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Articles 1 - 6 of 6
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Ecological Profiling Of Bird-Mosquito Interactions In Central Virginia, Anna Riggan
Ecological Profiling Of Bird-Mosquito Interactions In Central Virginia, Anna Riggan
Theses and Dissertations
Current methods of mosquito surveillance estimate general population abundances, but fail to represent the relationship of vector abundance to host density important to determining transmission risk of mosquito-borne pathogens (MBP). We sought to address this limitation by creating a novel mosquito trap that directly sampled mosquitoes seeking to feed on nesting birds. The primary objectives of this study were to (1) assess the efficiency of the Nest Mosquito Trap (NMT) and how this is affected by nest box size. (2) assess whether the NMT affects bird, specifically nest success in Prothonotary Warblers (Protonotaria citrea), and adult behavior. (3) compare our …
Growth Of Age-0 Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia Tyrannus) In Two Tidal Freshwater Tributaries Of Chesapeake Bay, Peter M. Sturke
Growth Of Age-0 Atlantic Menhaden (Brevoortia Tyrannus) In Two Tidal Freshwater Tributaries Of Chesapeake Bay, Peter M. Sturke
Theses and Dissertations
Few studies have described growth rates of age-0 Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus). Growth rates from tidal freshwater habitats of the Mattaponi and James Rivers, Virginia in 2009 were described and compared using otolith microstructural analyses. Larval tidal freshwater growth rates were significantly faster in the culturally eutrophic James River when compared to those collected from the Mattaponi River (p-value < 0.001). Elevated primary production within tidal freshwater habitats promotes favorable conditions for larval Atlantic menhaden growth. No differences between river habitats for juvenile growth rates were evident. Comparisons of age-0 growth rates to higher salinity habitats indicate that tidal freshwater habitats should be considered essential habitat for age-0 Atlantic menhaden.
Microbial Community Function In Freshwater Wetland Soils: Using Extracellular Enzyme Analysis To Study The Effect Of Moisture And Vegetation, Aaron Porter
Theses and Dissertations
Differences in microbial function via extracellular enzyme activity (EEA) were investigated to determine the potential effects of hydrology and plant-soil-microbe interactions in a young non-tidal freshwater riparian wetland. To study these relationships, three plots were established along a moisture gradient (Wet, Intermediate, Dry) within VCU Rice Center Within each main plot, five subplots were left undisturbed while another five were cleared of all above-ground plant biomass. Homogenized soil cores (top 10 cm) were analyzed for pH, redox, C:N, soil organic matter (SOM) content, saturation, and temperature. Microbial function was assessed using extracellular enzyme analysis. For most enzymes, a site difference …
The Superfund Program Past And Present Funding Implications, Nicole Franklin
The Superfund Program Past And Present Funding Implications, Nicole Franklin
Theses and Dissertations
The present research examines the impact of not reauthorizing the Superfund taxes on the operations of the program. EPA NPL site status data were obtained from the EPA CERCLIS database for analysis in this study. Data were selected for the fiscal years 1981 to 2009 in four NPL listing status categories: proposal to the NPL, final NPL listing, deletion from the NPL, and achievement of construction completion. Since the Superfund tax expired in 1995, data from the 1981 to 1995 fiscal years and data from the 1996 to 2009 fiscal years were analyzed to determine if there were mean differences …
Cumulative Risks To Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea Virginica In The James River, Va, Vrushali Lele
Cumulative Risks To Eastern Oysters, Crassostrea Virginica In The James River, Va, Vrushali Lele
Theses and Dissertations
In an effort to apply Cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA) as developed by the U.S. EPA, the present study investigates the cumulative risks to Eastern oysters due to multiple stressors such as salinity, temperature and oxygen and carbon dioxide. I also compared the effectiveness of the Hazard Quotient Method (HQ) in CRA. Ambient conditions in the James River, VA were obtained from the Virginia DEQ database and respiratory responses were estimated using values from the literature. The multiple environmental stresses are evaluated using a probabilistic analysis that combines the environmental conditions. It was concluded that salinity was the most influential stressor …
Phytoremediation Of Pcb Contaminated Soil: Effectiveness And Regulatory Policy, Nathan Pinsker
Phytoremediation Of Pcb Contaminated Soil: Effectiveness And Regulatory Policy, Nathan Pinsker
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this paper was to combine available peer-reviewed literature on PCB phytoremediation and make direct comparisons using ANCOVA statistics in order to determine if and what plants are presently a viable option for the remediation of PCB contaminated soils. Pumpkin (Curbita pepo cv Howden) consistently had the top root and shoot concentrations, as well as total plant accumulation. Their consistency shows that they can be reliable in the field and the most viable option. Tall fescue and sedge were also top contenders. Due to the small sample size for many plants and accounting for several confounding variables, very …