Digital Commons Network^™

From Waste To Energy: The Electrochemical Reduction Of Co2 Using Recycled Nanostructured Catalysts, Ibrahim Badawy

Theses and Dissertations

The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂RR) using electrochemistry is a promising solution for the burgeoning global energy crisis. The overall vision of its implementation relies on renewable energy sources to power the reaction creating carbon neutral products and effectively closing the carbon cycle. Research in this field has come a long way since its inception in the mid-1900s. However, there remain significant hurdles and important considerations to overcome in order to reach full commercialization. Most electrocatalysts tested for CO₂RR have been designed solely for maximum performance while ignoring the environmental consequences if such a material were …

Potential Control Of Invasive Mesquite Through Improving The Consumer’S Understanding Of Liquid Smoke Applications., Seth W. Ellsworth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mesquite trees continue to invade forests and range lands in many countries across the world. The cost to remove these trees is staggering. In Texas, landowners spent $25 million over a 10- year period to clear 300,000 ha of mesquite trees, a fraction of the 22 million ha of Texas land affected by this invasion. Estimates are that the mesquite continues to negatively impact one to two percent of additional land in selected counties each year in Texas. However, the problem is not unique to Texas, but rather to the 44 species of mesquite trees, belonging to the genus Prosopis …

Mapping Past Land Use Changes And Modeling Future Urbanization Patterns In A Mid-Sized American City, Duncan P. Mccurry

Masters Theses

On a global scale, humans have been moving from rural to urban areas at an increasingly fast rate in a process called urbanization. It is crucial to understand and predict the impacts of urbanization because city expansion encroaches on farmland and woodland, reducing regional ecosystem services. Therefore, urbanization must be well planned in a forecasting manner. The objective of this study is to map the land use change in Knox County, Tennessee, from 2001-2019 to identify the urbanization trends and understand the dynamic geospatial relationships between the urban and rural areas. The geospatial mapping was done using USGS land use …

Probabilistic Network Analysis Of Social-Ecological Relationships Emerging From Eu Life Projects For Nature And Biodiversity: An Application Of Ergm Models In The Case Study Of The Veneto Region (Italy), Elena Andriollo, Laura Secco, Alberto Caimo, Elena Pisani

Articles

Considering social-ecological relationships in managing protected areas is fundamental to ensuring effective biodiversity conservation and restoration governance. Network analysis offers valuable methods to disentangle intangible relations between and within the social and ecological systems. In this way, it could be possible to identify and integrate multiple social and ecological variables that inevitably affect collaborative environmental governance's effectiveness. Nevertheless, this research area is still nascent, with few methodologies and concrete applications reported in the scientific literature. With this study, we aim to propose a robust novel application of a network methodology to enrich the evaluation of the effectiveness of collaborative environmental …

Winter Dynamics Of Storm Water Management Ponds And Winter Tolerance In Three Aquatic Plant Species, Patrick Strzalkowski

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The vast majority of the research into the performance of stormwater management ponds (SWMPs) has been performed in warm regions or during the warmer seasons in temperate regions. It is presumed that SWMPs are inactive in the winter as any potential stormwater is trapped in snow and ice. The main goal of this thesis was to test this presumption and to study the dynamics and performance of three SWMPs during the winter. Remote water level loggers were installed into the three SWMPs and daily grab samples from the influents and effluents were taken and analyzed for total phosphorus (TP), chloride, …

Highlighting The Disconnect Between Legislation And Sustainable Cannabis, Johnathon A. Macias

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Current legislation takes little regard for two major issues challenging the cannabis industry. The carbon footprint and legislation of cannabis are looked at where it is realized that neither is currently sustainable long-term. Solutions that require social responsibility from the legislation to preserve the culture and industry are delved into.

Desertification Risk Analysis For Wildlife In The Desert Renewable Energy Conversation Plan Area Of California, Serdar Sagdic

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Desertification is one of the primary threats facing the sustainability of the Earths’s natural resources. Desertification it is an outcome of human impacts to ecosystems and alterations of climate patterns resulting in land degradation and adverse effect on natural resources, vegetation loss, soil infertility, and water scarcity. These changes influence the existence and distribution of wildlife by reducing the availability and quality of habitat that provides food, water, cover, and other life requisites. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluation of potential desertification risks on wildlife species in the Desert Renewable Energy and Conservation Plan (DRECP) area of California.

The DRECP …

Esg Investing: From Fad To Force, Erin Cullen

Senior Theses

ESG Investing is the application of environmental, social, and governance factors to identify material investment risks and growth opportunities. Though traditionally viewed as non-financial factors, this paper asserts that ESG factors are indeed financially material. This work first surveys the current state of ESG Investing, its shortcomings, and its success despite these inherent issues. Section II adds a new perspective to ESG research by examining the applications of ESG scores in portfolio management. The study conducts t-tests to answer whether the typical holdings of an ESG mutual fund are more sustainable than those of traditional funds. The paper then focuses …

Factors Affecting The Catch And Harvest Rates Of Paddlefish Downstream Of Gavins Point Dam, South Dakota, 2000–2020, William J. Radigan, Seth Fopma, Jason Sorensen, Christopher M. Longhenry

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula (Walbaum), provide an important snagging and bowfishing fishery below Gavins Point Dam in South Dakota. During 2009–2020, snagging catch rates of paddlefish decreased below Gavins Point Dam to presumed “normal” lower pre-2004 levels, while bowfishing catch (harvest) rates significantly increased during 2000–2020. Because Paddlefish are highly migratory, both local (i.e., monthly gauge height, precipitation, and air temperature near Gavins Point Dam) and remote (difference in Mississippi and Missouri River discharge near their confluence) environmental conditions were used to explain variation in snagging catch rates and bowfishing harvest rates. Snagging catch rates were related to October gauge height, …

The Effects Of Environmental Copper Exposure On The Behavior And Morphology Of Developing Zebrafish, Christina Kaucic

The Journal of Purdue Undergraduate Research

No abstract provided.

Manufacturing: The Qualitative Study Of A Transition To A Green Facility, Brandon David Staves

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This qualitative study focused on answering three core questions: How have facilities reduce pollutions in regards to the quality of air, water, land, light and noise? Which Types of pollution reduction projects are more or less successful to implement? What types of pollution are facilities focusing on and why? The results of the 15 companies surveyed show a variety of projects that facilities have used to reduce pollution, it also shows that cost is a major factor in the unsuccessful projects, and that facilities are actively focused on reducing Air, Land, and Water pollution. While the data shows a variety …

Measuring Esg, Andrew King, Dan Chi Wong, Adrian De Groot Ruiz, Shawn Cole, Michael Tang, Dave Chen

Perspectives@SMU

Quantifying externalities is difficult and imprecise but one “should not fall into the trap of making the perfect the enemy of the good” and not try

Social And Environmental Issue Of Deforestation In Papua, Indonesia, Briantama Asmara

English Language Institute

This poster aims to cover social and environmental impacts of deforestation in Papua. This research was based on literature review from various authors.

Exploring Approaches To Equity In Environmental Education Access For Teens, Norah Cook

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Keeping Earth Healthy Together, Megan Shaw

Honors Projects

This project is a book for young children to be exposed to sustainable practices. Practices range from simple daily activities to career options. There is also a parents' section in the back for additional resources. The book can be accessed at: https://flipbookpdf.net/web/site/c2637bb1d14d17cf91b7262fb3fa2bf6a7f5fbec202104.pdf.html.

Cats And Conservationists: The Debate Over Who Owns The Outdoors, Dara M. Wald, Anna L. Peterson

New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond

Cats and Conservationists is the first multidisciplinary analysis of the heated debate about free-roaming cats. The debate pits conservationists against cat lovers, who disagree both on the ecological damage caused by the cats and the best way to manage them. An impassioned and spirited conflict, it also sheds light on larger questions about how we interpret science, incorporate diverse perspectives, and balance competing values in order to encourage constructive dialogue on contentious social and environmental issues.

On one side of the cat debate stand many environmentalists, especially birders and conservation organizations, who believe that outdoor cats seriously threaten native wildlife. …

Carbon Footprint Of Machine Learning Algorithms, Gigi Hsueh

Senior Projects Spring 2020

With the rapid development of machine learning, deep learning has demonstrated superior performance over other types of learning. Research made possible by big data and high-end GPU's enabled those research advances at the expense of computation and environmental costs. This will not only slow down the advancement of deep learning research because not all researchers have access to such expensive hardware, but it also accelerates climate change with increasing carbon emissions. It is essential for machine learning research to obtain high levels of accuracy and efficiency without contributing to global warming. This paper discusses some of current approaches in estimating …

Gnome Waste Warriors: Waste Reduction Through Sustainability, Hayley E.R. Frost Rubino

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The focus of this Capstone Project was on how waste and waste reduction could positively impact a community. Waste reduction is an important issue because the negative impacts of waste affect the whole planet. By educating Monterey Gnome School (MGS) about waste, changes in daily habits are intended to result in lasting change. An evidence-based argument is offered that waste is a global issue that negatively impacts the earth's landmasses, oceans, and human health. Both MGS staff and students were interviewed and surveyed, as their perspectives provide unique aspects of thinking about waste issues. The themes that emerged from an …

Building A Green Dorm: How Colleges And Universities Across America Have Embraced Sustainable Communal Living, Theresa M. Blickenstaff

Student Publications

Building a dorm is hard work. Building a green, sustainable dorm is doubly so. With their extensive lighting, appliances, heating and cooling needs, fans, and laundry machines, traditional college residence halls are notorious for their large energy footprints. Particularly for colleges such as Gettysburg where dorm living is mandatory for some or all four years, the environmental impact of residence halls is particularly large. As leaders with long histories of inspiring change, colleges and universities in the United States have an obligation to promote sustainable practices. Gettysburg College has announced that in the next few years, it is planning to …

Nature As Privilege: How Environmental Racism Changes The Access To Fresh Air And The Effects On New York City’S Communities, Sarah C. Morrison

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper serves to addresses the issue of environmental racism in relation to New York City, and more specifically comparing the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn, often characterized as low- income and high-minority populations with their white counterparts. New York, among other urban centers in the United States serves as an example of environmental racism because of the discrepancy in high air pollution levels in marginalized communities, the subsequent negative health effects (specifically asthma), and the lack of green spaces. The root of this issue is prominent in the history and construction of New York during the 1900s. The construction …

Assessing The Technical, Economic, And Environmental Feasibility Of Floating Solar Power Generation On Water Reservoirs In Vietnam, Phuong Anh Bui

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Vietnam has been developing an energy path involving increased renewable energy use. With over 7,000 existing water reservoirs, Vietnam has great potential to install floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) plants that will protect productive lands, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce water evaporation rates. This study investigates the technical, economic, and environmental feasibility of installing FPV in three reservoirs in Vietnam: Hoa Binh, Tri An, and Dau Tieng.

The capacities of the FPV plants assessed for three reservoirs range from 96 MW to 4,300 MW. The yearly solar generation from the three reservoirs ranges from 900 GWh to 13,700 GWh, and …

Environmental Site Assessment And Hydrogeologic Impacts To Groundwater At St. Ignatius, Montana And Hanford, Washington, Ryan M. Carter

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The following Environmental Studies Master’s Portfolio is a compilation of works completed individually and with peers in order to fulfill requirements for the Master of Science degree. These works demonstrate range, depth, and the interdisciplinary nature of the course of study. As an undergraduate student at Eastern Washington University, I studied Environmental Science with a concentration in hydrogeology. I was interested in learning about the natural world and wanted to develop a deeper connection to it. Inevitably, I was exposed to courses that examined the causes and effects of hazardous waste site remediation, and this topic became my passion. The …

What Obstacles Prevent Students From Engaging In Environmentally Friendly Behaviors?, Carrie Cutler, Loretta Sohappy

2018 Symposium

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)the United States generated 33 million tons of plastic waste in 2014 of which only 9.5% was recycled. In addition Americans use over 17 million barrels of oil a year to meet demands for plastic water bottles. Any reusable plastic that gets thrown away creates the need to harvest new raw materials contributing to pollution and energy consumption. If Americans consumed 50% fewer plastic water bottles per year they would save enough oil to power one million cars for six months. The purpose of this study was to identify college students’ attitudes barriers and …

Environmental Assessment Of Road Brining And Injection Wells For Disposal Of Oil And Gas Liquid Waste, Marissa Madia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The dramatic increase in oil and gas drilling operations in Pennsylvania over the last decade has presented a challenge for their wastewater disposal (e.g., flowback, produced water). Currently, these fluids are treated in permitted brine treatment plants or exported out of state to deep injection well facilities. In Pennsylvania, road brining for dust control is permitted for conventional well brines, and permits for three injection wells for unconventional brines are pending. This study focused on water quality impacts due to road brining in Farmington Township (45 samples) and ground and surface water in Grant Township (41 samples) prior to the …

Intertidal Habitat Utilization By Endangered Green Sturgeon (Acipenser Medirostris), Willapa Bay, Washington, Luke Stilwater

All Master's Theses

This study looks at a portion of the designated critical habitat for the threatened southern distinct population segment of green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) in Willapa Bay, Washington. Willapa Bay is an intermediate size (258.7mi2) estuary on the southwest coast of Washington State, approximately 30 miles north from the mouth of the Columbia River. Recent studies completed by the National Marine Fisheries Service have shown that significant aggregations of green sturgeon in Willapa Bay occur during the late summer months, and foraging activity for burrowing ghost shrimp (Neotrypaea californiensis) is evidenced by small round feeding pits (30-60 cm diameter) in the …

Relationship Between Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Management, And Profitability, Dr. Daisy Valentin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The U.S. hospitality industry's profitability has been shifting to environmental management and corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Hospitality industries accounted for 5% of the global market in 2015 and are expected to increase by 130% in 2035. Grounded in stakeholder theory, this correlation study examined the relationship between corporate sustainability officer (CSO) CSR, CSO environmental management, and hospitality business profitability. Secondary data were collected from 97 hotel websites of the Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota area from 2014 to 2016. The multiple linear regression combinations of CSR and environmental management (EM) measured significantly related to the profitability index, F(3, 93) = 4.67, …

Increasing Marine Debris Awareness Through Public Education And Analyzing Fish For Microplastic And Pollutant Contamination, Stephanie R. Dubois

Theses and Dissertations

Marine debris is any persistent solid material that is manmade and then disposed of into the world’s oceans. Outreach and education was used in combination with biological research using an indicator fish species to raise awareness about the impacts of marine debris and encourage change in behavior to reduce marine debris. Pre and post surveys were administered during marine debris education tours for K-12 students at the Coastal Studies Lab on South Padre Island, Texas to determine change in knowledge and behavior regarding marine debris. Pinfish were collected from Laguna Madre and stomachs and livers removed for microplastics content and …

Recognizing The Interdependent Self: The Perception Of The Production And Consumption Of Meat At Bard College, Avery Evelyn Brown-Cross

Senior Projects Spring 2017

Senior Project submitted to The Division of Social Studies of Bard College.

I Remember It Like This: Essays, Robin C. Lewis

Honors Theses

This thesis is composed of eleven personal essays. As an Environmental Policy senior, I wanted to write down some of my formative stories—not just any stories, but those that may reveal the environmental thread in my life, which, I believe, was somehow instilled in me by my parents. This thread has followed me from Texas to Maine, from childhood to almost twenty-three. It has been supported and tested by various characters along the way, sometimes growing faint, other times stronger. As I prepare for something new, I’ve found it valuable to look back on the people and landscapes and stories …

Methylmercury Bioaccumulation In Spotted Salamanders (Ambystoma Maculatum) In Southern Ohio, Rachel Alex Walker

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Mercury (Hg) is a volatile element increasing in concentration in the environment as a result of anthropogenic emissions. Microorganisms can transform mercury into monomethylmercury (MMHg), the form of Hg that bioaccumulates, biomagnifies, and can harm humans and wildlife. Most studies of MMHg bioaccumulation in wildlife have focused on aquatic organisms due to consumption of fish being the primary route of human exposure to MMHg. However, organisms in terrestrial ecosystems also are exposed to MMHg that may impact ecosystem biodiversity, food-web dynamics, and organisms and ecosystem health. I investigated bioaccumulation and maternal transfer of MMHg in spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) captured …