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Effects Of Soil Amendments On Water Quality And Hydrologic Properties In Low Impact Development Systems, Lily Wetterlin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Low impact development (LID) systems are practices that use natural elements, such as soils and vegetation, to absorb and filter stormwater to protect water quality and aquatic habitats. Many LID designs use native soils; however, urban soils typically have a limited potential for infiltrating and treating stormwater. Incorporation of soil amendments, such as compost and biochar, into LID soils can improve the physical properties of soil. However, soil amendments may increase or decrease pollutants in the water leaving the site. A comparison of the effects of different types and application rates of amendments on water quality is necessary to determine …

Biochar Reduces The Pupation And Eclosion Of A Specialist (Manduca Sexta) And A Generalist Pest (Spodoptera Frugiperda), Nischal Wagle

Theses and Dissertations

Chapter 1: This chapter incorporates detailed information about the biochar concept, its production, composition, and properties, harmful arthropods and their damage, the effect of soil on the arthropod community, and the application of biochar on arthropod control.

Chapter 2: The comprehensive lab experiment was conducted with modified pupation media enriched with walnut shell biochar (Chapter II) to evaluate the effects of biochar on the pupation and eclosion success rates of a specialist (Manduca sexta) and a generalist pest (Spodoptera frugiperda). We found that the biochar treatment led to a significant reduction in pupal mass, adult mass, adult wingspan, body length, …

Characteristics And Hydraulic Behavior Of Adsorptive Media For Use In Permeable Reactive Barriers, Shelby Rocha

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Cargill ditch is located on the property of Se7en Wetlands, a 1600-ac treatment wetland system in Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. The Se7en Wetlands property was previously utilized for phosphate mining prior to the construction of the system. Nonpoint nutrient sources derived from remnants of abandoned phosphate mines – known as “legacy phosphorus” – become mobilized by stormwater runoff and impair surface water bodies by promoting harmful algal blooms (HABs). Thus, the Cargill ditch likely conveys nutrient rich flow resulting from legacy phosphorus and is thought to be one contributing factor in the occurrence of HABs within the treatment wetland …

Effects Of Biochar Content And Particle Size On Mechanical Properties Of Biochar-Plastic Composites, Anne Marie Mozrall

Theses

The recent increases in plastic pollution and consumption have put bioplastics in a strong position to expand. However, better understanding is needed for bio-fillers and their effect on popular bioplastics, such as poly (lactic acid) (PLA), in order for this to occur. Biochar (BC), a stable form of carbon derived from high temperature conversion of organic material, has potential application as a plastic filler. Although biochar’s effect on petroleum-based plastics has been widely studied, there are still major gaps in the literature surrounding biochar use as a filler in PLA/starch composites. Biochar particle size and loading are two factors that …

Influence Of Biochar As A Soil Amendment On Soil Water Content And Wild Blueberry Physiology, Abigayl Novak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Maine wild (or lowbush) blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) continue to face challenges imposed by climate change. Reduced frequency of precipitation and increased drought conditions have negatively impacted this crop since it resides in sandy soils with limited retention of water and nutrients. The wild blueberry plants growing in water- and nutrient-poor sandy soils are likely to have poor resilience to drought, resulting in a decline in berry yield during drought years. Thus, there is an urgent need to find a drought management solution for wild blueberries. Compared with other drought management practices, such as irrigation systems, mulching, and adopting drought-resistant …

Steam Gasification Of Biochar To Produce Hydrogen-Rich Syngas, Nnamdi Ofuani

Honors College Theses

A key greenhouse gas (GHG) emission contributing to climate change is carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission. This emission is largely due to the use of fossil fuel as a major energy source. Biomass is an alternative energy source. Biochar, a byproduct of the pyrolysis process (of biomass), could be gasified to produce syngas (a mixture of CO and H₂). This syngas can further be used to produce different kinds of fuels like biodiesel, bio-gasoline, bioethanol, etc. In the steam gasification of biochar, the quality and yield of syngas is dependent on parameters such as temperature, particle size, …

A Study Of Biochar Production Via Continuous Vacuum-Assisted Pyrolysis, Max Wohlgenant

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The present study focuses upon the design, fabrication, and feasibility of the bulk production of scientific biochar for mobile delivery. In the 2022 annual report, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommended the integration of mobile, decentralized reactors that employ flexible manufacturing and circular economic principles. Biochar production, involving the thermal degradation of biomass under an inert atmosphere to yield remediation media is an ideal material to satisfy this recommendation. Many potential application sites, such as abandoned mines, are remote and limit the construction of large infrastructure. The continuous vacuum-assisted pyrolysis (CVAP) reactor was designed to: increase biochar …

The Use Of Novel Cement Additives To Increase The Carbon Storage Potential Of Oilfield Cements, Rob Braden

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The topic of carbon sequestration has become increasingly popular in recent years as a solution to combat the increasing amounts of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere. Various industries have researched methods in which to implement carbon sequestration projects to offset the carbon dioxide emissions associated with their operations. The U.S. oil and gas exploration industry in particular has seen multi-billion-dollar investments by multiple firms into carbon sequestration and emission reduction projects. The largest single industrial emitter of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere currently is the production of cement, which accounts for 8% of all global industrial carbon dioxide emission (Ellis …

Assessing Impacts Of Biochar On Microbial Community Structure, Fermentation Intermediates, And Nutrient Degradation In Manure Lagoons, Courteney Hales

UVM Patrick Leahy Honors College Senior Theses

Manure management practices have the capacity to impact greenhouse gas emissions and promote climate resilient food systems. Previous studies have found that using biochar as a manure lagoon cap is effective for reducing odor and ammonia emissions, while simultaneously increasing methane emissions. However, it is unknown what other impacts biochar addition could have on manure lagoon sludge. This study assessed the impact of biochar enrichment on microbial community structure, nutrient degradation, and fermentation intermediates in manure lagoons. Additionally, analysis of these variables may provide insights into how biochar-enriched manure might enhance crop rhizosphere health, when land applied as a fertilizer. …