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In The Eye Of The Storm: Houston After Hurricane Harvey, Brandon Tolentino-Serrano

Pomona Senior Theses

Situated in one of the wettest climates in America, Houston, TX has had a long history of heavy rains and unprecedented floods. Unfortunately, floods have become more common over the last few decades as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of hurricanes around the globe. To complicate matters further, Houston has quickly sprawled to accommodate over 2.5 billion people. Rapid urbanization has rendered the landscape even more susceptible to floods through excess concretization and watershed disturbance. This thesis traces the history of the Bayou City in relation to the damages caused by Hurricane Harvey. By mapping out the original …

Hazardous Waste Site Proximity And Type 2 Diabetes: From Youths To Adults, Theresa Ann Johnson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in adults and youths. Persistent organic pollutants and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), such as pesticides, dioxins, and organochlorines, are omnipresent and persist in the environment with potential for human exposure via contaminated air, waterways, soil, and human food supply. EDCs have been correlated with diabetes incidence and risks. Residential proximity to hazardous waste sites (HWS) has been correlated with increased hospital admission rates for diabetes. The study used a sample population (N = 1,724), ages ≥ 12 years from the 2005-2012 Continuous NHANES and HWS data from the National Priorities List of Superfund Sites. …

A Geographic Study Of Lung And Bronchus Cancer Rates In Kentucky, Gabriel Njoh Dikong

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The average age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates of lung and bronchus cancer is 55% and 56% higher in Kentucky than the national averages in the United States, respectively. Populations with low income and educational attainment, and those who live close to the mining regions across Kentucky are more affected by the high prevalence and resulting mortality rates of lung and bronchus cancer. This study was conducted because of the high incidence of lung and bronchus cancer and resulting mortality rates in the state of Kentucky that may not be caused solely by social and demographic factors. The theoretical foundation for …

The Rhetoric Of Low Carbon Energy Technology Scientists And Engineers, Nicolas Cesar Hernandez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Scholars in the burgeoning field of Energy Communication have successfully contributed to communication studies and environmental communication practice. However, energy communication scholars have largely focused on energy of media coverage, corporate communication and decision making in the context crisis. While rich and informative, this tendency has left quotidian aspects of energy communication rather understudied. As such, this Thesis contributes to the understanding of the internal, non-untechnical rhetoric of low carbon energy technology (LCET) scientists and engineers (herein LCET professionals). Textual analysis was used to examine LCET professionals' internal rhetoric at professional trade conferences and through long form, semi-structured interviews. Wind …

Manfreda Maculosa Leaf Extracts And Their Effects On Whole And Selected Myotoxic Components In Crotalid Venom, Charles Steven Gilbert

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Manfreda spp have been used for the treatment of snakebite by several cultures in North and Central America (Austin & Honychurch, 2004, Johnson, 1999, Moerman, 2008, Verhoek, 1978a). There has been no systematic study of the genus Manfreda for its usefulness in the treatment of snakebite.

While the annual incidence of snakebite in the United States is relatively low (approximately 8,000 - 10,000), with a low mortality rate of 5 - 6 cases per year, there is still significant morbidity associated with snakebite (CDC - NIOSH, 2018, Springhouse Corp (eds), 2005). Worldwide numbers of the cases of snakebite can only …

A Quantitative Assessment Of Trace Metals In Subsurface Soils And Groundwater In Agricultural Fields Of El Paso, Texas, Emmanuel Sosa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Intensive agricultural practices such as irrigation, application of pesticides and the use of fertilizers, as well as contamination from urban settings and industrial activities contribute to the input of trace metals onto soils and groundwater. Consequentially, biological uptake and accumulation concentrate these toxic metals in fruits, vegetables, and grains that will be used for human consumption. In southern New Mexico and western Texas, cropland is developed along the Rio Grande valley. These farmers are concerned about the quality of their irrigation water and soils in order to produce adequate crops and maintain healthy soils to maximize revenue. To evaluate loading …

A Multi-Scale Analysis Of Jaguar (Panthera Onca) And Puma (Puma Concolor) Habitat Selection And Conservation In The Narrowest Section Of Panama., Kimberly A. Craighead

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Over the past two centuries, large terrestrial carnivores have suffered extreme population declines and range contractions resulting from the synergistic anthropogenic threats of land-use change and indirect effects of climate change. In Panama, rapid land use conversion coupled with climate change is predicted to negatively impact jaguar (Panthera onca) and puma (Puma concolor). This dissertation examined the environmental variables and scales influencing jaguar and puma habitat selection by season (annual, wet, and dry), using multi-scale optimized habitat suitability models and a machine-learning algorithm (Random Forests), in the narrowest section of Panama. The models derived from the data of an intensive …

Deciduous Shrub Encroachment Effects On Tundra Soil Properties, Daniela Aguirre

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Deciduous shrub abundance is increasing in tundra ecosystems as an effect of rising temperatures which may change tundra physical properties and, in turn, microbial communities and biogeochemical processes. Two mechanisms through which shrub presence may affect tundra ecosystems were examined in this study; the physical presence of the shrubs and effects of increasing shrub litter inputs. In a sub-arctic alpine tundra ecosystem, dominated by the deciduous shrub Betula glandulosa, both shrub presence (shrub present and removed) and litter quantity (no litter/litter removed, ambient litter, and twice ambient litter) were manipulated; multiple ecosystem properties where measured within the treatment plots over …

Potential Of Nanoscale Elements To Control Fusarium Wilt Disease In Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum), Enhance Macronutrient Use Efficiency, And Increase Its Yield, Ishaq Olarewaju Adisa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Nanotechnology has a great potential in ensuring food production, security and safety globally. Over the past decade, research on the use of nanomaterials to supply nutrient elements and protect plants from pest and diseases has significantly increased. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most consumed vegetables in the world and United State is one of its largest producers globally generating billions of dollars annually in revenue.. Tomato plants are affected worldwide by Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici. There is growing concern about excessive use of conventional pesticides in controlling Fusarium and other diseases in tomato …

Mesacs: A Multi-Method Environmental Study Over The Arctic Chukchi Sea, Julio Eduardo Ceniceros

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Arctic environment is a dynamic part of Earth’s natural system and is currently undergoing rapid increasing air temperature and decreasing sea ice extent, leading to more open ocean waters. As open water areas become more prevalent, phytoplankton communities near the surface of the ocean can proliferate earlier in the year and are apt to reach higher concentrations by the end of the summer season. Phytoplankton biomass around the world has been known to produce a microscopic biofilm at the surface of the ocean composed of biogenic and biological particles which then become airborne and work as both cloud condensation …

Ultrafine Black Carbon: A Cumulative Assessment On The Physiology Of Lung - Derived Cells, M Esther Salinas

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Combustion-derived nanomaterials are noxious ultrafine (<100 nm) aerosolized by-products generated by human activity. They pose threats to pulmonary health due to their small size, allowing them to penetrate deep into the alveolar regions causing detrimental responses downstream. Indeed, an examination between nanocarbon particle exposure and poor pulmonary health via cellular behavior was needed. I hypothesized that low-dose and long-term administrations of carbonaceous nanoparticles contribute to respiratory conditions by irritating lung-derived cells. Responses to ultrafine black carbon (UBC), a key component of airborne pollutants, by human lung A549 and murine lung LA4 epithelial cells, human peripheral-blood monocytes THP1, and murine macrophages RAW264.7 were investigated. These lines were chosen because epithelial cells and mononuclear cells (monocytes and macrophages) are the first to come in contact with inhaled particulate matter (PM) and contribute to stress and inflammation of pulmonary tissues. The cells were first plated on day zero and fed fresh UBC suspended in culture media on days one, four, and seven. The exposure regimen included three different low-level concentrations of UBC. On day ten, all cells were prepared for subsequent assays. Effects on cellular viability revealed that UBC was modestly cytotoxic while ATPase and esterase activity (termed enzyme vitality for the purpose of this study) were significantly diminished in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, beta-galactosidase proportionally increased with UBC concentration compared to untreated cells, indicating that cellular senescence was promoted across all cell types. Multiple markers of oxidative stress were subsequently measured, showing non-uniform trends and displaying moderate accumulation of oxidative damage, contingent upon cell line and UBC treatment. However, a significant induction of inner mitochondrial membrane depolarization of human UBC-treated cells was observed; an aberrant cell-cycle progression was found across all cells. The implemented regimen of UBC exposure elicited an imbalance of free (reduced) glutathione, altered mitochondrial potential, and abnormal cell-cycle activity. This method demonstrated that modifications across both species induced changes to cellular fitness overall. The data supported that compounding nanosized black carbon exposure could negatively affect overall pulmonary cell health by distinctively modifying intracellular activity. Additionally, we further surmised that sustained exposure to nanocarbon could impair innate immunity. Therefore, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and cytokine levels upon continuous administrations to 3.0 μg/mL UBC after brief challenges to microbial proxies were assessed; on day 9, the cells were succumbed to three different microbial insults (LPS, Poly I:C, and Zymosan). On day 10, measurements demonstrated a moderate accumulation of oxidative stress, conditional to each cell type. Thus, UBC plus microbe approach triggered pro-oxidant levels and cytokine production across different cell types and diminished phagocytic response by murine macrophages. Based on the results, ultrafine-PM exposure may impair inflammatory function in response to pathogenic infections. In summation, our findings indicated that additive nanosized UBC in combination with microbe-like challenges may compromise cellular behavior, suggesting potential ways by which inhalation of ultrafine-PM may contribute to or exacerbate poor pulmonary health.

Investigation Into The Effects Of Copper Based Nanoparticles On Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarium) And Zucchini (Cucurbita Pepo), Carlos Tamez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The widespread use of copper-based nanomaterials has been accompanied by an increasing interest to understand their potential risks. Due to high surface area to volume properties, nanomaterials are more reactive than their bulk counterparts. Copper nanoparticles are used in numerous products, and could enter the environment through their synThesis or incidental use. It is essential to understand the effects of nanoparticles on edible crops by performing both short-term and long-term experiments at relevant exposure concentrations. In order to evaluate biochemical and physiological effects crops, sugarcane and zucchini, were grown in soil amended with: Kocide 3000 (copper-based fungicide), nano-sized CuO (nCuO), …

Fishers' Ecological Knowledge And Stable Isotope Analysis: A Social-Ecological Systems Approach To Endangered Species Conservation, Kathryn Rose Wedemeyer-Strombel

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Identifying developmental habitat is essential for understanding population structure and species resiliency, especially for critically endangered species. In long-lived, oceanic, migratory animals such as sea turtles, elucidating developmental grounds is particularly difficult. When data are deficient or challenging to acquire, scientists often lean towards traditional quantitative methods when a social-ecological systems approach could better provide crucial baseline data and guiding information. Fishers’ ecological knowledge (FEK), the combination of experiential and culturally transmitted knowledge, is expert knowledge and should be treated as such. In 2008, FEK led to the “rediscovery” of the critically endangered eastern Pacific (EP) population of hawksbill sea …

Unclogging The Pipeline: Advancement To Full Professor In Academic Stem, Helga Van Miegroet, Christy Glass, Ronda R. Callister, Kimberly Sullivan

Ecology Center Publications

Purpose: Women remain underrepresented in academic STEM, especially at the highest ranks. While much attention has focused on early-career attrition, mid-career advancement is still largely understudied and undocumented. This paper analyzes gender differences in advancement to full professor within academic STEM at a mid-size public doctoral university in the western US, before and after the NSF-ADVANCE Program (2003-2007).

Methodology: Using faculty demographics and promotion data between 2008 and 2014, combined with faculty responses to two waves of a climate survey, the magnitude and longevity of the impact of ADVANCE on mid-career faculty advancement across gender is evaluated.

Findings: This study …

Development Of Ecoregion Criteria Through Assessment Of Changing Floating Vegetation: A Case Study Of Intha Communities In Inlelake, Myanmar, Saint N/A

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The Inle Lake ecoregion, one of the fresh water ecoregions in the Global 200 list of ecoregions, is facing impacts of sedimentation from upland catchments. Sediment loads and soil sediment characteristics from degraded forest of Kalaw catchment shallowed and reduced plant nutrients in the Inle Lake ecosystems where used to be well recognized for the balancing between Intha livelihoods and natural production of littoral and pelagic zones. This study aimed to assess causes of ecological function change in terms of high sediment loads influencing Intha livelihoods; floating vegetation and to propose criteria for ecoregion development concerning sustainable floating vegetation yields …

Enrichment, Characterization And Application Of Bacterial Consortia For Degrading 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole In Rubber Processing Wastewater, Saowaluk Krainara

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Benzothiazoles is widely used as vulcanized accelerator in rubber industry. The high volume of 2-MBT usages resulted in its release into the environment and can cause adverse health impacts. This study aimed to obtain efficient 2-MBT-degrading bacteria for wastewater application. The bacterial consortia were enriched by incubating rubber wastewater sludge in a medium containing 2-MBT for 28 days followed by a stepwise acclimation by gradually increasing 2-MBT concentrations in an NH4Cl-containing medium for 76 days. The process significantly increased the bacterial number and changed the dominant populations and degradative genes. Among these consortia, the EN consortium had the highest specific …

Evaluation Of Carbon Dioxide And Nitrate Utilization From Recirculating Aquaculture System For Microalgal Production, Kittikoon Sucunthowong

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study evaluated carbon dioxide and nitrate utilization from tilapia cultivating system by means of microalgal cultivation. The first part of this study evaluated the feasibility of using nitrate-rich effluent from aquaculture to cultivate Scenedesmus armatus in comparison with the cultivation using BG-11 media. Comparable biomass productivity and pigment content of S. armatus from the cultivation indicated that nitrate-rich effluent from aquaculture could be used as substitute for a more expensive BG-11 growth media. The second part of this study evaluated the feasibility of utilizing carbon dioxide concentrated air from roughly 3 kg/m3 tilapia cultured tank to grow S. armatus. …

Heavy Metals In Hair And Nails Of Electronic Waste Dismantling Workers In Buriram, Thailand, Jaruwan Silachan

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study aimed to investigate and compare the concentration of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in hair and nails of e-waste workers and non-e-waste workers. Hair and nails samples were collected from participants in Daeng Yai sub-district, Ban Mai Chaiyapot district, and Ban Pao sub-district, Puttatisong district, Buriram, Thailand from December 2018 to January 2019. All sampled were digested with nitric acid by microwave digester and the concentration of heavy metals was analyzed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the concentration of As and Cd in both …

Inhalation Exposure And Urinary Level Of Heavy Metals Of Electronic Waste Dismantling Workers In Buriram, Thailand., Panvarong Wongsabsakul

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The main objective of this study was to assess the health risk of electronic waste dismantling workers exposed to heavy metal (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Mn, and Zn) in PM10 using urinary heavy metals as a biomarker. The levels of heavy metals in the urine of non- and e-waste dismantling workers in consequence of the exposure to heavy metals in PM10 were investigated at Daengyai sub-district, Banmaichaiyapot district, and Banpao sub-district, Phutthaisong district, Buriram province, from February to March 2019. A face-to-face interview using a questionnaire was carried out to get additional information from the target participants. The …

Pm2.5, Pm10 Air Pollution And Associated Heavy Metals In Traffic Congested And Construction Areas Of Bangkok, Paphinwit Thammasaroj

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

The capital city of Thailand, Bangkok, is facing a serious problem caused by overpopulation and traffic congestion. In the this work, particulate matter, both PM2.5 (diameter < 2.5 μm) and PM10 (diameter < 10 μm) were quantified at the road nears construction areas and road with high traffic; compared with a control area. The sampling area comprised of Pattanakarn Road and Srinagarindra Road located on the eastern route, located between the inbound and outbound junction. Mini-volume air sampler was used to collect PM2.5, while cyclone air samplers were used to collect PM10. The samples were collected from November to December 2018, for 12 hours per day for 5 days at each sites. The collected samples were then digested by using microwave digestion for heavy metal components like Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. Then, they were analyzed by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (GFAAS) to quantify the heavy metal concentrations. Video recorders were installed at each sampling areas to monitor the traffic flow and it was found that construction areas were the most crowded. The average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the construction areas were higher than those in traffic areas with no construction and the background site (a park), which had no impacts from construction and traffic. Heavy metals associated with particulate matter emitted during construction activities is an emerging environmental issue; however, construction activities are required for convenience and development. This study provides important data required to monitor the future trends of air pollution sources.

Blood Lead And Cadmium Levels Of E-Waste Dismantling Workers From Inhalation Exposure To Pm2.5 And Pm2.5-10, Buriram, Thailand, Thidarat Sirichai

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research aims to investigate blood lead and cadmium levels in associated with inhalation exposure of Pb and Cd in PM2.5 and PM2.5-10 of the e-waste dismantling workers and non-e-waste dismantling workers in Daeng Yai sub-district, Ban Mai Chaiyapot district, and Ban Pao sub-district, Puttatisong district, Buriram, Thailand, during May to August 2019. Blood samples were collected on the next day after the air sampling. Pb and Cd in blood and air samples were quantitatively analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean blood lead levels of e-waste workers from Daeng Yai sub-district, and Ban Pao sub-district, and …

การประยุกต์กากหม้อกรองจากโรงงานน้ำตาลเพื่อเป็นวัสดุเพาะเมล็ดโดยผ่านกระบวนการไฮโดรเทอร์มอลคาร์บอไนเซชัน, ชนิตสิรี สุเมธี

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยครั้งนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาสภาวะที่เหมาะสมในการผลิตไฮโดรชาร์จากกากหม้อกรองเหลือทิ้งโรงงานน้ำตาล เพื่อให้เป็นวัสดุเพาะเมล็ดคล้ายพีทมอส ด้วยกระบวนการไฮโดรเทอร์มอลคาร์บอไนเซชันภายใต้อุณหภูมิ 160 180 และ 200 องศาเซลเซียส ที่เวลา 1 2 และ 3 ชั่วโมง และอัตราส่วนกากหม้อกรองต่อน้ำกลั่น 1:5 1:10 และ 1:15 ผลการศึกษาพบว่า สภาวะไฮโดรเทอร์มอลคาร์บอไนเซชันที่เหมาะสม คือการทำปฏิกิริยาที่อุณหภูมิ 180 องศาเซลเซียส เวลา 3 ชั่วโมง อัตราส่วนกากหม้อกรองต่อน้ำกลั่น 1:5 ร้อยละผลผลิตที่ได้เป็น 84 เมื่อทดสอบทางสถิติพบว่าลักษณะสมบัติของไฮโดรชาร์และพีทมอสส่วนใหญ่ค่าไม่แตกต่างกัน ได้แก่ ค่าความสามารถในการอุ้มน้ำสูงสุดเป็น 4.57 และ 3.93 กรัมต่อกรัม ค่าความพรุนทั้งหมดร้อยละ 45.3 และ 38.9 ค่าช่องว่างขนาดใหญ่ร้อยละ 2.8 และ 3.0 และค่าช่องว่างขนาดเล็กร้อยละ 42.4 และ 35.7 ค่าการนำไฟฟ้า 151 และ 140 ไมโครซีเมนส์ต่อเซนติเมตร ปริมาณไนโตรเจนร้อยละ 1.34 และ1.51 ฟอสฟอรัส 188.18 และ 413.73 มิลลิกรัมต่อกิโลกรัม และโพแทสเซียม 146.70 และ 372.08 มิลลิกรัมต่อกิโลกรัม ตามลำดับ จากนั้นนำไฮโดรชาร์และพีทมอสทดสอบปลูกกับพืชสองชนิดพบว่า ต้นอ่อนทานตะวันในวัสดุไฮโดรชาร์และพีทมอส ได้ค่าเปอร์เซ็นต์การงอกร้อยละ 95.31 และ 90.63 ในขณะที่ผักกาดหอมพันธุ์กรีนโอ๊คในวัสดุไฮโดรชาร์และพีทมอส ได้ค่าเปอร์เซ็นต์การงอกร้อยละ 89.06 และ 87.50 ซึ่งไม่มีความแตกต่างกันอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ จึงสรุปได้ว่าไฮโดรชาร์มีความสามารถในการเพาะเมล็ดได้เหมือนกับพีทมอส นอกจากนี้ ต้นทุนค่าการดำเนินงานในการผลิตไฮโดรชาร์เท่ากับ 54.64 บาทต่อกิโลกรัม ซึ่งมีราคาต่ำกว่าเมื่อเปรียบเทียบกับพีทมอสที่ขายตามท้องตลาดที่ 80 บาทต่อกิโลกรัม

การผลิตก๊าซชีวภาพจากการหมักร่วมกากของเสียจากโรงงานแป้งมันสำปะหลังดัดแปรร่วมกับตะกอนเลนจากบ่อเลี้ยงกุ้ง, ปิยะวดี ศรีวิชัย

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

งานวิจัยนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่อศึกษาการหมักร่วมระหว่างกากตะกอนแป้ง (Starch sludge, SS) กับตะกอนสลัดจ์ (Activated biosludge, ABS) จากระบบบำบัดน้ำเสียแอกติเวเต็ดสลัดจ์ของโรงงานแป้งมันสำปะหลังดัดแปร และตะกอนเลน (Shrimp pond sediment, SPS) จากบ่อเลี้ยงกุ้งทะเล ด้วยระบบถังหมักไร้ออกซิเจนแบบสองขั้นตอน ซึ่งได้ทำการทดลองเบื้องต้นด้วยวิธีบีเอ็มพีโดยออกแบบการทดลองแบบประสมส่วนกลาง และมีการใช้หลักการพื้นผิวตอบสนองของโปรแกรม Design Expert (Trial version 10) เพื่อเลือกอัตราส่วนการหมักร่วมที่เหมาะสม พบว่าที่อัตราส่วน (SS:SPS และ SS:ABS) เท่ากับ 1:0 และ 1:1 มีความเหมาะสม เนื่องจากมีประสิทธิภาพในการผลิตก๊าซชีวภาพสูง และระบบมีความเสถียรภาพ โดยอัตราส่วนดังกล่าวถูกนำไปใช้ในการเดินระบบหมักกรดด้วยถังปฎิกรณ์กวนสมบรูณ์แบบแบทซ์ โดยศึกษาผลของของแข็งระเหยเริ่มต้น (TVS) ซึ่งพบว่า TVS เริ่มต้นร้อยละ 2 อัตราส่วนการหมักร่วม 1:1 ของ SS:SPS และ SS:ABS มีความเหมาะสม เนื่องจากมีประสิทธิภาพในการผลิตกรดไขมันระเหยสูง เท่ากับ 319 และ 353 กรัมอะซิติก/กิโลกรัมของของแข็งระเหยเริ่มต้น ตามลำดับ อีกทั้งยังพบว่าถังหมักกรดมีเสถียรภาพมากกว่าการหมัก SS เพียงอย่างเดียว และน้ำหมักกรดที่ผลิตได้จากถัง CSTR ถูกนำไปใช้เพื่อศีกษาผลของอัตราภาระบรรทุกสารอินทรีย์เริ่มต้น (OLR) ที่มีต่อประสิทธิภาพการผลิตก๊าซชีวภาพของถังหมักก๊าซโดยใช้ถังปฎิกรณ์ไร้อากาศแบบแผ่นกั้น (ABR) โดยพบว่าเมื่อเพิ่ม OLR ของทั้งสองชุดการหมักร่วม จะส่งผลให้ประสิทธิภาพการผลิตก๊าซชีวภาพลดลง และคุณภาพของน้ำที่ปล่อยออกแย่ลง และพบว่าที่ OLR 0.2 Kg COD/m3.day มีประสิทธิภาพในการผลิตก๊าซชีวภาพสูงสุด เท่ากับ 404 และ 367 L/Kg TVSadded สำหรับการหมักร่วมของ SS:SPS และ SS:ABS ตามลำดับ นอกจากนี้ยังพบว่าอัตราส่วนดังกล่าวมีร้อยละมีเทนสูงเท่ากับ 69.30 และ 72.06 ตามลำดับ

การวิเคราะห์เชิงปริภูมิ-กาลและแบบจำลองเพื่อความยั่งยืนของพื้นที่ป่าและเมืองชายฝั่งอันดามัน: กรณีศึกษาจังหวัดกระบี่, อลิษา สหวัชรินทร์

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิเคราะห์เชิงปริภูมิ-กาล และแบบจำลองเพื่อการจัดการพื้นที่ชายฝั่งอย่างยั่งยืน เป็นงานวิจัยสหสาขาวิชาด้านวิทยาศาสตร์สิ่งแวดล้อม นิเวศวิทยาภูมิทัศน์ ผังเมือง และการจัดการชายฝั่ง เพื่อนำเสนอแนวทางการทำงานด้านสิ่งแลดล้อม โดยใช้มุมมองทางภูมิสถาปัตยกรรม เพื่อวิเคราะห์ปัจจัยสำคัญที่มีผลต่อการเปลี่ยนแปลงพื้นที่ชายฝั่ง วิเคราะห์โครงสร้างและรูปแบบความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างแบบแผนปริภูมิกับกระบวนการทำงานของระบบนิเวศป่าชายเลนและเมืองชายฝั่ง และเสนอแบบจำลองทางเลือกในการวางแผนภูมิทัศน์เมืองชายฝั่ง เพื่อให้เกิดการพัฒนาชายฝั่งอย่างยั่งยืน โดยใช้ข้อมูลการสำรวจระยะไกลมาแปลความลักษณะของสิ่งปกคลุมดิน ด้วยโปรแกรม ArcGIS และวิเคราะห์ด้วยดัชนีชี้วัดภูมิทัศน์ เปรียบเทียบการเปลี่ยนแปลงของแบบแผนปริภูมิในระดับภูมิภาคชายฝั่งอันดามันทั้ง 6 จังหวัดและระดับภูมิภาคเมืองกระบี่ แล้วนำเสนอกระบวนการวางผังภูมินิเวศ ที่ช่วยบรรเทาปัญหาสิ่งแวดล้อมเชิงพื้นที่จากการขยายเมือง บรรเทาความรุนแรงของภัยธรรมชาติ ลดความขัดแย้งจากการใช้ประโยชน์ที่ดิน และสามารถรับมือกับความไม่แน่นอนของการเปลี่ยนแปลงสภาพภูมิอากาศได้ โดยประยุกต์ใช้ยุทธศาสตร์การวางผัง ร่วมกับการวิเคราะห์ศักยภาพและข้อจำกัดของระบบนิเวศเมืองในการบริการระบบนิเวศ รวบรวมผลการวิเคราะห์ออกมาเป็นแบบจำลองทางเลือกในการพัฒนาภูมิภาคเมืองชายฝั่งที่จะเป็นแนวทางพื้นฐานของการวางผังภูมิภาคเมืองชายฝั่ง โดยยุทธศาสตร์ “โครงข่ายแห่งโอกาส” สร้างโครงข่ายภูมิทัศน์หลากประโยชน์ เป็นแบบจำลองการพัฒนาที่มีประสิทธิภาพในการทำงานของสิ่งแวดล้อมและระบบนิเวศสูงสุด และสามารถนำไปมาพัฒนาพื้นที่ภูมิภาคเมืองกระบี่ ในรูปแบบผังภูมิทัศน์ 3 ระบบ ได้แก่ ระบบน้ำ ระบบพื้นที่สีเขียว และระบบเมือง แต่ละระบบมีกลยุทธ์ทางเลือกในการพัฒนา 4 รูปแบบ เป็นลำดับขั้นได้แก่ พัฒนาผืนระบบนิเวศ พัฒนาทางเชื่อมนิเวศ พัฒนาเป็นโครงข่าย และพัฒนาแบบองค์รวม แต่ละรูปแบบมีบทบาทหน้าที่ คุณลักษณะทางกายภาพแตกต่างกัน ที่สามารถนำไปกำหนดทิศทางการพัฒนาและประยุกต์ใช้กับเมืองชายฝั่งอื่นๆ เพื่อความยั่งยืนของทั้งเมืองและสิ่งแวดล้อมชายฝั่ง

Impacts Of Climate Change On Water Balance Components In The Central Appalachian Mountains, Usa, Brandi Anne Gaertner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research investigated the impact of climate and land cover on water balance components including evapotranspiration and runoff in the mountainous central Appalachian region of the United States. The first studyanalyzed trends in climatologic, hydrologic, and growing season length variables, identified the important variables effecting growing season length changes, and evaluated the influence of a lengthened growing season on increasing evapotranspiration trends. The results showed that growing season length has increased, on average, by ~22 days and evapotranspiration has increased ~12 mm. The second study quantified long-term historical and future climate trends, evaluated water balance sensitivity to change, and quantified …

Ecosystem Services After A Major Ecological Disturbance: Did Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) Nest Box Occupancy And Hunting Habitat Selection Change In Response To Napa Valley Fires?, Allison E. Huysman

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Wine producers in Napa Valley, California install barn owl (Tyto alba) nest boxes in vineyards with the goal of reducing rodent crop damage. Previous research has shown that the probability of attracting barn owls to nest boxes and encouraging them to hunt in vineyards is strongly influenced by the design of the nest box itself and the composition of the surrounding landscape. In 2017, wildfires in the Napa area burned nearly 60,000 ha, primarily affecting urban areas, which caused human devastation, and uncultivated habitats, which barn owls are known to select. Data collected before the fires on nest …

Riparian Resilience In The Face Of Interacting Disturbances: Understanding Complex Interactions Between Wildfire, Erosion, And Beaver (Castor Canadensis) In Grazed Dryland Riparian Systems Of Low Order Streams In North Central Washington State, Usa, Alexa Whipple

EWU Masters Thesis Collection

Riparian systems of low order streams in the western United States (US) provide critical ecosystem functions and services such as diverse habitat for numerous species, flood attenuation and essential water storage in water limited environments. These systems have experienced long term disturbance from anthropogenic activities including mining, timber harvest, livestock grazing and near extirpation of a keystone riparian species, Castor canadensis (North American beaver). However, increasing frequency of large-scale wildfires and climate change driven weather is altering the severity and scale of riparian disturbance, often shifting highly impacted streams to a stable degraded state, unable to store water or provide …

Synthesis Report: Defining Thresholds And Indicators Of Primary Producer Response To Dredging-Related Pressures: Report Of Theme 5 Prepared For The Dredging Science Node, Paul Lavery, Kathryn Mcmahon, John Statton, Mat Vanderklift, Simone Strydom, Gary Kendrick

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Seagrasses form a small component of a diverse group of organisms termed ‘benthic primary producers’. Benthic primary producers are organisms that grow on the sea-bed that obtain some or all of their energy needs from photosynthesis. This includes animals such as scleractinian corals and some sponges that host microscopic intercellular algae, coralline and turf algae, and the larger seaweeds such as the kelps and sargassum. Seagrasses are marine flowering plants, more closely related to land plants than seaweeds and algae. Seagrasses live mostly in soft sediments, and can be found from the shallow intertidal zone through to a depth of …

Voices Of Bangladeshi Environmental Youth Leaders: A Narrative Study, Paige Pappianne

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Can environmental youth leaders affect meaningful positive change in the global fight to reign in climate change? While the academic literature contains a vast array of youth leadership materials, there is a gap in the research of the effect environmental youth leadership programs have at the community level, and specifically how these effects can contribute to environmental sustainability of that community, region, or country. This mixed methods qualitative study narrows this gap by employing grounded theory and narrative analysis to determine how five Bangladeshi environmental youth leaders understand their role in influencing their school and communities’ efforts to adapt to …

Habitat Characteristics And Nesting Ecology Of Golden Eagles In Arizona, Michele J. Losee

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) have a broad range globally and in general are well-studied. However, Arizona’s Golden Eagle population remained essentially unstudied until 2011, when Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) began nest surveys for cliff nesting Golden Eagles throughout the state. As a result of this data collection, the natural history of Arizona’s Golden Eagles is finally revealing itself. This dissertation outlined a reliable description of their nesting phenology that provides a framework for timing surveys and a baseline to monitor the effects of climate change on Golden Eagles. The mean date for egg-laying was February 14 and pairs …