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A Remote Sensing Approach To Identifying Zones Of Instability In Mine Tailings Impoundments Using Multi-Sensor Satellite Data, Arden K. Pierce

Honors Theses

Mine tailings impoundments are structures built to contain the chemical and sedimentary byproducts generated by ore extraction activities. In this common method of mining waste storage, the tailings can be pumped into containment ponds and held behind earthen embankments to prevent the release of hazardous substances into the surrounding environment. Monitoring environmental factors that influence the structural integrity of these impoundments is essential for identifying areas vulnerable to instability and failure. Soil moisture is a factor that can affect the stability of mine tailings impoundment structures. This study evaluates the relationship between satellite-derived soil moisture and surface deformation at mine …

Evaluating Improvements In Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Using Newly Derived Slope Units, Xinyi Zhang

Honors Capstones

Landslides frequently occur in mountainous regions and remain one of the major natural hazards threatening human safety, infrastructure, and regional development. In areas with steep terrain and intense rainfall, landslide disasters often cause serious economic losses and environmental damage. Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) has been widely used to identify potential landslide prone areas and to support disaster prevention, land management, and hazard mitigation. The accuracy of LSM is strongly influenced by the selection of mapping units.

This study focuses on I-lan County, Taiwan, and applies a newly derived slope unit dataset to evaluate its influence on landslide susceptibility mapping. Using …

Sequential Products Of Anaerobic Denitrification In Calcareous And Noncalcareous Soils By Use Of The Gas Chromatograph, Grant S. Cooper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The sequential products of anaerobic denitrification were determined on seven Western soils (four alkaline, two acid, and one neutral) by soil and gas analysis. The soils with 1% alfalfa and added KNO3 were incubated at moistures slightly greater than field capacity and with an atmosphere of He. The soils and gases were periodically analyzed and balance sheets prepared. The sequence of NO3-->NO2-->N2O-->N2 operated in all soils. The rates of nitrogen interchanges and maximal amounts of nitrate, N2O2 and N2 were determined. From this data it was postulated that the rate-limiting process for denitrification in acid soils is …

Real-Wastewater-Derived-Struvite Effects On Micronutrients In Runoff Water, Lauren E. Pruitt

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient needed in agriculture for proper plant growth and development and is often introduced into agricultural systems in the form of synthetic P fertilizers. Mined rock phosphate is the primary P source for the production of synthetic P fertilizers and is a finite resource. Struvite (MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O) is a compound that can be precipitated from municipal wastewater, recovering P, and is currently being evaluated for its potential use as an alternative fertilizer-P source. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of fertilizer-P source [i.e., synthetic electrochemically precipitated …

Mineralogy, Geology, And Geochemistry Of The Mcafee Quarries And Greater Mcafee Area, Sussex County, New Jersey, Cristian J. Van Rossen

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The Franklin Marble is one of North America’s most famous geologic units, a result of its complex geology, diverse mineralogy, and significant ore deposits. While it has been widely studied, a location that has received little attention is that of the quarries at McAfee, Vernon Township, NJ. This study addresses this oversight by investigating the mineralogy, geology, and geochemistry of the marble and associated geologic units found in the area. Sample analysis consisted of physical and optical analysis as well as chemical analysis using SEM-EDS. Geochemical analysis using ICP-MS allowed for major, trace, and rare earth element concentrations of select …

College Of Natural Sciences Spring Newsletter, College Of Natural Sciences

College of Natural Sciences Newsletters and Reports

[Page 1] Dean's Message
[Page] 2 Awards & Recognitions // Student Spotlights
[Page] 3 Zhang Named to Landsat Science Team // The Power of Teaching
[Page] 4 “Science as Art” Competition Welcomes High School Artists
[Page] 5 Testing for “Forever Chemicals” in Surface Water // New Faculty Spotlight
[Page] 6 Ambassador Initiated Outreach
[Page] 7 57th Annual Geography Convention
[Page] 8 Twice the Impact on On Call with the Prairie Doc
[Page] 9 Making Staple Foods Healthier // Halaweish & Cole-Dai Retire
[Page] 10 Drone Day 2026
[Page] 11 Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Day (SRSCAD)
[Page] 12 Ceremony …

Gaining Mussel: Evaluating Reintroduction Success Of Native Freshwater Mussels In Nebraska And Eastern Wyoming, Travis A. Moore

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Freshwater mussels are one of the most imperiled groups of organisms in North America, with over two-thirds of species considered threatened, endangered, or of special concern. These long-lived bivalves are essential to stream ecosystems, acting as filter feeders that improve water quality and as indicators of aquatic health. In Nebraska and Wyoming, native mussel populations have declined sharply due to habitat modification, pollution, and reduced connectivity. Two species of particular concern are the Plain Pocketbook Lampsilis cardium, listed as Tier I at-risk in Nebraska, and the Fatmucket Lampsilis siliquoidea, a Tier II at-risk species. In response, state agencies …

Morphological Evolution And Sediment Budget Of A Flood-Tidal Delta On The Rio Grande Delta Plain: Bahia Grande, Texas, Usa, Aleen Pertuz Paz

Theses and Dissertations

The Isabel Delta is a recently formed flood-tidal delta within the restored Bahia Grande system on the Rio Grande Delta Plain, Texas, USA, where renewed tidal connectivity has created conditions for rapid sediment buildup and landform evolution. This study quantified morphological changes from 2008 to 2025 using satellite imagery. It assessed sediment retention by comparing the effective sediment discharge required to reproduce observed delta growth with field-based estimates of sediment supply derived from channel hydrodynamics, cross-sectional area, and suspended sediment concentration. The delta expanded steadily throughout the study period, with increases in bar, channel, and total surface area, and an …

Low Methane Emissions From Nutrient-Rich Former River Channels In A Hydrologically Managed Dryland Delta, Siena Stassi, Jude A. Benavides, Chu-Lin Cheng, Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, Nicholas E. Ray, Nathan O. Barros, Rafael M. Almeida

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Anthropogenic stresses in dryland regions can alter hydrology, salinization, and biogeochemical processes. How these pressures influence methane (CH4) cycling and emissions from aquatic ecosystems remains poorly understood. Over the course of 1 year, we measured diffusive and ebullitive CH4 emissions from resacas—shallow, hydrologically managed distributary channels prevalent throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley along the US–Mexico border. Despite warm, nutrient-rich waters, CH4 emissions from resacas were low, and more comparable to rates observed in estuarine systems. CH4 fluxes were positively related to temperature but negatively related to salinity and rainfall. Elevated salinity, driven by evaporation and source water from the …

Hvsr-Based Resonance Analysis And Fault Zone Characterization In The El Paso Region, Alexandro Dominguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) analysis offers an efficient method for characterizing near-surface structure, resolving sediment thickness, and identifying fault-controlled basin geometry in regions with strong impedance contrasts. This study applies HVSR techniques to continuous ambient-noise recordings collected across the El Paso region, a tectonically active segment of the southern Rio Grande Rift where accurate subsurface mapping is essential for seismic hazard assessment. Ambient-noise windows were processed, spectrally smoothed, and stacked to obtain stable HVSR curves, from which fundamental resonance frequencies and corresponding sediment-thickness estimates were derived. Spatial patterns in these resonance frequencies reveal pronounced basin asymmetry, abrupt lateral …

Metabolomics In The Dryland Critical Zone: The Role Of Soil Metabolites In Phosphorus Acquisition, Kalpana Kukreja

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Earth's Critical Zone (CZ) plays a key role in sustaining life through carbon, water, and nutrient cycling from the top of the canopy to the groundwater. A key feature of critical zone research is the integration of multiple interdisciplinary techniques. An emerging set of techniques that can add to this approach is the field of metabolomics, the quantification and study of comprehensive metabolite profiles. In this dissertation, I apply metabolomics to address knowledge gaps in dryland critical zone ecosystems, specifically how soil metabolite dynamics influence biogeochemical processes, and with a particular emphasis on phosphorus (P) cycling in the Chihuahuan Desert. …

Integrated Geophysical, Geotechnical, And Mineralogical Characterization Of Expansive Weches Formation Soils In East Texas: Implications For Infrastructure Design, Samuel Annobil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the geotechnical, geophysical, and mineralogical characteristics of soils derived from the Weches Formation in Nacogdoches County, East Texas, with emphasis on the relationships among electrical resistivity, moisture condition, compaction state, and mineralogical composition. The Weches Formation is well known for producing clay-rich, moisture-sensitive soils that pose challenges to subgrade performance because of their plasticity and swelling behavior. Representative soil samples were collected and subjected to laboratory testing, including particle size analysis, Atterberg limits, Standard Proctor compaction, free swell tests, electrical resistivity measurements, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) mineralogical analysis. The soils are predominantly fine-grained and clay-rich, with USCS …

Machine-Learning Landslide Susceptibility And Runout Modeling In The Nolichucky River Gorge After Hurricane Helene, Grace Braver

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Extreme rainfall from Hurricane Helene (September 2024) triggered widespread landslides across the southern Appalachian region, highlighting the need for rapid landslide susceptibility assessments that capture both landslide initiation and downstream runout. Traditional susceptibility models often focus solely on initiation zones, limiting their ability to identify which slopes will generate destructive landslides or where material will travel. This study addresses that gap by (1) integrating Geographic Information System (GIS)-based machine learning susceptibility modeling using ArcGIS Pro: Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) and Random Forest-Based and Boosted Classification and Regression (FBBC) and (2) the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Grfin (Growth, Flow, and Inundation) runout …

Geothermal Gradient And Lithium Co-Generation Power Potential In Lafayette County, Arkansas, Juan Agustin Falquez

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Smackover formation in south Arkansas is a known reservoir for brines with high temperature and salinity. Recently, Smackover formation brines in Lafayette County, Arkansas are a target for lithium extraction. A county-wide dataset of Bottomhole Temperatures (BHT) is used to estimate a lower bound geothermal gradient of 36 C/km and a reservoir temperature of 116 C at an approximate depth of 2725 m. The high temperatures make the brines a candidate for geothermal power co-generation. Geothermal power co-generation can be achieved by implementing an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plant. The Southwest Arkansas Lithium project anticipates a total of …

Of Dunes And Ice: A Surface-Atmosphere Investigation Of Mars Co2 Sublimation Features And Titan Aeolian Fields, Racine D. Cleveland

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates a central question: How do planetary boundary layer processes manifest in observable surface geomorphology, and how can planetary imagery be used to quantify those effects? The planetary boundary layer (PBL) governs near-surface exchanges of momentum, heat, and volatiles, yet direct atmospheric measurements remain spatially and temporally limited on most planetary bodies. By analyzing geomorphic features preserved in high-resolution imagery, this work quantifies how boundary-layer processes leave measurable signatures on planetary surfaces. For Mars, high-resolution images from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) HiRISE instrument were used to map CO2 sublimation features, or Swiss Cheese Features (SCFs), on the …

Groundwater Responses To Tidal Restoration At Pelican Marsh And Sea-Level Rise In Elkhorn Slough, California, Julie E. Nelson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coastal wetlands represent a dynamic but vulnerable terrestrial-aquatic interface with future resilience controlled by historic hydrologic alterations, sea-level rise, and groundwater extraction. In diked coastal settings, poor tidal connectivity can degrade habitat from the impoundment of freshwater or hypersaline surface waters. Restoring tidal connectivity could foster marsh revitalization, but altering the surface hydrologic system could lead to unwanted salinity intrusion in shallow aquifers. Saline groundwater intrusion degrades freshwater quality and, while inevitable with sea-level rise, could be accelerated with tidal marsh restoration. To investigate this, I developed a steady-state groundwater flow model of Pelican Marsh, a diked, muted tidal marsh …

From Phenology To Yield Zones: Functional Clustering Of Satellite Time Series For Crop Growth Monitoring, Ikram Morso

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Remote sensing and land surface phenology provide a strong basis for characterizing crop development, but their usefulness for within-field yield-zone delineation depends on whether crop development is analyzed as a phenological trajectory and whether the resulting zones are evaluated with spatially defensible statistics. These questions are especially relevant in soybean production because soybean is one of the most important row crops in the United States and the country’s dominant oilseed crop. This relevance is strong in Arkansas, where soybean is a major component of agricultural production. In soybean production, within-field yield variability reflects the combined influence of soil properties, stand …

Apparent Hack’S Law In River Deltas, Tian Y. Dong, Lawrence Vulis, Hongbo Ma, Alejandro Tejedor, Timothy A. Goudge

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

River deltas are densely populated, ecologically vital landscapes threatened by rising sea levels. Distributary channel networks disperse sediment to build deltaic land, yet the relationship between the network organization and land building remains elusive. Inspired by Hack’s law, which shows that watershed drainage area scales with channel length in tributary networks, we analyzed a global dataset of distributary networks and found a nearly identical scaling relationship between distributary channel length and nourishment area, the land-building counterpart to drainage area. Despite this apparent global scaling, we further identified two distinct local land-building patterns: uniform delta networks consistently follow Hack’s law, whereas …

Response Of Chlorophyll, Morphology, And Yield Of Several East Java Superior Soybean (Glycine Max L.) Varieties To Levels Of Salinity, Puji Lestari Tarigan, Ida Retno Moeljani, Fadila Suryandika, Hadi Munarko

Jurnal Kultivasi

Soybean production has been extended to saline areas. This development is a strategy to expand planting areas to suboptimal land to increase worldwide production. To support cultivation in these locations, it is necessary to develop superior varieties that are resistant to salinity and provide supporting technological inputs. In saline conditions, soybeans may face stress that leads to morphological, physiological, and yield disturbances. Consequently, the response of several soybeans in East Java should be observed. This study is a pot experiment and arranged in a Factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of two factors, soybean varieties and NaCl concentrations. The treatments …

Evaluation Of Sirna-Mediated Knockdown Of Heat Shock Protein 16.2 In Adult Acropora Cervicornis, Edward P. Gniffke, Benjamin D. Young, Keir J. Macartney, Michael S. Studivan, Ian C. Enochs, Erin E. Easton

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Acropora cervicornis is a critically endangered Caribbean coral species facing a precipitous decline due to disease and thermal bleaching. To combat the loss of ecologically important reef-building corals, novel molecular approaches can be used to understand mechanisms of resilience and ultimately provide a means to modulate coral performance. In this study, we tested a recently developed method for gene knockdown in adult corals that utilizes short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and the RNA interference pathway. The Heat Shock Protein 16.2 (HSP16.2) gene in fragments of adult A. cervicornis was targeted for knockdown using a single siRNA construct. RT-qPCR analysis of HSP16.2 …

Mechanisms Behind The Impacts Of Co2 Concentration On Microbial Methanogenesis In Coal Seams, Wang Junyu, Liu Bingjun, Jiang Xiangqing, Chen Ruifeng, Xue Sheng, Zhou Wanlong, Yang Yundu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Coal seams exhibit the extensive distribution of a variety of indigenous functional microorganisms. Among these, some archaea enable methane metabolism using CO₂ as a substrate, providing the potential for the biological CO₂ storage and utilization in coal seams. However, conventional studies focus primarily on the degradation characteristics of coal matrix, leading to a lack of a systematic understanding of the mechanisms governing the adjustment of the methanation process in CO₂-bearing environments. Methods This study investigated the bituminous coals with a high volatile content in the Huainan mining area. Using laboratory-scale experiments on methanogenesis through anaerobic …

Dynamic Response Characteristics And Failure Mechanism Of Coal-Rock Combination Under Different Immersion Conditions, Zhang Xiangyang, Tong Zhipeng, Duan Yungang, Yang Weikun, Chen Jianben, Xu Linfeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background In practical engineering, the waterproof coal pillar usually suffers from different degrees of dynamic load from the overlying strata, and its internal water distribution is non-uniform. Although the traditional “water content” index can reflect the overall water content, it is difficult to describe the non-uniform characteristics of the soaking space. Therefore, it is of great significance to clarify the dynamic failure mechanism of coal and rock mass under different immersion conditions for stability zoning control. Methods On this basis, the coal–rock combined bodies under three different forms of immersion, namely: complete immersion, unilateral immersion, and non-immersion were prepared. These …

Mechanisms Underlying Lateral Force Applied To A Pdc Cutter On A Pdc Drill Bit During Rotary Rock Breaking, Wei Jiusen, Han Xin, Liu Wei, Gao Deli

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective To improve the rock-breaking efficiency and durability of drill bits in the theoretical research on the optimal design of drill bits, the key is to systematically reveal both the rock-breaking mechanisms of polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutters and the characteristics of forces applied to them. Methods Existing studies on rock breaking using a single PDC cutter generally adopt a linear or approximately linear cutting mode while neglecting the impacts of the radius of gyration. To address this issue, this study conducted experiments on cylindrical granite samples using a laboratory experimental setting for single-cutter rock breaking. With cutting depth and …

Strategic Layout And Optimization Paths Of The Standard System For The Exploration And Exploitation Of Deep Coalbed Methane, Chen Xinjun, Liu Zengqin, Shen Baojian, Zhao Shihu, Ye Jincheng, Zhang Jiaqi, Wang Tianyun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In China, the deep coalbed methane (CBM) industry has emerged as a key sector for the reserve growth and production addition of natural gas. However, the current CBM technical standard system, which was developed based on shallow CBM practices, is incompatible with the demands for the exploration and development of deep CBM. To address this challenge, this study proposes the optimization paths of the current standard system, aiming to provide standardization support for large-scale exploitation of deep CBM.Methods Deep CBM reservoirs exhibit complex geological conditions of high temperature, pressure, and in-situ stress, as well as the CBM occurrence …

Structural Design And Parameter Optimization Of A Vibration Absorber For Rescue Casing-While-Drilling Rigs, Liu Pu, Yao Ningping, Zou Zujie, Fan Dong, Wei Hongchao, He Binjie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Rescue drilling rigs undergo intense vibration at borehole mouths when operating in a confined underground space of coal mines. To address this issue, this study designed a compact multi-directional, passive dynamic vibration absorber, aiming to improve the operational stability and safety of the rigs. Methods Based on the spring-mass-damping system theory, a stepwise optimization design method was proposed for the longitudinal and transverse dynamic models of the vibration absorber. For the longitudinal vibration model, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was applied for multi-objective parameter optimization. In contrast, for the transverse vibration model, the fixed point theory was employed …

Exploring The Vertical Heterogeneity Of Extremely Thick Aquifers In Coal Mines Through Layered Fine-Scale Pumping Tests, Guo Xiaoming

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Extremely thick aquifers in mining areas typically exhibit strong heterogeneity and high water yield. Therefore, they are prone to cause severe water inflow in mines and induce water disasters, representing a major factor affecting the mining safety of numerous mines in China. However, the vertical heterogeneity of these aquifers remains poorly understood, emerging as a primary bottleneck in the prevention and control of such water hazards. Methods To scientifically reveal the vertical heterogeneity characteristics of extremely thick aquifers, this study investigated the extremely thick Luohe Formation aquifer in a coal seam roof of a representative coal mine in the …

Mechanisms Behind Thermal Evolution Of The Structural Alignment Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Coals: Implications For Structural Transition Of Coal Macromolecules, Song Yu, Jiang Bo, Cheng Guoxi, Zheng Sijian, Li Ming, Ge Yao, Dai Yan, Wang Qian, Feng Guangjun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Coals are highly sensitive to variations in temperature and pressure conditions. The structural evolution of coal macromolecules, driven by tectono-thermal processes, is the key to understanding coal rank transition and geological evolution. The structural alignment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coals represents a critical indicator for characterizing coal rank transition and geological evolution. However, due to limited studies, there is a lack of systematic experimental demonstration and theoretical support for the structural alignment and microstructural characteristics of PAHs in coals, as well as their intrinsic relationships with the structural transition of coal macromolecules, during pyrolysis. Methods This study …

Sedimentary Characteristics And Coal Accumulation Patterns Of The Permian Shallow-Water Deltas In Shandong And Its Adjacent Regions, Feng Kai, Li Zengxue, Li Ying, Li Xuchao, Zhang Hui, Zhou Xiaojuan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Shanxi Formation, deposited during the critical transitional period from the sedimentary filling of epicontinental sea basins to the sedimentation of continental basins, exhibits well-developed shallow-water delta systems and significant coal-forming processes. This study aims to reveal the characteristics of sedimentary environment transformation during the late stage of sedimentary filling of epicontinental sea basins in North China. To this end, the Early Permian shallow-water delta systems in Shandong and its adjacent regions during that period was investigated, including their primary sedimentary characteristics, the predominant bases of sedimentary transformation, and the lithofacies paleogeographic characteristics of coal-forming processes.Methods Based on …

Geological Characteristics And Enrichment-Accumulation Patterns Of Coalbed Methane Within The Jurassic Strata In The Miquan Area Along The Southern Margin Of The Junggar Basin, Wu Luofei, Yang Kangjun, Zhang Jie, Shi Yongxia, Fu Haijiao, Yang Shuguang, Wang Gang, Liu Mengmeng, Li Yueguo, Wang Xiaoming

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The southern margin of the Junggar Basin (also referred to as the southern Junggar) possesses abundant medium- to low-rank coalbed methane (CBM) resources, with significant progress achieved in CBM exploration and production. However, there remains a lack of systematic understanding of the genetic mechanisms of CBM within the Middle-Lower Jurassic strata, along with its accumulation and evolution laws, in the Miquan area, southern Junggar. This absence restricts the commercial development of CBM in these strata.Method Focusing on CBM within the Middle-Lower Jurassic Xishanyao and Badaowan formations in the Miquan area, this study further identified the CBM origins and …

Technologies For Controlling Water Inrushes From Coal Seam Floors Under Flowing Water And Their Water Plugging Performance, Yang Zhibin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Limestone water hazards in coal seam floors represent one of the two primary categories of mine water hazards in China. Limestone aquifers are generally characterized by abundant static water reserves and considerable dynamic water recharge. To reduce economic losses and casualties caused by water inrushes from limestone aquifers, post-disaster emergency rescue through grouting for water plugging is frequently carried out under flowing water.Methods Based on numerous cases of water inrush control under flowing water in China and the fundamental requirements for control scheme design, this study presents a systematic review of existing technologies for water inrush control under …