Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Sample Grinding On Color-Based Predictions Of Soil Organic Carbon, Mason Rutgers

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Measurements of soil color are widely accessible and can be used as indirect measures of soil organic carbon (SOC). Sensor-based soil color measurements, frequently used in quantitative studies to predict SOC, often use ground and sieved soil samples for color analysis. However, it is unknown whether the extra steps of drying, crushing, and sieving a sample improve the quantitative relationship between color and SOC. This study was conducted to evaluate color-based predictions of SOC using intact, sieved (<2 mm), and fine-ground soil samples from northwest Oklahoma. Moist soil color was measured using Munsell color charts (MCCs) and a Nix Mini 3™ portable color sensor (PCS). The color of the soil samples was measured before processing, after crushing to pass through a 2-mm sieve, and after mechanical grinding to less than 0.25-mm. Using Munsell value (from the MCC) and CIEL* (from the PCS) as predictor variables, regression analyses were conducted to develop SOC predictive functions for each physical state. The resulting coefficients of determination (R2) and root mean squared errors (RMSE) were used to assess model fits for predicting SOC. Model contrasts were calculated to evaluate significant differences between each predictive model. All models exhibited strong relationships (0.56 < R2 < 0.70, 0.20 < RMSE < 0.25) between soil lightness and predicted SOC. Models built using aggregated samples measured with both MCCs (R2= 0.70, RMSE= 0.20) and the PCS (R2= 0.69, RMSE= 0.21) produced the best results. Models built using intact samples measured using the PCS did perform significantly better on samples dark in color (CIEL* < 30). These results suggest that grinding soil samples does not improve color-based predictions of SOC using MCCs and the PCS.

Rewilding The Danube Delta; How Rewilding Can Revitalize Ecosystems And Restore Biomes, Antonio Martinez

Posters - 2024

The Danube Delta and the surrounding area harbors a variety of ecosystems and biodiversity from Romania to Ukraine. The 580,000-hectare delta is particularly well known for its abundance of birdlife, with the presence of 312 important bird species, many of which use the Delta as an important stopover and breeding area such as the Dalmatian Pelican (UNESCO et al.,1998). Here, also lie some of Europe’s very few remaining grazed mosaic landscapes, the beautiful wetlands. The delta region includes extensive examples of unaltered rivers, lakes, reed beds, marshes, steppes, dunes, sandbars, coasts, lagoons, salt marshes and climax forests (Rewilding Europe n.d.).This …

Rewilding The ”Wild West”: Restoring Bison Populations In The American Prairie, Ana Christina Diaz

Posters - 2024

Historically, North America was home to a biodiverse and environmentally rich land, from beavers, mountain lions, numerous bird and insect species, and North America’s largest land mammal, the bison (Figure 1). The American bison (Bison bison), also referred to as buffalo, are a keystone species in their environments, meaning their absence can have detrimental effects on other species. Bison are environmental engineers that create a “mosaic of habitats” with their behaviors including wallowing, grazing, and defecating (American Prairie Foundation 2024). Bison once roamed from Canada to Mexico with a population estimated around 50 million but were tragically almost wiped to …

Procedures For Rangeland Condition Assessment In The Pilbara And Southern Rangelands 2022, Department Of Primary Industries And Regional Development

Natural resources published reports

To define the procedures used in 2022 by DPIRD to complete rangeland condition assessment (RCA) in the Pilbara and southern rangelands region which has predominantly shrub-based pastures. For the rest of the pastoral estate, DPIRD uses the Procedures for RCA in the Kimberley which has grass pastures.

RCA is the process DPIRD uses to make systematic, lease level assessment of rangeland. Rangeland condition considers both the condition of pastures (as defined in the Pasture condition and management guide for the Pilbara rangelands or Southern rangelands pasture condition and management guides) and soils (as determined by erosion, using the erosion assessment …

Flushed With Challenges: A Case Study Into Sanitation Service Delivery In A Cape Town Informal Settlement, Emmy Li , '25

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

In South Africa, basic sanitation is considered a human right. Moreover, effective sanitation service delivery is fundamental in the ongoing transition to build sustainable cities and communities. An area of particular interest for city planners and government officials are informal settlements, which are often characterized by high vulnerabilities, large population densities, limited resources, and minimal state engagement. Due to their location and informal nature, these areas often lack sewage and drainage systems needed for effective sanitation. Unfortunately, communities that are most impacted by poor sanitation quality and service delivery are rarely consulted during the decision-making process for urban upgrades. This …

Heat Mitigation Impacts Of Agriculture, Greenspace, And Riparian Forest In Albuquerque, New Mexico, Brennan Davis

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

Albuquerque, New Mexico, alongside the larger American desert Southwest, is already living the reality of climate change – temperatures have risen faster than the global average and, left unchecked, will continue to rise at an ever-increasing pace (NOAA 2022, Garfin et al. 2014). Alongside this disproportionate warming, the Southwest has experienced worsening drought which further stresses an already arid system (White et al. 2023, Dunbar et al. 2022). At the intersection of these changes lie a myriad of interrelated consequences for both ecosystems and communities. The urban heat island effect is one of many such consequences and is responsible for …

Mushroom Composition Across An Elevational Gradient During The 2024 Wet Season In Mazumbai Forest Reserve, Tanzania, Christopher Brady

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Mushrooms are key bioindicators that contribute greatly to ecological health, and their diversity is indicative of a healthy ecosystem. However, even with the vital role they play in ecological health, there are few studies which measure the diversity of mushrooms in Mazumbai Forest Reserve (MFR), Tanzania, Africa, and none which focus on diversity along the elevational gradient within the reserve (1300-1900m). This study measures the diversity and equitability of mushrooms growing in six elevational zones within MFR during the rainy season of 2024. A species checklist of mushrooms growing in MFR during the 2024 rainy season was created, tracking the …

Solar Energy Adoption In Unguja, Tanzania: Influence Of Awareness, Socioeconomics, And Technology Knowledge, Maxime Warnery

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study looked into the effect of information dissemination on the willingness to adopt solar energy on Unguja Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago. Utilizing an information provision survey, I collected data on demographic factors, personal beliefs, and attitudes towards solar energy. The research focused on determining how information provision affects public perceptions and the likelihood of adopting solar technologies. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between detailed and contextually relevant information and increased acceptance of solar energy solutions. The enhanced intervention was particularly effective in changing beliefs about solar energy's reliability and economic benefits, addressing critical local issues such …

Characterizing The Ecological Impacts Of Utility-Scale Solar Energy (Usse) On Fallowed Farmland, Amanda Gersoff

Master's Theses

Large-scale carbon-free energy generation projects such as utility-scale solar energy (USSE) arrays help mitigate the energy sector’s contribution to climate change and are rapidly expanding throughout the U.S. However, the expansion of USSE sites is associated with immediate and longer-term ecological impacts, many of which have yet to be assessed. Quantifying the ecological impacts of USSE arrays will help to identify synergies and trade-offs between energy generation and terrestrial conservation goals. The overall goal of this research is to characterize the ecological impacts of USSE sites located on fallowed farmlands in San Luis Obispo County, California in a seasonally explicit …

From Collaboration To Continuity: Exploring Stakeholder Engagement For Sustainable Global Health Partnerships, Annabelle Falconer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Global health partnerships have been identified as crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and targets related to health and wellbeing. Specifically, the Global Fund, UNAIDS Joint Programme, and the World Food Programme are examples of some of the relevant partners currently engaged in this work, filling roles in global health financing, governance, and delivery. Current literature has identified that the effective engagement of stakeholders in partnerships can be crucial in effective project implementation and that global health partnerships during the era of the Millennium Development Goals did impact health outcomes. This research aims to investigate the current strategies for …

Exploring The Medicalization Of Menstruation: Analyzing Menstrual Hygiene Initiatives By Igos, Non-Profits And National Government In Switzerland, Victoria Wright

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Menstrual health serves as a critical indicator of reproductive health. It is pivotal in achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to women's and girls' comfort, agency, participation, safety, well-being, and dignity (Loughnan et al., 2020). This research investigates the medicalization of menstruation in Switzerland through a mixed-methods approach examining the strategies and roles of key stakeholders such as the WHO, local government initiatives, and NGOs in shaping the landscape of menstrual medicalization.

The findings reveal that while medicalization has brought about progressive changes, including the introduction of menstrual leave policies, it has resulted in a complex regulatory landscape, increased …

“It’S A No Brainer”: Ensuring Just Transitions In Iceland’S Fishing Industry, Olivia Bowers

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Iceland’s government intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, aiming to target various economic sectors and industries for increased renewable-energy usage. One of its most important plans revolves renewable-energy usage in the fishing industry, which accounts for almost 12% of the country’s GHG emissions. This study aims to understand the perspectives of different stakeholders concerning renewable energy in the fishing industry, using these opinions and existing literature to provide recommendations for a just, equitable, and achievable energy transition. Additionally, this study particularly focuses on the opinions of actors in Vestmannaeyjar, an island community of 4,300 with an especially vibrant, significant, …

Technical Specifications - Silver Bow Creek Conservation Area - 60% Submittal April 2024, Atlantic Richfield Company

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Final Blacktail Creek Remediation And Contaminated Groundwater Hydraulic Control Site Pumping Test Data Summary Report (Dsr), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Exploration Of The Mental Health Impacts Of Drought On Rural Nebraskans Via Remembered Perceptions, Grace Schleining

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Drought is a sociological phenomenon. It is a well-known occurrence across the midwestern United States; the drying out of the soil, the failing of crops, and the constant dryness and heat… this is all drought. Inspired by my earliest memory of this climate phenomenon I sought to determine whether we can identify evidence of negative mental health impacts and/or well-being in rural Nebraskans due to drought, thus my research question: Can we identify negative effects of drought on rural Nebraskan mental health and/or wellbeing? In this study, rural Nebraska community members, who are involved with the agricultural sector, were interviewed. …

Impact Of Temperature On The Bionomics And Geographical Range Margins Of The Two-Spotted Field Cricket Gryllus Bimaculatus In The World: Implications For Its Mass Farming, Henlay J.O. Magara, Chrysantus M. Tanga, Brian L. Fisher, Abdelmutalab G.A. Azrag, Saliou Niassy, James P. Egonyu, Sylvain Hugel, Nana Roos, Monica A. Ayieko, Subramanian Sevgan, Sunday Ekesi

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Gryllus bimaculatus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is widely considered an excellent nutrient source for food and feed. Despite its economic importance, there is limited information on the impact of temperature on the bionomics of this cricket to guide its effective and sustainable mass production in its geographical range. The biological parameters of G. bimaculatus were investigated at eight different temperatures ranging from 20–40∘C. The Insect Life-Cycle Modelling (ILCYM) program was used to fit linear and non-linear functions to the data to describe the influence of temperature on life history parameters and its farmability under the current and projected climate for 2050. Our …

Exploring Cation Exchange: Unveiling Its Significance In Biochar And Bioenergetics Applications, Gyanendra Kharel

Chemistry & Biochemistry Theses & Dissertations

Cation exchange, a cornerstone of soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, is a fundamental chemical process that occurs in soils, sediments, membranes, and other solid materials. It involves the interchange of positively charged ions, or cations, between a solid matrix and a surrounding solution. This process is crucial in various natural and engineered systems, leading to a range of applications across different fields.

This dissertation presents an extensive investigation into the applications of cation exchange in the fields of biochar and bioenergetics, encompassing three distinct aims. The first aim concentrates on the surface oxygenation of biochar through ozonization, aiming to achieve …

Balancing Act: Insights Into Telangana Farmers’ Perspectives On Intensive Vs. Sustainable Agriculture, Srinivas Katherasala, Ram Shepherd Bheenaveni

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

High-input agriculture presents several drawbacks that can adversely affect both environmental sustainability and human health. A primary concern is soil degradation, which results from the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These substances can deplete soil nutrients, impair crop growth, and ultimately render the land barren and unproductive. This study, therefore, aims to explore the perceptions and practices of farmers in the Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district of Telangana State, India. The research involved a sample of 382 farmers across six mandals within this district. A stratified random sampling method was utilized within a survey-descriptive research framework. Data collection incorporated …

Non-Native Rhizophora Mangle As Sinks For Coastal Contamination On Moloka’I, Hawai’I, Geoffrey Szafranski, Elise F. Granek, Michelle L. Hladik, Mia Hackett

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Coastal mangrove forests provide a suite of environmental services, including sequestration of anthropogenic contamination. Yet, research lags on the environmental fate and potential human health risks of mangrove-sequestered contaminants in the context of mangrove removal for development and range shifts due to climate change. To address this, we conducted a study on Moloka'i, Hawai'i, comparing microplastic and pesticide contamination in coastal compartments both at areas modified by non-native red mangroves (Rhizophora mangle) and unmodified, open coastline. Sediment, porewater, and mangrove plant tissues were collected to quantify microplastic and pesticide concentrations across ecosystem type. Average microplastics were similar between …

Integrating Drone And Satellite Imaging With Machine Learning For Green Stormwater Infrastructure Condition Assessments, Matthew Dupasquier

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) has been increasingly utilized to improve urban stormwater management strategies. However, the performance and utility of GSI decrease over time if the infrastructure is not properly maintained. In recent history, the intrinsic operations and maintenance costs associated with the complex networks of new infrastructure have placed a burden on municipalities, ultimately prohibiting many from reaching the full extent of their stormwater management goals. One way for cities to achieve cost savings is through automated monitoring that can quickly assess the condition of GSI assets; however, existing cost-effective technologies are limited. Drones and satellites may be able …

Amethod To Estimate Climate Drivers Ofmaize Yield Predictability Leveraging Genetic-By-Environment Interactions In The Us And Canada, Parisa Sarzaeim, Francisco Munoz-Arriola

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

Throughout history, the pursuit of diagnosing and predicting crop yields has evidenced genetics, environment, and management practices intertwined in achieving food security. However, the sensitivity of crop phenotypes and genetic responses to climate still hampers the identification of the underlying abilities of plants to adapt to climate change. We hypothesize that the PiAnosi and WagNer (PAWN) global sensitivity analysis (GSA) coupled with a genetic by environment (GxE) model built of environmental covariance and genetic markers structures, can evidence the contributions of climate on the predictability of maize yields in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The GSA-GxE framework estimates the relative …

Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report (Non- Residential Parcels – Indoor Dust) East Middle School, Christopher Berg, Thomas J. Beckman

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Repository And Haul Route Geotechnical Pre-Design Investigation (Pdi) Work Plan, Jacobs Engineering Group

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Comments For The Butte Priority Soils (Bpsou) Residential Metals Abatement Program (Rmap) – Interior School Dust – Investigation Summary Report – Gold Hill Lutheran (Dated February 5, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Municipal Waste Management Based On Geomechanical Assessments Of The Landfill Site Slope – A Case Study In Southern Poland, Tomasz Janoszek, Phu Minh Vuong Nguyen, Jacek Grabowski

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Over time, municipal waste landfills tend to go higher and become larger. The stability of the municipal landfill slope is one of the basic geotechnical tasks. This task ensures continuous waste deposition on the landfill surface and safety in its surroundings. With the increasing height and volume of the landfill, it is difficult to estimate the available area of the municipal landfill, where more waste can be safely deposited due to a number of variable factors, such as the geotechnical conditions of the municipal landfill, the morphological composition, age, and degree of compaction and decomposition of the deposited waste.

This …

Sensor Analytics For Subsea Pipeline And Cable Inspection: A Review, Connor R. Vincent

LSU Master's Theses

Submarine pipelines and cables are vital for transmitting physical and digital resources across bodies of water, necessitating regular inspection to assess maintenance needs. The safety of subsea pipelines and cables is paramount for sustaining industries such as telecommunications, power transmission, water supply, waste management, and oil and gas. Incidents like those involving the Nord Stream subsea pipeline and the SEA-ME-WE 4 subsea communications cable exemplify the severe economic and environmental consequences of damage to these critical infrastructures. Existing inspection methods often fail to meet accuracy requirements, emphasizing the need for advancements in inspection technologies. This comprehensive survey covers the sensors …

Draft Final Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoon System – Fourth Quarter 2023, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Hurricane Impacts On Water Resources: A Look At Nature-Based Solutions To Improve Long-Term Resilience, Fautemeh Sajadi Bami

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Severe storms are a common occurrence in the state of Florida. Hurricane events may cause hazards such as flooding, property damage, death, and many others. Such far-reaching impacts may potentially result in dangerous consequences where they occur. Of interest to this study were the impacts on water resources and water quality caused by storms. Hurricanes can bring about a deluge. An apparent excess of water may cause the notion of water scarcity to seem less significant. However, problems with potable water can be quite frequent due to storms.

This research sought to address the impacts of severe storms on water …

Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report Butte Career Center / Webster Gar􀏐Ield, Christopher Berg, Thomas J. Beckman, Environmental Resource Management (Erm)

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Epa Remedial Project Manager Change, Rocker Operable Unit Of The Silver Bow Creek/Butte Are, Civil Action No 89-39-Bu-Pgh, Jason Rappe

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.