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Articles 1 - 8 of 8
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
An Exploration Of The Application Of Desalination In Disaster Relief, Emma Sager
An Exploration Of The Application Of Desalination In Disaster Relief, Emma Sager
Senior Honors Theses
This paper aims to explore the application of small-scale desalination systems to provide clean water in the wake of marine natural disasters. A lack of clean water is a devastating impact of many natural disasters. Desalination technologies, both thermal and membrane, show potential for being scaled down and self-powered by renewable energy. Desalination can transform ocean water and contaminated drinking water with a high salt content into drinkable, usable water. While these techniques are not perfected, and the solution to a need for clean water is multifaceted, desalination shows potential. Through further research and ever-advancing technology, small-scale desalination could develop …
A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Impact Of Meaningful Watershed Environmental Experiences On The Academic Achievement Of Middle School Students, Gina R. Mason
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
Meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEE) are student-centered, problem solving-oriented environmental educational experiences in which students investigate local environmental issues leading to civic engagement and informed action. The four components of an MWEE include issue definition, outdoor field experience, synthesis and conclusion, and action projects. While multiple benefits have been shown to be gained through participation in environmental education, this study’s aim was to observe the impact MWEEs have on academic achievement in middle school students. This quantitative, ex post facto, causal-comparative study examined the impact MWEEs had on students’ achievement scores, as measured by Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) …
Media Coverage Of Anthropogenic Climate Change: Analysis Of Coverage, Issues, And Implications For Public Engagement And Government Policy, Renee Farmer
Senior Honors Theses
Media coverage of climate change is responsible for shaping both public understanding and government policies regarding the environment. The public relies on the media to translate the oftentimes complex terminology, processes, and implications of environmental research and findings. Unfortunately, miscommunication frequently occurs as the media seek to bridge this knowledge gap, with implications including hostile public sentiment, failure to take necessary action, and ineffective or harmful governmental policies. This thesis will provide an overview of how the media cover climate change, including analyses of both poor and successful coverage of issues, identification of risks and reoccurring problems present in media …
Invasives In Our National Parks: How Tourists Can Help Stop The Spread Of Invasive Species, Alexandria Elivira Marci
Invasives In Our National Parks: How Tourists Can Help Stop The Spread Of Invasive Species, Alexandria Elivira Marci
Masters Theses
Invasive species are a major issue around the world and more specifically in our U.S. National Parks. Ranging from plants to insects to animals, invasive species are a greater threat than many may imagine. The impact that invasive species have on an ecosystem encompasses more than taking over a native species’ environment; it includes competing for food, water, and other resources, as well as having an adverse effect on our economy and threatening us with deadly diseases. Many factors lead to the cause of spread of invasive species, but all point back to human interference, from purposely spreading invasive species …
Microbial Assemblages In Relation To Host And Environmental Surroundings, Mark Fischer
Microbial Assemblages In Relation To Host And Environmental Surroundings, Mark Fischer
Senior Honors Theses
The goal of this study was to determine if the microbiome between two crayfish microhabitats were different from one other, in addition to the surrounding water and sediment. This project was a field-based study in which all environmental samples and crayfish were collected from a central Virginian freshwater stream. Molecular techniques were employed to sequence bacterial DNA from the various sample types and Qiime 2 was used to analyze statistical differences. The results from this study aligned well with the initial hypothesis in that the alpha-diversities between all of the sample types were statistically different (P<0.05) except for the gill chamber and surrounding water microbial assemblages. In addition, the Beta-diversity was statistically different when the bacterial composition of one sample type was compared to the composition of the other samples (P<0.05). This data aids in our understanding of the significance of microbes within a freshwater ecosystem and how they are distributed among freshwater organisms, such as the crayfish.
Surveillance Of Microplastic Pollution In Central Virginia Freshwater Ecosystems, Alexandra Reddy
Surveillance Of Microplastic Pollution In Central Virginia Freshwater Ecosystems, Alexandra Reddy
Senior Honors Theses
Aquatic organisms often mistake microplastic particulates (MP) as food and inadvertently ingest the particulates, which can biomagnify through the food chain. While MP ingestion is well-researched in the marine environment, little is known about microplastics in freshwater ecosystems. This project explores MP occurrence in an ecologically significant freshwater invertebrate: crayfish. Crayfish from two Central Virginia streams are collected to identify MP in the digestive tracts and gill filaments, and characterize the MP using analytical chemistry techniques. It was determined that MP were present in the digestive tracts and gill filaments of crayfish collected from both streams, and that MP frequency …
A New Day For Nuclear: The Impact Of Nuclear Energy And Its Effects, Hannah G. Hilliard
A New Day For Nuclear: The Impact Of Nuclear Energy And Its Effects, Hannah G. Hilliard
Senior Honors Theses
Energy is a resource on which civil society is built. It affects every aspect of life and is vital to the survival of the modern world. This paper explores nuclear power and the effects it has on a national and global scale. The research looks at both the positive and negative aspects of nuclear energy, giving weight to both sides of the argument to present a detailed look at this resource. The research is compiled from a wide range of authors from scientists and nuclear experts to reporters and strategic intelligence agents. A proposed technology for the advancement of nuclear …
Biblical Environmental Protection: Seven Keys For Christian Leaders, Rejoice Muwadzuri
Biblical Environmental Protection: Seven Keys For Christian Leaders, Rejoice Muwadzuri
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
This thesis project examines Christian environmentalism and espouses the need for the principles of environmental stewardship to be fanned into flame among Christians through the ministry and influence of Christian leaders. It has become apparent that America and the rest of the world face an environmental crisis as is reflected by climate change, high air and water pollution, land and habitat degradation, depletion of forests and issues of waste management. However, this reality has not been matched by a corresponding level of practical action and activism to protect and restore the environment in Christian circles. This thesis project will provide …