Digital Commons Network^™

Revised Draft Final Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoon System – Fourth Quarter 2022, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Transforming Place-Based Management Within Watersheds In Fiji: The Watershed Interventions For Systems Health Project, Stacy D. Jupiter, Aaron P. Jenkins, Joel Negin, Shylett Anthony, Ponipate Baleinamau, Rachel Devi, Sikeli Gavidi, Alice Latinne, Kini Koto Mailautoka, Sangeeta Mangubhai, Kelera Naivalu, Timoci Naivalulevu, Vilisi Naivalulevu, Nabeela Nasim, Sikeli Naucunivanua, Sarah Nelson, Ingrid Qauqau, Anaseini Ratu, Mereia Ravoka, Jacqueline Thomas, Andrew Tukana, Paul Van Nimwegen, Ama Wakwella, Amelia Wenger, Donald Wilson, Pierre Horwitz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Watersheds offer opportunities for place-based interventions to transform systems health via preventative versus reactive approaches to management that achieve multiple co-benefits for public and environmental health. The Watershed Interventions for Systems Health in Fiji (WISH Fiji) project embraced participatory knowledge co-production and action-oriented research to identify risks to public and ecosystem health, prioritize interventions to address risks, and monitor responses of the system to interventions. We used screening filters and local knowledge to collaboratively identify five watersheds for action with high prior incidence of water-related diseases (Fiji’s “three plagues” of leptospirosis, typhoid and dengue) and high risk to downstream environmental …

Urban Soil Compaction Remediation By Shallow Tillage And Compost In Hydroseeded Lawn, James Jihoon Kang, Adam Flores, Engil Isadora Pujol Pereira, Jungseok Ho

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Construction activities often involve removal of topsoil and compaction of the exposed soil by heavy equipments. Such compacted soils with low organic matter can lead to low infiltration and poor vegetation establishment. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of tillage (shallow till) and compost on soil physical and biological properties in a hydroseeded lawn as a post-construction best management practice for soil compaction remediation. The experimental site received a total of four land treatments in five replicated trials and it was hydroseeded with common Bermuda grass: 1) No Tillage + Compost (NT-C), 2) No Tillage + …

The Ecological Applications Of Δ17O: Validating A Novel Technique For Assessing Animal Metabolism And Water Intake, Zachary Taylor Steele

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Animals obtain water via different processes such as drinking, consuming food, and through metabolic processes like at the end of the electron transport chain when atmospheric oxygen is combined with hydrogen to form ‘cytochrome oxidase water’. Assessing animal water flux and metabolism has mainly been conducted via stable isotope analysis (SIA) of biological samples using hydrogen (²H) and oxygen isotopes (¹⁶O, ¹⁷O, and ¹⁸O; Δ¹⁷O), typically using enriched isotope tracers. However, natural abundance isotope modeling offers an approach for conducting SIA of biological samples that differs because it relies on the unique, …

May 2024 Berkeley Pit Migratory Waterfowl Protection Monthly Report, Mark Thompson, Loren Burmeister

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoon System – Fourth Quarter 2023 (Dated March 28, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Comment/Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plans (Fsps) For Bres No. 121 – Travona Dump, Bres No. 125 – Child Harold-2 Dump, Bres No. 34e – Eveline Dump East, Bres No. 45 – Garfield, Bres No. 49 – Old Glory, Bres No. 52 – Moscow, Bres No. 74 – West Gagnon Dump, And Bres No. 78 Original Mine (Dated May 7, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Comments For The 2024 Butte Priority Soils (Bpsou) Residential Metals Abatement Program (Rmap) – Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp) For Non-Residential Parcels And Residential Daycares (Dated May 23, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final 2024 Residential Metals Abatement Program Mandan Park Soil Rawp (Dated May 10, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final 2024 Residential Metals Abatement Program Park Soil Sampling Field Sampling Plan Submittal #14 [Silver Bow Homes Park, Butte Koa, Fairmont Rv Park, And Cccs Gymnasium] (Dated May 10, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final 2024 Residential Metals Abatement Program Park Soil Sampling Field Sampling Plan Submittal #13 [Copper Mountain Park] (Dated May 10, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Butte Mine Flooding Operable Unit Berkeley Pit And Discharge Pilot Project - May 2024 Monthly Discharge Monitoring Report, Mark Thompson, Dave Griffis

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Berkeley Pit And Discharge Pilot Project Temperature Evaluation, 2023 Update, Mark Thompson, Dave Griffis

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval For The Response To Comments Letter (Dated May 21, 2024) For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Butte Reclamation Evaluation System (Bres) Draft 2023 Bres Field Evaluation Summary Report And Technical Recommendations Proposal (Dated November 15, 2023) And 2023 Corrective Action Plans (Caps) For Reclaimed Sites (Dated January 31, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Recycled Water On Microbial Source Tracking Techniques That Aim To Identify Untreated Sewage In Surface Waters, Aldo E. Lobos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fecal pollution in recreational waters can introduce pathogens that cause increased human health risk, where exposure can occur during recreational activities such as swimming, diving, surfing, and fishing. Furthermore, human fecal pollution (i.e., sewage) can introduce nutrients and other harmful chemicals that may negatively affect the environment and aquatic species. Generally, sewage is considered the highest risk to human health compared to animal fecal pollution because it typically contains a high diversity of pathogens (including human specific viruses), antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes associated with antibiotic resistance. However, pathogens are difficult to detect due to their low concentrations in the …

[Discussions] Vol. 20 Iss. 1

Discussions

This issue of Discussions was published for the Spring 2024 cycle.

Climate, Food, And Humans Predict Communities Of Mammals In The United States, Roland Kays, Matthew H. Snider, Andrew M. Wilson

Environmental Studies Faculty Publications

The assembly of species into communities and ecoregions is the result of interacting factors that affect plant and animal distribution and abundance at biogeographic scales. Here, we empirically derive ecoregions for mammals to test whether human disturbance has become more important than climate and habitat resources in structuring communities.

Hydrochemical Characteristics And Genetic Mechanism Of Geothermal Water In The Wandong Geothermal Area Along The Moxi Fault In Western Sichuan, Huang Xun, Zhang Yunhui, Li Xiao, Lyu Guosen, Guo Hongyang

Coal Geology & Exploration

[Objective] Geothermal energy exploitation is identified as a vital way to achieve the goals of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. The Moxi fault, located in the southern segment of the Xianshuihe fault zone in western Sichuan, boasts abundant geothermal resources, serving as a significant area for subsequent geothermal energy exploitation. [Methods] This study investigated the hydrogeochemistry of the Wandong geothermal area along the Moxi fault, analyzed the water-rock interaction process in the area based on the hydrochemical correlation, and calculated the reservoir temperatures and the mixing ratios of cold and hot water using geothermometers and the silica-enthalpy mixing …

Strategic Analysis Of Technological Support For Environmental Pollution Prevention And Control In China’S Western Ecological Barrier Region, Yawei Wang, Juan Li, Guibin Jiang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As a crucial pillar of the national ecological security strategic framework, the Western Ecological Barrier Zone demonstrates irreplaceable ecological value in key areas such as water conservation, climate regulation, and carbon sink balance, leveraging its unique geographical endowments and ecosystem services. The governance effectiveness of this region not only directly impacts the advancement of the Beautiful China initiative but also holds significant implications for the comprehensive realization of the Dual Carbon strategic goals. This study focuses on the critical issue of environmental pollution prevention in western China. By elucidating the regional distinctive geographical and climatic characteristics, the study systematically analyzes …

Evaluation Of An Autonomous Acoustic Surveying Technique For Grassland Bird Communities In Nebraska, Grace E. Schuster, Leroy J. Walston, Andrew R. Little

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Monitoring trends in wildlife communities is integral to making informed land management decisions and applying conservation strategies. Birds inhabit most niches in every environment and because of this they are widely accepted as an indicator species for environmental health. Traditionally, point counts are the common method to survey bird populations, however, passive acoustic monitoring approaches using autonomous recording units have been shown to be cost-effective alternatives to point count surveys. Advancements in automatic acoustic classification technologies, such as BirdNET, can aid in these efforts by quickly processing large volumes of acoustic recordings to identify bird species. While the utility of …

Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Field Sampling Plan (Fsp) Bres No. 181 – Mountain Con-3 Dump, Mike Mcanulty

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Stream Habitat Restoration On Macroinvertebrate Assemblages: A Systematic Literature Review, Morgan E. Seitzer

University Honors Theses

Globally, river restoration has become a popular tool for improving the health of a watershed and restoring ecosystem services, but still has significant knowledge gaps. In certain areas and scientific communities, special attention has been given to the response of macroinvertebrates as a measure of restoration success. This systematic literature review aims to highlight and discuss the patterns in studies that have comparable before-and-after restoration data on macroinvertebrates after reconnecting stream channels to their floodplains. Macroinvertebrate sampling is a simple if not time-consuming task that can reveal important data about habitat quality. Because they serve as an important food source …

Final Residential Metals Abatement Program (Rmap) Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp) (Residential Parcels), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Final Revised Residential Metals Abatement Program (Rmap) Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp) (Residential Parcels) (Dated June 7, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Microplastic Pollution In Stormwater: Preliminary Findings From The Oregon Coast, Jazmine Compton

University Honors Theses

Microplastics have become ubiquitous in marine environments and pose a risk to ecosystem, organismal, and human health. Stormwater runoff has been suggested to be a major contributor to marine microplastic pollution. This project aims to quantify the average concentration of microplastics in stormwater in a community on the Oregon Coast. To accomplish this, stormwater samples were collected from five sites in Cannon Beach, Oregon, and one sample was analyzed using a dissection microscope. Using this technique, the number, size, and composition of the microplastic particles were determined. The calculated concentration of microplastics in the stormwater sample was 12.21 MPs/L, and …

Climate Justice Issues, Urban Heat Island Effect, And Trees As The Solution In Portland, Oregon, Cleo Needham

University Honors Theses

Portland, Oregon, is experiencing rising temperatures caused by climate change and urban heat island effect. High heat disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities in Portland, causing harm to physical and mental health. Trees are a solution that reduces temperatures in urban environments. A strategy called 3-30-300 helps create a structure for where to place trees to help people receive the benefits. There are challenges with trees, such as the space required, the significant cost, and the time it takes to mature. Using trees as a solution can support and protect vulnerable communities in Portland, Oregon.

Establishment Of A Research Site At The Kennedy Mountain Campus For The Observation Of Airborne Particulate Matter, Alyssa Knaus

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

This thesis explored particulate matter (PM) concentrations at two sites within the Colorado Front Range. The study utilized two models of PurpleAir PM sensors, Flex and SD-II, to provide real-time, accessible data on PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 mass concentrations with the goal of establishing the first research site at the Kennedy Mountain Campus (KMC). The first of the two sites used during this study was at a suburban location outside of Denver, CO. This period was used as an instrument intercomparison period in order to conduct instrument analysis. The initial findings from this period found significant correlations between PM concentration …

A Geospatial And Machine Learning Framework For Forecasting Ground Level Ozone Pollution, William J. Keenan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The major detrimental health effects of ground-level ozone (GLO) pollution make it imperative that both policy makers and ordinary citizens have access to high accuracy, high-resolution forecasts of their local area. Recently, advancements in computing power have made it possible to apply artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to a variety of big data modelling problems, including GLO forecasting and estimation. Of these AI methods, deep neural networks (DNN) have demonstrated the highest accuracy due to their ability extract non-linear relationships from high dimensional, noisy data inputs.

This research effort uses novel data sources, namely NOAA’s High Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) meteorology …

How Well Do Nature-Based Solutions To Climate Change Address Gender Equity?, Stephanie Efua Yamoah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the climate crisis continues to deepen, there have been calls for adaptation and mitigation approaches that rely on nature-based solutions. These solutions are approaches that offer the potential to reduce and remove greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include forest restoration, coastal wetland conservation, and no-till agriculture, among other practices. In this thesis, I employ an intersectional feminist political ecology perspective to critically examine the integration of gender equity within such nature-based solutions. I make two interrelated arguments using a qualitative methodology and an intensive case study of three projects in Ghana. First, I argue that women’s participation in nature-based solutions …

Visualization Of Indiana And Northern Long-Eared Bats Using Spline Surfaces To Enable Targeted Land Management, Devin Escue

Geography and the Environment: Graduate Student Capstones

This project introduces a Bat Visualization Tool to help manage habitats for threatened bat species while considering broader ecosystem dynamics. It integrates data from acoustic bat surveys at the Corriell Nature Preserve in Iowa. The tool attaches spatial context to non-spatial survey data, weights species calls based on statistical p-values, and creates visual bat species distribution maps using spline surfaces. It also generates future survey locations based on these patterns. By using geospatial analysis and statistics, the tool identifies priority areas for conservation actions, focusing on factors like forest composition, roosting preferences, and land cover types that affect bat habitat …