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Late Holocene Fire History Reconstruction Of Beaver Lake In The Northwest Lowlands Of The Olympic Peninsula, Grace Mckenney

All Master's Theses

Fire is an essential component of the landscapes and forests of the Pacific Northwest, including the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula. Previous fire history reconstructions from the peninsula show that fire return intervals varied throughout the postglacial period, primarily in response to climatic changes and corresponding shifts in vegetation. However, much less is known about the fire history of the low-elevation forests of the Olympic Peninsula and the role of cultural fire regimes in these environments. The purpose of this study was to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental history of a low-elevation study site, Beaver Lake, located in the northwestern part …

Three Essays On Energy Related To State Policies And Low Carbon Transitions, Pinky Thomas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation consists of three essays on energy-related state policies and energy transition. Each paragraph below refers to the three abstracts for the three chapters in this dissertation, respectively.

The first essay is entitled: “Impacts of State Tax and Resource Ownership Policies on Extraction: Evidence from U.S. Natural Gas Production”. The innovation of combined use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies during the 2000s has allowed natural gas producers in the United States to extract natural gas and liquids from deep shale formations in a cost-efficient manner. This essay evaluates whether unconventional gas production responds to tax changes, and …

Exploring The Connection: Field Ecology Research And Student Wellbeing, Elizabeth Small

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Field work is essential in ecological research, offering the opportunity to gather firsthand data, observe natural processes, and deepen our understanding of ecosystems. In my study on small mammal trophic niche dynamics, I investigate how small mammals—critical players in grassland food webs—adapt their diets in response to environmental disturbances. By examining the drivers of variation in trophic niche among three common small mammal species, I aim to uncover how these animals coexist despite similar dietary requirements. Understanding these dynamics is critical for informing global conservation efforts, especially as we work to reverse the biodiversity crisis and restore damaged ecosystems.However, the …

Building A Coordinated Framework For Research And Monitoring In Large-Scale International Marine Protected Areas: The Ross Sea Region As A Model System, Cassandra Brooks, Sharon Stammerjohn, Grant Ballard, Alice K. Duvivier, Eileen Hofmann, Michelle Larue, Cara Nissen, Alexander J. Orona, B. Jack Pan, Annie E. Schmidt, Nathan Walker, George M. Watters, John Weller

CCPO Publications

To fulfill their conservation potential and provide safeguards for biodiversity, marine protected areas (MPAs) need coordinated research and monitoring for informed management through effective evaluation of ecosystem dynamics. However, coordination is challenging, often due to knowledge gaps caused by inadequate access to data and resources, compounded by insufficient communication between scientists and managers. We propose to use the world's largest MPA in the Ross Sea, Antarctica as a model system to create a comprehensive framework for an interdisciplinary network supporting research and monitoring that could be implemented in other remote large-scale international MPAs. Our proposed framework has three key components: …

Delayed Coastal Inundations Caused By Ocean Dynamics Post-Hurricane Matthew, Kyungmin Park, Emanuele Di Lorenzo, Yinglong J. Zhang, Tal Ezer, Fei Yi

CCPO Publications

Post Hurricane Abnormal Water Level (PHAWL) poses a persistent inundation threat to coastal communities, yet unresolved knowledge gaps exist regarding its spatiotemporal impacts and causal mechanisms. Using a high-resolution coastal model with a set of observations, we find that the PHAWLs are up to 50 cm higher than the normal water levels for several weeks and cause delayed inundations around residential areas of the U.S. Southeast Coast (USSC). Numerical experiments reveal that while atmospheric forcing modulates the coastal PHAWLs, ocean dynamics primarily driven by the Gulf Stream control the mean component and duration of the shelf-scale PHAWLs. Because of the …

Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma Rufum) Habitat Preferences In Pine Barrens, Shrublands, And Agricultural Areas In New England, Alec Woolf

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Early successional habitat and related species are in decline in the Northeastern United States. One species of shrubland bird that is declining in the northeast is the Brown Thrasher, considered a species of conservation concern in several states such as New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and New Jersey. However, few studies have focused on examining Brown Thrasher habitat preferences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate Brown Thrasher associations with early successional habitat adjacent to farmland, within deciduous forests, and within pine barrens. I conducted systematic point count surveys with playback to assess thrasher occupancy and …

Life Cycle Assessment Of The Construction Process In A Mass Timber Structure, Mahboobeh Hemmati, Tahar Messadi, Hongmei Gu

Architecture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Today, the application of green materials in the building industry is the norm rather than the exception and reflects an attempt to mitigate the sector’s environmental impacts. Mass timber is growing rapidly in the construction field because of its long span, speed of installation, lightness and toughness, carbon sequestration capabilities, renewability, fire rating, acoustic isolation, and thermal resistance. Mass timber is close to overtaking steel and concrete as the preferred material. The endeavor of this research is to quantitatively assess the ability of this green material to leverage the abatement of carbon emissions. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a leading …

Assessment Of Spatial Distribution Patterns And Infestation Risk Over Time Of Spotted Lanterfly (Lycorma Delicatula) In New York State, Alanna Richman

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive treehopper native to Asia. It was first introduced to Pennsylvania in 2014, and as of 2020 it has expanded to New York state. Their preferred host tree is the invasive tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), but they will feed on over 173 different plants worldwide. Preferred host species in New York state include agricultural vegetation such as grape vines and fruit trees. Positive Spotted Lanternfly site data collected by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets and iMapInvasives were analyzed using ArcGIS Pro to assess spatial distribution patterns. …

Better Understanding The Barred Owl, Adam Lee Potts

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis research presents an analysis of barred owl nest site selection in an understudied region of their expanded range. The barred owl has dramatically expanded its range westwards over the last 150 years, prompting multiple conflicting reinterpretations of their species account. Hypotheses of range expansion are reviewed to provide context for this study’s research. This study gathers empirical data on nest site selection in the mixed conifer forests of Montana’s Seeley-Swan and Mission Valleys. Eight barred owl nests were located following extensive territory surveys. Field measurements of tree height and diameter using USFS Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) plot …

Hydrologic Pathways Of A Northern Hardwood Catchment In The Great Lakes Basin Using End Member Mixing Analysis, Cory C. Burkwald

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

This study investigated the seasonality of hydrologic pathways, the role of wetlands in streamflow generation, and how hydrologic pathways affect the export of nutrients by streamflow in the Sturgeon River using endmember mixing analysis. The results indicated that streamflow consists of three main components: shallow subsurface water from wetland soils, shallow groundwater, and surface runoff from precipitation. Snowmelt plays a dominating role in regulating stream water chemistry (~80% volume at peak) during the snowmelt season and likely also after that. Wetland soils store snowmelt, together with rainwater though the fraction is unknown, and then gradually release through summer in the …

Photosynthesis-Related Parameters In Leucobryum Aduncum Moss Bags As Bioindicators Of Environmental Stress Caused By Road Traffic, Chaiwat Boonpeng, Pawanrat Butrid, Marisa Pischom, Sutatip Noikrad, Kansri Boonpragob

Applied Environmental Research

The physiological response in moss samples is often used as an early warning signal of environmental stress caused by air pollution. This study aimed to test the efficiency of photosynthesis-related parameters in Leucobryum aduncum moss bags as bioindicators of environmental stress related to road traffic. The moss samples were collected and prepared in a relatively unpolluted area and then transplanted at 7 sites in forested, rural, and urban areas. The moss samples were picked up after being exposed for 1 and 3 months for physiological measurements. The results showed that the average values of all physiological parameters were highest in …

Analyzing Climate Change Status Through Evaluating Trend Of Temperature And Rainfall And Predicting Future Climate Change Status At Lake Tana Basin, Tesfaye Bayu Zeleke, Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, Solomon Adissu, Meseret Abatechanie

Applied Environmental Research

The trends of temperature and rainfall are critical indicators of climate change within a certain area. However, the existence of climate change is not locally understood in most parts of the world. This research aims to analyze the trend of temperature and rainfall in the Lake Tana Sub-basin as a means to understand the current and future status of climate change. The trends of temperature and rainfall were analyzed using the modified Mann-Kendall trend test, while the autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) was used to predict future temperature and rainfall. The findings reveal that monthly temperatures show a significant …

Groundwater Recharge And Surface Runoff Modeling Response To Land Use And Land Cover Dynamics In A Mae Wong Watershed Of Thailand, Banchongsak Faksomboon, Pranee Lertkaeo, Bunchongsri Phunlao

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to develop efficient management strategies and assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and land cover (LULC) on surface runoff modeling response dynamics for the long-term sustainability of watersheds. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was used to evaluate the LULC dynamics on GRSR in the Mae Wong Watershed (MWW) of Thailand. Using Landsat images, three different LULC maps (2011, 2021, and 2031) were created using the cellular automata markov chain (CA-Markov) model, and TerrSet 2020 geospatial monitoring and modeling software. In the overall MWW, the forestland has undergone deforestation and decreased by 2.10% of …

Exploring Microplastics In Seawater And Zooplankton On The Eastern Coast Of Thailand: A Case Study In Phuket Province, Pensiri Akkajit, Sirima Yuankerd, Arsanchai Sukkuea

Applied Environmental Research

Microplastics can accumulate in the environment and be transferred to different trophic levels, making them a concern for the aquatic food chain. As far as the researcher is aware, this study is the first to analyze microplastics in seawater and zooplankton along the eastern coastline of Phuket, Thailand, emphasizing their ecological significance. Analysis of the seawater samples identified 256 microplastic particles, with an average concentration of 52.6±21.4 and 32.6±30.3 particles L-1 for 20–300 µm and >300 µm classes, respectively. Four zooplankton species—copepod, fish larvae, bivalvia larvae, and shrimp larvae—were chosen for examination. The findings indicated that microplastics can move to …

Effects Of Covid-19 Policy On Air Quality In Lagos State, Nigeria, Chika Floyd Amaechi, Alex Enuneku, Ugochinyere Stephanie Amadi, Akus Kingsley Okoduwa

Applied Environmental Research

The decrease in air quality has been a major concern in the world for decades, and it has continued to worsen with toxic gases accumulating at exponential rates. The atmosphere has been heavily polluted as a result of anthropogenic activities, and these activities were greatly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic when a lockdown policy was imposed. The study area, Lagos, is the state in Nigeria with the highest population count, making it most susceptible to the spread of the coronavirus and, as such, having the strictest policy regulations. This study seeks to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown policy …

Social Return On Investment (Sroi) From The Community Waste Bank Implementation Under The Learning Center Of Systematic Waste Management Innovation According To The Circular Economy Concept, Pornpod Sridan, Pichaya Surapolchai, Thidasil Plainlaor, Apinya Tanyaim, Nuchanad Hounnaklang, Onuma Zongram, Yotwadee Hawangchu

Applied Environmental Research

This article presents the results of social return on investment (SROI) evaluation in the community’s waste bank program implemented in the Moo 7 and Moo 8 Villages of Tan Diao Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province during 2020–2022, which is a part of the Learning Centre of Systematic Waste Management Innovation According to the Concept of Circular Economy project. This research employed participatory action research to collect data on total cost for investment and income from selling recyclable waste through in-depth interviews and focus groups with a total of 40 stakeholders including: 25 community members, 5 community leaders, 3 representatives …

The Influence Of Chemical Fertilizers On The Effectiveness Of Biochar In Mitigating Cadmium Mobility In Soil, Chompoonut Chaiyaraksa, Navapat Sangworn

Applied Environmental Research

The focus of this study was to explore how various fertilizers influence the movement of cadmium in soil treated with biochar. The research utilized a strong acid sandy loam soil from Chanthaburi Province, naturally rich in organic matter with moderate cation exchange capacity and low nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, sulfate, salinity and chloride levels. The soil was purposely contaminated with 50 mg kg-1 of cadmium and treated with biochar derived from water hyacinth through pyrolysis at 450°C for an hour. This biochar displayed moderate alkalinity, high organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, and cation exchange capacity, but low nitrogen content. Analytical techniques like …

Green Retail Development For Plastic Waste Prevention – Regime Trajectories And Levers For Change In Thailand’S Socio-Technical System Of Single-Use Plastics, Siri Luther, Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee

Applied Environmental Research

Thailand faces significant plastic waste management challenges. Around 2018-2019, a growing number of green retail shops started emerging in Thailand, offering products and services that eliminate or reduce the consumption of single-use plastics (SUPs). This paper intends to explore green retail as a niche in the Thai socio-technical system of SUPs. It aims to understand the socio-technical system’s current state, identify niche dynamics and momentum, illustrate key regime trajectories, and highlight policy levers. The study uses secondary data from academic articles and policy documentation, along with primary data from interviews with 20 Thai green retail founders conducted between 2020 and …

Meteorological Conditions And Pm2.5 Impact On Covid-19 Case Fatality Ratios (Cfr) In Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Viranphat Singrakphon, Chidsanuphong Chart-Asa, Pasicha Chaikaew

Applied Environmental Research

The emergence of a novel coronavirus strain triggered a global health crisis, impacting both health and economies worldwide, including Thailand since 2019. While prior research hinted at connections between environmental factors and rising COVID-19 cases, these links remained inconclusive. This study investigated indoor and outdoor (I/O) ratios and explored potential correlations between fine particulate matter (PM2.5), meteorological conditions, and the case fatality rate (CFR%) of COVID-19 in Bangkok and its metropolitan area from January to December 2021. In Spearman’s Rank correlation analysis, the results found that CFR% exhibited a positive correlation with relative humidity (RH) (r=0.187) and a negative correlation …

El Nino Effects On Water Availability For Agriculture: Case Study Of Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia, Ayu Dyah Rahma, Fulco Ludwig

Applied Environmental Research

Climate change in Indonesia has resulted in a longer dry season. Furthermore, El Nino is one of the main factors causing drought in agricultural areas. The research aim is to study the water availability for agriculture in the Bompon sub-watershed, Magelang Regency, by identifying the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impact related to climate variability and changes in extreme hydroclimatic events. Quantitative and qualitative research methods, including climate data analysis and interviews, were used. Quantitative methods were used based on the climate data analysis using R from the ERA5 climate model and water balance. Qualitative methods based on in-depth interviews …

Prevalence Of Microplastics In Coastal Area Of Samae San, Thailand And Its Possible Source, Siwanath Pangpunth, Sujaree Bureekul, Voranop Viyakarn

Applied Environmental Research

This research explored the abundance, morphology, and polymer composition of microplastics (MPs) in various environmental samples within the Samae San subdistrict involving surface soil nearby the dumping site, road dust soil, beach sand and sediment in the area with distinct land- based activities. Dumping site soil exhibited the highest concentration in items per kg of dry weight at 93,734.3, followed by road dust soil (573.0 ± 583.7), beach sand (99.8 ± 75.3), and sediment (83.1 ± 50.4). Morphological traits revealed similarities between transparent fiber-shaped particles in beach sands and sediment, and those in nearby road dust soil, while green sheet-shaped …

Multi-Class Waste Classification Using Convolutional Neural Network, Yanfahmi Rayhan, Achmad Pratama Rifai

Applied Environmental Research

This study explores a method of waste classification using deep learning, specifically employing the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). This research involves the creation of a unique dataset, a hybrid of publicly accessible data and a newly compiled collection of images across 13 waste classes: paper, glass, wood, metal, clothes, PCB e-waste, non-PCB e-waste, PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP, PVC, and PS. The development of the CNN model was approached in two ways: transfer learning and full learning. In the transfer learning approach, two pre-trained models, MobileNetV2 and DenseNet121, were utilized. While in the full learning approach, the architecture is constructed using …

Removal Of Chromium From Aqueous System Using Nanocellulose Prepared From Defoliated Terminalia Catappa Leaves, Lopamudra Digal, Jayashree Mohanty

Applied Environmental Research

Nanocellulose is considered as a sustainable and renewable nanomaterial due to its abundant availability, biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics. The study demonstrates the synthesis of nanocellulose from defoliated leaves of the Tropical Almond (Terminalia catappa) plant, abundantly available residual plant biomass and its subsequent use in eliminating Cr(VI) from the water system. The study demonstrates the preparation of nanocellulose by chemical means, employing NaOH and H2SO4 as chemical agents. Characterization techniques like FTIR, SEM, and XRD were used to study the chemical composition and morphology of the resulting nanocellulose. The characterization studies confirm the formation of nanocellulose from the plant biomass. …

Monitoring Of Estrone From Hospital Wastewater And Its Removal By Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor, Nicha Karnjanamit, Chongdee Thammakhet-Buranachai, Panitan Jutaporn, Watsa Khongnakorn

Applied Environmental Research

Steroid hormones, classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), pose significant environmental and health concerns due to their persistence and potential adverse effects. This study investigates the presence of estrone (E1) in hospital wastewater and the efficiency of E1 removal through a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). Wastewater samples were collected from two hospitals with different wastewater treatment processes. The concentration of E1 was analyzed using a combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The PMR experimental setup involved a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane incorporated with 1 wt% titanium dioxide (PVDF/TiO2). The PMR performance was evaluated with and …

Exploring Google Earth Engine, Machine Learning, And Gis For Land Use Land Cover Change Detection In The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Between 2014 And 2023, Akus Kingsley Okoduwa, Chika Floyd Amaechi

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to visualize various land use land cover (LULC) classes, estimate the net change in LULC types between the years 2014 and 2023, and use transition mapping to track LULC transitions within waterbody, vegetation, bareland, and buildup to better understand how land use types change from one another. Google Earth Engine (GEE), Random Forest (RF), and Geographic Information System (GIS) were used for LULC classification and change detection. The dataset employed for this study is Landsat-8 with 30 m resolution, and four land cover classes, which include waterbody, vegetation, bareland, and buildup, were classified for this study using …

Alstonia Scholaris Fruit Biomass, A Novel Adsorbent For The Removal Of Lead From Aqueous Solution, Aasif Abdullah Baba, Ajit Kumar Das, Abhik Gupta

Applied Environmental Research

The biosorption of lead (Pb) ions on Alstonia scholaris fruit biomass was investigated in batch and column experiments in an aqueous solution, emphasising the possible binding mechanism of Pb ions on the fruit biomass. The adsorption process was found to be dependent on parameters like adsorbent dose, initial Pb ion concentration, contact time, and pH. No impact was found on Pb adsorption during competitive adsorption. The results suggested that the fruit biomass could remove more than 97% of Pb ions from the aqueous solution. The Freundlich isotherm model best explained the obtained results. The monolayer adsorption capacity of the A. …

Theoretical Approaches To Food Waste Behaviours: An Overview, Dane Chia, Chin Choo Yap, Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua, Lai Ti Gew

Applied Environmental Research

Food waste around the world has emerged as a pressing issue that calls for attention and intervention. Analysing the food waste problem without understanding wasteful behaviour antecedents may oversimplify this multi-faceted issue, which will then compromise the development of interventions. This paper provides an overview of the theoretical approaches to food waste behaviour antecedents, followed by evidence-based interventions, using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), the Norm Activation Model (NAM), and the Social Practice Theory (SPT). These theories encompass the psychological, behavioural, societal, material, and structural factors that influence food waste practices. Our aim is to provide a holistic understanding …

Assessing The Relationship And Effect Of Air Pollution [Pm 2.5] On Child Respiratory Illness And Child Mortality In The Philippines, Roel F. Ceballos, Rachell C. Gallano, Lenard D. Visaya

Applied Environmental Research

Air pollution is the presence of harmful substances in the air, which can seriously impact human health and the environment. Among the air pollutants, fine particulate matter (PM) 2.5, being a microscopic particle, poses serious health risks since it can enter the blood circulation and go deep into the lungs. PM 2.5 has been linked to several health problems, such as early mortality, problems with children's development, and unfavorable birth outcomes. In this regard, the study aims to investigate the relationship and effect of PM 2.5 on child respi-ratory illness and child mortality in the Philippines. Data on child respiratory …

Exposure To Metal Accumulation In Chicken Giblets And Human Health Risk In Lokoja, Nigeria, Jude Ehwevwerhere Emurotu, Lami Habib, Ephraim Musa Dallatu, Adamu Shuaibu Onakpa, Aloysius Akaangee Pam

Applied Environmental Research

When consumed, the toxic heavy metals in chicken giblets pose a grave risk to humans. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to measure the concentrations of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Pb) in the liver, gizzard, and kidney of chickens from the Lokoja poultry market. Except for lead, which slightly exceeded the FAO/WHO limit of 0.1 mg kg-1, the metal concentrations found were all within the threshold limit. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were used to assess the risks that humans would face …

Assessing The Short- And Long-Term Health Effects Of Nitrogen Dioxide In Agadir, Morocco: A Who Airq+ Model Application, Youssef Bouchriti, Mohamed Ait Haddou, Abderrahmane Achbani, Amal Korrida, Hasnaa Sine, Jamila Rida, Mohamed Boukrim, Belkacem Kabbachi

Applied Environmental Research

Epidemiological studies have revealed that exposure to atmospheric nitrogen dioxide (NO2) increases the risk of acute and chronic diseases. This study used the WHO AirQ model to assess both the short- and long-term impacts of NO2 on human health in the city of Agadir in Morocco. The mean NO2 values were obtained from measurements taken at two locations. This study assessed the long- term health effects of NO2 on natural all-cause mortality (LT-ACM), mortality due to respiratory diseases (LT-RD), and morbidity due to chronic obstructive pulmo-nary disease (LT-COPD), as well as the short-term health impacts of NO2 on natural all-cause …