Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Rapid Characterization Of Dissolved Organic Matter And Precursors To Disinfection By-Products By Fluorescence Technique, Taha Marhaba

Sustainability Seminar Series

Natural organic matter (NOM) in the environment today does not only come from humic sources, but also from non-humic or synthetic sources. The typical total organic carbon (TOC) analysis has been typically used as an aggregate measure of NOM in water. NOM from surface water sources were isolated and fractionated by resin adsorption techniques into hydrophobic acid, hydrophobic neutral, hydrophobic base, hydrophilic acid, hydrophilic neutral and hydrophilic base. The Spectral Fluorescent Signatures (SFS) technique through a database of spectral characteristics specific to each fraction was developed for the identification of the six NOM fractions. Among the main advantages of the …

Temporally Consistent Urban-Rural Delineations For Global Urban Heat Island Monitoring, Tc Chakraborty

Yale Day of Data

Urbanization leads to local-scale modification of climate, particularly the urban heat island (UHI) effect - the high temperature in cities compared to their surroundings. The UHI effect is generally quantified by measuring the temperature differential between the city and its surrounding rural reference. Choices of both the city and the rural reference are prone to assumptions, which may affect, among other things, temporal variability in UHI intensity. To reduce these uncertainties, I create a global dataset of urban-rural delineations that can be used to better constrain the temporal trends in UHI intensity throughout the globe using the European Space Agency's …

Turning Disaster Data Into Knowledge: Field Reconnaissance, Damage Assessment, And Lessons Learned From Hurricane Sandy, Harvey, And Michael, Jie Gong

Sustainability Seminar Series

The recent hurricanes in 2012, 2017, and 2018, and efforts of researchers to capture vast quantities of perishable data through support of the National Science Foundation and other agencies, have created enormous databases of hurricane impacts to coastal structures that can be used to extract fundamental knowledge as to why these structures perform as they do during hurricanes. But exploration of these large data sets, untangling the complex factors contributing to various hurricane damages, and forming a holistic understanding of damage mechanisms are challenging tasks, requiring convergent approaches in system modeling, data science, and cyberinfrastructure design. In this presentation, Dr. …

Social And Political Factors Influencing Green Energy Transition, Rachel Schwom

Sustainability Seminar Series

Society’s dependence on fossil fuels is harming humans and the environment and we must transition our energy system to be more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. While the economics driving energy transitions are important, sociologists and political scientists have highlighted that these transitions are social and political processes. This talk will provide examples of research that has highlight the social and political factors that influence how people and institutions interact with the market and our energy systems. Those factors include public opinion and social movement pressure, industry resistance or support, political opportunity structure, and windows of opportunity. Cases will include …

Why Build Multi-Use Greenways? Implications For New Jersey And Beyond, R. Bruce Donald

Sustainability Seminar Series

In this presentation, Bruce Donald will explain comprehensive research that investing in bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure has numerous benefits including public health, reduced transportation costs, increased access to reliable transportation, tourism, improved local economy, reduced user mortality rates, and environmental benefits. Solutions include developing a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycle network, as well as improving access to these facilities by all of New Jersey’s residents and its visitors. Investing in bicycle infrastructure is at the forefront of twenty-first-century economic development.

Afternoon Keynote: How Climate Change Impacts Are Considered In The Credit Rating Process, Leonard Jones

Virginia Coastal Policy Center Annual Conference

No abstract provided.

Quantifying Ocean Acidification In The Geologic Record Using The B/Ca Ratio Of Planktic Foraminifera Shells, Laura Haynes

Sustainability Seminar Series

56 million years ago, the Earth underwent a rapid climate change event called the “Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum” (PETM). Sedimentary records show that a massive amount of carbon was released into the atmosphere, causing ocean acidification, warming, and a widespread extinction of deep-sea organisms. Reconstructing the source and amount of carbon released during the PETM has been a major focus for paleoclimatologists as we seek to understand how the Earth system will respond to modern carbon emissions and warming. To help quantify ocean acidification at the PETM, we are using the boron content (the B/Ca ratio) of the shells of …

Anaerobic Dechlorination Of Polychlorinated Dibenzo-P-Dioxins In Passaic River Sediments, Donna E. Fennell

Sustainability Seminar Series

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic pollutants found in the environment. The Passaic River in New Jersey is highly contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TeCDD), one of the most toxic of the PCDD/F congeners. Our on-going research at Rutgers is intended to better understand PCDD/F dichlorination by anaerobic organohalide respiring bacteria (OHRB). Results will be presented from various anaerobic enrichment cultures (including from the Passaic River) enriched on alternate organohalides such as trichloroethene and dichlorobenzene to stimulate OHRB. Activity against three PCDD congeners: 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a well-studied model PCDD congener; 2,3,7,8-TeCDD; and 2,7-dichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a potential metabolite of 2,3,7,8- TeCDD, …

Near Real-Time Determination Of The Prevalence Of Cannabinoids, Cathinones, And Synthetic Opioids, Catherine O'Rourke, Bikram Subedi

Scholars Week

Unregulated new psychoactive substances (NPS) in “pure” or “preparation” forms are designed to mimic the effects of controlled substances, and are introduced and reintroduced in the market as a cheap substitute of established regulated drugs in quick succession to loophole the law enforcement efforts on combating drugs. For example, carfentanil, a synthetic opioid activates the opioid receptors similar to morphine but it is astoundingly potent compared to a typical drug of abuse (100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine). Based on the cost- and time-intensive forensic analysis, National Drug Early Warning System reported the …

The Paradox Of Urban Greening: Does It Harm The Very People Who Need It The Most?, Juliana Maantay

Sustainability Seminar Series

Urban greening and sustainability approaches are well accepted methods for improving the urban environment and combating the climate crisis. Cleaning up potentially contaminated lands and bringing them back into constructive public use is one of the benefits of greening. However, greening efforts may have unintended consequences, resulting in adverse social and economic impacts to the existing residents, who are often the most vulnerable urban populations. Spatial analyses of case study examples show that greening can spur “green gentrification.” Measures can be taken to integrate social equity objectives into urban sustainability planning, to mitigate gentrification, and to improve equitable distribution of …

Studying The Glacial Melt Of Mount Baker Using Remote Sensing (1999 - 2019), Cole Fletcher

Scholars Week

With rising temperatures glaciers around the globe are beginning to melt. Melting of large glaciers should be concerning as they can raise the present sea-level which could potentially put near sea-level urban areas underwater. We must observe the rate at which glaciers are retreating. Mountain glaciers are a good resource to observe as they do give a clear visual of how fast glaciers are retreating. This project hopes to give a good visual representation and quantitative measurement of how much glacial melt is occurring at Mt Baker in Washington, United States, in the last 20 years. This project will use …

High Functional Diversity Of Contaminated Soils From Liberty State Park, Nina M. Goodey

Sustainability Seminar Series

Urban brownfields present an opportunity to study the functioning of degraded ecosystems. We investigated the soils of Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, which once supported a major rail yard and port facility with docks for shipping cargo to New York City. ICP-MS and pyrolysis-GC-MS studies were used to show that our study site is contaminated with heavy metals and organic contaminants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. We used fluorescence spectroscopy to measure soil enzymatic function at multiple locations within the brownfield and found the following types of sites: 1.) hotspots with high heavy metal concentrations and high extracellular …

Determination Of Cannabinoids, Cathinones, And Synthetic Fentanyls Using Wastewater-Based Epidemiology, Catherine O'Rourke, Bikram Subedi

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Unregulated new psychoactive substances (NPS) in “pure” or “preparation” forms are designed to mimic the effects of controlled substances, and are introduced and reintroduced in the market as a cheap substitute for established regulated drugs in quick succession to loophole the law enforcement efforts on combating drugs. For example, carfentanil, a synthetic opioid activates the opioid receptors similar to morphine but it is astoundingly potent compared to a typical drug of abuse (100 times more potent than fentanyl and 10,000 times more powerful than morphine). Based on the cost- and time-intensive forensic analysis, National Drug Early Warning System reported the …

The Effects Of Erosion Structures On Triplett Creek From The Fall Of 2016, 2017, And 2018, Haylee Winters

Posters-at-the-Capitol

Triplett Creek is a tributary of the Licking River. It runs through Morehead, KY, where we are conducting our research.

The creek was modified in the 1970s but construction was halted before the project was complete. Unfortunately, the result was an increase in overflow and subsequent riverbank erosion. The city installed sediment trap rocks in hopes of slowing down the water and decreasing erosion. We are using drones and photogrammetric software to map the area and compare images of the river to determine erosion rates. The new images will be compared to ones taken in previous years to visualize the …

Dam Removal In New Jersey: Ecological Uplift, Public Safety, And Building Ecosystem Resilience In Advance Of Climate Change, Beth Styler Barry

Sustainability Seminar Series

Dam removals are often the subject of controversy. We’ll explore dam removals from planning to (de)construction and see examples of ecosystem changes that follow. New Jersey has over 1700 dams, the average age of these dams is over 50 years. Many dams have a public use, they may provide a potable water supply or create economically important recreational lakes. However, many dams have outlived their intended use, have fallen into serious disrepair and negatively impact ecosystems.

Panel 9. Paper 9.3: Connecting Social And Physical Boundaries Of The Commons : Study Of Kuhl Irrigation Systems Of Kangra, Amit Tandon

ISCCL Scientific Symposia and Annual General Meetings // Symposiums scientifiques et assemblées générales annuelles de l'ISCCL // Simposios científicos yy las Asambleas Generales Anuales

Water has been a lifeline of Indian agrarian society. The thriving agrarian economy requires water for irrigation and the need for resources to the evolution of indigenous technology through generations of communities. Kuhl irrigation system of Kangra is a community managed traditional irrigation systems found in western Himalayan. These are a centuries-old network of interconnected drainage channels that drain water from nearby khads (rivers) into the fields. The irrigation systems have codified customary laws, systems of collective action for maintenance and preservation and various traditional livelihoods.

Kuhls of Kangra is a unique case where the community is owned and managed …

Panel 11. Paper 11.3: Views Through Rose-Colored Glasses: The Need For Diverse Lenses To Support Rural Landscape Heritage, Steve H. Brown Dr, Cari Goetcheus

ISCCL Scientific Symposia and Annual General Meetings // Symposiums scientifiques et assemblées générales annuelles de l'ISCCL // Simposios científicos yy las Asambleas Generales Anuales

The ICOMOS-IFLA Principles Concerning Rural Landscape as Heritage (the Principles; 2017) provide a comprehensive outline of the fields and work required to better recognise and safeguard rural landscape heritage. The Principles acknowledge that the field of heritage conservation cannot sustain rural places and traditional rural heritage landscapes on their own, but must engage with a diverse breadth of disciplines to support and safeguard these spaces. The Principles seek to address loss and adverse changes to rural landscapes and their associated communities through the recognition, safeguarding, and promotion of their heritage values. They aim to promote an appropriate balance between economic, …

A Look Under The Hood: Energy & Sustainability Initiatives At New Jersey Transit, John Geitner

Sustainability Seminar Series

New Jersey Transit (NJT) is the nation's largest statewide public transportation provider. To move its nearly one million daily customers, NJT operates Rail, Bus and Light Rail systems. Finding ways to use that energy efficiently and with an eye on sustainability is the focus of the Environment, Energy & Sustainability team at NJT. Join us for a detailed discussion on NJT's operations and how the agency works to incorporate various technologies and programs into those operations with the goal of using energy wisely. This presentation will discuss current capital projects and how they work to incorporate resiliency, reliability and sustainability …

Quantifying Distribution In Carbon Uptake Across A Global Measurement Network Of Terrestrial Ecosystems, John Zobitz, Madeline Oswood

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

Seeing With A Climate Lens, Kit Batten

Year on Climate Change: Events

Join Jana Ganion from the Blue Lake Rancheria and Kit Batten, an independent climate change consultant previously at Pacific Gas & Electric to talk about a zero-emission future and your role in it. We will discuss insights and lessons learned from the clean energy and sustainability field through our work to shape a grid of the future. If you don’t yet know exactly what you want to do or you are have been working in these fields for decades, join us to talk about sustainability, electrical grids, climate, international diplomacy, the future, and you.

Living Landscapes: Combining Education And Ecology For A More Resilient New York Harbor, Murray Fisher, Brad Howe

Year on Climate Change: Events

This session will highlight a unique partnership between a landscape architecture firm, an environmental group, and a public high school that are working together in New York Harbor to increase the area’s resiliency as the climate changes, and to engage and train the next generation of environmental and Harbor stewards.

Seeing With A Climate Lens, Jane Ganion

Year on Climate Change: Events

Join Jana Ganion from the Blue Lake Rancheria and Kit Batten, an independent climate change consultant previously at Pacific Gas & Electric to talk about a zero-emission future and your role in it. We will discuss insights and lessons learned from the clean energy and sustainability field through our work to shape a grid of the future. If you don’t yet know exactly what you want to do or you are have been working in these fields for decades, join us to talk about sustainability, electrical grids, climate, international diplomacy, the future, and you.

Is Green Infrastructure A Universal Good? Equity In Gi Planning From Us Cities, Zbigniew J. Grabowski

Sustainability Seminar Series

Is Green Infrastructure a Universal Good? Our team seeks to address this research question through a multi-faceted analysis of GI programs through mapping, interviews with practitioners and communities, and an extensive plan analysis across 20 US cities. Our plan plan analysis draws upon a wide array of planning documents pertaining to green infrastructure, and broadly examines the drivers of GI programs and how they consider the relationship between GI and community well being. In particular we are examining if plans take into account the perspectives, concerns, and desires of underserved communities in their framing of GI-equity concerns, and what targets …

Ferrate: A Novel Water Treatment Input, Joseph Goodwill

Sustainability Seminar Series

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective at transforming recalcitrant organic water pollutants. However, most AOPs require relatively complex and capital intensive auxiliary systems to generate radicals. Ferrate (Fe(VI)) is a strong oxidant that affords an operational simplicity that some utilities require. This presentation will provide an overview of Fe(VI) technology, and recent results of an ongoing study focused on Fe(VI) and water reuse.

Dealing With Hurricanes: Coastal Community Adaptation To Socioeconomic And Environmental Pressures In Yaguajay, Central Cuba, Victoria Ramenzoni

Sustainability Seminar Series

Hurricanes can cause extensive long-term damage to small-scale fisheries. Yet, information is scarce on how these communities are impacted by extreme events in the Caribbean as in other parts of the world. Focusing on an artisanal fishery in Yaguajay, Sancti Spiritus, Cuba, this presentation discusses how local fishermen have perceived and responded to the different damages brought about by Hurricane Irma in September 2017 and inundations associated with Storm Alberto in May 2018. Combining discussions and short interviews carried out pre and post-hurricane, this study identifies major environmental impacts and matching responses. In addition, the article sheds light on the …

Viability And Ecology Based Tools For Studying Antibiotic Resistance, Nicole Fahrenfeld

Sustainability Seminar Series

Over 2 million people are sickened and at least 23,000 people die in the U.S. of antibiotic resistant infections each year. Community acquired infections in humans have been linked with environmental sources of antibiotic resistance. Mitigating the risk of environmental AR infections requires understanding hot spots for AR as well as the potential for horizontal gene transfer. A series of case studies will be presented towards understanding hot spots of antibiotic resistance genes in viable cells.

Leadership’S Influence On Environmental Sustainability, Stallar Lufrano-Jardine

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

A phenomenological study within the gaming industry is currently being conducted to determine influential indicators within business operations. Based on interviews of executive leadership at global companies, participants disclosed the environmental developments at their organization based on industry norms and the ability to develop/execute environmental initiatives. Four themes emerged: the leader’s ideology and the political climate; the company’s founding principles; support from the industry and/or within the company; and the ability to change industry dynamics. Each leader touched on these four points. Regardless of department type, level of leadership, and the desire to be globally conscious, all participants remarked on …

Using Numerical Models Of Dewatering At Coal Ash Impoundments To Understand Cost And Schedule, Peter Bell, Joel Thompson, Don Fuller

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Demonstration Of “No Migration” Alternative Performance Standard For Ccr Facilities In Arid To Semi- Arid Regions Using Unsaturated Zone Modeling, James Aiken, Katy Lindstom

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Investigating Ccr Units And Evaluating The Physical Properties Of Ponded Ccr, David Skeggs, Zahra Aghazadeh, Rachel Combs

World of Coal Ash Proceedings

No abstract provided.