Digital Commons Network^™

Bear Lake Water Quality And Chemistry: 114 Years Of Water Management, Connely Baldwin

Spring Runoff Conference

Motivation: Fall 2024 Bear Lake Sediment-Nutrient Reduction Workshop (Bear Lake Watch) motivated deeper dive into water quality and chemistry status and trends

Innovative Genetic Methods For Predicting Microcystin Toxin Production In Cyanobacterial Blooms: Real-Time And Pre-Bloom Public Health Monitoring, Liyuan Hou

Spring Runoff Conference

EQL emphasizes an integrated engineering and science approach to the environmental quality of land, water, and air

From Vulnerabilities And Concern To Action: How Perceived Climate Vulnerabilities And Concern For The Great Salt Lake Desiccation Shape Utahns’ Migration Decision, Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed, Jennifer E. Givens

Spring Runoff Conference

In light of the current climate crisis, how do Utahns perceive their climate or disaster vulnerabilities and concern for the Great Salt Lake desiccation? Does the perception of vulnerabilities and concern for the Great Salt Lake desiccation influence their intention to migrate from Utah?

We Shall Have A Seat At The Table, Yanna Liang

Spring Runoff Conference

Uniqueness of ESE 

• The only environmental BS program in the nation that has “Sustainable” in its title.
• Sustainability in water treatment, air pollution control, energy production, resource re-utilization 

The Once And Future Variability Of Colorado River Water Resources, Balaji Rajagopalan

Spring Runoff Conference

The Plot – “Millennium Drought” Since 2000 

• Current Water Crisis 

Soil Health And Water Conservation, Tony Richards

Spring Runoff Conference

What are Healthy Soils? 

• Stable 
• Functional 
• Productive 
• Resilient 

Great Salt Lake Model Depletion, Katherine Wright

Spring Runoff Conference

When does water leasing make sense? Using New Information to Make Better Leases.

Lease, but only if it makes sense.

• Farmers have a legal right to use water on their farms for agriculture.
• Leasing might be a good economic decision for you, but not your neighbor.
• Leasing is voluntary, the purpose of this presentation is to explain the benefits of leasing and give you the information you need to decide if it is right for you. 

Utah Water Research Lab, David Tarboton

Spring Runoff Conference

The concept of a dedicated water research laboratory evolved over years, with significant contributions from Vaughn E. Hansen, Dean F. Peterson, and George D. Clyde. The UWRL represents the culmination of a long-held vision at USU to advance water research.

Assessment Indicator System For Siting Of Geologic Co2 Sequestration In Low-Porosity And Low-Permeability Saline Aquifers: A Case Study Of The Ordos Basin, Mou Yu, Wang Haofan, Shaanxi Key Laboratory For Carbon Neutral Technology, Carbon Neutrality College (Yulin), Northwest University, Xi’An 710069, China Xuejun, Ma Jinfeng, Luo Shaocheng, Li Lin, Ding Zhao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective CO₂ injection and geologic sequestration in deep saline aquifers as underground spatial resources represents an important means of achieving the targets of greenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon neutrality. Current assessments of the siting and potential for geologic CO₂ sequestration in saline aquifers focus primarily on the macroscopic basin and regional scales, with the assessment indicator system scarcely accounting for the suitability of low-porosity and low-permeability strata. Methods Using data from 192 wells in the Yusheng area, Ordos Basin, this study conducted the division and correlation of intervals bearing no hydrocarbon, carried out lithologic and physical interpretations …

Tundra Recovery Post-Fire In The Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, Alaska, Leah K. Clayton, Kevin Schaefer, Elizabeth E. Hoy, Clayton D. Elder, Nancy H. F. French, Gerald V. Frost, Et.Al.

Michigan Tech Publications

The extent of wildfires in tundra ecosystems has dramatically increased since the turn of the 21st century due to climate change and the resulting amplified Arctic warming. We simultaneously studied the recovery of vegetation, subsurface soil moisture, and active layer thickness (ALT) post-fire in the permafrost-underlain uplands of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta in southwestern Alaska to understand the interaction between these factors and their potential implications. We used a space-for-time substitution methodology with 2017 Landsat 8 imagery and synthetic aperture radar products, along with 2016 field data, to analyze tundra recovery trajectories in areas burned from 1953 to 2017. We found …

Linking Water Quality And Climate Change To Long-Term Trends In Species Abundance In Norwalk Harbor, Viktoria Savatorova, Aidan Kieft, Nicole C. Spiller, Kasey Burns

Spora: A Journal of Biomathematics

This study examines the effects of environmental changes on fish populations in Norwalk Harbor, focusing on winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), cunner (Tautogolabrus adspersus), northern pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus), and naked goby (Gobiosoma bosci) as examples of species responding to climate-related shifts. We analyze how water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen correlate with fish abundance. To assess statistically significant differences in catch per unit effort (CPUE) across harbor regions, we applied the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post-hoc test. Seasonal variations in CPUE were examined by comparing monthly catch data for each species. K-means …

The Sustainability Stones: Culturally Embedded Conservation Strategies And Their Vulnerability In Maupiti, French Polynesia, Russell Fielding, Fiona Gimenez

Honors College Faculty Publications

This paper explores culturally embedded conservation strategies through the lens of the traditional agroforestry and fisheries cycles in Maupiti, French Polynesia. By pairing certain breadfruit cultivars with specific fish species, the island’s community created a culinary system that regulates the seasonal consumption of marine resources, making the sustainable use of those resources more likely. While modern pressures such as reduced breadfruit diversity, competition with imported foods, and climate change have weakened these traditional practices, they remain an example of local ecological knowledge guiding conservation. The study highlights the threat of losing sustainable resource-use practices and biodiversity as both biodiversity and …

2024 Rmap Non-Residential Parcels Data Summary Report Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Npl Site Bpsou, Environmental Standards, Inc., Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Predicting Freshwater Spring Distribution Using Maxent Modeling: A Case Study In Groundwater Management Area 9 (Gma-9), Texas, Zayed Mallick

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Freshwater springs are one of the most vital groundwater sources and they have been a reliable water source for mining, irrigation, drinking, and farming, particularly in hot and arid regions like Groundwater Management Area-9 (GMA-9), Texas. However, excessive groundwater extraction, climate change, and environmental degradation have created tremendous stress on the sustainability of freshwater springs and as a result, they might not be able to meet the future water demand. This study uses the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to predict the distribution of springs in GMA-9 and to identify the key topographic and climatic factors influencing their occurrence. This study …

Accretion And Accumulation Of Mangrove Soils In Clam Bay, Naples, Fl: The Impact Of Hydrological Alterations And Sea-Level Rise, Matthew C. Fairchild

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The ability of mangrove soils to accrete at a rate that keeps up with the rate of sea-level rise (SLR) is widely debated, especially for soils impacted by variations in influxes of nutrients and alterations in natural flows of water from surrounding urban areas. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of SLR on mangrove soils in Clam Bay (Naples, Florida, USA), which has an extensive system of mangroves that have faced increasing human pressure in recent decades as well as SLR. Cores were collected from two different sites within Clam Bay to identify differences in soil accretion, mass accumulation, …

Salmon As An Ecological Pathway Of Contaminants Into Alaskan Food Webs, Miranda Brohman, Gretchen Roffler, Dimitri G. Giarikos, David Kerstetter, Amy C. Hirons

SECLER Data

Salmon are important fish taxa for humans and animals in hemiboreal and subarctic ecosystems. Trace elements and their marine food web bioaccumulation raises biomagnification and potential human health risk concerns. Sixteen trace element concentrations and their health risk assessments were determined in seven different tissues of two Southeast Alaska salmon species (chum, Oncorhynchus keta and pink, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha). Chum tissues had overall higher trace element concentrations compared to pink, which may be attributed to a difference of diets, generally longer-lived and spending more time in the open ocean. All kidney and liver samples exceeded the tolerable daily intake for …

Transfer Learning In Junction With A Light Use Efficiency Model For Estimating Grassland Gross Primary Production, Ruiyang Yu, Yunjun Yao, Qingxin Tang, Xueyi Zhang, Changliang Shao, Joshua B. Fisher, Jiquan Chen, Xiaotong Zhang, Yufu Li, Jia Xu, Lu Liu, Zijing Xie, Jing Ning, Jiahui Fan, Luna Zhang

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

It is significant to simulate grassland gross primary production (GPP) to understand the terrestrial carbon budget over Inner Mongolia (IMG), China. Nevertheless, there is not sufficient in situ GPP data over this region. In this study, we proposed a novel model-based transfer learning (MTL) approach with generative adversarial networks-long short-term memory (GAN-LSTM) and light use efficiency (LUE) models to derive grassland GPP over IMG, China. We first used 25 grassland eddy covariance sites over the conterminous United States to establish the GAN-LSTM model and then fine-tuned it with six sites over IMG to estimate water constraints that were embedded into …

Challenges In Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining: Perspectives And Transformations To Sustainability Along Br-163 In Brazil, Carlos Henrique Xavier Araujo, Irfan Ullah, Giorgio De Tomi

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) is a sector beset with unique and complex challenges. Recent literature highlights the growing acknowledgment of the critical need for reforms in how the ASGM industry interacts with communities and the environment. Discussions about sustainable transformations go beyond theoretical and conceptual borders, attempting to understand how local transformative events might reflect global developments. Thus, the goal of this article is to give an analysis from the perspective of the actors participating in artisanal gold mining activities. A survey was carried out along BR-163, which runs from Sinop (Mato Grosso) to Santarém (Pará). Fifty-five (55) interviews …

Transcriptional Profiles Reveal Physiological Mechanisms For Compensation During A Simulated Marine Heatwave In Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola Lalandi), Sharon E. Hook, Ryan J. Farr, Jenny Su, Alistair J. Hobday, Catherine Wingate, Lindsey Woolley, Luke Pilmer

Fisheries Research Articles

Background

Changing ocean temperatures are already causing declines in populations of marine organisms. Predicting the capacity of organisms to adjust to the pressures posed by climate change is a topic of much current research effort, particularly for species we farm or harvest. To explore one measure of phenotypic plasticity, the physiological compensations in response to heat stress as might be experienced in a marine heatwave, we exposed Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola lalandi) to sublethal heat stress, and used the transcriptome in gill and muscle, benchmarked against heat shock proteins and oxidative stress indicators, to characterise the acute heat stress …

Re: Conditional Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoons (Btl) System – Third Quarter 2024 (Dated December 23, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Predicting Precipitation And Ndvi Utilization Of The Multi-Level Linear Mixed-Effects Model And The Ca-Markov Simulation Model, Fatima Belhaj, Hlila Rachid, Ouallali Abdessalam, Aqil Tariq, Belkendil Abdeldjalil, Beroho Mohamed, Hassan Alzahrani, Hajra Mustafa, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The current work intends to reconstruct the spatiotemporal evolution of precipitation and the Normalized Differentiate Vegetation Index (NDVI) in the Loukkos watershed and provide scenarios for their recent and future evolution, therefore determining the degree of association. We conducted a study on the time series data of precipitation and NDVI from 1999 to 2019. The NDVI prediction is conducted using the CA-Markov model and the linear mixed-effects multi-level model (LME) with precipitation data from 2019 to 2040. The CA-Markov model was employed to predict the vegetation indices for 2029 and 2040 using 1999, 2009, and 2019 data. The model simulates …

Magnetic And Optical Properties Of Airborne Dust Particles Nearby Coal-Fired Power Plants In Upper Silesia, Poland: A Mineralogical, Petrographical And Chemical Approach, Chrysoula Chrysakopoulou, Konstantinos Perleros, Małgorzata Wojtaszek-Kalaitzidi, Lambrini Papadopoulou, Nikolaos Kantiranis, Stavros Kalaitzidis

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Coal mining and exploitation pose certain challenges in terms of environmental management. The objective of this research is the study of airborne dust from Knurow region, Southern Poland, aiming to identify the level and the features of anthropogenic particles, mostly in the form of fly ash. Two samples collected from a domestic gutter system were analysed regarding their mineralogical, chemical and petrographical features, emphasizing the magnetic fraction and the carbonized organic particles. The airborne dust contains 22 wt.% of fossil and fresh organic matter, whereas the major mineralogical phase is magnetite. The magnetic fraction (up to 3 wt.%) appears in …

Leveraging High-Frequency Sensor Data And U.S. National Water Model Output To Forecast Turbidity In A Drinking Water Supply Basin, John T. Kemper, Kristen L. Underwood, Scott D. Hamshaw, Dany Davis, Jason Siemion, James B. Shanley, Andrew W. Schroth

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

As high-frequency sensor networks increasingly enhance data-driven models of water quality, process-based models like the U.S. National Water Model (NWM) are generating accessible forecasts of streamflow at increasingly dense scales. There is now an opportunity to combine these products to construct actionable water quality forecasts. To that end, we couple streamflow forecasts from the NWM to a gradient-boosted decision tree algorithm (LightGBM) trained on 5+ years of high-frequency monitoring data to forecast in-stream turbidity levels in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA. Results indicate LightGBM models are capable of relatively skillful predictions, which enable robust forecasts for 1–3 days lead times. …

Urban Heat Dynamics In Pune: The Influence Of Land Cover And Local Climate, Arpit Tiwari, Preethi Nanjundan, Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Ananya Karmakar, Satyaban Bishoyi Ratna

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Urban areas with high population density and extensive infrastructure development have been experiencing an increasing strain on the local heat budget, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses and discomfort. This study examined the impact of climate and land use as heat islands in Pune, India, from 2012 to 2023 at six different locations representing varying degree of urbanization. Satellite land cover observations revealed that 55.17% of the total area was urbanized in the city itself, which was limited to 44.8% in 2012. This urbanization has significantly impacted the increasing tendency of maximum temperature (T_max; 0.13℃ to 1.63℃ …

Enhancing The Efficiency Of Eaop Degradation Using Ultrasound: A Study With Methylene Blue And Pfoa As Model Pollutants, Jamiu Busayo Ahmed

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Energy Saving Through Climate Education: Climate Sensitization In School For Mindful Consumption At Home, Haritha Saranga, Satyajit Roy, Kanchan Mukherjee

Working Papers

An effective fight against climate change requires both a “top-down” approach and “bottom-up” changes; that is, adopting sustainable practices at the individual and household levels, which requires knowledge, belief, and willingness to engage in climate action. Extant research has shown a number of challenges in bringing about persistent changes in human behavior. We propose to bring about mindful energy consumption behavior at the household level by using children as the conduit for behavior change. Scalable interventions that create awareness about climate change and its impact through early self-regulation in middle and high schools are a promising and cost-effective opportunity to …

A Feedback-Guided Analysis Of Environmental, Health And Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Drivers’ Willingness To Shift To E-Jeepneys, Charlotte Kendra Gotangco Gonzales, Katrina Abenojar, Carlos Rosauro Manalo, Melliza Templonuevo Cruz, Maria Obiminda L. Cambaliza, James Bernard Simpas, Imee Delos Reyes, John Wong, Bernell Go, Krizelle Cleo Fowler, Rene Marlon Panti, Emma E. Porio, Jean Jardeleza Mijares

Environmental Science Faculty Publications

The Jeepney Modernization Program involves the replacement of traditional jeepneys with more efficient alternatives, including modern enclosed electric vehicles, alongside operational improvements to the public transportation system. This study aims to assess the environmental, health and socio-economic factors impacting drivers’ willingness to shift to e-jeepneys. Feedback-Guided Analysis was used as a framework for designing an interdisciplinary approach towards understanding the decision-making paradigms of drivers plying a specific route in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Measurements of drivers’ exposure to PM2.5 and associated health parameters were complemented by key informant interviews delving into income, expenses, valuation of benefits and decision-making paradigms. A …

Lagging Brain Gene Expression Patterns Of Drosophila Melanogaster Young Adult Males Confound Comparisons Between Sexes, Flannery Mclamb, Zuying Feng, Jeanne P. Vu, Lindsey Griffin, Miguel F. Vasquez, Goran Bozinovic

Center for Life in Extreme Environments Publications

Many species, including fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), are sexually dimorphic. Phenotypic variation in morphology, physiology, and behavior can affect development, reproduction, health, and aging. Therefore, designating sex as a variable and sex-blocking should be considered when designing experiments. The brain regulates phenotypes throughout the lifespan by balancing survival and reproduction, and sex-specific development at each life stage is likely. Changes in morphology and physiology are governed by differential gene expression, a quantifiable molecular marker for age- and sex-specific variations. We assessed the fruit fly brain transcriptome at three adult ages for gene expression signatures of sex, age, and sex-by-age: 6698 …

Assessment Of Water Pollution Levels In Lake Batur, Indonesia And Their Effect On Water Weed Presence, Syarif Prasetyo, Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, Tirtaduna Tirtaduna, Agus Purnomo, Sri Hartati, Umi Chodrijah, Prihatiningsih Prihatiningsih, Ari Wahyono, Jumari Jumari, Rossi Prabowo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Lake Batur in Bangli Regency, Bali Province is a priority area for ecological quality restoration in Indonesia due to its vulnerability to environmental changes caused by diverse and intensive utilization. Agricultural activities, fisheries, and tourism affect the lake’s water quality, leading to the uncontrolled growth of water weeds such as water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes). To determine the relationship between water quality, community activities, and water weed presence, water samples were collected from 9 locations consisting of residential, tourist, aquaculture, and agricultural areas. In situ analysis was then conducted to measure turbidity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved …

Plural Water Narratives: An Environmental Justice Lens On A Systematic Review Of Q-Methodology Water Research, Melissa Haeffner, Alida Cantor, Janet Cowal, Andrea Bryant, Darius Mani Yaw, Kinna Je Palacios, Daniela Serna, Bryce Sprauer, Abigail Tran-Gruver

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Environmental justice research has shown that people's experiences and perceptions of water differ because systematic inequalities shape the extent to which people access clean water and are exposed to water hazards. Q‐methodology is one technique that has been used to aggregate multifaceted subjective narratives and understand different perspectives on a topic. In this paper, we systematically review 77 case study articles applying Q‐methodology to water‐related topics, to inventory how people perceive their relationships with water. We create a classification system based on environmental justice theory to examine (1) distributive justice issues around alternative water sources and agricultural and urban water …