Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Delaware River'

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2003.<br>Thesis research directed by: Marine, Estuarine, Environmental Sciences Graduate Program. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

The interaction between coastal aquifers and estuaries governs many important ecological and water quality processes. The purpose of this research is to use distributed temperature sensing (DTS) in the Indian River Bay estuary, Delaware, to detect differences in variance and mean of temperature at the sediment-water interface. DTS uses the scatter of laser light in a fibre optic cable as a means to repeatedly measure temperature to 0.1˚C at 1m intervals along the length of the cable. Low variances in temperature are interpreted as being the result of the moderating thermal influence of groundwater discharge. From September 16 to 19 2011, two kilometres of DTS cable were deployed in the near shore environment of Holts Landing State Park. Variance increases with distance from shore as the power function s2=-33.63(d ( 1.012)) + 2.685 (r2=0.78). Narrow zones with significantly lower temperature variances (Kruskal-Wallis with Tukey's HSD, p<0.05) and means (Friedman with Tukey's HSD, p<0.05) than adjoining zones exist within the near shore area. Zones of high variance at the western and eastern edges of the study site are associated with ancient shallow peat-filled valleys capped with fine sediments. A broad zone of low variance next to the western valley is interpreted to imply that over-pressured fresh groundwater is discharging at the paleo-valley margins, creating a pattern of submarine groundwater discharge which differs from existing models. An attempt to use diurnal temperature signal amplitudes at various sediment depths to calculate vertical porewater flux were unsuccessful, likely due to rapidly-rising temperatures, interference between tidal and diurnal signals, and a short measurement period. DTS appears to hold promise in detecting temperature patterns simultaneously across different scales, and can be used to rapidly fill in gaps of knowledge in hydrogeologic systems.<br>Les interactions entre les aquifères côtiers et les estuaires régissent beaucoup de processus écologiques importants qui ont des implications sur la qualité de l'eau souterraine et marine. La compréhension de la nature et de l'ampleur de ces interactions est devenu un foyer de recherches, facilité par des avances récentes dans notre capacité de détecter la décharge submersible d'eaux souterraines. Cette étude emploie la détection distribuée de température (DDT) dans l'estuaire de la baie Indian River, sur la côte du Delaware, afin de détecter des différences dans la variance et la moyenne de la température des eaux à l'interface entre la baie et le sédiment dans la zone près du rivage du parc Holts Landing. Des variances basses sont interprétées comme étant le résultat de l'influence de modération des eaux souterraines, compatible avec les autres études, et le fait que les zones peu profondes près du rivage, qui devraient éprouver plus de variation de la température que des zones plus profondes, sont au contraire plus stables. La variance augmente avec la distance du rivage à mesure que la fonction s2=-33.63 (d(- 1.012)) +2.685 (r2=0.78). Près du rivage, il y a des endroits étroits avec des variances (Kruskal-Wallis avec Tukey's HSD, p<0.05) et moyens (Friedman avec Tukey's HSD, p<0.05) sensiblement plus basse que leurs zones proximales. Des zones de la variance élevée aux bords a l'ouest et l'est de l'emplacement d'étude sont associées aux anciennes vallées peu profondes remplies de la tourbe et maintenant couvertes avec les sédiments fins. Une large bande de bas désaccord à côté de la vallée occidentale implique que les eaux souterraines fraîches sosu pression élevée coulent aux marges de la vallée, créant un modèle du SGD qui n'équipe pas des modèles précédents. Une tentative d'employer des amplitudes de signal de la température à de diverses profondeurs de sédiment pour calculer le flux vertical d'eau interstitielle a échoué, probablement en raison des temperatures croissantes, interférence entre les signaux de la marée et diurne, et une période d'échantillon courte. DDT semble tenir la promesse en détectant des tendences de la température à travers différentes gammes simultanément, et peut être employé pour trouver les pieces manquantes de la connaissance des systèmes hydrogéologiques.

Water quality parameters including ammonia, nitrate+nitrite, phosphate, total suspended solids, Escherichia coli, and dissolved oxygen were statistically evaluated from sampling data collected by the Bureau of Water Quality (City of Muncie, Indiana) at five sampling locations in Delaware County over a five-year period (2002-2006). These data were also compared with water quality standards/guidelines to determine how sample values compared to acceptable levels of these parameters. Friedman's non-parametric test was used to study the differences between sites and seasons. Spearman's Rank Correlation was used to study the correlations between water quality parameters at each sampling site. Significant differences were observed for individual parameters when evaluated relative to sampling location based on pooled monthly collected data as well as data evaluated on a seasonal basis. These differences indicated the fact that different sources were responsible for observed concentrations at a particular location and that seasonal phenomenon such as precipitation, discharge and temperature also affected sample concentrations at individual sampling locations. Most notable were differences in geometric mean concentrations of ammonia, nitrate+nitrite, phosphate and E. coli upstream and downstream of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), with highest concentrations downstream, indicating the significant impact of the WWTP on water quality in the White River. Significant correlations observed among some study parameters suggested that sample concentrations may have been affected by similar sources. In comparison to water quality standards, concentrations of ammonia, nitrate+nitrite, phosphate, and E. coli were at unacceptable levels at most sampling locations.<br>Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

When they resided along the White River in Indiana from 1790 to 1821, the Lenape culture exhibited a blend of traits created by contact with European and other Native American groups. This has made observing the Lenape culture archaeologically problematic, especially the village of Wapicomekoke. In searching for this site, several research questions were addressed including who the Lenape were during this time period and what type of material culture would be associated with them. By compiling a brief history of the Lenape, the archaeological evidence associated with these encounters, and ethnohistoric data pertaining to the life of the Lenape at Wapicomekoke, it can be predicted that the archaeological site associated with this historic location would show evidence of log cabins, a large central longhouse, and of daily activities such as food preparation, dress, and trade goods use as well as Lenape specific items such as the “Delaware dolls.”<br>Theory and methods -- The Lenape history of contact -- Lenape archaeology -- Settlement patterns and material life -- The Lenape in Indiana, synthesizing the data -- Historic Lenape.<br>Department of Anthropology

Estuaries are important sites of organic matter (OM) transformation, exchange, and burial but remain one of the least understood regions in the global carbon cycle. The carbon cycle within these regions is complex due to strong gradients in biological and physical processes, and increasing anthropogenic impacts. This is further complicated by the many sources of particulate and dissolved organic matter (OM) in estuaries, including materials derived from terrestrial and anthropogenic sources as well as aquatic and marine primary production. This study combined lipid biomarker analyses with stable and radiocarbon signatures of lipids and source-specific biomarkers to better understand the sources and aging of OM in Delaware River and Bay, a model estuarine system. The lipid composition of particulate organic matter (POM, > 0.7 μm) and ultrafiltered dissolved organic matter (UDOM, 1kDa – 0.1 μm) was investigated along the salinity gradient in the Delaware River and Bay during five separate cruises. Sources of OM associated with POM and UDOM were examined using chlorophyll a, C:N ratios, stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C and δ15N), total lipid extracts, and fatty acid (FA) biomarker compounds. Multiple hierarchical models explored which environmental characteristics were the primary drivers of POM and UDOM composition. These models revealed that chlorophyll a, POC, and TSS influenced POM sources and composition along the estuary, while a variety of drivers influence UDOM composition. Stable carbon (δ13C) and radiocarbon (Δ14C) measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon, bulk particulate organic carbon (OC), and neutral and polar lipids from particulate organic matter (TLEPOM) and ultrafiltered dissolved organic matter (TLEUDOM) were measured in order to gain insights about the source and age distribution of lipids along the Delaware River and Bay. Overall, Δ14C values for neutral TLE were more depleted (i.e., had “older” radiocarbon ages) than polar TLE. Radiocarbon ages for neutral TLEPOM were younger than neutral TLEUDOM by approximately 10,000 YBP, while polar TLEPOM and polar TLEUDOM were similar in age. Using a 14C isotope mass balance, changes in contributions of modern and fossil OC were quantified along the estuary for TLEPOM and in TLEUDOM. Complementary to determining the radiocarbon ages of different lipid classes, this study was the first to apply compound specific radiocarbon analyses to fatty acids (FA) associated with estuarine POM. Δ14C values indicate that the ages of terrestrial and algal FA change along the estuary. Terrestrial FA increased in age along the estuary due to downstream sources, while algal FA became “younger” along the estuary due to contributions from autochthonous sources. FA biomarker and radiocarbon analyses revealed changing composition of OM along the Delaware River and Bay: (1) older, terrestrial sources of OM characterized riverine OM, (2) the ETM was a location of shifting sources and introduction of “older” POC, and (3) the bay was dominated by younger, marine sources of OM. Lipid age was not based on within estuary processes but on the delivery of “aged” OM from the watershed and along-estuary mixing of different sources. Overall, this study provided new insights about the sources and ages of OM along the estuarine salinity gradient and the complex processes by which they are controlled.

Anthropology<br>M.A.<br>Trade and exchange of Steatite in the Susquehanna and Delaware river watersheds becomes more visible in the archaeological record approximately 3000 BC. This study will examine procurement and consumption of steatite bowls within the above watersheds of Pennsylvania between 3000 BC to 750 BC. Looking at the distribution of steatite sites in comparison to the distance from the quarry locations has enabled us to examine the trade and exchange model being utilized to acquire this material. The two models that are applicable to this region are direct procurement and down-the-line. Direct-procurement and down-the-line trade have distinct distribution drop-off patterns from the source. Using spatial analysis the distribution drop-off patterns from preferred steatite sources were examined. The data shows that steatite, a valued resource, was directly procured by a small number of groups within the watersheds examined.<br>Temple University--Theses

The natures of two contiguous worlds in a dramatic symbiosis inspire a singular expression for the two. The moving, highly energetic, brought to order through regulation; not abruptly, but sensitively, through dynamic forms and moving interactions. Land joins water and forms a critical edge that through the mechanism of change is never fully determined. A moving contour presents a foil to the more orderly, precise nature of man-made construction. A building manifests itself as a bridge that unites the realms of land and water. The orderly progression of structural piles assumes power against the backdrop of an unordered field. Suspended pathways traverse the field, uniting the realms and organizing the waterfront. It is the nature of connection: the union of two made possible by a third. Beyond the connection implied of two contiguous realms, a larger order poses its question. What is the sense of belonging; the intimate connection; belonging to and of this place? Validation extends from referencing the immediate site and surrounding area. Perceived and associative images, as well as indigenous forces inform the design and help determine the forms and manner of execution. The exigencies of the site provide the framework for expression. From the Poetics of Gardens: "Sometimes the most poignant qualities of site come not from what is actually there but from what is connected to it through time and space, by our recollections and hopes." An Oceanographic Research Facility, derived from forces and forms indigenous to the coastal milieu, emerges as a platform to experience Land and Sea and by definition, unified: joined in a common sense or relationship.<br>Master of Architecture

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2004.<br>Thesis research directed by: Dept. of Animal and Avian Sciences. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

History<br>M.A.<br>This thesis tells the previously untold story of how environmental activists in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in the 1980s waged a nearly decade-long and ultimately losing battle against a plan to pump water from the free-flowing Delaware River. As a case study of grassroots community activism during the presidential administration of Ronald Reagan, the struggle known locally as “Dump the Pump” and spearheaded by a nonprofit organization called Del-AWARE supports and provides a regional take on recent scholarship that has illuminated the vibrant underlying dynamics of local civic engagement occurring amid the overshadowing political conservatism of the Reagan years. Also a case study in public history, this thesis demonstrates how collective historical memory fueled not only Del-AWARE’s protracted struggle, but its enduring legacy in public policy and community life. It concludes with suggestions for preserving the history of Del-AWARE before it is lost forever.<br>Temple University--Theses

Five darter species were collected from streams and rivers in two Indiana counties to determine patterns of microhabitat selection. Selection was based on three microhabitat variables and included flow (velocity), depth, and substrate. A Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index (QHEI) was also performed at each sampling location to differentiate the habitat quality at each site. Darters were segregated from one or more species present and overlap between species was observed. Specifically, greenside and rainbow darters used intermediate substrate in higher flows and depths relative to fantail, johnny, and orangethroat darters. Fantail and orangethroat darters were found among intermediate-large substrate sizes in reduced flow and depth. Johnny darters preferred small-intermediate substrate in greater depths and lowered flow. Microhabitat use is often driven by competition for food and space.<br>Department of Biology