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1
Franks, Aaron. "Making relations and performing politics : an ethnographic study of climate justice in Scotland with So We Stand." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2013. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/4199/.
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This ethnographic study, informed by the “cuts” of relational space and performance, chronicles the improvisation by the small UK social movement So We Stand of an expansive yet locally relevant ‘climate justice’ politics in the Central Belt of Scotland. Having been an embedded participant/observer in So We Stand (SWS) from August 2009 to November 2010, I draw from various materials – academic literature, extensive notes, interviews and the tools of applied theatre as research – to explore the organisational, temporal and spatial contours of the group’s activities, identities, ideas and affective encounters. I present this exploration as a set of thematically-linked stories. Extensive reviews of the literatures on relational space, social movements, performance and performativity first establish the theoretical conventions through which SWS’ tale is told. As we enter the ‘field’, we begin to see the processual development of SWS as a performance where affective encounters, in the generative space between declarative identities and lived practice, reshape members’ and allies’ ideas, feelings and imaginings of climate justice. Climate justice as a mesh of interlocked concerns, stemming from the extraction-exploitation nexus of the carbon economy (past and present), is spaced and placed through interactive planning and reflection practices, including an applied theatre workshop inspired by the work of social theatre maker Augusto Boal and popular educator Paolo Freire. Throughout this narrative, our attention is drawn to what has been called a “micro-geopolitics”, and the constant iterations between “holding on” and “going further” that are essential to both ontological safety and political change. In the process questions are raised and tackled about how political subjectivities emerge and come together, how ethico-political relations are actively created and sustained, and vitally, the contradiction-laden role of climate change itself, as just one player among many in the emergent performance of climate justice.
2
Linder, Jan. "Fatigue strength of engineering materials - the influence of environment and porosity : the use of linear elastic fracture mechanics to assess the influence of environment and porosity on the fatigue strength for engineering materials /." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Industriell ekonomi och organisation (Inst.), 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-4195.
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The objective of this work was to use LEFM in order to assess the detrimental influence of surrounding chloride-containing environments for stainless steels, hardened steel as well as for a cast aluminium alloy. An additional aim was also to use LEFM to assess the influence of porosity on the fatigue properties for different commercial cast aluminium alloys and manufacturing methods. The environmental influence on fatigue performance was mainly evaluated from fatigue crack growth measurements using compact tension (CT) specimens. In addition, fatigue performance in the high cycle regime was studied using spot welded specimens and smooth specimens. Corrosion fatigue tests for stainless steels were performed in different chloride-containing aqueous solutions and compared to the behaviour in air. Variables, which have been investigated, included temperature, redox potential and fatigue test frequency. The environmental influence on fatigue performance has also been compared to localised corrosion properties. Fatigue crack propagation rates were found to be higher in 3% NaCl than in air for all stainless steels investigated. The highest alloyed austenitic steel, 654SMO, showed the least influence of the environment. For duplex stainless steels the environment enhanced fatigue crack propagation rate to a higher degree than for austenitic stainless steels. This is explained by a material-dependent corrosion fatigue mechanism. In the high cycle regime, fatigue properties for spot welded stainless steels specimens were found to be decreased between 30%-40% due to the presence of 3% NaCl. For the hardened steel 100CrMnMo8 a fracture mechanics approach was employed for prediction of corrosion fatigue properties. In this model corrosion pit growth rate and the threshold stress intensity factor for fatigue crack propagation are needed as input parameters. For the high pressure die cast aluminium alloy the environmental influence of fatigue initiation through pre-exposure of smooth specimens was studied. Depending on environment used for pre-exposure, fatigue strength was found to be reduced by up to 50 % compared to the fatigue strength in air. Fatigue strength reduction was clearly associated to corrosion pits in the aluminium material. A fracture mechanics model was further successfully used to predict the environmental influence. The influence of porosity on the fatigue strength for the cast aluminium alloys tested has been described by a Kitagawa diagram. In design, the Kitagawa diagram can be used to predict the largest allowable pore size if the load situation in the component is known. The size of the porosity could either be evaluated directly from x-ray images or from metallographic prepared cross-sections using a method of extreme value analysisQC 20100907
3
Aich, Sumanjit. "Analysis of fractured terrain using remote sensing and geographic information systems : establishing a correlation between fracture network properties and vegetation." FIU Digital Commons, 2005. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1165.
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This research analyzed the spatial relationship between a mega-scale fracture network and the occurrence of vegetation in an arid region. High-resolution aerial photographs of Arches National Park, Utah were used for digital image processing. Four sets of large-scale joints were digitized from the rectified color photograph in order to characterize the geospatial properties of the fracture network with the aid of a Geographic Information System. An unsupervised landcover classification was carried out to identify the spatial distribution of vegetation on the fractured outcrop. Results of this study confirm that the WNW-ESE alignment of vegetation is dominantly controlled by the spatial distribution of the systematic joint set, which in turn parallels the regional fold axis. This research provides insight into the spatial heterogeneity inherent to fracture networks, as well as the effects of jointing on the distribution of surface vegetation in desert environments.
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Anderson, Carolyn J. "Development and evaluation of a geographic information system based method to estimate flooding susceptibility in an area of Broward County, Florida." FIU Digital Commons, 2003. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1285.
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The objective of this study was to develop a GIS-based multi-class index overlay model to determine areas susceptible to inland flooding during extreme precipitation events in Broward County, Florida. Data layers used in the method include Airborne Laser Terrain Mapper (ALTM) elevation data, excess precipitation depth determined through performing a Soil Conservation Service (SCS) Curve Number (CN) analysis, and the slope of the terrain. The method includes a calibration procedure that uses "weights and scores" criteria obtained from Hurricane Irene (1999) records, a reported 100-year precipitation event, Doppler radar data and documented flooding locations. Results are displayed in maps of Eastern Broward County depicting types of flooding scenarios for a 100-year, 24-hour storm based on the soil saturation conditions. As expected the results of the multi-class index overlay analysis showed that an increase for the potential of inland flooding could be expected when a higher antecedent moisture condition is experienced. The proposed method proves to have some potential as a predictive tool for flooding susceptibility based on a relatively simple approach.
5
White, James S. "Great Salt Lake Past and Present: Elevation and Salinity Changes to Utah's Great Salt Lake from Railroad Causeway Alterations." DigitalCommons@USU, 2015. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4588.
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In 1959, Union Pacific Railroad constructed a rock-filled causeway bisecting Utah’s Great Salt Lake, separating the lake into a north and south arm. Flow between the two arms was limited to two 4.6 meter wide culverts installed during original construction, an 88 meter breach opening installed in 1984, and the semi porous boulder and gravel causeway material. The south arm receives nearly all streamflows entering Great Salt Lake and a salinity gradient between the two arms developed over time. North arm salinity is often at or near saturation, averaging 317 g\L since 1966, while the south is considerably less saline, averaging 142 g\L since 1966. Ecological and industrial uses of the lake depend on salinity levels staying within physiologic and economic thresholds. Union Pacific Railroad proposed to replace aging culverts with a bridge, and provided four alternative bridge designs. Northern Utah’s variable climate complicates management of the causeway, where lake elevation and salinity are affected by wet and dry periods. Understanding the historical duration, magnitude, and frequency of wet and dry periods can inform future management decisions. I model the effect of each proposed bridge design on Great Salt Lake salinity and elevation in both arms by updating and applying US Geological Survey’s Great Salt Lake Fortran Model. I used measured historical streamflow and a 400-year tree-ring paleo-streamflow reconstruction to understand lake elevation and salinity sensitivity to longer-term climate variability. The model accurately simulates historical lake elevation and salinity and is sensitive to proposed bridge designs. Bridge alternatives vary salinity by 20 g\L within each arm using historical 1966-2012 conditions. When the model was run with the 400-year paleo-reconstructed hydrology, I find that the 20th century had the lowest average lake level of any century since 1600, and that 20th century floods were smaller than in previous centuries, both in terms of length and magnitude. With the 400-year paleo-streamflow model, differences of south arm salinity between bridge alternatives increase considerably through time, where alternative D results in salinity up to 100 g/l less than alternative A and that the current condition of the causeway would result in a fundamental change in Great Salt Lake characteristics, with the south arm approaching freshwater conditions at times. This research demonstrates that mass balance models are useful to predict management effects on terminal lake ecosystems, and provides a unique approach to reconstruct terminal lake paleo-salinity.
6
Bell, Stephanie K. "Assessment of silicone polymer composites for the trace extraction of herbicides : a tool for environmental forensics." FIU Digital Commons, 2007. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1482.
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Passive samplers are not only a versatile tool to integrate environmental concentrations of pollutants, but also to avoid the use of live sentinel organisms for environmental monitoring. This study introduced the use of magnetic silicone polymer composites (Fe-PDMS) as passive sampling media to pre-concentrate a wide range of analytes from environmental settings. The composite samplers were assessed for their accumulation properties by performing lab experiments with two model herbicides (Atrazine and Irgarol 1051) and evaluated for their uptake properties from environmental settings (waters and sediments). The Fe-PDMS composites showed good accumulation of herbicides and pesticides from both freshwater and saltwater settings and the accumulation mechanism was positively correlated with the log Kow value of individual analytes. Results from the studies show that these composites could be easily used for a wide number of applications such as monitoring, cleanup, and/or bioaccumulation modeling, and as a non-intrusive and nondestructive monitoring tool for environmental forensic purposes.
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Gross, Howard P. "Evaluation of Lake Fertilization as a Tool to Assist in the Recovery of the Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus Nerka)." DigitalCommons@USU, 1995. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6972.
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I analyzed lake fertilization (with nitrogen and phosphorus) as a tool to assist in the recovery of the Snake River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus ~) in the oligotrophic Sawtooth Valley Lakes in southcentral Idaho. These analyses involved monitoring, manipulating, and modelling several aspects of the lakes' primary producer, nutrient, and light parameters.
In Pettit Lake, I evaluated the effects of metalimnetic and epilimnetic fertilization in 330-m 3 mesocosms. The metalimnetic treatment was equal to or more effective than the epilimnetic treatment in increasing chlorophyll a, phytoplankton biovolume, and primary productivity, yet caused smaller changes in periphyton growth and water clarity. Thus, metalirnnetic fertilization may provide a tool for increasing lake productivity while minimally impacting water clarity.
The Sawtooth Valley Lakes had deep chlorophyll maxima (DCM) with mean chlorophyll a peaks 240-1000% of mean epilimnetic concentrations. The DCM existed at low light levels and accounted for 36- 72% of the lakes' primary production. Epilimnetic fertilization of330-m 3 mesocosms in Redfish Lake increased levels of primary productivity and chlorophyll a, but decreased Secchi depths and light available in the meta- and hypolimnion. I modelled the effects of increased chlorophyll (resulting from epilimnetic fertilization) and decreased light penetration on vertical primary productivity profiles. The simulations showed a large increase in epilimnetic primary productivity due to fertilization, and only a slight decrease in production in the deeper strata due to self-shading.
I also modelled the dependence of Red fish Lake's production on nutrients from the watershed, from lake fertilization, and from marine-derived nutrients from salmon. The model utilized our water budget and nutrient loading measurements. The model and empirical evidence indicated that even before hydropower dams were present in the migration corridor, marine-derived nutrients were not of major importance to lake production, contributing only ~3% of the lake's annual phosphorus load. This contribution was partially offset by the lake's quick flushing rate (3 yr) and phosphorus export by smolts. The model predicted annual adult salmon returns to be 3,800 under pre-dam conditions, 370 under modern conditions, 750 when doubling watershed nutrient loading (simulating lake fertilization), and 780 when doubling migration survival.
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Persaud, Ann Rebecca. "Still Waters Run Deep: Landscaping Practices, Community Perceptions, and Social Indicators for Stormwater Nonpoint Source Pollution Management in Manatee County, Florida." Scholar Commons, 2014. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5102.
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Stormwater nonpoint source pollution (NPSP) is a result of diffuse sources of pollutants transported by rainfall and surface runoff into stormwater ponds and drainage systems before percolating into the ground. In particular, the nutrients found in fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides applied in excess by homeowners and landscapers can cause a range of issues in stormwater ponds from fish kills to eutrophication. As a result, Manatee County, Florida has issued a fertilizer ordinance with best management practices (BMPs) and a fertilizer black out period to reduce NPSP. This study is aimed at capturing the perceptions of residents which affect stormwater NPSP through their behaviors, awareness, and knowledge. Interviews, surveys,and observational data were used to establish social indicator scores, gather qualitative data, and evaluate outreach efforts surrounding the Manatee County fertilizer ordinance and the function stormwater ponds in Lakewood Ranch.
Results showed that residents substantially lacked awareness of the fertilizer ban, ordinance and grass clipping violation fine. Outreach questions revealed that 69% of residents had not seen any materials related to the ban. While residents' feelings generally ranged from neutral to positive with regard to shoreline and aquatic plants, they remained resistant to the actual installation of the plants. The results also indicated that residents were well aware of the purposes shoreline plants serving as barriers and nutrient filters. In addition, Key Informant interviews revealed that while residents understood the environmental consequences of their actions, they maintained their behavior to adhere to deeply rooted social norms.
9
Rusk, Monica Kirsten 1967. "Selenium risk to Yuma clapper rails and other marsh birds of the lower Colorado River." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/278053.
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I estimated the risk of selenium toxicity to endangered Yuma clapper rail and other marsh birds of the lower Colorado River (LCR). I collected sediment, invertebrates, Virginia rails, and least bitterns from 4 locations within the LCR valley, in May-August 1990, and collected additional bird species from 1 of the sites in April 1991. I analyzed the samples for selenium and other trace elements. Selenium accumulated in the backwater marshes of the LCR and was uniformly distributed among the backwaters sampled. Selenium increased 1-16X between successive trophic levels, however, selenium levels did not differ significantly among species with different diets. Based on the selenium levels in bird tissues and prey species, marsh birds in the LCR valley are at low risk of adult mortality, but moderate to high risk of teratogenicity. The rate of selenium accumulation in the backwaters must be reduced to decrease the risk of toxicity.
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Tindwa, Neema. "DENIM PRODUCTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för biologisk grundutbildning, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-418547.
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The denim production has an environmental impact, in order to achieve the UN’s sustainability goal until year 2030, a lot has to change. During its early stages, denim production is highly water intensive and large amounts of pesticides are also used. Those two combined affects the biodiversity locally as well as the health of the farmers badly. Other treatments such as sandblasting puts different chemical into the garment, due to lack of regulations and safety equipment the textile workers health is at stake. With a circular economy in mind, there are however certain options to reuse the denim products, both in the sense of recycling and re-selling in second hand. Society as a whole such as manufacturers and individuals have a responsibility to help achieve the twelfth goal and its targets goals. This could perhaps be achieved by regulations, a change in demand, increase of recycling and more information to the consumers about the production of denim and how to decrease its consequences.Denimproduktionen har en stor miljöpåverkan, och för att uppnå FN:s globala mål för hållbar utveckling år 2030 måste en del förändras. Redan i de tidiga stadierna av denimproduktionen används enorma mängder vatten och bekämpningsmedel. Vilket i sin tur har sin negativa påverkan på den lokala biodiversiteten samt böndernas hälsa. Andra behandlingar såsom sandblästring tillför flera kemikalier till tyget, till följd av detta påverkas även textilarbetarnas hälsa. Med ett cirkulärt ekonomiskt flöde finns det flera möjligheter att återvinna och återanvända denim. Samhället i det hela, näringslivet till enskilda individer har ett ansvar att uppnå det tolfte globala målet samt dess delmål. Detta kan möjligtvis uppnås genom riktlinjer, förändring i efterfrågan, ökad information för konsumenter om denim och dess miljöpåverkan, kunskaper som kan leda till en minskning av denimproduktionens konsekvenser.
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Niakan, Negar. "Effects of Molecular Structure of the Oxidation Products of Reactive Atmospheric Hydrocarbons on the Formation of Secondary Organic Particulate Matter, Including the Effects of Water." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/617.
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Organic aerosols have significant effects on human health, air quality and climate. Secondary organic aerosols (SOA) are produced by the oxidation of primary-volatile organic compounds (VOC). For example, α-pinene reacts with oxidants such as hydroxyl radical (OH), ozone (O3), and nitrate radical (NO3), accounting for a significant portion of total organic aerosol in the atmosphere. Experimental studies have shown that the oxidation process between α-pinene and ozone has the most significant impact in the formation of SOA (Hoffmann et al., 1997). Most of the models used to predict SOA formation, however, are limited in that they neglect the role of water due to uncertainty about the structure and nature of organic compounds, in addition to uncertainty about the effect of varying relative humidity (RH) on atmospheric organic particulate matter (OPM) (Kanakidou et al., 2005). For this study, structures of organic compounds involved in the formation of SOA are estimated, and the role of water uptake is incorporated in the process. The Combinatorial Aerosol Formation Model (CAFM) is a deterministic model used to determine the amount of organic mass (Mo µg m-3) formation based on the predicted structures. Results show that the amount of SOA that is formed is almost negligible when the amount of parent hydrocarbon involved in the reaction is low (i.e. around 5 µg m-3), especially at lower RH. Observing compounds with a greater number of polar groups (alcohol and carboxylic acid) indicates that structure has a significant effect on organic mass formation. This observation is in agreement with the fact that the more hydrophilic the compound is, the higher RH, leading to more condensation into the PM phase.
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Balsam, Gabriella. "Decision Support Systems for Water Management: Investigating Stakeholder Perceptions of System Use." Scholar Commons, 2016. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6176.
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Water resources are becoming increasingly important to protect, but doing so has proven challenging due to the complex nature of resource management. Many researchers have been trying to develop “usable science” to aid in this endeavor, and one method of this is the development of decision support systems. This has led to the employment of this method as a potential tool for decision makers, scientists, and the interested public to use; yet little literature is available on the success of their implementation. This study attempted to fill the gaps by gathering data through surveys and interviews from stakeholders who are part of institutions that fund the University of South Florida’s Water Atlas. The study found that the tool was used for both educational outreach and scientific research support. Decision making was mostly supported through the program’s use as a research tool. Stakeholders also expressed that conditions found in the literature to contribute to successful implementation were largely met through the Water Atlas development process and continued use.
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Kuraya-Ziyadeh, Natalie. "A Behavioral Analysis of Households Using Reclaimed Water in Irrigation: Case of Pinellas County, Florida." Scholar Commons, 2018. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7319.
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In order to tend to the world’s dwindling freshwater supplies, sustainable alternative methods need to be integrated in order to keep up with the world’s increasing demand. Reclaimed water (RW) is one of the sustainable methods adopted by some Floridian cities such as Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Pete that provide an alternative water source for non-potable uses. However, despite this alleviating effect RW has on freshwater supplies, it is crucial to recognize the potential harm it poses on neighboring waterbodies due to the residual contaminants it still contains, including Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorous (P). As such, studying residents’ knowledge and behavior about RW provides an insight into certain behavioral trends that potentially explain elevated levels of N and P in certain waterbodies. This study surveyed households living in the vicinity of Joe’s Creek Watershed and are using RW in irrigation provided by Pinellas County Utilities Department (PC) and the City of St. Pete Water Resources Department (SP). After looking at these residents’ yard practices, no harmful behavioral trend was observed to explicate the health of neighboring waterbodies. RW users are aware of the irrigation regulations set for them. However, weakness in information communication between city and County officials and RW users on fertilizer use and regulations was recorded. It is recommended that the city of St. Pete revisits their loose regulations on RW and the irrigation schedule set for their customers. More outreach material on fertilizer application and regulations need to be made available and accessible to the public.
14
Bamzar, Roya. "Ensuring elderly mobility : environmental and safety issues." Doctoral thesis, KTH, Urbana och regionala studier, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-207794.
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The aim of this thesis is to provide a better understanding of the issues of safe mobility for the elderly population in Sweden. This is achieved first by assessing the geography and patterns of elderly falls at the county level and then by conducting a detailed survey with residents in senior housing to investigate the relationship between indoor and/or outdoor environmental characteristics and elderly safety. Safety is regarded as a multidimensional concept that involves risk of falls, crime victimization and elderly people’s perception of their overall safety. Using a case study approach, the study also assesses the types of outdoor places where most crimes against the elderly take place and the types of places most feared by them. The study adapts a set of qualitative and quantitative methods to capture the nature of the phenomena; trends, patterns and frameworks that support the analysis and implications of the results for both research and practice. The findings show that elderly falls in Sweden vary geographically and exhibit gender, age, environmental, and socio-economic differences. The mobility of the older population is influenced by their perceived safety in indoor and outdoor environments. Certain features of apartment layout and furniture arrangement are identified as potential causes of falls. Older adults’ perception of safety exhibits a distance-decay effect from their senior housing building. Distance decay indicates that safety is deemed highest closest to their homes and decreases as the distance increases. There are indications that older adults take longer routes and increase their mobility because they are fearful at certain spots in their neighbourhood. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the results and implications for both research and policy making at the local and county levels. QC 20170602
My doctoral project was funded byLars Erik LundbergScholarship Foundation.
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Solis, Liana D. "Turning Waste into Compost in Napa, California." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2016. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/pomona_theses/147.
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Two significant pieces of legislation in California have mandated that cities and counties must reduce their waste streams. Assembly Bill 341 establishes that California must divert 75% of its waste from landfills by the year 2020. The first bill that included composting, Assembly Bill 1826, was passed in 2014 and requires that commercial users enact composting beginning in 2016. These initiatives have led cities and counties to seek ways of implementing composting programs. Using the City of Napa as a case study, this thesis argues that a composting program can be integrated into any existing waste hauling service. Although there are some challenges, including effectively reaching all residents eligible for the program and finding ways to encourage people to change waste disposal habits, other communities should be able to adopt Napa’s model. Napa’s program should act as an outline for other communities to develop similar outreach strategies, public education initiatives, and pilot programs. Once implemented, cities can continue creating a sustainable community through the use of new technologies. Not only will creating a composting program allow cities and counties to be in compliance with Assembly Bill 1826, it will also offer benefits that extend beyond the local scope, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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Liu, Boyu. "How Can We Have A Better Public Transportation System? –An Exploratory Agent Based Model." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2016. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/pomona_theses/154.
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Public transportation plays an integral part in a city's development, but transportation professionals disagree about whether it is feasible to increase the capacity of public transportation systems at a reasonable cost; and if it is, how. This study develops an agent based model that aims to answer this question and provide a framework to compare the effects of improvements in different aspects of the public transportation service. The results of this study show that it is possible to increase ridership enough to compensate for the increased operational cost, but only in certain circumstances. Interesting phenomenon that might have showed up in the real world arose in this model and are worth further investigation.
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Aspy, Dale E. "Investigation into possible causes of elevated ozone concentrations in Miami, Florida." FIU Digital Commons, 1986. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1329.
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Ozone readings which exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 120 ppbv were recorded in Miami, Florida during 1978 and 1980. Similar elevated concentrations of ozone extended across upper Florida and into the Southeastern portion of the United States. It is concluded that tropospheric transport of ozone into the Miami area occurs. This conclusion is supported by lead analyses of atmospheric samples taken in Miami and by isentropic trajectories. Six case studies are presented. In all cases transport of ozone into Florida appears to occur. In only four of the cases does this result in elevated ozone levels in Miami. In one case lower Florida was experiencing an oceanic influx of air and low ozone concentrations. In the other case Miami was experiencing a stagnation and high ozone concentrations apparently generated locally. The long range transport of ozone across the Southeastern United States appears to result from circulation within a weather pattern characterized by a stagnant high pressure system over the Southeastern United States.
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Alkolibi, Fahad. "Regional Temperature Trends & Variations in the Contiguous United States from 1935 to 1986." TopSCHOLAR®, 1991. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/2115.
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The temperature trends and variations of the contiguous United States as a whole and ten designated regions were investigated from 1935 to 1986. To obtain reliable results, 263 stations of the Historical Climate Network (HCN) were used. The HCN stations are corrected for many non-climatic factors which may bias the data. The data for the contiguous United States reveals that the annual, summer, and winter temperatures are free of clear positive or negative trends. Unlike the annual and summer data, winter temperatures exhibit relatively strong variations.
Each region was then studyed individually. The summer temperatures for all the ten regions were free of significant trends except Region 2 (Central East Region), which exhibited a significant negative trend. The winter temperatures of the ten regions also lack a statistical significance except for Region 3 (Southeast Region) which shows a significant negative trend. The annual temperatures for the ten regions were also significant except for Regions 2 and 5 (Central East Region and Southern Plains Region). These two regions exhibited significant negative trends.
The annual temperature trends for nine of the ten regions were negative while the annual temperatures for the United States as a whole show a positive trend. None of these trends were significant except for Regions 2 and 5. To examine whether or not the differences between the trends of the contiguous United States as a whole and those of the ten regions represents a significant departure from each other, the Expansion Method was used. Applying this method on the annual, summer and winter trends indicated that these differences did not represent a significant departure from those of the contiguous United States.
By studying the annual spatial temperature variations of the ten regions it was found that in more than 80% of the years, when the region with the highest positive deviation is in the western United States, the region with the highest negative deviation is in the eastern United States and visa versa.
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Labunska, Iryna. "Environmental contamination and human exposure to PBDEs and other hazardous chemicals arising from informal e-waste handling." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2017. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/7549/.
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A method was developed and validated for GC/MS analysis of PBDEs in a variety of matrices (soil, dust, sediment, and 10 types of foodstuffs), represented by a total of 313 samples. Extensive environmental contamination by PBDEs is shown to arise as a result of improper e-waste handling in Guiyu, China, with open burning and circuit boards shredding operations identified as the most significant sources of PBDEs to soil and sediment. Elevated concentrations of selected key pollutants, including legacy and novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and metals/metalloids, were detected in a number of dietary samples from Taizhou e-waste recycling sites, confirming the hypothesis that improper e-waste handling is an important source of toxic contaminants to locally produced foods. Human exposure, of both adults and children, to key pollutants via diet was estimated, with results suggesting that children are particularly exposed to a range of toxic substances through a locally-sourced diet. This was especially evident in the case of PCBs, PBDEs, cadmium, and lead. Concentrations of, and/or routes of human exposure to, several contaminants (e.g., PBDEs in duck eggs, and compound-specific NBFRs in diet originating from Taizhou) are reported here for the first time. Application of a simple pharmacokinetic model to predict human body burden of PBDEs (based on estimated dietary intake) provided predicted PBDE body burdens that compared satisfactorily in most instances with those reported elsewhere in blood of adults from Taizhou e-waste sites.
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De, la Rosa Nina N. "Exploring the Use of Everglades Agricultural Area Canal Water as Base Medium for the Mass Production of Algae for Biofuels." FIU Digital Commons, 2014. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1689.
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Freshwater use is a major concern in the mass production of algae for biofuels. This project examined the use of canal water obtained from the Everglades Agricultural Area as a base medium for the mass production of algae. This water is not suitable for human consumption, and it is currently used for crop irrigation. A variety of canals were found to be suitable for water collection. Comparison of two methods for algal production showed no significant difference in biomass accumulation. It was discovered that synthetic reticulated foam can be used for algal biomass collection and harvest, and there is potential for its application in large-scale operations. Finally, it was determined that high alkaline conditions may help limit contaminants and competing organisms in growing algae cultures.
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Lavallin, Abigail V. "An Investigation of Habitat Suitability Factors and their Interactions for Predicting Gopher Tortoise Habitat." Scholar Commons, 2018. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/7538.
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This thesis evaluates the interaction between four habitat factors vital to the gopher tortoise in Florida. Federally and state listed as threatened throughout its entire range, the gopher tortoise is vital to protect, not only for itself individually but its burrows provide an essential habitat to over 300 species making it a key stone species within its environment. Historic habitat modeling methods are reviewed for the gopher tortoise to highlight the gap on this topic. This research expanded on the methods utilized by Baskaran et al. (2006) evaluating the soil, landcover, percentage of canopy cover and the depth to water table habitat factors key to the gopher tortoise. Statistical analysis was used to establish the interactions using a regression type analysis of the presence/absence data relative to the four factors. A probability map for the study site was then computed from the results. The Analysis of Deviance results for the statistical model with land cover type as an independent variable and a 3-way interaction term for the other factors found that the land cover term was significant as an independent variable and the 3-way interaction of the other 3 habitat factors was significant. This result demonstrates that there is in fact an interaction between the habitat factors influencing the location of gopher tortoises. This finding is significant in future gopher tortoise research as it indicates that habitat factors evaluated individually may not be as important as the interactions between the factors. By understanding the interactions between the habitat factors, the FWC can work alongside other agencies to ‘increase and improve’ these key habitat areas preventing them from destruction. The map results also help pinpoint those fragmented potential habitat sites which are most at risk from full destruction and loss allowing agencies the work on protecting and expanding the suitable habitat landscape in order to ‘enhance and restore’ the gopher tortoise populations residing there, helping them to ‘maintain the gopher tortoise’s function as a keystone species’
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Diaz, Gerardo Jr. "Analysis of 2017 Multi-Agency Field Campaign Data for Wintertime Surface Pollution in the Cache Valley of Utah." TopSCHOLAR®, 2019. https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/3112.
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Atmospheric motions resulting from rising airborne parcels help to scatter emissions, including PM, away from their sources, decreasing local pollution levels. However this pattern shifts during the wintertime, as cold air damming and inversion layers create stable conditions that limit the vertical transport of air masses. Both point and area sources of emissions currently dot the western United States and are responsible for the production of the vast majority of agricultural pollution in the region. At the same time, population-growth has resulted in an ever-increasing amount of urbansource emissions. The entrapment of PM, which are produced when a wide array of urban and agricultural emissions series are released onto a valley floor, aggregate until they become singular particles which vary in size and can negatively affect the human respiratory system. As such, this goal of this study was to investigate the processes that lead to poor wintertime air quality conditions in the Mountain West and primarily in Cache Valley, which experiences some of the worst air quality in the United States during the winter season. Several results, including the observation of chemical reactions such as the production of the NO3 radical, along with the discovery of significantly high levels of DMS in an area that is not known for its production, all suggest that the chemical behaviors of Cache Valley are rather complex and play a critical role in poor wintertime air quality conditions. Furthermore, the presence of DMS at such high concentrations could be due to its being produced on the valley floor. As such, we hope that these results will help in improving our understanding of the physical and chemical dynamics of the Valley during the winter season, which will in turn aid in our ability to forecast such conditions and also properly plan future industrial and commercial projects that will inevitably be introduced into the region as it continues to grow.
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Bair, Kristen. "GIS Analysis of Forest Fragmentation in the Vicinity of the Firestone Reserve, Costa Rica." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2013. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/271.
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The study of tropical forest fragmentation addresses the difficult issues of diminishing forest area and concurrent biodiversity losses. In recent years much of the deforestation of the tropics has been challenged with policy changes and conservation efforts. The Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology, located in Costa Rica, is an area of relatively conserved and restored forest fragments that has proven resilient. This study focuses on a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analysis, used to assess the level of forest fragmentation in the area. Fragmentation is the process by which continuous forest is diminished into smaller, geographically isolated portions of forest. It was determined that the area is relatively unfragmented, as compared to it’s status in 1972. Though anthropogenic stresses continue, fragmentation of primary forest is limited and the majority of forested area is in large, semi-continuous blocks made up of a mixture of primary and secondary forest, which likely allows for a preservation of biodiversity in the region. Further on-site studies are necessary to fully evaluate the level of anthropogenic stress on the region. However, compared to many tropical areas, Costa Rica is conserving forest and ecological diversity.
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Mouzon, Nathaniel R. "Effects of Environmental Water Rights Purchases on Dissolved Oxygen, Stream Temperature, and Fish Habitat." DigitalCommons@USU, 2016. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/4986.
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Human impacts from land and water development have degraded water quality and altered the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of Nevada's Walker River. Reduced instream flows and increased nutrient concentrations affect native fish populations through warm daily stream temperatures and low nightly dissolved oxygen concentrations. Environmental water purchases are being considered to maintain instream flows, improve water quality, and enhance habitat for native fish species, such as Lahontan cutthroat trout. This study uses the River Modeling System (RMSv4), an hourly, physically-based hydrodynamic and water quality model, to estimate streamflows, temperatures, and dissolved oxygen concentrations in the Walker River. Stream temperature and dissolved oxygen changes were simulated from potential environmental water purchases to prioritize the time periods and locations that water purchases most enhance stream temperatures and dissolved oxygen concentrations for aquatic habitat. Environmental water purchases ranged from 0.03 cms to 1.41 cms average daily increases. Modeling results indicate that increased water purchases generally affect dissolved oxygen in two ways. First, environmental water purchases increase the thermal mass of the river, cooling daily stream temperatures and warming nightly temperatures. This prevents conditions that cause the lowest nightly dissolved oxygen concentrations (moderate production impairment thresholds are
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Anthony, Tontoh. "Implementing an Environmental Planning System." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Sektionen för management, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-1226.
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Problem Climate change is here now causing dramatic storms, heat waves and other extreme temperature that affects everyone on earth. The importance of environmental issues has triggered politicians, governmental bodies and industries to take precautionary measures. This has caution organizations to initiate activities that will reduce the damage caused by them to the environment although it may involve cost. One of these organisations is the Green Scorpion in South Africa that has prosecuted steel companies in the country for environmental violation. Highveld Steel Limited is one of these companies. This has prompt these steel companies to implement an environmental management system (EMS). The cost and benefits, of introducing such preventive measure makes it advisable to implement a suitable EMS that will be relatively important to the organization interest. Purpose The research is meant to guide the implementation of an environmental management system. This will be the result of steel companies in South Africa to develop an environmental management system that would be realized to suit them. Also, the research will examine the strength, weakness and managerial endeavours of Highveld Steel Limited to implement an efficient environmental management system. Method Qualitative and deduction based research approaches were preferred compared to quantitative and induction research. Grounded theory is the qualitative research method that is used in this research. It was done with caution to confirm and verify the trustworthiness of the data we used with other sources of information and references. Telephone interview was used to collect empirical data. The author beforehand will prepare a questionnaire for interview with a top manager. To accompany the research an extensive literature review will also be undertaken. Not only will this provide a valuable insight into how others have approached this subject area, but it will also ensure that the investigation is not duplicated by any previously undertaken work in addition to ensuring a degree of depth in understanding the concepts and theories involved. Result The research reveals that Environmental Management Implementation Process (EMIP) could help South Africa Steel companies to adopt an appropriate environmental management system. Four main stages were deduced for the proposed EMIP for an environmental management system to be efficient. The four main stages are research, analysis, choice and implementation. The research concludes that EMIP could generate environmental management system (EMS) that would be of interest to stakeholders and enhance better use of resources for Highveld limited. Also, EMIP will ensure that, Implementation of an EMS will not restrain corporate objective achievement.
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Schultz, Maria. "KOMMUNAL PLANERING FÖR URBANA GRÖNOMRÅDEN." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för biologisk grundutbildning, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-418544.
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During the last centuries, Sweden has become more urbanized and today 85% of the population are living in urban settlements. A future challenge for city planners is climate change, which is expected to lead to higher sea levels, rising temperatures, less snow and larger amounts of rainfall with more extreme precipitation. One approach for cities to deal with these challenges is to preserve urban greenspaces and the ecosystem services that they provide. For that reason, this essay aims to examine how municipalities are planning their urban green spaces and which motives are behind the planning for different ecosystem services. This was accomplished through a content analysis where three municipalities’ (Knivsta municipality, Uppsala municipality and Upplands Väsby municipality) planning and goal documents were examined. With the purpose to get knowledge about which ecosystem services were the most reoccurring. The results showed that the two most reoccurring ecosystem services in the three municipalities were recreation and biodiversity. The third most reoccurring ecosystem service in Uppsala municipality and Upplands Väsby municipality was water regulation, while in Knivsta municipality it was cultural heritage. The motives behind why the green spaces with these ecosystem services were seen as important were to prevent fragmentation of pathways and habitats important for biodiversity, and to ensure access to close and accessible greenspaces during urban infills and expansion. Furthermore, urban green spaces can be a part of the work for climate change adaption and for handling extreme precipitation.Under de senaste århundrandena har Sverige urbaniserat och idag bor 85% av befolkningen i tätorter. En framtida utmaning för stadsplanerare är klimatförändringar vilka förväntas leda till höjd havsnivå, ökande temperaturer, mindre snö och ökad nederbörd med fler tillfälliga extrema nederbördsmängder. Ett sätt för städer att hantera dessa utmaningar är genom att bevara urbana grönområden och de ekosystemtjänster som de bidrar med. Av den anledningen syftar detta arbete att undersöka hur olika kommuner planerar för sina urbana grönområden och vilka motiv som finns bakom planerandet av olika ekosystemtjänster. Detta genomfördes genom en innehållsanalys på tre kommuners (Knivsta kommun, Uppsala kommun och Upplands Väsby kommun) planerings- och måldokument och då undersöktes vilka ekosystemtjänster som var mest återkommande. Resultatet visade att de två ekosystemtjänsterna som var mest återkommande i alla tre kommuner var rekreation och biologisk mångfald. Den tredje största ekosystemtjänsten var i Uppsala kommun och Upplands Väsby kommun reglering av vattenflöden medan den i Knivsta kommun var kulturarv. Motiven bakom varför grönområden med dessa ekosystemtjänster ansågs vara viktiga var för att hindra fragmentering av livsmiljöer och spridningsvägar viktiga för biologisk mångfald och för att se till att tillgången till nära och tillgängliga grönområden förstärks vid förtätning och tillväxt av staden. Dessutom är grönområden en viktig del inom städers klimatanpassningsarbete och för att förbereda städerna för en ökad mängd nederbörd.
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Hinkle, Jameson. "PROOF-OF-CONCEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DNA TOOLS FOR ATLANTIC STURGEON MANAGEMENT." VCU Scholars Compass, 2015. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/3932.
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Abstract
The Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, Mitchell) is an anadromous species that spawns in tidal freshwater rivers from Canada to Florida. Overfishing, river sedimentation and alteration of the river bottom have decreased Atlantic Sturgeon populations, and NOAA lists the species as endangered. Ecologists sometimes find it difficult to locate individuals of a species that is rare, endangered or invasive. The need for methods less invasive that can create more resolution of cryptic species presence is necessary. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a non-invasive means of detecting rare, endangered, or invasive species by isolating nuclear or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the water column. We evaluated the potential of eDNA to document the presence of Atlantic Sturgeon in the James River, Virginia. Genetic primers targeted the mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxydase I gene, and a restriction enzyme assay (DraIII) was developed. Positive control mesocosm and James River samples revealed a nonspecific sequence—mostly bacteria commonly seen in environmental waters. Methods more stringent to a single species was necessary. Novel qPCR primers were derived from a second region of Cytochrome Oxydase II, and subject to quantitative PCR. This technique correctly identified Atlantic Sturgeon DNA and differentiated among other fish taxa commonly occurring in the lower James River, Virginia. Quantitative PCR had a biomass detection limit of 32.3 ug/L and subsequent analysis of catchment of Atlantic Sturgeon from the Lower James River, Virginia from the fall of 2013 provided estimates of 264.2 ug/L Atlantic Sturgeon biomass. Quantitative PCR sensitivity analysis and incorporation of studies of the hydrology of the James River should be done to further define habitat utilization by local Atlantic Sturgeon populations.
IACUC: AD20127
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Graupner, Robert Kurt. "A Study of Oxygen Precipitation in Heavily Doped Silicon." PDXScholar, 1989. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1218.
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Gettering of impurities with oxygen precipitates is widely used during the fabrication of semiconductors to improve the performance and yield of the devices. Since the effectiveness of the gettering process is largely dependent on the initial interstitial oxygen concentration, accurate measurements of this parameter are of considerable importance. Measurements of interstitial oxygen following thermal cycles are required for development of semiconductor fabrication processes and for research into the mechanisms of oxygen precipitate nucleation and growth. Efforts by industrial associations have led to the development of standard procedures for the measurement of interstitial oxygen in wafers. However practical oxygen measurements often do not satisfy the requirements of such standard procedures. An additional difficulty arises when the silicon wafer has a low resitivity (high dopant concentration). In such cases the infrared light used for the measurement is severely attenuated by the electrons of holes introduced by the dopant. Since such wafers are the substrates used for the production of widely used epitaxial wafers, this measurement problem is economically important. Alternative methods such as Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy or Gas Fusion Analysis have been developed to measure oxygen in these cases. However, neither of these methods is capable of distinguishing interstitial oxygen from precipitated oxygen as required for precipitation studies.
In addition to the commercial interest in heavily doped silicon substrates, they are also of interest for research into the role of point defects in nucleation and precipitation processes. Despite considerable research effort, there is still disagreement concerning the type of point defect and its role in semiconductor processes. Studies of changes in the interstitial oxygen concentration of heavily doped and lightly doped silicon wafers could help clarify the role of point defects in oxygen nucleation and precipitation processes. This could lead to more effective control and use of oxygen precipitation for gettering.
One of the principal purposes of this thesis is the extension of the infrared interstitial oxygen measurement technique to situations outside the measurement capacities of the standard technique. These situations include silicon slices exhibiting interfering precipitate absorption bands and heavily doped n-type silicon wafers. A new method is presented for correcting for the effect of multiple reflections in silicon wafers with optically rough surfaces. The technique for the measurement of interstitial oxygen in heavily doped n-type wafers is then used to perform a comparative study of oxygen precipitation in heavily antimony doped (.035 ohm-cm) silicon and lightly doped p-type silicon. A model is presented to quantitatively explain the observed suppression of defect formation in heavily doped n-type wafers.
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Shimizu, Seril. "Tall Fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) Cultivar Performance in the Central California Coastal Region." DigitalCommons@CalPoly, 2009. https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/237.
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Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) has long been known as a turfgrass that utilizes lower levels of inputs than most other cool season turfgrasses (Turgeon, 2005). In recent years, turf breeders have been selecting for cultivars of tall fescue that have finer leaf textures. As the use of tall fescue expands, consumers want to now what cultivar to use and how to manage it. This study looked at 18 tall fescue cultivars grown at two mowing heights of five and 10 centimeters and evaluated plant quality based on stand density, leaf texture, and genetic plant color. In the first year of the study, although there were some differences, there were no continual patterns that proved one cultivar to be better or worst than the others. Lower mowing heights generally had higher stand density ratings and fertilization affected genetic plant color, not mowing height. There was no difference in leaf texture between mowing heights.
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Hutton, Mark. "Only the Earth Remains: Exploring the Machine in Selected Lyric Poetry of Robinson Jeffers." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2017. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3322.
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In The Machine in the Garden: Technology and the Pastoral Idea in America, Leo Marx “evaluates the uses of the pastoral ideal in the interpretation of American experience” (Marx 4). While Marx explores ways that pastoralism has been impacted by factors such as industrialism, it is the purpose of this project to explore Marx’s assertion regarding the presence of the figurative and literal machine within the poetry of Robinson Jeffers.
Jeffers’ poetry is generally located within the landscapes of California. His lyric poetry has a distinct connection to the land and is driven by inhumanism, which works to shift the “emphasis and significance from man to not-man…” (Oelschlaeger 246). Jeffers’ machine like elements highlight the relationship between the natural world and humanity’s intrusion; in doing so, Jeffers furthers Marx’s supposition that American literature continues to be impacted by the machine, by “forces working against the dream of pastoral fulfillment” (Marx 358).
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Key, Heather Joann. "Tornado Fatalities: An In-Depth Look at Physical and Societal Influences." Scholar Commons, 2015. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5714.
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The purpose of this study is to model and determine significant predictors of tornado death index values, and to investigate these significant predictors and what makes people vulnerable to tornado fatalities through expert interviews. This study also provides an understanding of the study participant’s perceptions of their county’s vulnerability to tornado fatality and demonstrates a true integration of methods and fields by studying geographic, meteorological, and sociological phenomena by use of quantitative and qualitative methods. The study consists of two parts: 1) A quantitative exploration of variables hypothesized to predict Tornado Death Index (TDI) values, 2) A qualitative investigation to further understand what leads to higher tornado fatalities. For the quantitative portion of the study descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions were run on TDI values. It was predicted that several tornado characteristic, demographic, housing type and characteristic, religious, region, rural vs. urban, and potential casualty variables were significant predictors of TDI values. For the qualitative portion of the study a highest order emergency manager was interviewed, coding was done and themes, sub-themes, and categories emerged, and quotes that demonstrated the themes and categories were examined.
Overall, significant predictor variables of TDI are tornado frequency, tornado width, ages 35-44, percent born in the Northeast, percent rural housing units, and potential casualties. As tornado width, and percent of rural housing units increases TDI increases (positive relationship), whereas as tornado frequency, ages 35-44, being born in the Northeast, and potential casualty increases TDI decreases (negative relationship). In the interview, age, cultural beliefs, and mobility challenges were found to increase risk to tornado fatality. It was also suggested that differences in tornados may exist between the Midwest and the South in terms of tornado development, duration, and warning lead-times. Finally, vulnerability can be reduced by educating the public, and reaching out to vulnerable populations and their caregivers.
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Metzger, Lia Kimiko. "Inorganic Heavy Metals as Environmental Pollution Indicators in Rio Baru, Costa Rica." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2015. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/562.
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Pollution from industrial sources, such as leather tanneries, jewelry factories, car batteries, and construction refuse, has been linked to increased concentrations of toxic heavy metals in rivers in Costa Rica. This study focused on the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, and lead in sediment and water in Rio Baru, Costa Rica, which has not been previously studied. The concentrations in Rio Baru were compared to two controls and the Environmental Protection Agency toxicity limits to determine pollution levels. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was utilized to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in water and sediment samples from Rio Baru, Terciopelo, and Rio Tarcoles. Watershed analysis for Rio Baru was expected to reveal mostly agricultural sources of contaminants. Rio Baru was predicted to have levels of inorganic heavy metals between Rio Tarcoles and Terciopelo, with Tarcoles containing the highest levels. As, Cr, and Ni in Rio Baru were between unpolluted levels in Terciopelo and polluted levels in Rio Tarcoles, but Rio Baru had lower concentrations of Cu and Pb than both Rio Tarcoles and Terciopelo. Analysis of watersheds determined that Rio Baru’s watershed contained intermediate ratios of human development and agricultural sources of pollution. Further comparisons of watershed size with total dissolved sediment levels found a positive linear relationship, indicating a portion of differences in heavy metal concentrations were due to watershed sizes. Concentrations of heavy metals in Rio Baru’s water were below toxic limits for drinking water and placed Rio Baru within “good” sediment levels for As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb. As geochemistry and proximity to industrial sources was not accounted for in methodology, further research would be necessary for determination of natural concentrations of heavy metals in Rio Baru.
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David, Rebecca Brady. "What Makes Water Policy Sustainable? An Analysis of Water Policy in US Cities." Scholar Commons, 2017. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6647.
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This dissertation works to create a clearer understanding of sustainability in water policy. Current water policy in four US cities was compared to a matrix of recommended sustainability themes that have been presented in the literature to determine the extent of which these themes have been implemented into water policy. To best analyze policy for sustainability it is necessary to look at the policy of cities that are considered sustainable. This was determined by a city’s inclusion in “Most Sustainable US Cities” lists. The two cities that best represented sustainability were Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA. The research also included cities that are not considered leaders in sustainability but are similar in demographics, population, and state; these two cities are Fort Worth, TX and San Jose, CA. Finally, the same matrix was applied to the state policy to establish how state policy influences city sustainability.
The results of this study add to the current knowledge in this field as it contributes a current analysis of sustainable water policy. The final findings compile the themes into a sustainability pyramid framework of common, uncommon, and rare sustainability. It appears that the ‘sustainable’ cities have included more uncommon and rare themes than the traditional cities, while common themes are implemented across the board. Common themes are those that are traditionally associated with sustainability – themes like conservation, reuse, and reducing pollutant impact on water sources. In order increase sustainability, cities should apply more of the themes from the top of the pyramid.
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Rivera, Anamarie Elizabeth. "A Review of Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Use in an Urban Watershed." Scholar Commons, 2016. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6576.
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It is well established that converting wastewater, a point-source of pollution, into reclaimed water makes management of nutrients more difficult. Not all service lines measure the volume of reclaimed water used by a customer, and frequently there are no restrictions on the amount of reclaimed water that is used. Nutrients applied in excess have the potential to runoff or leach through soils and contaminate surface and groundwater resources. This research attempted to determine if corresponding surface water quality monitoring sites in reclaimed service areas reflect elevated total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) concentrations.
The Joe’s Creek Watershed in Pinellas County, FL is a highly urbanized watershed with one wastewater plant providing tertiary treatment for reclaimed water (Pinellas County Utilities Dept.) and another wastewater plant providing secondary treatment (City of St. Petersburg Water Resources Dept.). This research reviewed concentrations of TN and TP in the reclaimed water effluent for each wastewater treatment plant and at four tributary sites in the Joe’s Creek Watershed. One tributary site, Bonn Creek, is in the tertiary treated service area, another tributary site, Miles Creek, is in the secondary treated service area, and a third tributary, Joe’s Creek, provides two control sites which are both outside of reclaimed service areas.
Based on the results of comparisons and statistical analyses of the 6-year period, the TN and TP concentrations of reclaimed water from the City of St. Pete Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) far exceed those of the Pinellas County WWTP. The TN concentration in the reclaimed effluent from St. Pete was nine times higher than that of Pinellas County. The TP concentration was almost five times higher at St. Pete than Pinellas County. The sites within reclaimed service areas had higher concentrations of TN and TP when compared to the control sites for the same period. Miles Creek recorded the highest mean concentrations of TN and TP of the four monitoring sites. Bonn Creek recorded the second highest mean concentrations of TN and TP. Rainfall data were reviewed and results show that several monitoring dates for Miles Creek and Bonn Creek had elevated TN and TP concentrations which coincided with periods of rainfall deficit. These and other results of this research indicate a need to reconsider minimum wastewater treatment levels in urban environments in an effort to reduce nutrient pollution, as well as a need to expand watering restrictions and enforcement, and expand education of consumers about reclaimed water.
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Söderström, Felicia. "A CRITICAL REVIEW OF SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS WITHIN LAST MILE DELIVERY FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för biologisk grundutbildning, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-418542.
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E-commerce is a continuously growing business that has expanded over the recent years and more people are buying online instead of offline. With online shopping, the demand for home deliveries is increasing along with it. Last mile deliveries, which is the last part of the supply chain from business to customer, operate mainly in urban areas. Most deliveries use fossil fueled vehicles, and this is problematic for the environment, society and the economy. This leads to increasing congestion and air and noise pollution in the cities with serious effects on people and the planet. Sustainability projects within last mile delivery are very important to be able to reach a sustainable future and decrease the negative impacts of home deliveries. There are many projects done by companies, research facilities, local governments and other stakeholders to find better solutions. The present study of three sustainability projects within last mile delivery shows that it is very hard to estimate the sustainability performance within the last mile. This is because they have different starting points locally, are done for different types of deliveries and in different scales. If one would only look at the vehicle used for the projects, cargo bikes would have the least negative impact on the environment but to deliver in all scales and areas the conclusion is that one needs to look at different solutions. The study also shows that all projects are replicable in different areas, but some would require very large investments if replicated in other geographical areas.E-handel är en ständigt växande verksamhet som har expanderat under de senaste åren och fler handlar online istället för off-line. Med en ökad online shopping så ökar även efterfrågan på hemleveranser. Sista milen leveranser som är den sista delen av leveranskedjan är leveranser från företag till kund och är främst i stadsområden. De flesta leveranser använder fossila fordon och detta är problematiskt för miljön, samhället och ekonomin. Den ökande mängden leveranser ökar trängsel och luft- och bullerföroreningar i städerna som har allvarliga effekter på människor och planeten. Hållbarhetsprojekt inom sista milen leveranser är mycket viktiga för att kunna nå en hållbar framtid och minska de negativa effekterna av hemleveranser. Det finns många projekt som gjorts och görs av både företag, forskningsinstitut, kommuner och andra intressenter för att hitta bättre lösningar. Den nuvarande studien av tre hållbarhetsprojekt inom sista milen leveranser visar att det är mycket svårt att uppskatta hållbarhetsprestanda inom den sista milen. Det beror på att de har olika utgångspunkter lokalt, görs för olika typer av leveranser och i olika skalor. Om man enbart tittar på fordonet som används för projekten skulle last-cyklar ha minst negativ påverkan på miljön men för att leverera i alla skalor och områden är slutsatsen att man måste titta på olika lösningar. Studien visar också att alla projekt kan återskapas i olika områden, men vissa skulle kräva mycket stora investeringar om de ska återskapas i andra geografiska områden.
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Nordheim-Shelt, Barbara Ann. "Effects of Anthropogenic Activity on the Green Swamp Preserve Ecosystem." Scholar Commons, 2017. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6734.
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The Green Swamp Preserve is a large geographic area that has sustained many changes since Europeans settled in Florida. There has been little published research on the impacts of anthropogenic activity on this system. This thesis research seeks to document more recent changes in the Green Swamp and to evaluate the effects of various human activities on the system. The study period is from 1985 to 2015. For this time period changes in land use and landcover were examined using neural network classifications. Changes in vegetation health were evaluated by examining Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Green Vegetation Index differences. Field site visits were made to document current conditions at thirty sample locations within the study area. Changes in land use and landcover and vegetation health were evaluated in relation to anthropogenic activities such as proximity to pollution sources, conservation lands and restoration sites. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine if statistically significant clustering occurred in these changes and if present geographically weighted regressions were performed to determine if a significant spatial relationship existed between the clustering and the various human activities. WAP data showed an overall decline in wetland health at the assessment sites and showed a trend of lower wetland health at sites within 2 Km of pollution sources, specifically petroleum tank contamination sites and state roads. The statistically significant clustering identified in land use landcover changes from 1985 to 2015 were in relation to changes from field, forested and wetland landcover types to built environments. Spatial relationships were identified between the proximity of petroleum tank contamination sites, state roads and solid waste facilities and clustering of NDVI decreases from 1985 to 2015. NDVI increases in the study area from 1985 to 2015 also showed statistically significant clustering in relation to conservation lands and lands purchased by the Southwest Florida Water Management District for environmental protection. These preliminary findings suggest that human activities may have influenced changes in the health of the Green Swamp. Further, more extensive research is suggested to confirm these findings.
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Fair, Tabitha Nicole. "Faculty and Staff Perceptions of Interprofessional Education: A Comparative Survey of Dental and Health Science/Nursing Faculty and Staff." Diss., NSUWorks, 2017. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_hs_stuetd/6.
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Research has shown a strong correlation between oral and systemic disease; therefore, there is an increased need for collaboration between dental and medical professionals. The purpose of this study was to examine the current opportunities that exist for interprofessional education (IPE) at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the perceived need for IPE for dental and health science/nursing students, the perceived advantages of an IPE program, the features that should be included in an IPE program, and the perceived administrative and financial barriers to increased interprofessional activities. This study surveyed graduate faculty and staff from NSU’s College of Health Care Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, and College of Nursing regarding their views on IPE. The study used the Health Professions IPE Survey. Responses were factor analyzed, which revealed two dimensions: Positive IPE Perception and NSU IPE. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to IPE for dental, health science, and nursing students as evidenced by component one (Positive IPE Perception); however, there was a more negative perception about IPE at NSU as evidenced by component two (NSU IPE), possibly due to financial and administrative considerations. Factor analysis of this data legitimizes the need for future survey development. Future research should examine enablers for IPE by eliciting faculty feedback. Faculty reluctance to engage in IPE activities can be addressed by designing faculty development programs based on Adult Learning Theory (ALT) concepts. Future IPE program development will need to include adequate institutional support, funding, faculty development, and faculty involvement in planning.
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Savoie, Courtney Beth Young. "Arsenic Mobility and Compositional Variability in High-Silica Ash Flow Tuffs." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/1012.
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Volcanic rocks typically have only low to moderate arsenic concentrations, none-the-less, elevated levels of arsenic in ground waters have been associated with pyroclastic and volcaniclastic rocks and sediments in many parts of the world. The potential for arsenic leaching from these deposits is particularly problematic as they often comprise important water-bearing units in volcanic terrains. However, the role that chemical and mineralogical variations play in controlling the occurrence and mobility of arsenic from pyroclastic rocks is largely unexplored.
This study uses chemical and X-ray diffraction data to characterize and classify 49 samples of ash-flow tuffs, and 11 samples of tuffaceous sediments. The samples exhibit a range of devitrification and chemical weathering. Total and partial digestion, and water extractions of samples are used to determine the total, environmentally available, and readily leachable fractions of arsenic present in all tuff samples. Leaching experiments were also performed with buffered solutions to determine the influence of elevated pH levels on arsenic mobility.
The 49 tuff samples have a mean arsenic content of 7.5 mg kg-1, a geometric mean arsenic content of 4.8 mg kg-1, a median arsenic content of 5.2 mg kg-1, and a maximum arsenic concentration of 81 mg kg-1. The mean and median values are 2.8 - 4.4x the average crustal abundance of 1.7 mg kg-1 (Wedepohl, 1995), and consistent with previously reported values for volcanic glasses and felsic volcanic rocks (Onishi and Sandell, 1955; Wedepohl, 1995), although the maximum arsenic content is higher than previously reported (e.g., Casentini et al., 2010; Fiantis et al., 2010; Nobel et al., 2004). In addition, the arsenic concentrations of tuffs were found to be highly heterogenous, both between and within individual units, and in some cases, individual outcrops.
Results of whole rock and leachate analyses indicate that there is no significant difference in the total arsenic content of tuffs as a result of devitrification or weathering, but both devitrified and weathered tuffs contain higher levels of environmentally available arsenic than unweathered glassy tuffs. Glassy tuffs did not produce any readily leachable arsenic, while individual devitrified and weathered tuffs both generated aqueous concentrations that exceeded regulatory limits after 18 hours. Leaching of weathered tuffs produced higher levels of arsenic at high (~9-11) pH than in tests conducted at circum-neutral pH. Devitrified and glassy tuffs showed no increase in leachable arsenic with increasing pH.
The results of this study indicate that devitrification and weathering processes determine the host phases, degree of adsorption, and overall mobility of arsenic from ash-flow tuffs. Tuffs that have undergone different types of alteration are likely to have different host phases of arsenic, and different mechanisms that mobilize arsenic into the environment. Potential host phases and mobility mechanisms are discussed, and a conceptual model of arsenic behavior in ash-flow tuffs is proposed.
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Black, Julia. "Quantifying Carbonyl Sulfide and Other Sulfur-Containing Compounds Over the Santa Barbara Channel." Scholarship @ Claremont, 2017. http://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/998.
Full textAbstract:
Carbonyl sulfide (OCS) is emitted to the atmosphere through the outgassing of ocean surface waters. OCS is also the primary source of sulfur-containing compounds in the stratosphere and contributes to the formation of the stratospheric sulfate layer, an essential controller of the radiative balance of the atmosphere. During the 2016 Student Airborne Research Program (SARP), 15 whole air samples were collected on the NASA DC-8 aircraft over the Santa Barbara Channel. Five additional surface samples were taken at various locations along the Santa Barbara Channel. The samples were analyzed using gas chromatography in the Rowland-Blake lab at UC Irvine, and compounds associated with ocean emissions including OCS, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), carbon disulfide (CS2), bromoform (CHBr3), and methyl iodide (CH3I) were examined. Excluding OCS, the vertical distribution of marine tracers that were analyzed showed dilution with increasing altitude. For OCS, the surface samples all exhibited elevated concentrations of OCS in comparison to samples taken from the aircraft, with an average of 666 ± 26 pptv, whereas the average concentration of OCS in the aircraft samples was 581 ± 9 pptv. 2016 Surface samples were compared to surface samples from SARP campaigns between 2009-2015 taken near or within the 2016 study region. The 2009-2015 samples exhibited an average OCS concentration of 526 ± 8 pptv. It is evident that the 2016 surface samples measured higher concentrations of OCS than ever recorded during previous SARP campaigns and in comparison to global averages: 525 ± 17 pptv in the Northern hemisphere and 482 ± 13 pptv in the Southern hemisphere (Sturges et al., 2001). OCS emissions should be measured using surface samples if emission estimates from the ocean are to be evaluated since measurements from the aircraft (500 ft) are not sufficiently capturing surface concentrations. Additionally, OCS enhancements seen in 2016 had never before been detected by surface samples, revealing a potential phenomenon at work causing the elevation during this year’s campaign.
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Teama, Doaa Galal Mohammed. "A 30-Year Record of the Isotopic Composition of Atmospheric Methane." PDXScholar, 2013. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/642.
Full textAbstract:
Methane (CH4) is one of the most important greenhouse gases after water vapor and carbon dioxide due to its high concentration and global warming potential 25 times than that of CO2 (based on a 100 year time horizon). Its atmospheric concentration has more than doubled from the preindustrial era due to anthropogenic activities such as rice cultivation, biomass burning, and fossil fuel production. However, the rate of increase of atmospheric CH4 (or the growth rate) slowed from 1980 until present. The main reason for this trend is a slowdown in the trend of CH4 sources. Measuring stable isotopes of atmospheric CH4 can constrain changes of CH4 sources. The main goal of this work is to interpret the CH4 trend from 1978-2010 in terms of its sources using measurements of CH4 mixing ratio and its isotopes. The current work presents the measurements and analysis of CH4 and its isotopes (δ13C and δD) of four air archive sample sets collected by the Oregon Graduate Institute (OGI). CH4 isotope ratios (δ13C and δD) were measured by a continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometer technique developed at PSU. The first set is for Cape Meares, Oregon which is the oldest and longest set and spans 1977-1999. The integrity of this sample set was evaluated by comparing between our measured CH4 mixing ratio values with those measured values by OGI and was found to be stable. Resulting CH4 seasonal cycle was evaluated from the Cape Meares data. The CH4 seasonal cycle shows a broad maximum during October-April and a minimum between July and August. The seasonal cycles of δ13C and δD have maximum values in May for δ13C and in July for δD and minimum values between September-October for δ13C and in October for δD. These results indicate a CH4 source that is more enriched January-May (e.g. biomass burning) and a source that is more depleted August-October (e.g. microbial). In addition to Cape Meares, air archive sets were analyzed from: South Pole (SPO), Samoa (SMO), Mauna Loa (MLO) 1992-1996. The presented δD measurements are unique measured values during these time periods at these stations. To obtain the long-term in isotopic CH4 from 1978-2010, other datasets of Northern Hemisphere mid-latitude sites are included with Cape Meares. These sites are Olympic Peninsula, Washington; Montaña de Oro, California; and Niwot Ridge, Colorado. The seasonal cycles of CH4 and its isotopes from the composite dataset have the same phase and amplitudes as the Cape Meares site. CH4 growth rate shows a decrease over time 1978-2010 with three main spikes in 1992, 1998, and 2003 consistent with the literature from the global trend. CH4 lifetime is estimated to 9.7 yrs. The δ13C trend in the composite data shows a slow increase from 1978-1987, a more rapid rate of change 1987-2005, and a gradual depletion during 2005-2010. The δD trend in the composite data shows a gradual increase during 1978-2001 and decrease from 2001-2005. From these results, the global CH4 emissions are estimated and show a leveling off sources 1982-2010 with two large peak anomalies in 1998 and 2003. The global average δ13C and δD of CH4 sources are estimated from measured values. The results of these calculations indicate that there is more than one source which controls the decrease in the global CH4 trend. From 1982-2001, δ13C and δD of CH4 sources becomes more depleted due to a decrease in fossil and/or biomass burning sources relative to microbial sources. From 2005-2010, δ13C of CH4 sources returns to its 1981 value. There are two significant peaks in δ13C and δD of CH4 sources in 1998 and 2003 due to the wildfire emissions in boreal areas and in Europe.
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Barliaev, Aleftin. "Paleogeography and shore displacement of Eastern Gotland between 9.5 and 2.8 ka cal BP." Thesis, Stockholms universitet, Institutionen för naturgeografi, 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-149147.
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Located in the middle part of the Baltic, the island of Gotland underwent major environmental changes, associated with different stages of the development of the basin during the Holocene, and therefore represents a promising location for shore-displacement studies. This thesis is focused on a palaeohydrological evolution of the Lina Mire, central eastern part of Gotland, in the Middle Holocene and aims to reconstruct the timing and environment of the Littorina transgression. The research is based on a multi-proxy approach and carried out, applying lithostratigraphical, biostratigraphical (diatom analysis) and geochemical methods (XRF, organic and carbonate content) along with radiocarbon dating. The initiation of the Littorina transgression was constrained at 8.5 ka cal BP, however, probably proceeded by a hiatus. A two-folded pattern oft he maximum sub-phases is suggested. Acquired results fit well with previous studies on areas with the similar rate of apparent land uplift, suggesting an average rate of 2 mm/yr for the last 2.8 ka.I Tjelvars fotspår
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Weatherall, Ashley Marie. "Assessing Hurricane Preparedness Among Residential Staff at Louisiana State University: A Case Study on Hurricane Isaac." Scholar Commons, 2013. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/4608.
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Studying hurricane preparedness among the Resident Assistants (RAs) and Residence Life Coordinators (RLCs) at Louisiana State University (LSU) is imperative to assure that the university housing staff is fully equipped when faced with an oncoming threat. This study seeks to fill a gap in research by investigating the influences of preparedness on student housing employees. A survey was developed and the measures were found to be coherent and internally reliable through the use of factor analysis. Based on theory and previous literature, a linear regression model was developed that quantified the relationship between the independent variable of preparedness and general knowledge, past experience, preparation anxiety, threat anxiety, amount of time as a housing employee, amount of time living in Baton Rouge, location of primary address, gender, ethnicity, and car access. Only general knowledge and preparation anxiety were found to influence the preparedness construct significantly (at the 5 percent level). Demographic factors did not influence hurricane preparedness levels of housing staff employees. Results suggest that the university acts as a buffer to student populations from typical vulnerabilities that the regular population experiences in disaster scenarios. This research could be applicable to other university housing staff employees who work at a university that may be frequently impacted by hurricanes.
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Andersson, Hanna. "Bradoriids from the middle Cambrian 'thin' Stephen Formation at Odaray Mountain, Canadian Rocky Mountains." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-227540.
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Two new species of Cambrian bradoriid arthropods have been found in the ‘thin’ Stephen Formation, Odaray Mountain, Canada; the hipponicharionid Flumenoglacies michaeli n. sp. and the comptalutid Phasoia stephenensis n. sp. This paper includes the description and illustrations of these species as well as two undetermined species from the same locality. Phasoia stephenensis n. sp. is the first Phasoia reported from Laurentia and Flumenoglacies michaeli n. sp. belongs to the new genus Flumenoglacies recently described by Peel & Streng (in press) from Greenland. In the discussion previous reports of the genus Phasoia are ordered chronologically and a migration path from Gondwana to Laurentia is suggested. However, more information on the stratigraphic and regional distribution of this taxon is needed to support this theory since Phasoia is so far only known from Australia, South China and now North America. The ornamentation of Phasoia stephenensis n. sp. and Flumenoglacies michaeli n. sp. is discussed and compared with the ornamentation of the hipponicharion Pseudobeyrichona longquanxiensis (Cui 1987), the svealutid Tsunyiella Zhang (1974) and the cambriid Petrianna fulmenata Siveter (1995). It is suggested that it might be remnants of a respiratory system.
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Lundgren, Lisa, Karin Lindqvist, Simon Ene, Oskar Ahlstedt, Sandra Norberg, Olof Lood, and Maria Haglund. "Analys av vegetationen i brandområdena 2018." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-384451.
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Syftet med projektet var att analysera och kartlägga vilken typ av vegetation som brann under skogsbränderna sommaren 2018. Geografiskt informationssystem, GIS, nyttjades för att analysera den geografiska data som användes för att få fram vegetationsfördelningar i brandområdena. I analysen och kartläggningen användes Naturvårdsverkets öppna Nationella Marktäckedata tillsammans med Skogsstyrelsens dataset Ungefärligt brandområde. Marktäckedata är uppbyggd av olika klasser och representerar olika typer av information, exempelvis dominerande vegetationstyp. Genom arbetet i GIS togs det fram kartor över brandområdenas marktäckedata samt cirkeldiagram och tabeller med vegetationsfördelningar. Dessa analyserades för att hitta trender i vegetationens fördelning som förklarar skogsbrändernas spridning. Efter analysen kunde slutsatsen dras att det framförallt var barrskog som brann, där vegetationstypen tallskog utgjorde den största andelen. Samtidigt stod lövskog för en mycket liten del av vegetationsfördelningen i de sex största bränderna. Eftersom det generellt var lite lövskog i områdena kring skogsbränderna var det svårt att dra slutsatser kring huruvida lövskog är brandhämmande. Våtmarker verkar i vissa fall hindrat brandspridning men brann även de när det var torrt och varmt. I det initiala skedet i brandförloppet dominerade tallskog och temporärt ej skog såsom kalhyggen eller stormfällda områden, medan andra vegetationstyper involverades allt eftersom bränderna tog fart och spred sig.
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Nair, Sumit. "Stora Karlsö Tourism Sustainability Studies - A case study to understand & investigate impacts of water shortage and power outage on tourism." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för teknikvetenskaper, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-384670.
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Edberg, Elin. "Kartläggning av sulfidleror i Uppsala stad." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-192313.
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A large part of the center of the city of Uppsala is located on postglacial clay. This clay often contain sulfur, this in the form of sulfide, and thus it is generally called sulfide clay (or sulfidlera in Swedish). The amount of sulfide in the clay varies from location to location. When the sulfide-rich postglacial clay comes in contact with the air it oxidizes and can give rise to acid leachate and leaching of heavy metals that were bound to the sediments. The knowledge of this has made the interest of sulfide content in soils greater in recent years, this during for example excavations on building sites. The aim of this project is therefore to summarize and present data related to sulfiderich sediments in a perspicuous way, and thus make it easier to survey the measures that could be necessary to take into consideration for construction work in the city of Uppsala. A lot of the data is taken from the archive of Bjerking AB, but some of the information on sites with sulfide rich clay is taken from Miljökontoret. Using the computer program MapInfo, the locations with sulfide rich soils has been marked on a map of Uppsala and additional information about for instance layering, NNP and pH is connected to these markings, though this is only viewable together with the map in a program supporting the “.tab” file format.Uppsala stad ligger till stor del på postglacial lera. Denna lera innehåller ofta svavel i form av sulfid och brukar kallas ”sulfidlera”. Lerans sulfidhalt varierar från lokal till lokal. När den sulfidhaltiga postglaciala leran kommer i kontakt med luft oxiderar den och kan då ge upphov till surt lakvatten och urlakning av tungmetaller som är bundna i sedimenten. Vetskapen om detta har gjort att man på senare år börjat intressera sig mer för markens sulfidhalt vid exempelvis schaktning. Syftet med detta arbete att på ett enkelt sätt sammanställa data relaterade till sulfidhaltiga sediment och på så vis ge en överblick över vilka åtgärder som skulle behöva vidtas vid byggnation i Uppsala stad. Mycket data är taget från Bjerking AB's arkiv men också enstaka uppgifter om sulfidlera hämtade från Miljökontoret har använts. Med hjälp av programmet MapInfo har de platser, där sulfidhaltiga sediment hittats, märkts ut på en karta över Uppsala och information om bland annat lagerföljd, NNP och pH har kopplats till dessa punkter.
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Nyberg, Andreas. "Adsorption av cesium på krossad granit - en faktor inför slutförvaret av kärnbränsle." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskap, 1997. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-391686.
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Sedan några år tillbaks utvecklas vid Institutionen för geovetenskap, sedimentologi, Uppsala Universitet en modell för att simulera transportförloppet av radionuklider vid ett eventuellt läckage av kärnbränsleavfall deponerat långt nere i berggrunden. Som en viktig del av transportförloppet ingår adsorption av cesiumjoner på bergets sprickväggar. Adsorptionsprocessen har i detta examensarbete studerats genom att blanda varierande koncentrationer av granitpartiklar från olika fraktioner med cesiumkontaminerat grundvatten. Koncentrationen av cesiumjoner mättes m h a en gammaräknare tills jämvikt mellan de adsorberade och de lösta jonerna infann sig. Adsorptionen karakteriserades beroende på partikelstorleken av en enstegskinetik eller en tvåstegskinetik. Tvåstegsadsorptionen är en följd av att större partiklar innehåller betydligt fler mikrosprickor än vad de mindre partiklarna gör. Resultaten utvärderades m a p dels distributionskoefficienten kd och dels reaktionskonstanten kr. Anpassningen av kd-värdena gav ett mycket bra resultat med ett R2-värde över 0,99 medan anpassningen av kr inte alls var lika bra (R2 ≈ 0.36), vilket antas bero på att uttrycket för nettoadsorptionen G är felaktigt.Over the last few years, a model that simulates the transport of radionuclides in fractured rock has been developed at the Department of Earth Sciences/Sedimentology, Uppsala University, Sweden. The aim has been to predict the outcome of a possible leak from deposits of nuclear waste fuel in deep bedrock. The adsorption of cesium ions at the fractures is an important part of the transport mechanism. This study has attempted to explore the adsorption kinetics of cesium ions at the surface of granite particles. A certain amount of cesium was mixed with synthetic groundwater along with different fractions and amounts of clean granite particles. The concentration of cesium in the liquid was frequently measured in order to estimate the change in cesium adsorption with time. The measurements were carried out until an equilibrium between adsorbed and solute ions was achieved. Depending on the size of the particles, the adsorption was characterized by either a one- or a two step kinetics. The reason for this was that larger particles contain micro fractures which affect the adsorption curve. The results were evaluated from the estimated values of the distribution coefficient kd and the reactivity coefficient kr. A model that evaluates the available surface of the rock gave very good results for the kd-values with a R2-value above 0.99. The fitting of kr was not by near equally good (R2 ≈ 0.36), and this is assumed to depend on an incorrect expression of the net adsorption G.
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Harrington, Justin L. "Characteristics of Ungulate Behavior and Mortality Associated with Wire Fences." DigitalCommons@USU, 2005. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6610.
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I studied the characteristics of fence mortality in pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), and elk (Cervus elaphus) along roads in Colorado and Utah from June 2004 to June 2005. I defined a direct-fence mortality as a carcass caught directly in a fence and an indirect-fence mortality as a carcass on the ground within 10 m of a fence. I estimated an average annual direct mortality occurrence of 0.25 mortalities/km (0.078 mule deer mortalities/km, 0.113 pronghorn mortalities/km, and 0.061 elk mortalities/km). The highest fence-mortality rates for ungulates occurred during August, which coincided with weaning of fawns on my study area. Mule deer and pronghorn both jumped fences in >81% of observed crossings and did not differ in their crossing methods (P = 0.37). Getting caught between the top 2 wires was the leading cause of death for fence mortalities. Mule deer suffered higher fence-mortality rates than elk or pronghorn because they crossed fences more frequently and fed in the right-of-way of the road more often (P < 0.001). Juveniles were 8 times more likely to die in fences than adults. Woven-wire fence types were more lethal to ungulates (especially juveniles) than other fence types (P < 0.001). Woven wire with a single strand of barbed wire above it was significantly more lethal to ungulates than woven wire with 2 strands of barbed wire above it, or 4-strand barbed-wire fence (P < 0.001). There was a direct relationship between the frequency of fence-mortalities and ungulate abundance (P < 0.001 ). Traffic volumes had an inverse relationship with fence mortality frequencies (P < 0.001) and ungulate densities along the right-of-way (P < 0.001). Indirect mortality (i.e., carcasses within 10 m of fences) composed 66% of fence-related mortality, whereas direct-fence mortality (i.e., carcasses in fences) composed a mere 33%. Additionally, indirect-fence mortality was found to be greater along woven-wire fences, when compared to barbed-wire fence types (P = 0.003).
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Klemm, Maria. "Economic Feasibility of Wind Turbine's Anti-Icing Systems Development and application of a simple heuristic method and tool." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-305278.
Full textAbstract:
Wind energy projects in cold climate areas are more and more favoured due to the presence of high wind potential and the availability of land in those areas. A serious problem, however, is the impact of icing on the wind turbine and on the energy production. The main objective of this Thesis is to present the available options for mitigating the risks of wind turbines’ blade icing and to evaluate the investment of the wind turbines’ anti-icing systems. To this end, a heuristic algorithmic method has been developed as well as a simple computational tool in order to assess the economic feasibility of anti-icing systems. The method has subsequently been applied in three case studies and relevant conclusions have been drawn Initially a literature review has been conducted that encompassed issues like the direct and indirect impacts of icing on wind turbines (reduced yield, increased loads and noise emission, health and safety risks, etc.), the difficulties of estimating icing formulation and icing production losses and the anti-icing and de-icing systems and their functionality, advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, the heuristic algorithmic method has been developed which is based on estimating the energy production of a wind turbine for three scenarios - with no icing occurring, with icing but without any anti- and de-icing system installed and with an anti-icing system installed – followed by a sensitivity analysis of the economic performance parameter, the simple pay-back period. The method has been accommodated in a simple computational excel-based tool and has been applied to three case studies located in the north Norway, in central Sweden and in south Finland. The production losses related to icing are in the expected ranges typical for the geographic location and so is the economic performance parameter which indicate that the investment in an anti-icing system is recommended for the three case studies. Results showed that the wind resources, the electricity export price and the annual icing hours are the parameters that determine the feasibility of an anti-icing system for a wind farm project. Wind energy projects in cold climate areas are more and more favoured due to the presence of high wind potential and the availability of land in those areas. A serious problem, however, is the impact of icing on the wind turbine and on the energy production. The main objective of this Thesis is to present the available options for mitigating the risks of wind turbines’ blade icing and to evaluate the investment of the wind turbines’ anti-icing systems. To this end, a heuristic algorithmic method has been developed as well as a simple computational tool in order to assess the economic feasibility of anti-icing systems. The method has subsequently been applied in three case studies and relevant conclusions have been drawn Initially a literature review has been conducted that encompassed issues like the direct and indirect impacts of icing on wind turbines (reduced yield, increased loads and noise emission, health and safety risks, etc.), the difficulties of estimating icing formulation and icing production losses and the anti-icing and de-icing systems and their functionality, advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, the heuristic algorithmic method has been developed which is based on estimating the energy production of a wind turbine for three scenarios - with no icing occurring, with icing but without any anti- and de-icing system installed and with an anti-icing system installed – followed by a sensitivity analysis of the economic performance parameter, the simple pay-back period. The method has been accommodated in a simple computational excel-based tool and has been applied to three case studies located in the north Norway, in central Sweden and in south Finland. The production losses related to icing are in the expected ranges typical for the geographic location and so is the economic performance parameter which indicate that the investment in an anti-icing system is recommended for the three case studies. Results showed that the wind resources, the electricity export price and the annual icing hours are the parameters that determine the feasibility of an anti-icing system for a wind farm project.
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Marquit, Joshua D. "Threat Perception as a Determinant of Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Public Involvement in Air Pollution Abatement in Cache Valley, Utah." DigitalCommons@USU, 2008. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/188.
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Threat perception related to environmental issues such as air pollution may be a determinant of pro-environmental behaviors. Among the potential threats of air pollution, include the perceived impacts on the psychological, social, and economic wellbeing of a community. Because of rapid increases in population growth, urbanization, and the mountainous landscapes, the American West is extremely susceptible to the adverse impacts of air pollution. A secondary data analysis was conducted using data from the Air Quality Perception Survey conducted in Cache County, Utah. The survey focused on the public perception of air pollution in Cache County and perceived impact on personal and community life. From a sample of 289 returned surveys, the data were examined to determine the possible link between threat perception and the decision to engage in specific pro-environmental and avoidance behaviors. The analysis found that threat perception predicted some pro-environmental and avoidance behaviors.