you have to use.
You should consider each of the variables in the equation, then see if you have it, or
if you can leave it out, with an appropriate justification.
𝑘𝑔
2 𝑦𝑟 + 𝐶𝑇,𝑖𝑛 𝑄
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡) ] + 𝐶0 × 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡)
5 × 108 𝐿 × ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖
CT,in is the concentration of contaminant in the inflow water. E.g. if the river coming
in to the reservoir has some pre-contamination. In this instance, we have to assume
that CT,in = 0, as there is no information in the text about it, and we can’t assume a
specific number for this without some sort of justification, which we don’t have. So
the equation simplifies to:
𝑘𝑔
2 𝑦𝑟
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡) ] + 𝐶0 × 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡)
5 × 108 𝐿 × ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖
C0 is the initial concentration of the contaminant in the reservoir. E.g. if there is pre-
existing pollution in the reservoir, before the leak started from the settling basin.
Again, there is no information on this provided in the text, so we will have to assume
that C0 = 0, for similar reasons as to why we assumed that CT,in = 0 earlier.
The equation now simplifies to:
𝑘𝑔
2
𝑦𝑟
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = 8 [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖 𝑡) ]
5 × 10 𝐿 × ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖
The “sum of alphas” is the sum of all of the first order rate coefficients that could be
relevant in a lake. These would be dilution, settling and reaction. You need to consider
the information provided and see which, if any of these rate constants should be
included in your “sum of alphas”. The question already said we should neglect
sorption, so settling = 0. Also, we have no information about the reactivity of the
chemical, so will also have to assume that reaction = 0 as well. That leaves you with
dilution. Which you do have information about.
9 L
𝑄 3 × 10 yr
𝛼𝑑𝑖𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = = = 6 𝑦𝑟 −1
𝑉 5 × 108 𝐿

The equation is now down to:

𝑘𝑔
2 𝑦𝑟
−1 ×𝑡)
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (−6𝑦𝑟 ]
5× 108 𝐿 × 6𝑦𝑟 −1

The last variable in the equation is t. But there is no information about what time the
question is talking about. This would require you to again make an assumption, a
good one would be that the system is at steady state; where t is large. That would
remove the last term, and your final equation would be:
𝑘𝑔
2 𝑦𝑟 𝑘𝑔 𝝁𝒈
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = = 6.67 × 10−10 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟔𝟕
5× 108 𝐿 × 6𝑦𝑟 −1 𝐿 𝑳

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #5

 (c) The contaminant has a distribution coefficient of 500 L/kg. What is the
concentration (in mg/kg) of the contaminant in suspended sediment?
The equation below can be used to determine the concentration of the contaminant
in the suspended sediments.
𝑓𝑠 𝐶𝑇
𝐶𝑠 =
𝑆𝑆
The only variable that is not known is fs, which can be obtained using this equation:
𝐾𝐷 𝑆𝑆
𝑓𝑠 =
1 + 𝐾𝐷 𝑆𝑆

So using the data that is provided in the question:

𝐿 (𝑤) 𝑚𝑔 (𝑠) 1 𝑘𝑔(𝑠)

500 × 10 × 0.005
𝑘𝑔 (𝑠) 𝐿 (𝑤) 1,000,000 𝑚𝑔(𝑠)
𝑓𝑠 = = = 0.005
𝐿 (𝑤) 𝑚𝑔 (𝑠) 1 𝑘𝑔(𝑠) 1.005
1 + 500 × 10 × 1,000,000
𝑘𝑔 (𝑠) 𝐿 (𝑤) 𝑚𝑔(𝑠)

The mass units had to be harmonized here, hence the conversion term at the end.
Finally, the first equation can be used to determine Cs:

𝜇𝑔 (𝑐)
0.005 × 0.667 𝜇𝑔 1,000,000 𝑚𝑔 1 𝑚𝑔
𝐿 (𝑤)
𝐶𝑠 = = 0.0003335 × ×
𝑚𝑔 (𝑠) 𝑚𝑔 1 𝑘𝑔 1000 𝜇𝑔
10
𝐿 (𝑤)
𝒎𝒈
= 𝟎. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟓
𝒌𝒈

(d) Does the neglect of sorption in part (a) yield a significant error in the
dissolved-phase concentration? Provide a quantitative basis for your answer.
(In other words, use some sort of calculation to justify your response, don’t
just say “yes” or “no”.)

To figure this out, you need to find what is the Cw for the situation where we
include sorption; and for that we will use this equation:

𝐶𝑤 = (1 − 𝑓𝑠 )𝐶𝑇

So:
𝜇𝑔 𝜇𝑔
𝐶𝑤 = (1 − 0.005) × 0.667 = 0.664
𝐿 𝐿

Therefore, neglect of sorption does NOT yield a significant error, as the estimated
Cw is modified only by a very small amount on including sorption in the calculation.

3. A research laboratory discharges 0.5 kg of benzene per day into a drainage system
that discharges directly into a waste pond nearby. The pond is approximately

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #5

 circular, with a radius of 30 m and a depth of 2 m. In the pond, benzene degrades
with a 16-day half-life.
(a) Draw a fully labelled diagram to illustrate this scenario.

Lab W = 0.5 kg/day

r = 30 m, d = 2 m
Benzene half-life =
16 days

(b) Which of the models is most appropriate for use in this scenario? Why?
Lake transport model, step input. Because the receiving body is a lake/pond, and the
input is being added over time.

(c) Neglecting volatilization, what is the steady-state concentration of benzene in

the pond?
The appropriate equation is:
𝑊 + 𝐶𝑇,𝑖𝑛 𝑄
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡) ] + 𝐶0 × 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡)
𝑉 ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖
Not all of the parameters in this equation will be required, as there are certain
limiting circumstances that will reduce the number of variables that you have to use.
You should consider each of the variables in the equation, then see if you have it, or
if you can leave it out, with an appropriate justification.
𝑘𝑔
0.5 + 𝐶𝑇,𝑖𝑛 𝑄
𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡) ] + 𝐶0 × 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡)
𝑉 × ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖
CT,in is the concentration of contaminant in the inflow water. E.g. if the river coming
in to the reservoir has some pre-contamination. In this instance, there is no input
“river” or source of water to the pond; Q = 0.
In addition, the volume of the pond can be calculated from the information provided
in the question.

𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑑, 𝑉 = 𝜋 × 𝑟 2 × 𝑑 = 𝜋 × 302 𝑚2 × 2𝑚 = 1,800 𝑚3

So the equation simplifies to:

𝑘𝑔
0.5
𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡) ] + 𝐶0 × 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖𝑡)
1,800 𝑚3 × ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #5

 C0 is the initial concentration of the contaminant in the pond. E.g. if there is pre-
existing pollution in the pond, before the leak started from the lab. Again, there is no
information on this provided in the text, so we will have to assume that C0 = 0.
The equation now simplifies to:
𝑘𝑔
0.5
𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (− ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖 𝑡) ]
1,800 𝑚3 × ∑𝑖 𝛼𝑖
The “sum of alphas” is the sum of all of the first order rate coefficients that could be
relevant in a lake. These would be dilution, settling and reaction. You need to consider
the information provided and see which, if any of these rate constants should be
included in your “sum of alphas”. The question did not provide any information about
sorption, so you should neglect sorption, so settling = 0. The next rate constant, dilution,
is also not relevant here, as there is no dilution occurring in this pond; there is no
flow of water in and out. Q = 0, remember? That leaves you with reaction. This you
can work out, as you were given the half-life of benzene in the pond.
ln(0.5) = −𝑘 × 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓−𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒
ln(0.5) = −𝑘 × 16 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
ln(0.5)
𝑘=− = 0.0433 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 −1
16 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
The equation is now down to:
𝑘𝑔
0.5
𝑑𝑎𝑦 −1
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = [1 − 𝑒 (−0.0433 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 ×𝑡) ]
1,800 𝑚3 × 0.0433 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 −1

The last variable in the equation is t. The question says you must determine the
concentration at steady state, which is when t is large. That would remove the last
term, and your final equation would be:
𝑘𝑔
0.5 𝑘𝑔 𝒎𝒈
𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝐶𝑇 (𝑡) = 3 −1
= 0.00642 3 = 𝟔. 𝟒𝟐
1,800 𝑚 × 0.0433𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑚 𝑳

(d) If the suspended solids concentration in the pond is 50 mg/L and the
distribution coefficient for benzene sorption is 2 L/kg, what is the equilibrium
concentration of benzene in the settling particles?

The equation below can be used to determine the concentration of the contaminant
in the suspended sediments.
𝑓𝑠 𝐶𝑇
𝐶𝑠 =
𝑆𝑆
The only variable that is not known is fs, which can be obtained using this equation:
𝐾𝐷 𝑆𝑆
𝑓𝑠 =
1 + 𝐾𝐷 𝑆𝑆

So using the data that is provided in the question:

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #5

 𝐿 (𝑤) 𝑚𝑔 (𝑠) 1 𝑘𝑔(𝑠)
2 × 50 × 0.0001
𝑘𝑔 (𝑠) 𝐿 (𝑤) 1,000,000 𝑚𝑔(𝑠)
𝑓𝑠 = = = 1 × 10−4
𝐿 (𝑤) 𝑚𝑔 (𝑠) 1 𝑘𝑔(𝑠) 1.0001
1+2 × 50 ×
𝑘𝑔 (𝑠) 𝐿 (𝑤) 1,000,000 𝑚𝑔(𝑠)

The mass units had to be harmonized here, hence the conversion term at the end.
Finally, the first equation can be used to determine Cs:

𝑚𝑔 (𝑐)
1 × 10−4 × 6.42 𝑚𝑔 1,000,000 𝑚𝑔 𝒎𝒈 (𝒄)
𝐿 (𝑤)
𝐶𝑠 = = 1.284 × 10−5 × = 𝟏𝟐. 𝟖𝟒
𝑚𝑔 (𝑠) 𝑚𝑔 1 𝑘𝑔 𝒌𝒈 (𝒔)
50
𝐿 (𝑤)

ESST 3001 – Problem Set #5