Digital Commons Network^™

Assessment Of Small-Scale Biogas Systems And Their Widespread Dissemination In Can Tho City, Viet Nam, Tracy Zhu

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The Mekong Delta hosts suitable conditions for promoting the widespread dissemination of biogas systems, such as tropical temperatures, high population density, and widespread animal husbandry. The low-cost polyethylene biodigester (BD) is the most common model in the Mekong Delta, although concrete and brick biodigesters have been implemented to a lesser extent. Biogas systems offer a wide range of benefits, such as improving water quality, enhancing integrated farming systems, and meeting rural energy demand while improving public health. Many projects, especially through Can Tho University (CTU), have promoted the installation of biogas systems, but little research has been done to follow …

Wild Bird Banding And Testing For Avian Influenza In The Plain Of Reeds, Vietnam, Kyle Campbell

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 presents an incredible threat to human and animal health throughout the planet. Little is known about the prevalence of this virus in wild bird populations; however it is evident that the virus has spread throughout most of Asia, Eastern Europe and North Africa through well established migratory flyways. Although H5N1 was first detected in central China, Vietnam has been hit the hardest by this virus, with nearly one hundred human cases to date (World Health Organization, 2006) and one hundred twenty million dollars lost in their poultry industry (Gov. of USA, 2005). Even …

Nutrient Recycling: Rural On-Site Wastewater Disposal And Treatment In Can Tho City, Viet Nam, Micah Johnson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In order to research a topic a holistic perspective is important. Often experiments are performed absent from the environment that is being observed. It is like thrusting one’s hand into an ocean to grope around for a specimen, extract it, and examine it apart from its native habitat. Although this is possible and often primarily the method, to immerse oneself into where one is studying is to increase one’s ability to obtain a more holistic perspective. I have come to believe that the more practical and accurate scientific experiments are a combination of laboratories and on the field. Not only …

Soil Fertility And Changes In Fertilizer Use For Intensive Rice Cultivation In The Red River Delta And Mekong Delta Of Vietnam, Jennifer Soong

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Rice farmers in Vietnam’s Red River Delta and Mekong Delta are now fully addicted to using fertilizers to sustain intensive rice production. The introduction of high yielding rice varieties in the late 1960’s brought with it the ability to grow crops continuously throughout year, and the need to supplement natural soil conditions with both organic and inorganic fertilizers. Rice yields have increased rapidly in the past 40 years. If intensive agriculture is to continue producing the high yields that Vietnam has come to expect, however, proper management of fertilizer use must begin now. In this study, three intensive rice fields …

The Human Ecology Of A Disease: Dissemination Of Resources And Information On Hiv And Aids In Can Tho City And An Giang Province, Lucas Thornblade

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

HIV has spread worldwide. This virus, resulting in as-of-yet incurable destruction of the human immune system, has caused the death of millions in the last two decades through opportunistic infections manifest as AIDS. Though development of prevention and treatment measures have greatly improved in recent years, because of lack of resources, incidence of infection continues to increase annually in nearly all parts of the world including southeast Asia. This paper looks at how the disease has affected people’s lives in Can Tho City and An Giang Province in Vietnam’s southern Mekong Delta. This paper offers an epidemiological and biological argument …

Migration As An Economic Activity: The Efficiency Of Population Redistribution In Viet Nam, Megan L. Maurer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Migration policy in Viet Nam views land and populations as economic resources. At reunification, these resources were not evenly distributed, thus the migration policy of the newly formed Socialist Republic of Viet Nam sought to redistribute them in a more efficient manner. However, this viewpoint does not take into account environmental and social factors. These factors include, but are not limited to issues surrounding the suitability of land for cultivation, the choice of crops to be cultivated, the infrastructural supports provided to migrant communities, and the lack of capital being put into the system.

As a consequence of these factors, …