Digital Commons Network^™

Removal Capabilities Of Zeolite And Zero Valent Iron With High-Level Waste Tank Radionuclides And Metals: Cesium, Strontium And Chromium, Colette R. Towles

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

High level nuclear waste (HLW) has been disposed for temporary storage in underground steel tanks at the Department of Energy Nuclear sites. For example, at the Hanford Site, WA, and Savannah River Site (SRS), SC, HLW account for eighty-eight million gallons (Mgal) and 450 million Curies (MCi) of radioactivity. In the early nuclear activity at Hanford, the waste was discharged to single-shell steel tanks, and the lack of secondary containment allowed leaks, contaminating soil and groundwater. Despite tremendous efforts to stabilize the liquid waste at nuclear sites, treatment is complex, costly, and time-consuming; therefore, HLW may have to be stored …

Addressing Low Molecular Weight Chemical Peaking Events During Direct Potable Reuse By Granular And Biological Activated Carbon, Ceonie Washington

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Direct Potable Reuse (DPR) is an innovative solution designed to address water scarcity by treating wastewater to directly produce safe drinking water. As droughts and water shortages become more frequent, DPR offers a sustainable and localized water supply by incorporating advanced treatment processes. DPR systems typically rely on a combination of technologies such as ozone followed by biological activated carbon (O3/BAC), reverse osmosis (RO), and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) to remove a wide range of contaminants. However, low molecular weight organic compounds (LMWCs), particularly volatile organic compounds, can sometimes pass through RO membranes and AOP systems.

California's DPR regulations currently …

Biological Reinforcement Learning Simulation For Natural Enemy -Host Behavior: Exploring Deep Learning Algorithms For Population Dynamics, Komi Mensah Agboka, Emmanuel Peter, Erion Bwambale, Bonoukpoè Mawuko Sokame

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

This study introduces a simulation of biological reinforcement learning to explore the behavior of natural enemies in the presence of host pests, aiming to analyze the population dynamics between natural enemies and insect pests within an ecological context. The simulation leverages on Q-learning, a reinforcement learning algorithm, to model the decision-making processes of both parasitoids/predators and pests, thereby assessing the impact of varying parasitism and predation rates on pest population growth. Simulation parameters, such as episode count, duration in months, steps, learning rate, and discount factor, were set arbitrarily. Environmental and reward matrices, representing climatic conditions, crop availability, and the …

Experimental Investigations Of Wind Shear From Passing A Vehicle, Hamid Rahai, Assma Begum, Jeremy Bonifacio, Ryan Moffit

Mineta Transportation Institute

Wind energy can be harnessed for various commercial and transportation-related applications. This study assessed experimentally the potential of capturing wind energy from the passage of vehicles for electric power generation. Both wind tunnel experiments and field tests were performed. The wind tunnel experiments were performed in an open-circuit low-speed wind tunnel at a free-stream mean velocity of 23 m/s. Five PVC pipes placed adjacent to the wind-blowing domain were used to simulate the columns under a freeway overpass. A scaled Ahmad body (simplified car body model) was used as the vehicle. The spanwise distance between the Ahmad body and the …

Potential Effect Of Produced Water Discharge On Surface Water: Lower Atascosa River Study, Alejandro Mendietta

Water Resources Science and Technology Theses and Graduate Research Reports (Archived)

This study investigates the potential impact of an approved produced water discharge permit in the Atascosa River. Water samples were collected from a test site on the Atascosa River and analyzed for key water quality parameters such as chloride, total dissolved solids, sodium, calcium, strontium and other ions. These results were compared to historical data from the local river authority to assess any significant changes in water quality following the permit's approval in April 2024. Statistical analyses, including averages and t-tests, were conducted to determine whether the current ion concentrations differed significantly from historical levels. While an increase in concentrations …

Detection Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances In Public Water Supply: San Antonio Case Study, David Arambula

Water Resources Science and Technology Theses and Graduate Research Reports (Archived)

This research investigates the detection and influence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the San Antonio water supply system, focusing on two contaminated water entry points sourced from the Edwards Aquifer. Sampling and statistical analyses compare urbanization, geologic features, and groundwater quality between contaminated and noncontaminated sites. Key findings include statistically significant differences in fault lengths, impermeable surfaces, and urban development. Although direct correlations between PFAS contamination and groundwater quality parameters like nitrate and conductivity remain inconclusive due to limited data, the study indicates urbanization's potential role in exacerbating PFAS infiltration through sensitive geological features. Insights from this research …

Understanding And Influencing Public Concerns About Prescribed Fire Use In Utah, Brooke Richards

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Prescribed fire is beneficial for improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk, which is especially important for residents who live near forested areas. To expand the use of prescribed fire, Utah land managers must first ensure there is public support. Therefore, better understanding public concerns and what shapes their beliefs about prescribed fire can help managers improve outreach and education methods. Through interviews with south-central Utah land managers, private landowners, and Health departments employees, a focus group discussion with Park City natural resource managers, and observation of Summit County public commentary, two outreach messages were suggested to address the five …

The Model Of Norm-Regulated Responsibility For Proenvironmental Behavior In The Context Of Littering Prevention, Pengya Ai, Sonny Rosenthal

Research Collection College of Integrative Studies

Previous research suggests that descriptive norms positively influence proenvironmental behavior, including littering prevention. However, in some behavioral contexts, a weak descriptive norm may increase individuals’ feelings of responsibility by signaling a need for action. We examined this effect in the context of litter prevention by conducting structural equation modeling of survey data from 1400 Singapore residents. The results showed that descriptive norms negatively predicted ascription of responsibility and were negatively related to littering prevention behavior via ascription of responsibility and personal norms. It also showed that strong injunctive norms can reduce the inhibitory effect of descriptive norms on ascription of …

Morphometric Based Roughness Estimates For Wind Loading Applications In The Coastal Transition Zone, Hadley Rose Besing

Theses and Dissertations

This project was developed to support the Florida Tech Wireless Sensor Network System (WSNS) hurricane research team in determining wind loads during high-impact wind events. The WSNS team objectives included estimating the critical pressure (𝐶_p) from observed 3-s gusts during high impact weather events (tropical cyclones). The field work was conducted at a single-story residential home in Satellite Beach, FL approximately 400 m from the coast. During data collection periods, more than 1-million 20-second LiDAR wind profiles were observed.

The bulk roughness at the test residence is characterized utilizing an existing morphometric technique with geometry that is derived …

Advancing Grid Modernization Through Data-Driven Resilience Modeling And Hosting Capacity Of Distributed Energy Resources, Oscar Samuel Acosta

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Ph.D. dissertation focuses on advancing the integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) through concepts surrounding their impacts on power system stability, resilience, and hosting capacity (HC). This dissertation addresses crucial topics in renewable energy deployment, transient fault response, and dynamic modeling. The work begins with the development of renewable energy source (RES) models tailored for offsetting residential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning~(HVAC) and commercial cooling loads. These models utilize solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems to produce scalable frameworks adapted across diverse climates and building types in application of a partial-load targeting methodology. The dissertation then transitions from …

A Machine Learning Approach For Estimating Evapotranspiration For Urban Landscaping Vegetation In Semi-Arid Regions, Damian Lorenzo Gallegos Espinoza

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Water management is important for residents in semi-arid urban areas due to increasing demand, water scarcity, and rising costs. It is estimated that in semi-arid regions, 40-70% of the household water consumption is used in landscaping. Therefore, urban landscaping water use can substantially contribute to water conservation. This work aims to estimate the water needs of urban landscaping vegetation to inform residents in semi-arid regions.Evapotranspiration indicates water and energy exchange between the atmosphere, soil, and vegetation. This interaction depends on solar radiation, evaporation, transpiration, and other biophysical parameters. Evapotranspiration has become a reference for water management in agriculture (e.g., crop …

Using The Schism Model And Hf Radar Data To Study Surface Currents In Texas Bays: A Case Study Of Sabine Lake (Sl) And Galveston Bay (Gb)., Cletus Ozoemena Ogbodo

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Surface currents study provides invaluable understanding into the physical dynamics of oceans, bays, estuaries, and nearshore environments, offering critical insights about water movement and related coastal processes. These currents play a fundamental role in understanding the state of estuarine and marine systems, such as their effects on sediment transport, heat distribution and climate change, nutrient distribution, and pollutant dispersal. In addition, surface current data provides significant economic and ecological implications for coastal communities essential for managing resources effectively and ensuring the resilience of coastal regions against environmental and anthropogenic pressures. This study was driven by the need to address the …

The United States National Security And Policy Implications Of Desertification, Eric Olvera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Contemporary climate security literature reveals that desertification appears to be overlooked as a climate change security threat to the United States (US). This investigation demonstrates that an inequity exists between sea-level-rise- and desertification-based climate security literature. This inequity may reveal that the US may be ignoring desertification at a time when land use in some dryland areas is reaching a critical point where it can no longer support human activity. Due to the interdisciplinary nature (science and security) of this work, a review of the terminology used in the article is provided to establish a baseline understanding of “desertification” and …

Nature-Based Solutions For Flood Risk Mitigation: Mapping And Hydrological Modeling In An Under-Resourced Urban Area On The Mississippi Gulf Coast, Jennifer Makenzie Holifield

Master's Theses

Flooding is the most frequent and costly disaster in the United States, affecting people disproportionately based on environmental, societal, and economic limitations. Through stakeholder engagement, open-access research, and nature-based solutions (NBS), ecology and hydrology can be bridged with local-scale politics to raise awareness of local issues and form strong interdisciplinary bonds. I approached nature-based equity from a ground front, in which I engaged with local stakeholders and city officials to gain insight and calibration on flooding experiences and flooding presence within Moss Point, MS. This engagement helped calibrate GIS models, from which, I found that the flooding hazards of Moss …

Array Of Graphene Solar Cells On 100 Mm Silicon Wafers For Power Systems, Syed M. Rahman, Md R. Kabir, Tamzeed B. Amin, James M. Mangum, Ashaduzzaman, Paul M. Thibado

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

High electrical conductivity and optical transparency make graphene a suitable candidate for photovoltaic-based power systems. In this study, we present the design and fabrication of an array of graphene-based Schottky junction solar cells. Using mainstream semiconductor manufacturing methods, we produced 96 solar cells from a single 100 mm diameter silicon wafer that was precoated with an oxide layer. The fabrication process involves removing the oxide layer over a select region, depositing metal contacts on both the oxide and bare silicon regions, and transferring large-area graphene onto the exposed silicon to create the photovoltaic interface. A single solar cell can provide …

A Nursery Study Of The Interplay Between Soil Texture, Rooting Space, And Nurse Plants On Seedling Growth And Root Development In Woody Species Of Tamaulipan Thornscrub, Lance I. Santos

Theses and Dissertations

Reforestation attempts in semi-arid regions are plagued with seedling mortality. Blanket greenhouse practices may not be optimal, in addition, commensalism interactions between nurse plants are considered. To better understand the effects of soil texture and nurse plant interactions on growth and drought tolerance, two experiments were developed. For soil texture, Border palo verde seedlings were grown in different-sized plant bands with three soil types. To observe the effects of nurse plants, an experiment using guayacan, was developed using Texas Ebony, as a leguminous nurse plant. Plants were also exposed to a drought experiment. The results suggest that some soil textures …

Quantifying Greenhouse Gas Exchange And Ecosystem Services In Ecosystems Managed For Nature-Based Solutions Using Eddy Covariance, Remote Sensing, And Models, Lucas Clay

All Dissertations

As global temperatures rise due to climate change, nature-based solutions are increasingly being used to restore nature and to remove carbon from the atmosphere. Nature-based solutions draw on methodologies such as ecological forestry and improved forest management to reduce emissions and maximize resilience. These protocols are still in their infancy and additional measurements and case studies are important to optimizing these protocols. Herein this dissertation we describe multiple measurement methodologies for both greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and for ecosystem services. In coastal wetland ecosystems, the need for GHG measurements is paramount to understanding the ability of these ecosystems to reduce …

Agricultural Water Use In South Carolina - A Series Of Investigations To Support Long-Term Planning, Charles Pellett

All Dissertations

Agricultural water use in South Carolina has been the subject of some public debate. While there are several sources of information available, the accuracy of the relevant data has been called into doubt. Self-reported estimates may be biased; survey sampling and extrapolation methods yield wide ranges of uncertainty; and reporting compliance or response rate can change over time.

Agricultural water users self-report that their estimates of water use volumes are less accurate than the other major sectors of water use. Center pivot irrigation is the largest and fastest growing kind of agricultural water use in SC. Since the year 2000, …

Impact Of Weather Systems On Uav Parameters Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Saif Aljuhaishi, Yaseen K. Al-Timimi, Basim I. Wahab

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Since drones cannot fly in any kind of weather, they are not safe for time-sensitive activities. The study examines how the passage of weather systems in Iraq leads to the ban on drone flights, and how these weather conditions impact the aerodynamic forces of the drone. Hourly climate data for the study area were obtained from ECMWF ERA5 and CAMS in NetCDF format for four climate stations (Erbil, Baghdad, Rutbah, and Basrah). A ScanEagle drone was chosen for this study. The Python programming language was used to perform mathematical operations to calculate the ban on drone flights. ArcGIS 10.8 was …

Multi-Temporal Analysis Of Urbanization-Driven Slope And Ecological Impact Using Machine-Learning And Remote Sensing Techniques, Zhang Hao, Muhammad Haseeb, Zheng Xiangtian, Zainab Tahir, Syed Amer Mahmood, Aqil Tariq, Rana Waqar Aslam, M. Abdullah-Al-Wadud, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Rapid urbanization in Lahore, Pakistan, has led to significant ecological and thermal challenges, particularly the intensification of Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects and increased thermal stress as measured by the Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI). This study employs a multi-temporal evaluation of Landsat satellite imagery and GIS-based analysis to investigate the Spatio-temporal trends in land-use and land-cover (LULC) changes from 1994 to 2024. We detected substantial changes in urban growth, vegetation cover, and barren areas using supervised classification (Random Forest) methods and remote sensing indices such as NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), NDMI (Normalized Difference Moisture Index), NDBI (Normalized …

Multi-Scale Thermal Mapping Of Submarine Groundwater Discharge In Coastal Ecosystems Of A Volcanic Area, Ebony L. Williams, Christopher B. Kratt, Raymond S. Rodolfo, Mark R. Lapus, Ryan R. Lardizabal, Aya S. Bangun, Amber T. Nguyen, Scott W. Tyler, M. Bayani Cardenas

Environmental Science Faculty Publications

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) in volcanic areas commonly exhibits high temperatures, concentrations of metals and CO2, and acidity, all of which could affect sensitive coastal ecosystems. Identifying and quantifying volcanic SGD is crucial yet challenging because the SGD might be both discrete, through fractured volcanic rock, and diffuse. At a volcanic area in the Philippines, the novel combination of satellite and drone-based thermal infrared remote sensing, ground-based fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing, and in situ thermal profiling in coastal sediment identified the multi-scale nature of SGD and quantified fluxes. We identified SGD across ∼30 km of coastline. The different approaches revealed …

Comment Letter For Draft Final Bpsou Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoon System-Second Quarter 2024 (Dated September 27, 2024), Emma Rott

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Beyond Climate In Placencia, Belize: Navigating Environmental Change In The Anthropocene, Rory E. Mckenna

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Examining opportunities for climate resilience requires an evaluation of lived experiences of environmental change which benefits from transdisciplinary perspectives. This research examines those experiences through the lens of anthropogenic change which allows for a critical focus on local conditions of environmental change specific to Placencia Village, Belize, over time. An anthropology of the anthropocene framing shifts the focus from the results of the global phenomenon responsible for climate change to the implications of local human-caused environmental change on natural systems, human-environment relationships and dynamics, and the future trajectories of these relationships. Through the use of interviews, go-alongs, participatory mapping, transdisciplinary …

Butte Reduction Works (Brw) Phase Ii Interim Demolition Plan Construction Drawings And Floodplain Encroachment Analysis, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc., Josh Bryson

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

How Does Herbicide Resistance Change Farmer’S Weed Management Decisions? Evidence From The Roundup Ready Experiment, Huichun Sun, Terrance Hurley, George B. Frisvold, Katherine Dentzman, David Ervin, Wesley Everman, Jeffrey Gunsolus, Jason Norsworthy, Micheal Owen

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Adoption of diverse weed management practices is viewed as essential for slowing the spread of herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds. Yet, adoption of diverse tactics has remained low, while there has been explosive growth of resistant weeds. This study analyzes U.S.-farm-level data to identify factors affecting adoption of diverse weed management practices. This study uses directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to consider how practice adoption is influenced by different causal pathways between farmer and farm characteristics and farmer awareness of and concern over HR weeds. This study then uses multiple regression analysis to estimate the direct and indirect pathways that influence practice adoption. …

Re: Butte Mine Flooding Operable Unit Berkeley Pit And Discharge Pilot Project – October 2024 Monthly Discharge Monitoring Report, Mark Thompson, Dave Griffis

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

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

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Understanding Mechanisms For Coastal Marsh Sustainability In A Changing Climate, Ashley R. Booth

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

In the Chenier Plain of Louisiana and Texas, coastal marshes are subject to high rates of relative sea level rise (RSLR), restricted sedimentation, and declining elevation attributed to subsidence and decades of intensive management. These marshes were created via mineral sedimentation but now largely accrete via organic matter accumulation. This organic matter accumulation (OMA) – or the balance between plant productivity and decomposition – is essential for maintaining elevation and thus long-term sustainability. However, management for elevation is complicated by a poor understanding of how abiotic factors like flooding and salinity impact processes driving OMA and elevation. To better understand …

Digital Humanities: Using Computational Methods On Literature To Understand Human-Water Relations, Ariel Yang

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

By using computational techniques to analyze literature, deeper insights can be gained into human-water relationships across different historical and cultural contexts. Natural Language Processing (NLP) and other data science methods can explore applications of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and underlying emotions or beliefs in literature to help understand sustainability. Protecting this sensitive cultural data through ethical applications can further secure future implementations of policies, urban planning, and environmental relationships.

3d Reconstruction Of Surface Temperature Field In Spontaneous Combustion Coal Gangue Dump Fire Area And Its Practice, Shao Zhenlu, Zhang Huisong, Deng Rong, Yang Tong, Ma Dong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The spontaneous combustion of coal gangue dumps has severely damaged the ecological environment and affected the production safety, which has become a bottleneck in the process of ecological civilization construction in China. In order to formulate a fire extinguishing plan and implement a fire extinguishing project, it is very important to accurately detect the fire area of the spontaneous combustion coal gangue dump. Methods Herein, the idea of detecting the three-dimensional distribution of high-temperature areas using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) based thermal infrared oblique photogrammetry technology was proposed. Meanwhile, the multi-scale Gaussian filtering detail enhancement technology for thermal infrared …