Author(s): Susan C. Paulsen; E. John List; Robert Y. Rocheleau; Theodore S. Durland

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Abstract: A rare earth salt containing high concentrations of lanthanum, praseodymium, and neodymium (La, Pr, and Nd) was added to treated wastewater entering the ocean through a diffuser structure located off the western coast of Oahu, Hawaii. Concentrations of these elements in the ocean water were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and concentrations relative to the effluent concentration and dilutions in the receiving water were computed. Although some difficulties exist with the analysis of highly saline samples by ICP-MS, this technique was successful in delineating dilutions to 300:1 and in defining the major features of the wastewater flow above this dilution level, in particular indicating the “lumpy” nature of mixing in the natural environment.

DOI:

Year: 1997