Digital Commons Network^™

Re: Silver Bow Creek Butte Area Npl Site 4th Quarter 2024 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Interim Site-Wide Surface Water Monitoring Data Report. Consent Decree- Civil Action No. Cv 89- 039-Bu-She, Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

A Machine Learning Model To Predict Wildfire Burn Severity For Pre-Fire Risk Assessments, Utah, Usa, Kipling B. Klimas, Larissa L. Yocom, Brendan P. Murphy, Scott R. David, Patrick Belmont, James A. Lutz, R. Justin Derose, Sara A. Wall

Wildland Resources Student Research

Background

High-severity burned areas can have lasting impacts on vegetation regeneration, carbon dynamics, hydrology, and erosion. While landscape models can predict erosion from burned areas using the differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR), post-fire erosion modeling has predominantly focused on areas that have recently burned. Here, we developed and validated a predictive burn severity model that produces continuous dNBR predictions for recently unburned forest land in Utah.

Results

Vegetation productivity, elevation, and canopy fuels were the most important predictor variables in the model, highlighting the strong control of fuels and vegetation on burn severity in Utah. Final model out-of-bag R^{2 …}

2025 Draft Final Unreclaimed Sites Quality Assurance Project Plan (Qapp), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report East Middle School, Environmental Resource Management (Erm)

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Monthly Progress Report Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit Consent Decree Partial Remedial Design/Remedial Action And Operation And Maintenance, Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

The Integrated Monitoring Of Karst Systems (Miks) Model, Applied In Karst Studies In Bulgaria, Petar Stefanov, Dilyana Stefanova, Peter Nojarov

International Journal of Speleology

Karst is a widespread natural phenomenon that is highly sensitive and very vulnerable to both natural and various anthropogenic impacts. This is due to the complex structure of karst territories, which comprise both surface forms and complex systems of underground cavities. Therefore, the study of karst requires a geosystem approach and integrated monitoring, which gives a real idea of the state of karst geosystems and the impacts of global changes on karstogenesis. The article presents a model of this approach, which is applied in karst studies in Bulgaria. The methodological basis is the original ProKARSTerra paradigm, based on the geosystem …

Flight Crew And Aviation Sustainability, Eva Maleviti

Publications

Sustainable Development

The concept of sustainable development was defined in the World Commission on Environment and Development’s (WCED) 1987 Brundtland Report ‘’Our Common Future’’. The Brundtland Commission aimed to help world nations towards sustainable development. Then, sustainable development became an essential concept in the vocabulary of politicians, practitioners, and planners.

Using Walk Audits To Understand Neighborhood Environmental Problems, Megan Heckert, Randall Cream, Christina Rosan

Sustainability Research & Practice Seminar Presentations

Dr. Megan Heckert, Geography and Planning, Dr. Randall Cream, English, and Dr. Tina Rosan, Temple University Geography, Environment, and Urban Studies, present "Using Walk Audits and Storytelling to Understand Neighborhood Environmental Problems".

Biobased Acrylate Composites With Enhanced Strength For Additive Manufacturing, Nicole Wagner, Joseph Mcwherter

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

With the expanding use of polymers in additive manufacturing, sustainable resins for use in vat photopolymerization are required to reduce their environmental impact. One promising approach to achieve this is to incorporate biobased fillers that replace the acrylates in photopolymer resins as ‘green’ alternatives. In this study, photopolymer composites consisting of a methacrylate resin with varying calcium carbonate powder content between 0 and 50 wt.% were investigated. A digital light processing technique was used to fabricate tensile test specimens for mechanical testing. Good printability, dimensional accuracy, and good interlayer adhesion were observed for composite resin formulations that incorporated calcium carbonate …

Exploring Single Cell Microbial Protein As A Sustainable Fishmeal Alternative In Yellowtail Kingfish (Seriola Lalandi) Diets: Impacts On Health And Gut Microbiome, Luke Pilmer, Lindsey Woolley, Alan Lymbery, Chinh Dam, Abigail Elizur, Md Javed Foysal, Gavin Partridge

Fisheries Research Articles

Background

With the global expansion of aquaculture and the increasing demand for fish meal, identifying appropriate and sustainable alternative protein sources for aquafeeds has become essential. Single-cell protein (SCP), derived from methanotrophic bacteria, presents a promising alternative by converting methane into protein, potentially addressing both the need for alternative protein sources and reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of SCP inclusion (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% fish meal replacement) on the health, gene expression, and gut microbiome of yellowtail kingfish (YTK, Seriola lalandi) following a 35-day growth trial.

Results

The …

Impacts Of Changing Temperatures On The Water Budget In The Great Salt Lake Basin, Grace Affram, Jihad Othman, Reza Morovati, Saddy Pineda Castellanos, Sajad Khoshnoodmotlagh, Diana Dunn, Braedon Dority, Katherine Osorio Diaz, Cody Ratterman, Wei Zhang

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Quantifying the water budget in the Great Salt Lake (GSL) basin is a nontrivial task, especially under a changing climate that contributes to increasing temperatures and a shift towards more rainfall and less snowfall. This study examines the potential impacts of temperature thresholds on the water budget in the GSL, emphasizing the influence on snowmelt, evapotranspiration (ET), and runoff under varying climate warming scenarios. Current hydrological models such as the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model use a universal temperature threshold to partition snowfall and rainfall across different regions. Previous studies have argued that there is a wide range of thresholds …

Beyond A Chapter: Libraries As Key Characters In Smu’S Sustainability Saga, Shameem Nilofar Maideen

Research Collection Library

No abstract provided.

Operationalizing And Measuring Climate Change Adaptation Success, Henry A. Bartelet, Michele L. Barnes, Lalu A.A. Bakti, Graeme S. Cumming

Quantitative Methods and Information Technology Faculty Publications

In a context of rapid global change, understanding whether and how adaptation to climate change can be considered successful has become an important research gap within the climate change adaptation literature. Although definitions of adaptation success have been formulated, it remains unclear how they can be operationalized and tested empirically. To address this gap, we operationalized one of the most prominent definitions of successful adaptation within the academic literature, which describes success as adaptations that support reductions in risk and vulnerability without compromising sustainability. Specifically, drawing on data collected from 209 coral reef tourism operators across 28 locations and eight …

Application Of Cementitious Materials And Fiber Reinforcement To Enhance Lime Stabilization For Nebraska Shale Soils, Jongwan Eun, Seunghee Kim, Chung R. Song, Laith Ibdah, Kenaz Owusu

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Lime stabilization is a widely used technique to improve weak subgrades; however, its effectiveness under freeze-thaw cycles remains a critical challenge. This study investigates the incorporation of cementitious materials and fiber to enhance the mechanical properties and environmental resistance of lime-stabilized soils under such conditions. Two types of soil, gray shale (plasticity index of 37.8) and clay soil (plasticity index of 19.0) from Nebraska, were used. Stabilization mixtures included lime dosages of 0%, 3%, and 6% by weight, combined with either 10% fly ash or 3% and 6% cement by weight, and 0% and 1% fiber. The experimental program comprised …

Construction Of Electrically Heated Pavement Using Recycled Waste Rubber Tires, Islam M. Radwan, Mohamed Abdel-Raheem

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Accumulated snow on roads presents a dual risk of accidents and financial losses. Conventional de-icing methods, which rely on chemicals, salt, and heavy machinery, are unsustainable and detrimental to both the environment and infrastructure. Furthermore, they demand significant labor and pose hazards in densely populated areas. In response, heated pavement systems such as hydronic and electrically conductive concrete (ECON) have gained traction for mitigating snow accumulation on roads. However, the use of carbon fiber and carbon black in ECON raises costs and depletes valuable resources. This research introduces an inventive and sustainable approach to address snow accumulation on rigid pavements …

Smart Cities, Smart Systems: A Comprehensive Review Of System Dynamics Model Applications In Urban Studies In The Big Data Era, Gift Fabolude, Charles Knoble, Anvy Vu, Danlin Yu

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

This paper addresses urban sustainability challenges amid global urbanization, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. While traditional tools and linear models offer insights, they fall short in presenting a holistic view of complex urban challenges. System dynamics (SD) models that are often utilized to provide holistic, systematic understanding of a research subject, like the urban system, emerge as valuable tools, but data scarcity and theoretical inadequacy pose challenges. The research reviews relevant papers on recent SD model applications in urban sustainability since 2018, categorizing them based on nine key indicators. Among the reviewed papers, …

Nanoparticles Of Iridium And Other Platinum Group Elements Identified In Chicxulub Asteroid Impact Spherules – Implications For Impact Winter And Profound Climate Change, Vivi Vajda, Susan Nehzati, Gavin Kenny, Hermann D. Bermúdez, Ashley Krüger, Alexander Björling, Adriana Ocampo, Ying Cui, Kajsa G.V. Sigfridsson Clauss

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

The Chicxulub asteroid that ended the Cretaceous Era ∼66.05 million years ago caused a prolonged time of global darkness – the impact winter – leading to mass extinctions. Elements from the asteroid, including the platinum group elements (PGEs) osmium, iridium and platinum are known from the globally distributed boundary clay but their carrier elements have so far been unknown. We identify, for the first time in detail, the presence of these PGEs within Chicxulub impact spherules and importantly, we identify their carrier elements. We show through synchrotron Nano-XRF how these PGEs occur in nanostructures as un-ordered cube- and/or needle-like crystals …

Luminescence Dating Of Hydrothermal Explosions In The Yellowstone Plateau Volcanic Field, Karissa Cordero, Nathan D. Brown, Lauren N. Harrison, Shaul Hurwitz

Earth & Environmental Sciences Datasets - Archive

Hydrothermal explosions are a significant geological hazard in some active volcanic systems; however, the timing and triggering mechanisms of these explosions are poorly constrained. This study applies luminescence dating techniques to hydrothermal explosion deposits in the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field to constrain explosion chronologies and evaluate potential triggering mechanisms. We tested four luminescence dating techniques: K-feldspar post-infrared infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR225), quartz blue light optically stimulated luminescence (BLOSL), quartz blue thermoluminescence (BTL), and quartz red thermoluminescence (RTL). The pIRIR225 and RTL protocols produce consistent age estimates that agree with independent radiocarbon ages and with the timing of the Pinedale deglaciation. …

A Holistic Marine Biosecurity Risk Framework That Is Inclusive Of Social, Cultural, Economic And Ecological Values, Marnie L. Campbell, Chad L. Hewitt

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Effectively managing non-indigenous marine species risks demands swift, transparent decisions amid limited data and in an environment where conflicting interest across environmental, economic, social, and cultural realms exists. Conventional risk assessment tools often fail to comprehensively evaluate these risks together, leading to stakeholder dissatisfaction, conflicts and poor biosecurity outcomes. To address this, we present a structured 7-step marine biosecurity risk framework. It systematically assesses incursion's ecological, economic, social and cultural impacts, encourages stakeholder engagement and promotes inclusive decision-making. Steps include defining contexts, setting objectives, estimating consequences, determining management options, evaluating trade-offs, implementing decisions, and communicating risks effectively. A simulation using …

Simultaneous Detection And Quantification Of Ciprofloxacin, Doxycycline, And Levofloxacin In Municipal Lake Water Via Deep Learning Analysis Of Complex Raman Spectra, Quan Yuan, Xin Ru Wen, Wei Liu, Zhang Wen Ma, Jia Wei Tang, Qing Hua Liu, Muhammad Usman, Yu Rong Tang, Xiang Wu, Liang Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In recent years, the misuse of antibiotics has led to severe pollution in water environments, with excessive residues in lake water damaging ecosystems and promoting the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, rapid detection of antibiotic residues in the environment is crucial. This study introduces a novel method for the simultaneous quantification of mixed antibiotics in lake water using Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) combined with deep learning methods. To demonstrate the accuracy of our experiments, we tested four lake water samples collected from four distinct sampling points of an artificial lake in a municipal city in China. We independently analyzed each …

Environmental Monitoring Report: For Work To Be Performed: July 1, 2023 Through June 30, 2024, Tennessee. Department Of Environment And Conservation

Environmental Monitoring Reports

This FY2024 EMR presents results for independent projects, originally defined in TDEC’s FY2024 Environmental Monitoring Plan (EMP) and subsequently completed over the course of FY2024 period of performance.

Development Of Soil Survey Methods For Urban Areas, Kohinoor Begum

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Urban soils are the foundation of urban ecosystems and play a vital role in long-term urban sustainability and resiliency. Accurate soil surveys of urban areas should be done at higher resolution since extensive human activities often result in urban soil being highly disturbed and spatially variable. Besides heterogeneity, one of the unique and challenging aspects of urban soil is the nature and properties of its organic carbon with a significant percentage of black carbon (a particulate product of incomplete combustion), which is less biologically active. Thus, in order to determine the ability of a soil to support biological activity and …

3bb: Loss And Remembrance In The Anthropocene, Amanda J. Woolsey

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Undisputedly, we are living in a time of tremendous and unprecedented ecological loss. Various forms of life on earth are disappearing at a rate unheard of in human history, with a growing amount of evidence suggesting that we are in a period of mass biodiversity loss and extinction. This extinction event is marked by a series of environmental catastrophes that vary in acceleration, intensity, and impact, such as climate-change driven weather events wiping out an endemic island species, to habitat loss and fragmentation leading to the slow death of a once-common species. One such piece of supporting evidence is Rosenberg …

Revised Draft Final 2022 Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Sampling: Bres No. 158 Site Evaluation Summary Report, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Microplastic Accumulation In Soils: Unlocking The Mechanism And Biodegradation Pathway, Minh-Ky Nguyen, Md. Refat Jahan Rakib, Myung Hwangbo, Jongsun Kim

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Plastic pollution has become a pressing environmental issue, with significant quantities of microplastics (MPs) contaminating terrestrial ecosystems. In agro-environments and soils, the abundance of MPs has been reported to range from 3.7 to 40,800 items per kilogram. Once MPs enter the soil, their accumulation can have several detrimental effects on the soil environment and ecosystems. This review summarizes current research on the biodegradation of MP-contaminated soils. The primary mechanism of MP biodegradation involves enzymatic oxidation and hydrolysis, leading to the formation of functional groups. The interaction between microorganisms and polymers involves various processes, including colonization, biofilm formation, and biodegradation. Microorganisms …

Evaluating The Ghg Emissions, Land Use, And Water Use Associated With Contemporary Dietary Patterns In The Republic Of Ireland, Daniel Burke, Paul Hynds, Anushree Priyadarshini

Articles

Dietary patterns are intrinsically linked to greenhouse (GHG) emissions, land use, and water use via food production systems. Analysing and comparing contemporary dietary patterns and their environmental impact is critical to identifying which should be promoted to enhance global sustainability. A cross-sectional survey of adult consumption patterns was conducted across Ireland with a representative sample size of 957 respondents. Subsequently, a farm-to-fork life cycle assessment (LCA) was employed via OpenLCA 2.0.4 to assess three primary environmental impacts (global warming, land use, and water use) across the population. Thirteen distinct dietary patterns were analysed: total population, rural, urban, self-reported (omnivore, flexitarian, …

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, February 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Diane Albertson Memorial Scholarship
--- Introducing new IWRC Advisory Committee Members
--- Launching Compost Training Program in Rural Midwestern Communities
--- 2024 MSEI Reminder
--- Resilient Iowa Communities
--- Industry news

Spatiotemporal Trends In Anopheles Funestus Breeding Habitats, Grace R. Aduvukha, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman, Bester Tawona Mudereri, Onisimo Mutanga, John Odindi, Henri E.Z. Tonnang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Effective identification and control of malaria vector larval breeding habitats are crucial for the management and eradication of malaria. Despite its importance, the last decade has seen a decline in data availability and intervention efforts due to reduced attention and prioritization. This study addresses the geographic data scarcity concerning Anopheles funestus larval breeding habitats in a malaria-prone region of western Kenya. Employing a two-step methodological approach, we integrated multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) and rule-based fuzzy logic analysis to evaluate the spatiotemporal similarity or divergence of these habitats. The analysis spanned a five-year interval, 2008, 2013, and 2018 with 2013 serving …

Gamification For Air Quality Education: A Systematic Literature Review, Abdollah Baghaei Daemei, Ruggiero Lovreglio, Zhenan Feng, Daniel Paes, Clayton Miller

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Air quality is crucial to our health and well-being, as poor air quality can lead to serious health problems such as asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions. Educating people about air quality is key to improving awareness and taking action to reduce its negative effects. Gamification offers a creative and engaging way to deliver educational content by incorporating game elements into the learning experience. However, despite its potential, there has been no review of how gamification has been used for air quality education. Thus, this review aims to fill that gap by systematically examining how gamification is applied to air …

Tracing The Sources Of Nitrogen In Submarine Groundwater Discharge And Primary Producers In The Great South Bay Estuary, Nia H. Rene

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The primary aim of this research was to elucidate the impact of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) and septic effluent on coastal primary producers in the Great South Bay (GSB). The study focused on three main objectives: assessing the impact of precipitation patterns on SGD, tracing nitrogen sources into the GSB, and determining the impact of these nitrogen sources on coastal primary producers. The research revealed that current precipitation patterns significantly influence SGD across different seasons, highlighting the seasonal variability in groundwater discharge and its implications for nutrient loading in coastal waters. A suite of tracers was employed to identify and …