Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Monitoring Biodiversity Of San Francisco Peninsula Grasslands Using Lepidoptera As A Bioindicator, Jonathan B. Sifuentes-Winter

Master's Projects and Capstones

San Francisco Peninsula grasslands have seen an influx of non-native invasive species starting in the 1500’s, threatening ecological stability by reducing biological diversity. To combat these invasive species, multiple public agencies have begun to adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This ecologically-based approach to pest management utilizes three controversial techniques, which are presently used or are under consideration for use on the San Francisco Peninsula: herbicide application, conservation grazing, and prescribed fire. In this paper, I will evaluate the use of the taxa Lepidoptera as a bioindicator of biodiversity to assess the environmental impacts of these techniques. The application …

Utilizing Ecological Connectivity In California Desert Wilderness Preservation, Lauren Kahal

Master's Projects and Capstones

The Wilderness Act of 1964 gave the federal land management agencies—the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management—the authority to identify, propose, and manage lands as wilderness. Wilderness, once approved by Congress for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System, is offered the highest form of land preservation in the nation. However, the wilderness identification process used by the implementing agencies is based on a half-century old statute with an aging definition of wilderness. While designated wilderness can protect the plant and wildlife communities within its borders from direct anthropogenic …

Proactive Environmental Strategies: Managing A Corporate Culture Shift Toward Sustainability, Mark E. Calub

Master's Projects and Capstones

The roles and responsibilities of Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) professionals have expanded over the last several decades. Initially focused solely on reducing a firm's ecological impact, many EHS professionals are now tasked with managing a firm's cultural shift towards sustainability. EHS professionals need to develop proactive environmental strategies that further interconnect the environmental, social, and economic performance goals of the firm. Using a concept analysis and integrative literature review approach, the research examines the evolving role of corporate environmental management and evaluates strategic management tools for environmental compliance, environmental performance, and corporate sustainability. The research reveals that the role …

Urban Stormwater Management: Treatment Of Heavy Metals And Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons With Bioretention And Permeable Pavement Technologies, Viktoriya Sirova

Master's Projects and Capstones

Urban stormwater runoff is a major non-point source of pollutants release into the environment. Pollutants of concern include sediments; heavy metals; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); petroleum hydrocarbons; and chlorinated organic compounds, such as pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls. Conventional stormwater management practices are designed to dispose of the runoff as quickly as possible, not to treat the pollutants. Low Impact Development (LID) concept is an alternative approach to the conventional framework that attempts to recreate hydrologically functional landscape mimicking pre-development regimes. This research paper assesses the effectiveness of two LID technologies, bioretention and permeable pavements in treating PAHs and common urban …

Adapting To Rising Sea Levels In San Francisco Bay: The Potential For Thin Layer Sediment Application To Enhance Tidal Marsh Resiliency Through This Century, Scott K. Hine

Master's Projects and Capstones

The research here focuses on two projected century sea-level rise scenarios (100 and 180 cm/century) and the potential to offset elevation loss to sea-level rise by supplying deteriorating tidal marsh habitat with a thin layer of dredge sediment via high-pressure spray disposal within San Francisco Bay. This adaptation strategy is then analyzed for potential integration into the Bay’s long term management plan for dredge material disposal. The Marsh Equilibrium Model (Morris, 2012) is used to evaluate elevation deficits for existing tidal marsh habitat around San Pablo Bay against future century sea-level rise scenarios and model marsh resiliency following elevation enhancement. …

From A Public Health Perspective: Fracking And Other Unconventional Oil And Gas Extraction Techniques In California, Hilda J. Cerros

Master's Projects and Capstones

California strives to be a leader in clean energy, yet it the third largest producer of oil and gas. To tackle the need for a cleaner environment, free of toxic chemicals, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) establish a Healthy Energy Choice campaign. CEH and the Healthy Energy Choice Program collaborate with other organizations and communities to shine light on the public health impacts associated with fracking and other oil and gas extraction methods. The following paper is a summary of a 300- hour field work experience completed at the CEH’s Healthy Energy Choice Program specifically with an analyzes of …

Investigation Into The Effects Of Project Delivery Methods On Leed Targets, Nicole Marie Hanks

Master's Projects and Capstones

Due to the environmental impacts of buildings and the increased demand for sustainable construction, it is essential that the construction industry can effectively deliver green buildings. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system to aid in the construction and evaluation of green buildings. The project delivery method, chosen by the owner, can affect the achievement of project targets (e.g., budget, schedule, LEED certification). The most utilized project delivery method is the traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB). Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) is an emerging project delivery method that has gained attention for the …

Ecodistricts In San Francisco: The Implementation Of Neighborhood Regional Planning And Its Potential Effects On Environmental Resilience, Elizabeth M. Juvera

Master's Projects and Capstones

Ecodistricts, or neighborhood-scale, community-driven areas of sustainable development, have emerged internationally and within the U.S. to create models of adaptive environmental design and advanced urban infrastructure. Central SoMa is the first ecodistrict to be planned and implemented in San Francisco, with the intention of revitalizing and greening this urbanized region of the city. At this time, the Central SoMa area has very low biodiversity levels, inefficient infrastructure, and poor water management capabilities. Through the implementation of ecodistricts in San Francisco, the city can integrate physical and behavioral sustainability measures from existing ecodistricts such as permeable surfaces, green roofs, stormwater management, …

Surface And Subsurface Application Of Chemical Dispersants And Associated Ecosystem Impacts, Adam V. Radpour

Master's Projects and Capstones

Chemical dispersants are applied to spilled oil in marine environments when other, less controversial, methods are not adequate for the incident. They are considered to be a response method as opposed to a direct cleanup method, with the intended goals of reducing risk of exposure to sensitive shorelines, reducing environmental injury to surface-dwelling sea birds and marine mammals, and facilitating the biodegradation of spilled oil into the water column.

For this research, both surface and subsurface application of dispersants were evaluated in terms of oil characteristics and volume, and oceanic and atmospheric conditions. More data exists to support the effectiveness …

Groundwater Banking In Imperial Irrigation District: Planning For Future Water Scarcity On The Colorado River, Sara Morton

Master's Projects and Capstones

Urban and rural economies throughout the southwestern United States and Mexico rely on surface water imported from the Colorado River. The Imperial Irrigation District (herein IID or District) has rights to use 3.1 million acre-feet (MAF) per year of Colorado River Water (Regional Water Management Group 2013 and Imperial Irrigation District 2009). Of this water entitlement, IID uses 97 percent for agricultural production. In addition, IID supplies water to San Diego and Los Angeles urban areas.

The population reliant on Colorado River water is expected to rise from approximately 40 million people today, up to 76 million people over the …

Management Recommendations For Restoration Of The Degraded Olympia Oyster, Ostrea Lurida Carpenter 1864 In Tomales Bay, Ca, Carolyn M. Gibson

Master's Projects and Capstones

This research addresses the effective restoration of Olympia oyster populations in Tomales Bay, Marin County, California. Chapter 2 provides background information on the Tomales Bay estuary, regional history, and ecology of the Olympia oyster. Following this background discussion, each of the three aforementioned degraders of Olympia oyster populations in Tomales Bay is presented: ocean acidification (Chapter 3), sedimentation (Chapter 4), and invasive species (Chapter 5). Each of these issues creates numerous barriers that require the attention of resource protection managers. Chapter 6 presents overall Research Conclusions and Chapter 7 identifies management recommendations to effectively begin the restoration of the Olympia …

Effective Mitigation Of Sedimentation On Riparian Riverbeds And Salmonid Populations After Dam Removal, Monica Oey

Master's Projects and Capstones

Riparian ecosystems rely on longitudinal connectivity of their streams and tributaries to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Longitudinal connectivity is especially important for salmonid populations, which and rely on longitudinal connectivity to reach spawning habitat. Dams prevent longitudinal connectivity while providing cities with potable water, hydroelectricity, and irrigation. With increasing knowledge of how dams negatively affect the riparian ecosystem and various polices, dam removals are increasing in popularly. However, a major concern with dam removal projects is the release of large loads of impounded sediment. Sediment is known to negatively impact salmonids life cycle through increasing turbidity and causing fine sediment …

Assessment Of Risks And Benefits For Pennsylvania Water Sources When Utilizing Acid Mine Drainage For Hydraulic Fracturing, Frederick R. Davis

Master's Projects and Capstones

The use of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in the hydraulic fracturing process increases the complexity of a polarizing topic. Many stakeholders see a potential to provide relief to multiple environmental problems while others see it as another threat to the Pennsylvania water supply so many parties depend on. This research will evaluate data from Pennsylvania state agencies and additional academic research regarding AMD and fracking to assess potential benefits, risks, and complications for Pennsylvania watersheds when using AMD in the fracking process.

Chapter 1 presents background information on energy demand and hydraulic fracturing, as well as energy sources and industrial …

An Analysis Of The Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority’S Ability To Achieve Sustainability As Defined By The Transportation Index For Sustainable Places, Vanessa Trafas

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper analysis the ability of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority to adhere to sustainability under the Transportation Index for Sustainable Places (TISP). Analysis focuses solely on the environmental domain of the TISP and the criteria included within that domain. Three pieces are analyzed: the Los Angeles Sustainable Implementation Plan, the Sustainable Rail Plan, and the Regional Connector Transit Project. These pieces are found to adhere to the sustainability criteria under the environmental domain of the TISP.

Evaluation Of The Feasibility Of Struvite Precipitation From Domestic Wastewater As An Alternative Phosphorus Fertilizer Resource, Amanda R. Bird

Master's Projects and Capstones

Finite phosphate rock ore reserves are estimated to be exhausted in 100 to 150 years. Phosphate rock ore is the single global source material for phosphorus fertilizer production. Once these reserves are gone, agricultural production will be negatively impacted. There are currently no alternative phosphorus resources. However, phosphorus concentrations present in human excrement traveling through domestic wastewater treatment facilities is being disposed of directly to the environment, often resulting in pollution problems. Recovering phosphorus from wastewater with struvite precipitation systems at wastewater treatment plants can alleviate future phosphorus scarcities. Evaluation of phosphorus recovery through struvite precipitation at wastewater treatment plants …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Reclaimed Water For Potable And Nonpotable Reuse In California, Antonia Estevez-Olea

Master's Projects and Capstones

Extreme drought, water scarcity and population growth is forcing California to seek out new water sources. Reclaimed water is considered one of the best alternatives to alleviate water shortages and help meet the water demand sustainably. However, the environmental impacts of reclaimed water have not been fully studied to ensure that the overall benefits of reclaimed water do indeed outweigh the environmental, social, and economic costs. In this study a life cycle assessment (LCA) for potable (direct and indirect) and nonpotable reuse will be conducted to identify and quantify major environmental, social, and economic problems that are attributed to reclaimed …

Post-Fire Sedimentation And The Risk To Sierra Nevada Water Supply, Kaitlyn Hacker

Master's Projects and Capstones

In California, the Sierra Nevada region is crucial for the state’s water supply. Unfortunately, forested areas in important Sierra Nevada watersheds are being increasingly threatened by the growing risk of large, severe wildfires and in turn so are the water supplies that they support. This paper addresses how these large fires facilitate sediment transport by removing soil’s vegetative and organic matter layers, changing soil properties, and inducing soil water repellency. Erosion and sedimentation are inevitable post-fire processes, and the predicted increase in large, severe fires and subsequent sedimentation are putting California’s water supply at risk. The risks these fires pose …