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Natural And Constructed Wetlands For Ecosystem And Engineering Services In The Arid And Semi-Arid Regions, Achyut Raj Adhikari

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Las Vegas Wash (LVW) has undergone significant wetlands degradation and soil erosion over the past thirty years due to increasing flow resulting from urbanization and large rainfall events in the Las Vegas Valley Watershed. The increased flow and associated pollution load in the LVW and its adverse impact in Lake Mead have alerted stakeholders to pay a greater attention to explore alternative measures for rehabilitation of wetland ecosystems. This dissertation, using the case of changes in LVW, analyzes and describes ecological and engineering services provided by wetlands in arid and semi-arid regions and provides a knowledge base that can …

Burial And Exhumation History Of Mississippian Strata In East-Central Nevada, Yuki Yunika Agulia

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Zircon (U-Th)/He analyses and vitrinite reflectance (Ro) analyses were performed on a suite of Mississippian sedimentary rocks collected in east-central Nevada in order to test Permian exhumation described in a previous study.

The zircon analyses produced three clusters of ages: 1) older than, 2) similar to, and 3) younger than depositional age. The majority of zircons shows ages that are older than the sandstone deposition age. Young ages were recorded in three localities that may indicate reset ages/residence within the (U-Th)/He partial retention zone (HePRZ). Moderate-high ratios of Th/U may indicate a magmatic source. Vitrinite reflectance (Ro) analyses show values …

Nutrient Dynamics In Stormwater Runoff From Green Roofs With Varying Substrate, John Michael Fohner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One major concern with urban development is the increasing amount of stormwater runoff from large expanses of impervious surfaces. These impervious surfaces reduce the ability of stormwater to infiltrate into the soil and eventually groundwater, which leads to greater amounts of surface runoff. Green technology serves as a viable solution to many of the environmental problems presented by modern development. Fifteen mock, extensive green roofs were built in the fall of 2008 at the Watershed Research and Education Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The goals of this project were to (1) measure the amount of stormwater runoff from varying treatments and …

Terrestrial Vertebrate Families On Noah's Ark, Seth J. Beech

Senior Honors Theses

One of the central challenges faced by young-Earth creation researchers who believe the Bible to be the inerrant Word of God is defending the Biblical claim that two of every kind of nephesh animal was saved from the great flood on Noah’s ark. Recently, Answers in Genesis became involved in the design and construction of a full-sized, authentic replica of Noah’s ark. They have endeavored to be as accurate as possible in presenting the number of kinds that would have needed to be on the ark in order to have the diversity in species that we observe today. In order …

Paleobiological Assessment Of Controls Underlying Long-Term Diversity Dynamics, Andrés L. Cárdenas

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Deciphering the factors underlying both long-term patterns of diversity and taxonomic turnover rates (i.e., extinction, and origination) has been one of Paleobiology's major foci for the past three decades. The importance of documenting these components is that they will expand our ability to interpret and model the evolutionary processes underlying those trends, highlight the evolutionary impact of historical events, and contribute to the formulation of robust predictions about the future of global diversity in response to the current anthropologically driven environmental changes. Accordingly, the first part of this study examines the possible occurrence of global marine evolutionary environmental controls into …

U.S. Presidents And Their Geological Thinking, Dan Merriam

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

A number of United States presidents had some experience in geological thought and investigations and keen interests in the environment. The first U.S. president, George Washington, was a land surveyor. Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd U.S. president, was a keen supporter of science and maintained an interest in paleontology, and played a key role in the development of American paleontology. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. president, was a strong supporter of the national park service and was an influential naturalist.

Herbert Hoover, the 31st U.S. president, was a Stanford University graduate with a degree in geology and mining – a true …

An Assessment Of The Relationship Between Air Mass Frequency And Extreme Drought In The Midwest United States, Curtis Walker, Erin Potter, Nicholas Esposito, Melissa Godek

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The Midwest of the United States is a region extensively utilized for agriculture and livestock production despite great susceptibility to widespread and persistent drought. While the location and duration of droughts are related to dynamic meteorological factors, pinpointing when and where a drought will commence, how long it will persist, and when the drought will end, remains a challenge. This investigation examines significant Midwest drought events from a synoptic meteorological perspective through an assessment of air mass frequency over the past decade. A synoptic approach is useful since air masses characteristically describe multiple weather and climate parameters at the same …

Droughtscape, Spring 2012, National Drought Mitigation Center

DroughtScape: Quarterly Newsletter of the National Drought Mitigation Center (2007–2023)

Contents

Director’s report.

Climate Masters 1

Ranch plan workshop . 3

Winter climate summary 4

Winter impacts summary . 6

Zhao research.

Getachew research 0

Other international news

Wardlow move 13

IPCC disaster report .

Phosphate Availability During Sediment Resuspension Events In The Great Bay Estuary, Taylor Langkau

Honors Theses and Capstones

Phosphate is an important nutrient to marine ecosystems such as the Great Bay Estuary. However, its bioavailability is limited due to its tendency to adsorb to marine sediments, especially iron oxides. This paper investigates phosphate dynamics during a simulated storm compared to calm conditions and aims to quantify the mechanisms of phosphate adsorption.

Wilson Cycles, Tectonic Inheritance, And Rifting Of The North American Gulf Of Mexico Continental Margin, Audrey D. Huerta, Dennis L. Harry

Geological Sciences Faculty Scholarship

The tectonic evolution of the North American Gulf of Mexico continental margin is characterized by two Wilson cycles, i.e., repeated episodes of opening and closing of ocean basins along the same structural trend. This evolution includes (1) the Precambrian Grenville orogeny; (2) formation of a rift-transform margin during late Precambrian opening of the Iapetus Ocean; (3) the late Paleozoic Ouachita orogeny during assembly of Pangea; and (4) Mesozoic rifting during opening of the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike the Atlantic margins, where Wilson cycles were first recognized, breakup in the Gulf of Mexico did not initially focus within the orogen, but …

Heterogeneous Detection Probabilities For Imperiled Missouri River Fishes: Implications For Large-River Monitoring Programs, Joshua T. Schloesser, Craig P. Paukert, Wyatt J. Doyle, Tracy D. Hill, Kirk D. Steffensen, Vince H. Travnichek

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

Occupancy modeling was used to determine (1) if detection probabilities (p) for 7 regionally imperiled Missouri River fishes (Scaphirhynchus albus, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, Cycleptus elongatus, Sander canadensis, Macrhybopsis aestivalis, Macrhybopsis gelida, and Macrhybopsis meeki) differed among gear types (i.e. stationary gill nets, drifted trammel nets, and otter trawls), and (2) how detection probabilities were affected by habitat (i.e. pool, bar, and open water), longitudinal position (five 189 to 367 rkm long segments), sampling year (2003 to 2006), and season (July 1 to October 30 and October 31 to June 30). Adult, large-bodied fishes were …

Habitat And Prey Availability Attributes Associated With Juvenile And Early Adult Pallid Sturgeon Occurrence In The Missouri River, Usa, Bryan D. Spindler, Steven R. Chipps, Robert A. Klumb, Brian D. S. Graeb, Michael C. Wimberly

United States Geological Survey: Staff Publications

The pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus is a federally endangered species native to the Missouri and lower Mississippi Rivers, USA. As part of recovery efforts, over 360 000 pallid sturgeon have been stocked into the Missouri River since 1994, and a standardized, long-term monitoring program was initiated in 2003. Understanding the distribution and habitat requirements of juvenile and early adult pallid sturgeon (fork length <720 mm, age <10 yr) is an important goal of the monitoring and recovery programs. In this study, we collected information on habitat characteristics and prey availability from the upper Missouri River along the Nebraska-South Dakota border and compared these attributes between capture (present) and non-capture (absent) locations (N = 59). To evaluate the relative influence of habitat and prey availability on pallid sturgeon occurrence, we examined several candidate models using an informationtheoretic approach. A prey availability model had the most support and included site-specific information on Diptera and Ephemeroptera abundance. A habitat-based model showed that juveniles and early adults were found in relatively deeper water and avoided areas where bottom velocities were greater than 1.2 m s−1. Although not as well supported as the prey-effects model (evidence ratio = 6.4), habitat features also provided a plausible model for predicting occurrence. The models developed here could be used to evaluate pallid sturgeon habitat potential in the Missouri River basin and help guide future monitoring and conservation management of this endangered species.

Proceedings Of The European Society For Isotope Research - Esir Ix, Editor: Bogdan P. Onac, Editor: Ioan I. Bucur

Studia UBB Geologia

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Human Activities In The Gutaiului Mountains, Romania, Angelica Feurdean, Ciprian Astalos

Studia UBB Geologia

The examination of pollen and charcoal from the Gutâiului Mountains in northwestern Romania and the archaeological evidence from surroundings provides some information on how past human activities have changed the vegetation in this region. The first evidence of potential human influence upon the woodlands is manifested by fire clearance recorded at approximately 7900 cal. yr BP coinciding with the Early Neolithic. The charcoal peaks at ca. 5750, 3300, 2700, 1500, 1000 cal. yr BP, and during the last 300 years are associated with episodes of decline of main woodland constituents (Ulmus, Tilia, Fraxinus, and Corylus), and the expansion of fire-precursors …

Tabasosphaera Pustulosa Nov. Gen., Nov. Sp., A Microproblematicum (Foraminifer?) From The Upper Triassic (Norian-Rhaetian) Reef Limestone Of Nayban Formation (Ne Iran), Baba Senowbari-Daryan

Studia UBB Geologia

A microproblematicum with calcaerous test, Tabasosphaera pustulosa nov. gen., nov. sp., a hollow spherical microfossil with pustule-like elements on the outer surface, is described from Upper Triassic (Norian-Rhaetian) reef limestones exposed near the town of Ali-Abad, south of Tabas (northeast Iran). Tabasosphaera is an endobiotic organism living within the cavities of other organisms, such as brachiopods, worm tubes, or in sponge spongocoels. The systematic position of Tabasosphaera, its interspecific association and the fossil assemblage of which it makes part is discussed. Most probably Tabasosphaera represents a foraminifer belonging to the group Lagenina.

A Middle Miocene Dolphin From Domasnea (Caransebes-Mehadia Miocene Basin), Vlad Codrea, Vasile Serețan

Studia UBB Geologia

A small-sized dolphin humerus originating from a drill core sample collected from a borehole located at Domaşnea (Middle Miocene Caransebeş-Mehadia Basin, South Carpatians) was found. This dolphin is assigned to Kentriodontidae family. The level the fossil originated from is Late Volhynian-Early Bessarabian (Sarmatian s. str.), probably located either to the top of Globu Craiovei Formation, or to the lowermost Petnic Formation succession. The bone is comparable with similar discoveries reported from Tăşad and Cluj-Napoca, both located in the inner Carpatian area. This new Kentriodontidae locality proves the large geographic extension of these dolphins in the Sarmatian Paratethys.

Upper Triassic (Norian-Rhaetian) New Thalamid Sponges From Northern Calabria (Southern Italy), Baba Senowbari-Daryan, Valeria Zamparelli

Studia UBB Geologia

Two new “sphinctozoan” sponges, Calabrisiphonella labyrinthica nov. gen., nov. sp. and Calabrispongia globosa nov. gen., nov. sp., are described from reef boulders derived from Triassic dolomites (“Dolomia principale“) of the Argentino valley in Northern Calabria (Southern Italy). Calabrisiphonella is an Amblysiphonella-type sponge characterized by having a complicated canal system (labyrinth-like) within the chamber walls. The structure of Calabrispongia is similar to some Paleozoic or Jurassic "Stromatoporoidea“, which are attributed to the sponges. The systemtic position of both sponges, described here, is discussed. The age of the sponge-bearing reefs represented in the boulders is Norian-Rhaetian.

Considerations On The Parent Material In The Soil Developed On The Evaporite Deposits From Stana (Cluj District), Horea Bedelean

Studia UBB Geologia

This research concerned three profiles developed on Eocene (Priabonian) gypsum parent material from Stana (Cluj district) in order to investigate their properties. The soil and parent material samples were collected from individual horizons in each profile. Both the mineralogical and structural-textural features of the parent material (evaporitic deposits) reflect the depositional context. From a mineralogical point of view, the deposits are represented by gypsum, and anhydrite. Typical sulfate facies are present: laminitic, nodular, gypscretic, and entherolitic. Physical and mineralogical properties of the soil layers were determined in the laboratory. The field observations and the results of the analyses allowed us …

A Study On The Geology Of The Ţaga Region (Cluj District), Ioan MâRza

Studia UBB Geologia

The geological formations from Ţaga area (Cluj District) are Sarmatian in age (in outcrops) and Badenian (under surface). Lithologically, they are represented mainly by sands and sometimes fine sediments (clays, marls), interbedded with volcanic tuffs a low fossil content. The Badenian is the host of gas accumulations, concentrated in dome structures.

A Paleoecological Reconstruction Of The Late Glacial And Holocene Based On Multidisciplinary Studies At Steregoiu Site (Gutai Mts., Romania), Angelica Feurdean, Leif BjöRkman, Barbara Wohlfarth

Studia UBB Geologia

High resolution analyses of pollen, mineral magnetic properties, loss of ignition, lithostratigraphy and AMS 14C measurements of lake sediments and peat deposits accumulated in the former crater lake of Steregoiu (Gutâiului Mts., NW Romania), gave new and important information about vegetation and climate changes from the period GS-2 to the present. During the Lateglacial, three cold events were recorded: before 14,700 cal. years BP (GS-2), 14,050–13,800 cal. years BP (GI-1d), 12,900-11,500 cal. years BP (GS-1), and a warm climatic event between 13,800-12,950 cal. years BP (GI-1c to GL-1a). The Late Glacial/Holocene transition around 11,500 cal. years BP, was determined by …

New Data On The Volcanic Tuff From Petrestii De Jos (Cluj District), Horea Bedelean, Ioan Ivan, Dana Pop, Ioan Bedelean, Gheorghe Pleșoiu

Studia UBB Geologia

The present study was carried out on the cineritic interlayers from Petreştii de Jos (closed quarry from Indolului Valley), in order to present their detailed mineralogical-petrographical features. Previous work already noticed the similarity of this tuff level with Dej Tuff Complex in other areas. The studied outcrop consists of a compact volcanic tuff interlayered with marls and tuffaceous clays. The analytical investigations: chemical analyses, X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and electron microscopy reveal the nature of the diagenetic transformations dominated by zeolitization. Besides clinoptilolite, which is the typical zeolite for Dej Tuff from the Transylvanian Depression, our investigation evidenced also the …

Changes In Run-Off And Groundwater Under Saltbush Grazing Systems: Preliminary Results Of A Paired Catchment Study, D L. Bennett, Richard J. George Dr, Richard Silberstein

Resource management technical reports

No abstract provided.

Processing Quality Of Potato Tubers Produced During Autumn And Spring And Stored At Different Temperatures, Sergio T. De Freitas, Engil Isadora Pujol Pereira, Ana Cecilia S. Gomez, Auri Brackmann, Fernando Nicoloso, Dilson A. Bisognin

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

The objective of this work was to access processing quality of potato clones (Solanum tuberosum) Asterix, SMINIA793101-3, and Missaukee cultivated during spring and autumn growing seasons and stored at 4, 8, 12, or 25ºC. Clones grown in spring had shorter dormancy than clones grown in autumn. Potato tubers grown in spring and autumn and stored at 4ºC, as well as tubers grown in autumn and stored at 8ºC had no sprouting for six months. Among clones grown in autumn, the longest dormancy period during storage at 12ºC was observed in the clone SMINIA793101-3, and at 25ºC was in the clone …

The Water Footprint Of Humanity, Arjen Y. Hoekstra, Mesfin Mekonnen

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

This study quantifies and maps the water footprint (WF) of humanity at a high spatial resolution. It reports on consumptive use of rainwater (green WF) and ground and surface water (blue WF) and volumes of water polluted (gray WF). Water footprints are estimated per nation from both a production and consumption perspective. International virtual water flows are estimated based on trade in agricultural and industrial commodities. The global annual average WF in the period 1996–2005 was 9,087 Gm3 ∕y (74% green, 11% blue, 15% gray). Agricultural production contributes 92%. About one-fifth of the global WF relates to production for export. …

Particle Transport Over Rough Hillslope Surfaces By Dry Ravel: Experiments And Simulations With Implications For Nonlocal Sediment Flux, Emmanuel Gabet, Morgan Mendoza

Faculty Publications

Past studies of hillslope evolution have typically assumed that soil creep processes are governed by a linear relationship between local hillslope angle and transport distance. The assumption of “linear diffusion” has fallen out of favor because, when coupled with an expression of mass continuity, it yields unrealistic hillslope profiles. As a consequence, a better understanding of the mechanics of sediment transport is needed. Here we report results from a series of flume experiments performed to investigate sediment transport by dry ravel, a common soil creep process in arid and semiarid environments. We find that, at gentle slopes, transport distances follow …

Evolution Of The Earliest Horses Driven By Climate Change In The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, Ross Secord, Jonathan I. Bloch, Stephen G. B. Chester, Doug M. Boyer, Aaron R. Wood, Scott L. Wing, Mary J. Kraus, Francesca A. Mcinerney, John Krigbaum

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Faculty Publications

Body size plays a critical role in mammalian ecology and physiology. Previous research has shown that many mammals became smaller during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), but the timing and magnitude of that change relative to climate change have been unclear. A high-resolution record of continental climate and equid body size change shows a directional size decrease of ~30% over the first ~130,000 years of the PETM, followed by a ~76% increase in the recovery phase of the PETM. These size changes are negatively correlated with temperature inferred from oxygen isotopes in mammal teeth and were probably driven by shifts …

Role And Importance Of Alfalfa In Beef Diets, Jeff Lehmkuhler

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

Alfalfa is often referred to as the “Queen” of forage. Is this because of its high fertility needs and more finicky soil fertility needs along with greater management for optimal growth and persistency? Or is it because of it being on top of nearly all other forages for yield and quality? Truth be told, it is likely a combination of all these factors. Alfalfa is a versatile forage as it can be harvested for hay or silage and also grazed with proper management. For these reasons, this forage can fit well in beef operations.

Alfalfa Hay For Horses, Robert Coleman

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

When horse owners consider hay for their horses, a number of criteria are generally considered. Of major importance is the hay must be free of mold and dust. It needs to contain nutrients needed by the horse and it must be palatable. If these criteria are met, the type of hay should not matter. However, that is not the case with many horse owners. When discussing the selection of hay, many owners first consider the type of hay. Can it be alfalfa or should it be a grass or how about a mix of grass and a legume. If a …

National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance, Beth Nelson

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) was formed on April 6, 2006. Its membership consists of state/regional seed associations, state/regional hay associations, genetic suppliers, seed marketers, allied industry, and research/extension affiliates. Each of these industry segments has representation on the NAFA board of directors.

Kentucky Department Of Agriculture Hay Testing Program, Kim Field

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture offers a forage testing service which provides nutritional and energy value information. A Kentucky Department of Agriculture staff member will take sample(s) of hay and/or haylage at the farm and analyze them in the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Forage Laboratory located in Frankfort. Tested forages can mean higher profit, whether feeding cattle, horses, goats, sheep or other livestock. By knowing the nutritional and energy value, you can minimize your cost and maximize your production.