Digital Commons Network^™

Fabrication Of Acid-Modified Corn Plant By-Product-Based Biochar For Efficient Adsorption Of Sulfamethoxazole From Aqueous Solutions, Thi An Hang Nguyen, Thi Duyen Le, Thi Hang Bui

Applied Environmental Research

Antibiotic pollution is of great interest owing to growing concerns about antibiotic resistance worldwide. This study aims to fabricate acid-modified biochar (CBM-A) from corn plant byproducts (CRs) for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) adsorption in aqueous solutions. CBM-A was synthesized via pyrolysis at 700 °C and modified with 14% H3PO4. Kinetics, isotherms, and thermodynamics were investigated in combination with material characterization to elucidate the adsorption behaviors and mechanisms. The results showed that pyrolysis and acid modification effectively enhanced SMX adsorption by CR because of the increased number of binding groups, specific surface area, and porosity. SMX adsorption on CBM-A was optimized at a …

Blue Carbon Stock Assessment And Climate Resilience Potential Of Mangrove Forest In Hung Thang Commune, Vietnam, Hla Phong Ko, Pham Hong Tinh, Nguyen Thuy Duong

Applied Environmental Research

Mangrove forests are vital blue carbon sinks that contribute to climate change mitigation and coastal resilience. This study assessed the carbon stock and spatial‒temporal dynamics of a mangrove forest in Hung Thang commune, Hai Phong Province, Vietnam, via a combination of field measurements, soil organic carbon (SOC) analysis, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-based remote sensing models. The results revealed that mangroves in the Hung Thang community store an average of 87.42 tC ha-1, with SOC accounting for approximately 19% of the total carbon. A generalized additive model (GAM) analysis revealed a consistent increase in carbon stocks between 1996 and …

Fabrication Of Urea With Amorphous Silica To Increase Rice Growth In Saline Soils, Thi Ha Chi Nguyen, Thi Hang Thuc Ha, Minh Phuong Nguyen, Ngoc Chuc Pham, Quang Bac Nguyen, Nguyen Huy Tuan Do, Ngoc Nhiem Dao, Trung Kien Nguyen

Applied Environmental Research

In recent decades, the decrease in rice cultivation areas in Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong River Delta, caused by climate change and soil salinization, has posed serious challenges for sustainable development. In addition to irrigation and agronomic practices, fertilizers that sustain rice growth under saline conditions play a crucial role in improving crop productivity. Amorphous silica has been reported to increase plant tolerance to drought, salinity, and heavy metal stress. In this study, nanosilica-coated urea (UCS) fertilizers were synthesized by coating urea granules with 1–5 wt% amorphous silica. The products were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, TG‒DSC, and EDX to …

Heavy Metals And Organic Carbon In Sediments Of Seagrass Sediments Of Trang Province, Thailand, Siriporn Pradit, Pornthep Wirachwong, Thongchai Nitiratsuwan, Sujaree Bureekul, Supraewpan Lohalaksanadech, Thawanrat Kobkeatthawin, Monticha Jirajaras, Prakrit Noppradit, Sanya Sirivithayapakorn

Applied Environmental Research

In this study, the accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, and Pb) in water, suspended sediments, sediments, and seagrass in Kalase Bay, Trang Province, Thailand, during the 2024 dry season was investigated. These findings indicate that the enrichment factor (EF) for all the metals was less than 1, suggesting that anthropogenic contamination is not a significant concern in the area. The translocation factor (TF) values were less than 1 for all the metals except Cu, whose TF was greater than 1; however, these values were not statistically significant, indicating limited phytoextraction capacity. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for …

Spatial Modeling Of Natural Disaster Risk By Integrating Hazard, Vulnerability, And Exposure Factors Using Geospatial Techniques : Evidence From Mueang Tak District, Thailand, Suphatphong Ruthamnong

Applied Environmental Research

This study presents a comprehensive multihazard risk assessment for Mueang Tak District, Thailand, that integrates hazard, vulnerability, and exposure (H-V-E) dimensions. By utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was employed to prioritize critical risk factors. GIS analysis integrated multisource spatial data, including Landsat 9 and Sentinel-2 imagery, CHIRPS precipitation, and SRTM-derived topography, while AHP weights were established on the basis of expert judgment and socioeconomic indices such as the relative wealth index (RWI) and population statistics. The results delineate distinct spatial risk clusters: high landslide potential is concentrated in the steep terrain of …

Carbon Stock Assessment In Sonneratia Apetala Afforested Mangroves : A Case Study From Cox’S Bazar, Bangladesh, Mohammad Ismail, Sayed Abu Johany, Tanmoy Dey, Zakia Sultana Teasa, Trishna Das, Prabal Barua, Tonima Hossain, Sajib Ahmed

Applied Environmental Research

Sonneratia apetala is a key species for mangrove afforestation projects in Bangladesh and plays a crucial role in ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration. The research on how the total carbon stock (TCS) varies across S. apetala plantations in Cox’s Bazar remains limited. Thus, in this study, the biomass and soil carbon stock were quantified across nine S. apetala afforested sites in Cox’s Bazar to assess spatial variation and influencing factors. The total biomass carbon (TBC) was calculated by summing the aboveground (AGBC) and belowground (BGBC) biomass carbon, while the soil organic carbon stock (SOCS) was determined from the 0–40 cm …

Seasonal Wastewater Monitoring And Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment Of Escherichia Coli In A University Wastewater System, Pathum Thani, Central Thailand, Natsima Tokhun, Natagarn Tongphanpharn, Weerawat Ounsaneha, Montip Jankeaw, Wiriyabhorn Klomsungcharoen, Patsara Wongsudi, Yawanart Ngamnon, Cheerawit Rattanapan, Kwang Mo Yang

Applied Environmental Research

In this study, the physicochemical properties of wastewater were characterized, and a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of E. coli was conducted in the wastewater treatment system of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University, under the Royal Patronage, Pathum Thani, Thailand (VRU-SciTech). This study was conducted because the current water-quality assessment does not include the QMRA or evaluate the occupa-tional and incidental public risk of infection. Over a one-year monitoring period, this study quantified wastewater generation (~6.09 L person-1 day-1; ~3.21 × 103 m3 year-1) and analyzed its physicochemical parameters and E. coli concentrations. High concentrations …

Performance And Mechanisms Of Activated Natural Coagulants For Efficient Microcystis Removal Via Coagulation–Flocculation In Thailand, Apiradee Sukmilin, Peangtawan Phonmat, Ratcha Chaichana

Applied Environmental Research

Thailand produces fruit peels and seeds rich in natural polymers, which can serve as eco-friendly coagulants to control algal blooms. In this study, banana peel (Musa spp.), orange peel (Citrus sinensis), basil seed (Ocimum basilicum) mucilage, and chia seed (Salvia hispanica) mucilage were used. These activated natural coagulants with aluminum were compared with nonactivated and commercial coagulants (ferric sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and polyaluminum chloride) for Microcystis removal. Phytochemical composition analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) analysis were conducted. The results revealed that banana and orange peels contain phenolic compounds, …

Evaluation Of Soil Moisture Content, Ph, And Dominant Microorganisms In Crude Oil–Contaminated Soil Treated With Cow Dung, Indole-3-Acetic Acid (Iaa), And Simulated Microgravity, Amenze Ovenseri, Tawari-Fufeyin P.

Applied Environmental Research

Crude oil negatively affects soil physicochemical properties and microbial activity, thereby hindering plant growth and posing notable environmental and agricultural issues. The combined effects of cow dung, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and simulated microgravity on the recovery of soil degraded by crude oil were explored using Zea mays as the test plant. Soil was contaminated with crude oil at different concentrations (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% v/w), with each concentration comprising eight treatments: cow dung, Zea mays seeds exposed to microgravity, and IAA alone or in combination. Changes in plant height, soil pH, soil moisture content, and soil microbial diversity were …

Evaluating Sediment Control Strategies Using Swat Based Bmp Assessment In A Tropical Highland Watershed, Northern Thailand, ฺBanchongsak Faksomboon, Wilailak Suanmali

Applied Environmental Research

Soil erosion remains a critical environmental challenge in the tropical highland watersheds of Southeast Asia, where steep terrain, intense monsoonal rainfall, and intensive land use interact to accelerate sediment generation and downstream degradation. This study aims to quantify spatial patterns of sediment yield and to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of individual and combined best management practices (BMPs) at both the watershed and subwatershed (SWW) scales using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) in a tropical highland watershed in northern Thailand. Baseline simulations reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity in erosion severity, with substantial portions of the watershed exhibiting moderate to extreme …

Metal–Organic Frameworks : Opportunities And Challenges In Nutrient Recovery, Suchana Amnuaychaichana, Chi-Wang Li, Pongsak (Lek) Noophan, Sumeth Wongkiew

Applied Environmental Research

Nutrient recovery from waste streams is a critical strategy for promoting sustainable agriculture and mitigating environmental degradation. Essential nutrients commonly present in organic waste and wastewater, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can be reclaimed and reintegrated into agricultural systems. Metal‒organic frameworks (MOFs), which are composed of metal clusters coordinated with organic ligands, have emerged as promising materials for adsorption and have the potential for nutrient recovery and pollutant removal because of their high porosity, large surface area, and tunable physicochemical properties. These attributes enable MOFs to serve in diverse applications, including heavy metal adsorption, organic pollutant degradation, and nutrient transformations. …

Exploring Consumers’ Intention And Behavior In The Circular Economy : Evidence From Vietnam, Tuan Hoang Nguyen, Vo Minh Thang Phan

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to address the key gaps in understanding the factors influencing the intention–behavior relationship of consumers in the context of the circular economy (CE). Grounded in the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this research extends the framework by integrating social pressure, attitudes toward green consumption, and the availability of CE products as crucial components that shape intention and behavior. Data were collected from 603 Vietnamese consumers and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results confirm the core TPB constructs, with perceived behavioral control emerging as the most influential factor. Notably, attitude toward green consumption …

Sustainable Approach For The Removal Of Cu(Ii) From Aqueous Solutions Using Lotus Seedpod-Alginate Composite Biosorbents, Lan Tran-Nguyen, Hue Tran Nguyen-Le, Hong T Hi Anh Nguyen, Tran Nguyen-Phuong-Dung, Ly Kim-Phung, Huynh Quoc-Khanh, Nguyen Minh-Nhut, Phuong Lan Tran-Nguyen

Applied Environmental Research

Turning waste or agricultural byproducts into valuable products has recently become a concern of scientists. In this study, the facile and cost-effective synthesis of a biocomposite derived from lotus seedpod (LS) and alginate (AG) was further applied for Cu2+ ion uptake from aqueous solutions. SEM images revealed the layered structures of the composites, which were thin and irregularly stacked sheets of a complex 3D network. The abundant functional groups on the surface of the LS-based material and its negative zeta potential value of -37.50 mV also facilitated efficient Cu2+ removal. Adsorption results revealed a Cu2+ adsorption efficiency (AE) and experimental …

Tree Composition And Carbon Sequestration Potential Of A University Campus In Bangkok, Thailand, Chaiwat Boonpeng, Pawanrat Butrid Butrid, Marisa Pischom, Satatip Noikrad

Applied Environmental Research

Trees play important roles in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) absorption and climate change mitigation. The objective of this study was to assess tree characteristics and carbon sequestration potential at Ramkhamhaeng University (Hua Mak Campus), Bangkok, Thailand. Tree attributes, including species composition, abundance, diameter at breast height (DBH), and tree height, were recorded. Tree biomass, carbon storage, and CO2 sequestration were estimated using appropriate allometric equations. A total of 2,149 trees were recorded in the study area, corresponding to a tree density of 45.8 trees ha-1. The tree community was dominated by the palm family (Arecaceae), while Terminalia ivorensis was the …

Development Of A Deep Neural Network Model To Predict Pm2.5 Concentrations Based On Key Factors Affecting Air Pollution In Bangkok, Natsuda Klinklan, Tanawut Poothong, Nuttiwut Areeratphitak, Viganda Varabuntoonvit

Applied Environmental Research

PM2.5 is a significant air pollution concern in Thailand, particularly in urban areas such as Bangkok, where the 24-hour average concentration frequently exceeds national ambient air quality standards during severe seasonal episodes. Road transportation is the primary source of PM2.5 in Bangkok, accounting for 73% of total emissions, according to the Pollution Control Department. In this study, a predictive modeling framework is developed to investigate the relationship between vehicle count and the mass concentration of PM2.5 from vehicular exhaust emissions. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are employed for vehicle detection and counting, whereas a long short-term …

Weekly Spatiotemporal Dynamics Of Forest Fire Hotspots In Tak Province, Thailand : A Gis-Based Directional Analysis, Suphatphong Ruthamnong

Applied Environmental Research

Forest fires are recurrent dry-season hazards in northern and western Thailand, yet their short-term spatial dynamics remain insufficiently understood. In this study, weekly spatiotemporal dynamics of forest fire hotspots in Tak Province, Thailand, were examined using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) active-fire data and GIS-based directional analysis. Hotspots from five fire seasons (2021–2025) were grouped into 24 weekly intervals beginning on 1 December. The analysis integrated weekly hotspot counts, forest-type compositions, mean-center trajectories, standard deviational ellipses, temporal changes in topographic characteristics, and fishnet-based hotspot persistence mapping. The results revealed that fire activity was highly concentrated during the middle of …

Effects Of The Psb-To-Ow Ratio And Light Intensity On Biogas Composition During Phototrophic-Assisted Anaerobic Fermentation Of Organic Waste, Kridsana Jirasansawat, Sirilak Prasertkulsak, Nitiwist Teangthai

Applied Environmental Research

The integration of phototrophic processes into anaerobic fermentation offers a promising strategy for improving biogas quality; however, the combined effects of the photosynthetic bacteria-to-organic waste (PSB-to-OW) ratio and light intensity remain unclear. In this study, the photosynthetic bacteria (PSB)-assisted anaerobic fermentation of municipal organic waste under varying PSB-to-OW ratios and light intensities was evaluated. An optimal PSB-to-OW ratio of 1:2 resulted in significantly higher CH4 concentrations and lower CO2 and H2S concentrations than the other tested ratios did (p < 0.05). At this ratio, moderate illumination (2000 lx) resulted in the highest CH4 concentration (68.2 ± 0.3%), compared with 1000 lx (61.5 ± 0.4%) and 4000 lx (63.1 ± 0.5%). Under illumination, the CO2 and H2S concentrations were lower than those under dark conditions, indicating a more favorable biogas composition. Kinetic analysis indicated that CO2 and H2S exhibited apparent first-order behavior under illumination, with the highest rates occurring at 2000 lx (kH2S = 0.093 day-1; kCO2 = 0.059 day-1), suggesting light-dependent transformation processes. Metagenomic analysis revealed a microbial community dominated by sulfide-oxidizing (Chlorobium sp.), photoheterotrophic (Rhodopseudomonas sp.), and syntrophic bacteria, supporting coupled carbon conversion and sulfur transformation. Overall, optimization of the …

Machine Learning For Predictive Energy And Emissions Modeling Of Vehicles And Power Grids In The United States, S M Tanvir Faysal Alam Chowdhoury

Dissertations

The environmental benefits of electric vehicle (EV) adoption depend on more than replacing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric powertrains. EV adoption reshapes electricity demand, interacts with regional generation mixes, and influences travel behavior and congestion, creating a coupled transportation-energy system in which vehicle and power-plant emissions must be evaluated together. This dissertation develops machine-learning frameworks for predicting energy consumption and emissions from vehicles and power grids under rising EV adoption. The first component forecasts grid emissions from EV charging. Using simulation data from NREL's Cambium database, a Prophet-based time-series framework predicts carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane emission rates …

Implementation Of A 3-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Numerical Model On A Large Northern Lake, Kirin Lorente

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Climate change is impacting high latitude regions disproportionately more than those at a lower latitude. With polar lakes being highly sensitive to changes in the climate, shifts in lake ice dynamics and hydrodynamics are indicators of such changes in regional and global climates. These changes impact future seasons in a positive feedback loop, where changes in winter ice cover impact open water nutrients levels and lake thermal structure. This highlights the importance for long-term monitoring. Despite the abundance of lakes distributed across Northern Canada, there has been limited research conducted on these sentinels of climate change.

Specifically, Great Bear Lake …

Color-Blind Resilience: How Uniform Climate Standards Reproduce Environmental Inequality In The Rockaways, Aaryan M. Nair

Publications and Research

This paper examines how ostensibly uniform climate resilience standards can reproduce environmental inequality in socially uneven landscapes, using the Rockaway Peninsula in New York City as a critical case study. While flood-resistant building codes, zoning regulations, and insurance frameworks are designed to provide equal protection across flood-prone areas, this analysis argues that their “color-blind” application obscures and intensifies underlying disparities in financial capacity, housing conditions, and tenure. Drawing on environmental justice (EJ) theory, the paper identifies two key mechanisms through which inequality is reproduced. First, “code without capacity” demonstrates how uniform technical standards—such as elevation requirements under NYC Building Code …

How Does Vertical Hydroponic Farming Compare To Traditional Soil Farming In Terms Of Crop Yield, Energy Efficiency, And Cost?, Grace Morgan, Grace Henry, Rebecca Meenach, Jeana Odom

Student Scholar Symposium

Vertical hydroponics (hydro “water;” ponics “labor”) is a method of year-round farming that uses water in place of soil and supplies vegetables’ nutrients in a space-efficient setting. It dates back to 500 BC when it was used in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, a wonder of the ancient world. Thousands of years later, vertical hydroponics has expanded across the globe to supply leafy greens, herbs, and grains. It is typically implemented in dense urban environments where green space is hard to come by as a form of sustainable farming. Our research seeks to answer the question “How does vertical hydroponic …

Linking Shoreline Change, Environmental Forcings, And Sedimentological Resilience In Nourished Beaches Of Cape May And Wildwood, New Jersey, Usa: A Multi-Decadal Synthesis, Divomi Balasuriya, Greg Pope

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Beach nourishment is a widely used strategy to mitigate coastal erosion, yet its long-term geological impacts remain poorly understood. This study provides a multi-decadal synthesis of shoreline change and sedimentological evolution on the nourished beaches of Cape May and Wildwood, New Jersey, USA. Using shoreline positions from 1991 to 2024, we identify contrasting trajectories: Wildwood exhibits ‘persistent transition’ with severe northern erosion (EPR: −10.0 m/yr) feeding southwards accretion, while Cape May demonstrates a ‘managed equilibrium’ with widespread accretion (mean EPR: +1.15 m/yr). Wave energy correlations account for less than 15% of shoreline variability, indicating natural drivers have been superseded by …

The Price Of Priorities: How Human Choices Fuel Climate And Ecological Decline, Keisha Hickman

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the ways in which human priorities and behaviors contribute to the escalating climate crisis and ecological systems. We will first analyze the role of social media in shaping public discourse on climate change and critically evaluate the priorities of institutions that have the means to assist in wildlife conservation. Both speak to the current behaviors of humankind prioritizing their own entertainment over meaningful efforts to mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. We will then shift to exploring the profound impact of human population growth and its associated activities on other species and ecosystems. Finally, the thesis will …

Onset Of Strong Iceland-Scotland Overflow Water 3.6 Million Years Ago, Matthias Sinnesael, Boris Theofanis Karatsolis, Paul N. Pearson, Anne Briais, Sidney R. Hemming, Leah J. Levay, Tom Dunkley Jones, Ying Cui, Anita Di Chiara, Justin P. Dodd, Deepa Dwyer, Deborah E. Eason, Sarah A. Friedman, Emma Hanson, Katharina Hochmuth, Halima E. Ibrahim, Claire E. Jasper, Saran Lee-Takeda, Danielle E. Leblanc, Melody R. Lindsay, David D. Mcnamara, Sevasti E. Modestou, Margaret A. Morris, Bramley J. Murton, Suzanne Oconnell, Gabriel Pasquet, Sheng Ping Qian, Yair Rosenthal, Sara Satolli, Takuma Suzuki, Thena Thulasi, Bridget S. Wade

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), the return flow component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is a major inter-hemispheric ocean water mass with strong climate effects but the evolution of its source components on million-year timescales is poorly known. Today, two major NADW components that flow southward over volcanic ridges to the east and west of Iceland are associated with distinct contourite drift systems that are forming off the coast of Greenland and on the eastern flank of the Reykjanes (mid-Atlantic) Ridge. Here we provide direct records of the early history of this drift sedimentation based on cores collected …

Millennial-Timescale Thermogenic Co2 Release Preceding The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, Shijun Jiang, Ying Cui, Yasu Wang, Maurizia De Palma, B. David A. Naafs, Jingxin Jiang, Xiumian Hu, Huaichun Wu, Runjian Chu, Yangguang Gu, Jiuyuan Wang, Yizhou Huang, Miquela Ingalls, Timothy J. Bralower, Shiling Yang, James C. Zachos, Andy Ridgwell

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Geologic records support a short-lived carbon release, known as the pre-onset excursion (POE), shortly before the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; ~ 56 Ma). However, the source and pace of the POE carbon release and its relationship to the PETM remain unresolved. Here we show a high-temporal-resolution stratigraphic record spanning the POE and PETM from the eastern Tethys Ocean that documents the evolution of surface ocean carbon cycle, redox and eutrophication, confirming the global nature of the POE. Biomarkers extracted from the sedimentary record indicate a smaller environmental perturbation during the POE than that during the PETM in the eastern Tethys …

Evaluating The Preparedness Of Local Zoning Regulations For Flood Risk Reduction In The Most Affected Local Jurisdictions In Nebraska, Md Asaduzzaman Noor

Community and Regional Planning Program: Theses

Flooding has profound social, economic, and environmental impacts on local communities, and zoning plays a critical role in mitigating these risks. The 2019 Nebraska floods, among the most severe in the state’s history, highlighted the urgent need to strengthen local preparedness and mitigation strategies. This study assesses the extent to which local zoning regulations in Nebraska’s most affected jurisdiction, including rural areas, address flood risk reduction. A systematic review of 117 zoning ordinances from counties, cities, towns, and villages, we applied a structured analytical framework encompassing regulatory and permitting policies, voluntary and incentive-based measures, and nature-based solutions. The results show …

Mountain Communities During A Time Of War: A Case Study Of The Hutsul Region In The Carpathian Mountains Of Ukraine, Pavlo Rybaruk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the ethno-ecological technologies employed by the Hutsul people within the highland agrarian economy of the Carpathian Mountains. Over centuries, the Hutsuls have developed ethno-ecological technologies that maintain ecological integrity while supporting community livelihoods.

The study addresses three primary research questions: What are the most important ethno-ecological technologies of the Hutsul highland economy? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be applied to economic, agricultural, and tourism development in the Hutsul region? How might these traditional ethno-ecological practices be combined with contemporary approaches to encourage sustainable development in the region?

The research explores the devastating impact of the Russian …

Groundwater Arsenic Contamination In The Oro Grande Wash, Dalila Boice

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study investigates the distribution of naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater within the Oro Grande Wash in San Bernardino County, California. Depth-discrete groundwater quality data were collected over multiple years using nested and Westbay monitoring wells. Water quality results showed higher levels of arsenic in the deeper aquifers, ranging between 600 feet and 1,000 feet below ground surface. Arsenic levels in these regions reached as high as 66 µg/L. At roughly 800 feet and below, water quality data from the wells reveal that arsenic concentrations exceeded the 10 µg/L maximum contaminant level (MCL) in 87% of cases. These data provide …

Modeling Flood Risks For Small-Scale Coastal Watershed Across Shared Socioeconomic Pathway Scenarios, Sebastian Loschner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

Coastal flooding, driven by the mixture of natural processes and human activities such as precipitation, waves, sea level rise, and urbanization, remains a growing concern. While recent flood-risk studies use IPCC's Shared Socioeconomic Pathways with climate projections to assess future flood exposure, smaller coastal watersheds, < 120,000 acres, remain insufficiently studied. Projected sea level rise is expected to intensify these impacts in smaller systems, potentially causing more severe flooding than reported for larger watersheds. To address this gap, this study used the SRH-2D model integrated with Aquaveo's Surface-water Modeling System to simulate flooding in the lower Fish River basin, Alabama. A coastal watershed sensitive to both riverine and tidal influences. Simulations tested different sea levels based on SSP scenarios corresponding to low, moderate, and high emissions for the years 2050 and 2100. Results indicate that the midcentury scenarios remained even in inundation extent and volume, between 9.9-10.4% compared to the 2020 baseline, the latter scenarios had a wider range in results of between 25.9-50.3% compared to the same baseline. Across scenarios, the most vulnerable and inundated areas of the smaller coastal watershed were the narrow points where upstream flow convene with downstream backwater. These findings highlight the need for futuristic location-specific flood mitigation strategies.

Innovation Curse: The Wastefulness Of Technologies Believed To Mitigate Climate Change, Minh Hoang Nguyen, Valoree Gagnon, Thanh Tu Tran, Thi Mai Anh Tran

Michigan Tech Publications

Technological innovations are increasingly promoted as solutions to climate change. However, many innovations, including Carbon Capture and Storage, bioplastics, and glacier geo-engineering, suffer significant limitations from high costs, speculative efficacy, and adverse ecological consequences. Using Granular Interaction Thinking Theory (GITT), a transdisciplinary framework grounded in information theory, quantum mechanics, and mindsponge theory, in this study, we explain how such technological innovations become systemically favored despite their flaws. We introduce the concept of the “innovation curse,” which arises when institutional and cognitive filtering systems, operating under high informational entropy, default to familiar but ineffective techno-solutions while marginalizing Indigenous and Local Knowledges …