Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Air Pollutants Around An Animal Feed Processing Facility In Nacogdoches, Tx: A Study On Their Effect On Local Outdoor Air Quality, Reyna Burns, Remigio Casanova, Cari Mitchell, Caroline Moore, Kaylee Zirlott

Undergraduate Research Conference

In this exploratory study, different odorous compounds were measured near TFP Nutrition to better understand the impact of odor on local outdoor air quality. TFP Nutrition produces pet feed, livestock feed, and agricultural fertilizer for local brand Lone Star Feeds. It is known in the Nacogdoches area for producing powerful odors near its facilities. It is in the downtown area of the city and in proximity to an elementary school, recreational softball fields, and residential homes. Odors can be connected to the presence of air pollutants. This study on air quality was performed to quantify this data on odors for …

Effectiveness Of Sansevieria Plants To Purify The Vocs In Air Caused By The Use Of Febreeze And Diffuser Contaminants, Garrett Hacker, Quinn Whidden, Alayna Wagner, Zach Palmer, Brystal Beyer

Undergraduate Research Conference

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a danger to every household that has access to chemical products such as air fresheners or select cleaning products. VOCs are dangerous when people are around high concentrations for any extended period. This experiment was conducted to examine the ability of sansevieria plants to filter VOCs added from normal household products. The plants used in this experiment were propagated into smaller pieces in order to fit into capsules. To begin testing, the contaminants were added to the capsules and the VOC levels were measured overtime with the Ion Science Tiger sensor. The basic trend of …

Urbanization Increases Isolation Of A Threatened Fish Species In East Texas Streams: A 20-Year Perspective, Zachary Hutchens

Undergraduate Research Conference

We conducted monthly surveys of fish and in-stream habitat conditions from August 2020 to August 2021 in reaches along Banita Creek and La Nana Creek to investigate ecology and population status of the Sabine shiner (Notropis sabinae) within these streams. On average, Banita Creek had shallow water with low flow, more diverse instream habitats, and lower values of salinity, conductivity, and turbidity compared La Nana Creek. The movements of Sabine shiners were tracked monthly using Visual Implant Elastomer tags. Over a year-long survey, we collected 267 Sabine shiners from Banita Creek and 10 individuals from La Nana Creek. Out of …

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates As Sentinels Of Changes In Local Stream Conditions In East Texas, Courtney Plummer, Erin Shepta

Undergraduate Research Conference

Study objective: To use aquatic macroinvertebrates to assess the habitat quality and biological conditions of a stream, La Nana Creek, impacted by different land use.

Forgotten Stories Of The New London School Tragedy, Clayton Jones

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Do Tropical Storms Have An Effect On Water Quality In Nacogdoches?, Emmie Schubert, Breanna Duran, Jaqui Murguia, Amy Rambo, Paige Graham

Undergraduate Research Conference

The purpose of this research was to determine the effects tropical storms had on the water quality of water in Nacogdoches. This research investigated if rainwater distributed during the storms affected the levels of pH, nitrate, nitrite, phosphorous, alkalinity, turbidity, and total dissolved solids (TDS). Sampling was conducted on three water bodies before and after the storms. Measurements were taken with LaMotte kit to measure alkalinity, turbidity tube to measure turbidity, Colorimeter to test the nutrient levels, and Multi-Parameter Tester to measure TDS and pH. The results showed that Laura had a greater impact than Beta. Tropical storms are unforeseeable, …

Geochemical Analyses Of Base Metals In Sediments And Stream Water Black Cypress Bayou, Marion County, Texas, Melanie L. Ertons

Undergraduate Research Conference

Black Cypress Bayou is a primary tributary of Caddo Lake watershed in eastern Texas. The watershed is underlain by Eocene-aged strata from the Wilcox and Claiborne groups, which represent transgressive/regressive shoreline fluctuations that deposited interbedded friable sandstones and mudstones. The Wilcox Group is of special interest because it contains lignite coal, which has a direct link to heavy metals in sediment and natural waters. Caddo Lake has been listed on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 303(d) list for impairment due to mercury in edible tissue since 1995 and Black Cypress Bayou has been listed for impaired waters due to …

The Transesterification Of Hickory Nuts Into Biodiesel Fuel, Hannah Trauger, Madilynn Dewell, Jahida A. Mendoza

Undergraduate Research Conference

• Biodiesel fuels can be produced from a fat and an alcohol via transesterification

• Hickory nuts have a high fat content (~60 % by weight)

• Can nuts from shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) be used to produce a biodiesel fuel using existing acidcatalyzed transesterification methods?

Using Macroinvertebrates To Test The Water Quality Of Lake Nacogdoches, Emily Ivester, Hollyn Grizzaffi, Nicklaus Langlois, Augusto Conde De Frankenberg

Undergraduate Research Conference

The target of this assessment was to conduct a water quality test on Lake Nacogdoches in Nacogdoches TX. Lake Nacogdoches is operated by the city of Nacogdoches for municipal water supply and recreation. One of the tests that we ran to determine water quality was a macroinvertebrates test. To do this, we kicked up substrate to expose the organisms burrowed deep in the soil and caught them in a d-frame kick net. We then used our macroinvertebrate key to identify the organism and find the level of biodiversity in the lake. This test is essential because biodiversity affects climate stability, …

Longitudinal Study Of Lanana Creek, Bayler Barnes, Jackson T. Ortiz, Trace Washburn

Undergraduate Research Conference

A longitudinal study was done to collect data on the various conditions of LananaCreek in Nacogdoches, Texas over a seven week span from September 14 to November 2, 2018. The part of the creek studies is a 3.5 mile stretch from East Austin Street to Hoya Soccer Complex, mostly located on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University. There were 6 different testing sites selected along this expanse. Collection of samples was performed by the General Chemistry I Honors class as part of the laboratory experience. Once collected, the samples were transported back to the lab for testing. The …

Global Ranking Of U.S. Adults Concerned About Climate Change, Eric Marek

Undergraduate Research Conference

Even with a plethora of evidence and the vast majority of climate scientists supporting climate change, there remains a considerable amount of denial among the public. The purpose of this research is to examine where the United States stands in relation to other countries on the topic of climate change. The aspects explored include the history of climate change, the effects of climate change on the environment, science literacy and pseudoscience beliefs, opposition to climate change, the mitigation of climate change, as well as public opinion of climate change. This paper will include measures taken by governments and businesses to …

Using Freshwater Mussels As An Indicator For River Water Quality, Joseph Gerland, Will Titone, Ariana Clark, Brad Michael

Undergraduate Research Conference

Using the freshwater mussel to monitor water quality is a practical and advantageous way to use nature’s indicator species. River water quality is an important measurement that is constantly monitored for many purposes. The sampling involved with monitoring can be very costly and time-consuming. Using mussels as indicator species could save money and time. So, this project has been dedicated to exploring the applications and reality of using freshwater mussels to monitor river quality.

Comparison Of Sustainable Development In Three Countries, Brittany Williams

School of Human Sciences Research Showcase

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts: the concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs.

Evaluation Of The Performance Of A Rural Surface Water Treatment Plant In Nacogdoches, Texas, Esmeralda Garcia, Jennifer Hanes, Phillip Sharp, Petra Kadakova, Kefa Karimu Onchoke, Michael Janusa

Undergraduate Research Conference

The performance of a rural surface water treatment plant in Nacogdoches Texas was assessed for selected metals (Ag, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, Li, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn) from June 2015 through spring 2016. Results indicate that the lake water coming into the surface water treatment plant was significantly cleaner after treatment and was below maximum World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards.

Comparison Of Water Discharge From Three Parking Lots In Nacogdoches, Mary-Leigh Winkler, Emily Greenstein, Turner Mcdougal, Bryce German

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Texas Black Bears, Alexandria Bryant

Undergraduate Research Conference

One way to promote conservation efforts in an area is to bring awareness of the connections our society has with the animal that is under threat. Black Bears were once abundant throughout Texas, but through hunting and habitat loss, the bears had been eliminated from Texas by the 1950s. The placing of the Louisiana subspecies as threatened under The Federal Endangered Species Act in 1922 allowed populations to recover in Louisiana, and there have been several sightings in East Texas since. The face of Texas has been forever altered byt the presence of black bears. From the forests of East …

Landscape Ecology On College Campuses To Promote Environmental Sustainability, Erin Stempinski

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Biodiesel: Tomorrow's Fuel, Today's Solution, Roberto J. Molina, Racheal A. Persuad

Undergraduate Research Conference

Study of physical and chemical properties of biodiesel fuels derived from poultry and plant fats.

Going Green Makes Cents!, Anthony Caldwell, Logan Fountain, Tiffany Snider

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

The Road To Leed Certification: Human Sciences South, Claire Collins, Kim Stockley, Whitney Kirkland

Undergraduate Research Conference

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings a set number of voluntary standards. LEED EB focuses on the performance of a building rather than it’s design.

The Green Business Revolution, Jacob Martin, Penny Mcclendon, Brian Watson, Jimanna Watson

Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.