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Articles 1 - 30 of 40
Full-Text Articles in Environmental Sciences
The Relationship Between Biofouling Adhesion And Frequency Of Mechanical Cleaning To Control The Recruitment To Clear Coatings, Dylan Thomas Eggers
The Relationship Between Biofouling Adhesion And Frequency Of Mechanical Cleaning To Control The Recruitment To Clear Coatings, Dylan Thomas Eggers
Theses and Dissertations
There is a need to control biofouling on sensors and transparent windows in the marine environment. Clear silicone coatings offer a method to reduce the adhesion strength of marine organisms to the surface, however, these also require mechanical cleaning to maintain the surfaces free of fouling. This research evaluated the performance of eighty seven formulations and took the top two candidates to investigate a) the frequencies of wiping required by a brush to maintain two coatings and uncoated glass surfaces free of fouling and b) the effects of clear silicone coatings fouling release properties on required frequencies. The panels were …
Optimizing Edge-Of-Field Water Quality Monitoring Methods To Determine The Effects Of Best Management Practices On Nutrient And Sediment Runoff, Mark Hill
Theses and Dissertations
This study investigates the impact on water quality of combined agricultural best management practices cover crop and minimum tillage, alongside an examination of techniques used to collect those samples. Edge-of-field (EOF) water quality samples were collected from 11 working farms during a two-year paired field experiment. Results showed significant reductions in nutrient concentrations, increased discharge, and mixed findings regarding nutrient mass transport post-treatment. A suite of EOF collection techniques were compared using in-situ automated water sampling systems sampling the same runoff events. Sampling protocols influenced nutrient concentrations in composite samples, but unexpected variance in velocity sensors affected measured discharge, making …
The Influence Of Marsh Edge And Seagrass Habitat On Summer Fish And Macroinvertebrate Recruitment To A Northern Gulf Of Mexico Coastal System, Rebecca Lea Gilpin
The Influence Of Marsh Edge And Seagrass Habitat On Summer Fish And Macroinvertebrate Recruitment To A Northern Gulf Of Mexico Coastal System, Rebecca Lea Gilpin
Theses and Dissertations
Marshes and seagrass beds have been widely recognized as important habitat for estuarine species, but less has been done on how these habitats interact and function together, thereby limiting understanding of the variability of juvenile recruitment to coastal systems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the interaction between fringing marsh and adjacent seagrass for the provision of habitat for juvenile nekton. Weekly seine net and benthic seagrass core sampling from June to November 2020 determine the relationship between nekton and marsh-edge and seagrass habitat. This study shows disparate results, in terms of the effects of proximity to …
Automated Mapping Of Oblique Imagery Collected With Unmanned Vehicles In Coastal And Marine Environments, Jacob B. Freeman
Automated Mapping Of Oblique Imagery Collected With Unmanned Vehicles In Coastal And Marine Environments, Jacob B. Freeman
Theses and Dissertations
Recent technological advances in unmanned observational platforms, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), have made them highly effective tools for research and monitoring within marine and coastal environments. One of the primary types of data collected by these systems is video imagery, which is often captured at an angle oblique to the Earth’s surface, rather than normal to it (e.g., downward looking). This thesis presents a newly developed suite of tools designed to digitally map oblique imagery data collected with ROV and sUAS in coastal and marine environments and quantitatively evaluates the accuracy of the …
Urban Flooding Accelerates The Affordable Housing Shortage: A Case Study In Columbia, South Carolina, Mary Hannah Lindsay
Urban Flooding Accelerates The Affordable Housing Shortage: A Case Study In Columbia, South Carolina, Mary Hannah Lindsay
Theses and Dissertations
The state of South Carolina stands at the corner where climate change and the housing crisis meet. The affordable housing stock across South Carolina continues to deplete as its major cities experience urban flooding events due to outdated and weakened infrastructure, compounded by an intensification of storm systems brought on by a changing climate. Lower income communities are forced to accept lesser living conditions and less resilient housing options because these options are more affordable. Renters are often met with more challenges when navigating disaster recovery compared to homeowners. Using a case study established in Columbia, South Carolina of the …
Determining The Effects Of Elevated Carbon Dioxide On Soil Acidification, Cation Depletion, And Soil Inorganic Carbon And Mapping Soil Carbons Using Artificial Intelligence, Jannatul Ferdush
Theses and Dissertations
Soil carbon is the largest sink and source of the global carbon cycle and is disturbed by several natural, anthropogenic, and environmental factors. The global increase of atmospheric CO2 affects soil carbon cycling through varied biogeochemical processes. The first chapter is a compilation of current information on potential factors triggering soil acidification and weathering mechanisms under elevated CO2 and their consequences on soil inorganic carbon (SIC) pool and quality. Soil water content and precipitation were critical factors influencing elevated CO2 effects on the SIC pool. The second chapter examines a detailed column experiment in which six soils …
Crop Circles In The Corn Belt: A Farm-Scale Model To Curb Future Crop Yield Loss With Blended Policy-Structural Adaptations, Daniel Ress
Theses and Dissertations
In today's rainfed agricultural regions farmers reliably produce marketable yields without the need for irrigation technology or specific planting policies. However, climate change is expected to challenge global food security. As a result, farmers might seek adaptation strategies. This research investigates the spatiotemporal suitability of blended policy-structural adaptations to reduce yield losses in Greene County, Ohio. A crop-water model is used to calibrate and generate field-scale yield predictions. The resultant framework holds the potential to inform farmer and county-level decision making under future climate uncertainty, and it illustrates the tradeoffs between adaptation cost and yield security.
Characterization And Analysis Of Bomarc Accident Debris, Aaron J. Heffelfinger
Characterization And Analysis Of Bomarc Accident Debris, Aaron J. Heffelfinger
Theses and Dissertations
Accidents involving nuclear weapons, such as the Boeing Michigan Aeronautical Research Center (BOMARC) accident in 1960, always pose a significant risk of allowing particles composed of nuclear materials to enter the environment. These particles often differ in characteristics and can be of greatly varying sizes. Gamma ray analysis was conducted on the soil sample and radioisotopes within the sample were identified. Two non-destructive methods for locating actinide bearing particles within the sample were testing, resulting in 70 actinide bearing particles ranging from 1-34 microns being identified. These 70 particles underwent both morphological and elemental characterization, indicating uranium and other elements.
Analysis Of Pollution Prevention Business Case Analyses, Erwin A. Spencer Jr.
Analysis Of Pollution Prevention Business Case Analyses, Erwin A. Spencer Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research is to improve the Business Case Analysis (BCA) process in the context of pollution prevention. The research will inform guidance, training, and policy recommendations. Using grounded theory methods allowed us to gather qualitative data directly from participants actively involved in pollution prevention projects. In addition to answering several research questions, the results of the research informed the design of a tool to help government and contractor personnel agree on what constitutes a high-quality BCA. This research has implications for DoD decision making and future studies in environmental cost analysis.
Fluid Dynamics Modeling For Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Removal In Legacy Fire Suppression Systems, Jacob G. Spaulding
Fluid Dynamics Modeling For Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Removal In Legacy Fire Suppression Systems, Jacob G. Spaulding
Theses and Dissertations
Legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) exist in the form of aqueous film-forming foams within hangar fire suppression systems throughout the country, posing a threat to both surrounding environments as well as local populations. The United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD), in conjunction with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is investigating best practices to flush out existing contaminants prior to disposal and replacement with a less environmentally harmful replacement. While current procedures dictate a triple rinse of the entire system to yield contaminant levels acceptable to the DoD, the practice has never truly been tested. Designed as a …
Quantifying Permafrost Extent, Condition, And Degradation At Eielson Air Force Base, Theodore J. Labedz
Quantifying Permafrost Extent, Condition, And Degradation At Eielson Air Force Base, Theodore J. Labedz
Theses and Dissertations
The DoD is executing over $500M in military construction on Eielson Air Force Base (AFB) within the next three years. This construction program will expand the footprint of facilities and change parts of the storm water management scheme, which may have second order effects on the underlying permafrost layers. These changes in permafrost will drive engineering decision, and help shape the overall strategy for military readiness in the Arctic. Little site-specific knowledge exists on the human caused effects to permafrost at this location. In 2016, the permafrost degradation rates at Eielson AFB were modeled using the Geophysical Institute Permafrost Laboratory …
The Impacts Of Climate Change And Anthropogenic Processes On Permafrost Soils And Usaf Infrastructure Within Northern Tier Bases, Alexander J. Graboski
The Impacts Of Climate Change And Anthropogenic Processes On Permafrost Soils And Usaf Infrastructure Within Northern Tier Bases, Alexander J. Graboski
Theses and Dissertations
The Department of Defense is planning over $552M in military construction on Eielson Air Force Base within the next three fiscal years. Although many studies have been conducted on permafrost and climate change, the future of our climate as well as any impacts on permafrost soils, remains unclear. This research focused on future climate predictions to determine likely scenarios for the United States Air Force’s Strategic Planners to consider. The most recent 2013 International Panel on Climate Change report predicts a 2.2ºC to 7.8ºC temperature rise in Arctic regions by the end of the 21st Century in the Representative Concentration …
Environmental Applications Of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems In Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, And Procedures For Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear Reconnaissance And Surveillance, Brandon B. Barnes
Theses and Dissertations
Small unmanned aircraft systems can be used for a variety of environmental applications. SUAS under 50 kg have the most utility at the tactical level and benefit from the research and development of systems currently being manufactured. Integrating chemical sensors into these systems can enhance Multi-service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Reconnaissance and Surveillance. Considering the advantages and disadvantages in the fundamental science of twelve detection technologies, four types of sensors emerged as candidates for SUAS integration. Using specifications from commercial-off-the-shelf sensors, these four detection technologies (Electrochemical, Metal Oxide Semiconductor, Photoionization, and Catalytic Bead) were …
A Simulation-Based Analysis Of Chemical And Radiological Hazard Zones Adapted To Physical Boundaries, Mickie J. Sundheim
A Simulation-Based Analysis Of Chemical And Radiological Hazard Zones Adapted To Physical Boundaries, Mickie J. Sundheim
Theses and Dissertations
In the United States, industrial and terrorist use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) materials pose a risk to public safety. During the initial phase of typical CBRN incidents, emergency responders establish hazard zones based on standard distances from published guidelines and recommendations. This research investigates how standard hazard zones change in a real world environment that accounts for physical boundaries. Using a python simulation in ArcGIS®, new hazard zones were created by expanding standard hazard zones to follow nearby roads, railroads, and rivers. The new and standard zones were compared by calculating the population and area affected by …
Comparing Three Methods For Estimating Ozone Depleting Substance Substitute Greenhouse Gases: Case Study Of The New York City Region, Wallace A. Murray Iii
Comparing Three Methods For Estimating Ozone Depleting Substance Substitute Greenhouse Gases: Case Study Of The New York City Region, Wallace A. Murray Iii
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis evaluates the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method for estimating emissions from one source, Ozone Depleting Substances Substitutes (ODS substitutes) by comparing results for the New York City Metropolitan Statistical Area (NYC-MSA) with results from two other methodologies. The EPA’s method utilizes population data and GDP data to estimate and geographically allocate emissions, with little regard for the geographies of industrial activity. The two alternative methods use data for industrial employment and activity to provide results for comparison and perhaps a more accurate accounting and allocation of emissions throughout the NYC-MSA.
Speed And Resolution In The Age Of Technological Reproducibility, Shawn Taylor
Speed And Resolution In The Age Of Technological Reproducibility, Shawn Taylor
Theses and Dissertations
The rate of acceleration of the biologic and synthetic world has for a while now, been in the process of exponentially speeding up, maxing out servers and landfills, merging with each other, destroying each other. The last prehistoric relics on Earth are absorbing the same oxygen, carbon dioxide and electronic waves in our biosphere as us. A degraded .jpeg enlarged to full screen on a Samsung 4K UHD HU8550 Series Smart TV - 85” Class (84.5” diag.). Within this composite ecology, the ancient limestone of the grand canyon competes with the iMax movie of itself, the production of Mac pros, …
"Mining" For A Reference Condition In Southern West Virginia Streams, Matthew Rouch
"Mining" For A Reference Condition In Southern West Virginia Streams, Matthew Rouch
Theses and Dissertations
Quarterly samples were used to estimate assemblage-level (all species combined) fish production within three minimally-impacted, southern West Virginia streams. The total annual fish production estimate was highest in Slaunch Fork (37.52 kg∙ha-1∙y-1), a tributary of the Tug Fork River, and lowest in Cabin Creek (10.59 kg∙ha-1∙y-1), a Guyandotte River tributary. Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus, Mottled Sculpin Cottus bairdii and Blacknose Dace Rhinicthys atratulus were the most abundant species among sites, accounting for >90% of all sampled individuals. Reference condition criteria were also selected and metrics calculated for each of the three …
Emissions From Simulated Open Burning Of Deployed Us Military Waste, Brian D. Woodall
Emissions From Simulated Open Burning Of Deployed Us Military Waste, Brian D. Woodall
Theses and Dissertations
U.S. military forces have relied primarily on open burning as an expedient method of volume reduction and treatment of solid waste during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. This study is the first effort to characterize a broad range of pollutants and their emission factors during the burning of military waste and the effects that recycling efforts, namely removing plastics, might have on emissions. Piles of simulated military waste were constructed, burned, and emissions sampled at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Open Burn Testing Facility (OBTF), Research Triangle Park, NC. Three tests contained polyethylene terephthalate (PET #1 or PET) …
Prototyping The Use Of Dispersion Models To Predict Ground Concentrations During Burning Of Deployed Military Waste, Val Oppenheimer
Prototyping The Use Of Dispersion Models To Predict Ground Concentrations During Burning Of Deployed Military Waste, Val Oppenheimer
Theses and Dissertations
United States military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan have often used open burning of solid waste as a means to achieve volume reduction and to minimize vector borne illnesses. Assessing exposures to burn pit emissions has proven challenging, requiring significant numbers of personnel and sampling equipment. This study examined the use of three common dispersion models to determine the feasibility of using software modeling to predict short-range exposures to burn pit emissions, in lieu of sole reliance on ground sampling. Four open burn tests of municipal solid waste were conducted at Tooele Army Depot, Utah. Aerial samples were collected above …
An Evaluation Of A Networked Radiation Detection System, Leif A. Hansen
An Evaluation Of A Networked Radiation Detection System, Leif A. Hansen
Theses and Dissertations
First responders assess a Nuclear/Radiological (NUCRAD) event in a timely and accurate manner by creating a site characterization that reflects the location of various levels of contamination based on their instruments’ readings. The survey team experiences difficulty in accurately recording this critical data due to the challenge of operating multiple devices and communicating the devices’ readings to other survey members. First responders produce a representation of the contamination or activity on a map that contain rings outlining the levels of activity and/or single locations of a single activity. Recently, several agencies began creating software programs that record a first responder’s …
Microbial Degradation Of Fuel Oxygenates Under Aerobic Conditions, John M. Dietz
Microbial Degradation Of Fuel Oxygenates Under Aerobic Conditions, John M. Dietz
Theses and Dissertations
This research determined the rate and extent of aerobic biodegradation of fuel oxygenates ethyl tert butyl ether (ETBE), tert amyl methyl ether (TAME), and ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Biodegradation was measured using gas chromatography (GC), respirometry, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) tests. Additionally, the research determined the effects of toluene on degradation rates. This microcosm study used a microbial consortium obtained from a petroleum refinery wastewater treatment facility. Respirometry data were collected from chambers containing pure oxygenates, or oxygenate/toluene mixtures. Samples were withdrawn periodically for GC analysis. Aerobic conditions were maintained in the chambers at all times. The five-day BOD test …
Comparative Analysis Of Biosurveillance Methodologies, David M. Kempisty
Comparative Analysis Of Biosurveillance Methodologies, David M. Kempisty
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this research is to compare two different biosurveillance methodologies: BioWatch and "A Hot Idea". BioWatch is fielded and operating in major US cities today. Air samples are collected on filter paper and analyzed for the presence of harmful biological agents. "A Hot Idea" is an evolving methodology using the human body's immune response to identify the onset of infection from a harmful pathogen. Detecting a temperature increase, using infrared thermographers, in a statistically significant portion of population would allow earlier identification of a biological release, accelerating initiation of response actions. A selected population including policemen, firemen, and …
Validation Of Methods To Measure Mass Flux Of A Groundwater Contaminant, Hyouk Yoon
Validation Of Methods To Measure Mass Flux Of A Groundwater Contaminant, Hyouk Yoon
Theses and Dissertations
In this study, flux measurements obtained using two methods are compared with known mass fluxes in a meso-scale three-dimensional artificial aquifer. One method, the tandem recirculating well (TRW) method, is applied using two different techniques. One technique is simple and inexpensive, only requiring measurement of heads, while the second technique requires conducting a tracer test. The second method, the integrated pump test (IPT) method, requires use of one or more pumping and observation wells in various configurations. The results of the experiments in the artificial aquifer show that the most expensive technique, the TRW method using tracers, provides the most …
Characterization Of Microbial Processes That Degrade Chlorinated Solvents In A Constructed Wetland Using Organic Acid And Inorganic Anion Concentration Profiles, Chad B. Bondurant
Characterization Of Microbial Processes That Degrade Chlorinated Solvents In A Constructed Wetland Using Organic Acid And Inorganic Anion Concentration Profiles, Chad B. Bondurant
Theses and Dissertations
Chlorinated solvents have been used in industrial cleaning and degreasing processes in the United States since the early 1900s, and their induction into the environment increased significantly with the growth of industrial processes over the past century. PCE, TCE and their daughter products have been associated with a number of human health concerns and are currently the most common contaminants found in groundwater in the United States. Wetlands possess characteristics necessary for the complete degradation of chlorinated ethenes by microorganisms via anaerobic and aerobic regions that foster the necessary oxidation-reduction conditions. Organic acid and inorganic anion concentrations were evaluated in …
Remote Sensing Systems Optimization For Geobase Enhancement, Steve J. Paylor
Remote Sensing Systems Optimization For Geobase Enhancement, Steve J. Paylor
Theses and Dissertations
The U.S. Air Force is in the process of implementing GeoBase, a geographic information system (GIS), throughout its worldwide installations, Air Force GIS needs can be augmented by imagery from aerial and satellite platforms. Imagery has greatly improved over the past several years and provides high resolution coverage of features on earth. Various imagery types will significantly increase GeoBase usefulness in a range of mission requirements, Potential Air Force uses of imagery include identifying heat loss, environmental monitoring, command decision-making, and emergency response, The research develops a decision tool to determine the appropriate imagery for a given Air Force Application, …
A System Dynamics Investigation Of Genetic Drift And Translocation In The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Metapopulation, Jason E. Yates
A System Dynamics Investigation Of Genetic Drift And Translocation In The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Metapopulation, Jason E. Yates
Theses and Dissertations
The red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is classified under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as an endangered species As such, the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) is afforded strict protection in an effort to return the RCW population to a self-sustainable level. Endemic to southeastern United States mature pine forests, the presence of the RCW impacts the operations of many Department of Defense (DoD) installations. A particular challenge in sustaining what are often small populations of RCW at these locations is the loss of genetic variation due to genetic drift. The optimal method for mitigating such loss is through the artificial immigration, …
Evaporation Of Jet Fuels, Charles Eric Hack
Evaporation Of Jet Fuels, Charles Eric Hack
Theses and Dissertations
Determining the fate and transport of JP-8 jet fuel is a complex and important problem. As part of the startup procedures for jet engines, fuel is passed through aircraft engines before combustion is initiated. Because of the extremely low temperatures at northern tier Air Force bases, the unburned fuel does not evaporate readily and may come into contact with ground crew. To determine the amount and duration of contaminant contact, the evaporation of the emitted fuel must be modeled. The amount and composition of the fuel upon reaching the ground crew may be determined by droplet evaporation models that have …
The Fate And Transport Of Airborne Jp-4 And Jp-8 Aerosol During Cold Startup, Bradford Eugene Buckman
The Fate And Transport Of Airborne Jp-4 And Jp-8 Aerosol During Cold Startup, Bradford Eugene Buckman
Theses and Dissertations
During cold startup (engine warm-up) procedures at northern tier bases, fuel aerosol (JP-4 and JP-8) is emitted before complete combustion of the fuel occurs. The time necessary for complete combustion to occur may be as long as 10 minutes. Hence, during these first few minutes, aerosol is emitted at relatively high concentrations. This research investigates the principle behavior of the emitted aerosol: advection, dispersion, evaporation, and settling. Using previous work in fuel jettisoning and evaporation as a foundation, this thesis investigates the physical factors affecting the airborne concentration of fuel aerosol at different times, the amount of fuel aerosol reaching …
A System Dynamics Model Of The Bioavailability Of Metals In Constructed Wetland Sediment, Timothy S. Wood
A System Dynamics Model Of The Bioavailability Of Metals In Constructed Wetland Sediment, Timothy S. Wood
Theses and Dissertations
Constructed wetlands used for storm water treatment accumulate metals primarily in their sediment. This sediment has the potential to produce toxic effects in benthic organisms at some period in time. Bioavailability of metals in sediment is directly linked to pore water metal activity. The mechanisms that influence pore water metal activity are included in physical, chemical, and biological processes. A system dynamics model was developed to represent these processes and the major influences affecting pore water metal activity in a treatment wetland receiving storm water influent. The model structure and behavior was tested and validated using several system dynamics validation …
Modeling Uptake And Translocation Of Lead (Pb) In Maize For The Purposes Of Phytoextraction, Mark A. Brennan
Modeling Uptake And Translocation Of Lead (Pb) In Maize For The Purposes Of Phytoextraction, Mark A. Brennan
Theses and Dissertations
Phytoextraction is a remediation technology that uses plants to remove heavy metals from soil. This technology has the potential to decrease the costs of remediating contaminated sites by several orders of magnitude compared to traditional technologies. To effectively implement this technology requires an understanding of the plant processes that control uptake and translocation of metals from the soil. Currently these processes are poorly understood, and especially so for Pb. The purpose of this thesis was to gain insights concerning the plant mechanisms that control uptake and translocation of Pb and how these mechanisms interact to control levels of Pb accumulation …