Digital Commons Network^™

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.

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 …

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

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

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.

Techniques For Coal Resource Conservation During The Ecological Restoration Of Alpine Mining Areas On Plateaus, Li Congcong, Wang Tong, Zhao Xin, Wang Weichao, Liang Zhenxin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The prolonged coal mining of the Muli coalfield, located in an alpine region in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, has posed many ecological challenges, which especially include the presence of considerable quantities of disturbed coal resources in open-pit mining areas. This study aims to achieve scientific and effective coal resource conservation during the ecological restoration of coal mines. Methods Focusing on the Jvhugeng mining area of the Muli coalfield, this study investigated the destruction characteristics of the coal resources in the open-pit mining area. From the perspective of geological mechanisms behind the destruction, this study artificially constructed the roofs of …

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 …

Detrital Zircon Ages Of The Permian Coal-Bearing Rock Series In The Zhongtiao Mountain Area And Their Sedimentological Constraints On Regional Tectonic Activity, Wu Fang, Li Zhenhong, Jing Xianghui, Kou Linlin, Du Zhuang, Liu Bohua

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The changes in the material composition of detrital sediments in a sedimentary basin are intimately associated with the uplift and denudation processes of provenance areas. The southern margin of the North China Craton, a primary tectonic unit of the continental area of China, preserves relatively complete geological records of the Permian. The Zhongtiao Mountain area is located in the core of the Fen-Wei graben system on the southern margin of the North China Craton, with the southern margin of the North China Craton and the adjacent Qinling orogenic belt potentially serving as its provenance areas. Therefore, the Zhongtiao Mountain …

A Smogn-Based Mpso-Bp Model To Predict The Height Of A Hydraulically Conductive Fracture Zone, Liu Qi, Liang Zhihao, Zi Jianxiao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The height of a hydraulically conductive fracture zone, a significant factor influencing roof water inrushes and groundwater resource loss, is identified as a research focus of the prevention and control of mine water disasters. Methods To accurately predict the heights of hydraulically conductive fracture zones in coal seam roofs, five parameters were selected as the primary factors influencing hydraulically conductive fracture zones the mining depth: mining height, coal seam inclination, the length of the mining face along its dip direction, proportional coefficient of hard rocks (i.e., the ratio of the cumulative thickness of hard rocks within the statistical height …

Acoustic Velocity Inversion Based On Convolutional Autoencoder Embedded With Fourier Neural Operator, Li Chen, Zhao Haixia, Bai Zhaowei, Hao Yufan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Seismic wave inversion serves as an effective method for obtaining the characteristics of structures, lithology, and physical properties of subsurface media using the arrival times, amplitude, and waveforms of seismic waves. Seismic inversion methods based on wave equations iteratively update model parameters using forward modeling. This generally involves extensive numerical simulations and optimization calculations, requiring large quantities of computational resources and time. In recent years, neural operators for deep learning, represented by the Fourier neural operator (FNO), have gained widespread attention. However, the original FNO structure fails to effectively learn the wavefield information with sharp changes in geological structures …

Intelligent Noise Suppression For 3d Post-Stack Seismic Data Of The Junggar Basin, Mao Haibo, Zhou Xin, Li Xiaofeng, Pan Long, Lin Juan, Liu Dawei, Wang Xiaokai

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Junggar Basin is recognized as a significant petroliferous basin in China, and its hydrocarbon exploration targets have shifted to deeper strata. However, the 3D seismic data of this basin suffer from low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and high data volumes due to the basin's complex near-surface conditions, the great depths of exploration targets, and seismic data acquisition methods characterized by wide azimuths, broadbands, and high density. This complicates the identification of hydrocarbon exploration targets, rendering the improvement in the quality of the 3D seismic data by noise suppression vitally important. Methods The progress in the deep learning theory and …

Transient Electromagnetic Numerical Simulation Based On The Transformer Neural Network, Wang Yunhong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The deep learning-based transient electromagnetic (TEM) forward and inverse modeling methods are data-driven, requiring considerable numerical simulation results as supervisory data to train and assess neural networks. The conventional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for TEM numerical simulation necessitates an iterative solution of time-domain Maxwell's equations. Therefore, this method is time-consuming and computationally intensive, failing to meet the data demand of deep learning-based TEM inversion. Methods This study introduced deep learning for TEM numerical simulation. Based on the transformer neural network architecture, a neural network for deep learning-based TEM numerical simulation was designed using an encoder-decoder structure. This neural network …

Surfaced-Related Multiple Attenuation Using The Cnn Method In The Nmo Domain, Huang Zhufu, Liu Jianfeng, Fang Wenqian, Fu Lihua

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The presence of surface-related multiples results in a lower accuracy in seismic data interpretations, and the effective multiple attenuation is a key step in seismic data processing. Multiples are coherent noise signals with similar characteristics to effective signals. It is difficult impossible to distinguish multiple signals from full-wave field data using a traditional convolutional neural network (CNN). Additionally, since the surface-related multiples vary significantly with surveyed areas, the CNN method will face more severe challenges when being transferred to other networks. Methods This study developed a CNN method based on the normal moveout correction (NMO) domain by introducing physical …

Impacts And Regulation Mechanisms Of Phase-Change Wall Microspheres On Cement Slurry Performance In Well Cementing, Zheng Mingming, Wu Zurui, Yan Shichun, Hu Yunpeng, He Juan, Zhang Yawei, Xiong Liang, Zhu Chengtao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The current design of low-heat cement slurries prepared by adding microspheres with phase change materials as wall materials for well cementing in strata bearing natural gas hydrates (NGHs) fails to fully account for the impacts of the particle size and mass fraction of the microspheres on the performance of cement slurries. This leads to impaired cement slurry performance and increased costs, further inducing many problems with well cementing quality. Hence, it is significant to analyze the impacts and controlling mechanisms of the microspheres on cement slurry performance. Methods To eliminate the interference of the heat storage effect of the …

An Intelligent Identifying-While-Drilling Method For Geological Features Of Roof Strata In Coal Roadways Based On A 1dcnn-Bilstm-Cbam Model, Lei Zhiyong, Wang Jiawen, Fan Dong, Lu Feifei, Chen Weiming

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Most roof accidents in coal roadways occur in potential caving zones such as primary fissure-bearing zones and rock fracture zones. A significant approach to preventing roof accidents is to understand the geological features of roof strata in an accurate and timely manner and optimize support schemes and parameters of roofs. However, current methods for identifying the geological features of roof strata in roadways suffer from issues such as slow identification speeds, low efficiency, and high costs, thus failing to meet the demand for safe, efficient, and intelligent coal mining. Methods This study proposed a neural network model based on …

Design Method For Active Slope Reinforcement: A Case Study Of Excavated Slopes, Qin Hui, Yin Xiaotao, Tang Hua, Cheng Xu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Slope instability and failure exhibit extinct spatiotemporal characteristics. Existing design methods for passive reinforcement have resulted in the engineering instability of numerous excavated slopes. Therefore, analyzing the spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of slopes during excavation and exploring the design methods for active slope reinforcement are particularly important for the information technology (IT)-based construction and safety control of slopes. Methods Using on-site investigations and numerical simulations, this study analyzed the causes of excavation-induced failure of high slopes, as well as the evolutionary pattern of the principal stresses in the sliding zone. Consequently, this study revealed the progressive failure mechanism of slopes …

Natural Gamma-Ray Log-Derived Heat Production Rates Of Strata And Lithospheric Thermal Structure In The Central Depression, Yinggehai Basin, Zhang Jiahao, Song Rongcai, Zheng Feng, Zhang Yan, Tang Xin, Li Bo, Dong Shuyi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Understanding the lithospheric thermal structure is significant for exploring the dynamics of a basin's thermal evolution, as well as for the assessment, exploitation, and utilization of geothermal resources in a basin. However, the limited data on heat production in the Yinggehai Basin has constrained research into the lithospheric thermal structure of the basin. Methods Using natural gamma-ray (NGR) logs from 23 wells in the Yinggehai Basin, this study calculated the heat production rates of strata in the central depression using the fitted gamma-ray value (GR) - radiogenic heat production rate (A) empirical formula. Based on the ocean …

A Method For Intelligent Identification Of Weak Interlayer Characteristics During The Drilling Of Anchor Boreholes, Gao Dan, Yue Zhongwen, Wang Peng, Yue Xiaolei, Yan Yifei, Zhou Xingyuan, Li Yang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The drilling quality of anchor boreholes is significantly influenced by the structural planes of weak interlayers within rock masses. Weak interlayers, tending to be hidden hazards within rock masses, affect the drilling stability and efficiency, further influencing the stability and safety of the whole support structure. Once drilled by drill bits, weak interlayers exhibit significant dynamic responses, which reflect the changes in rock mass structures during the drilling. Methods From the perspective of drilling specific energy, this study conducted digital drilling experiments on rock mass-like specimens bearing weak interlayers using the independently developed measurement while drilling (MWD) system, which …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

A Nanoindentation-Based Study On The Micromechanical Properties Of Red Shales, Zhou Lang, Ma Zhenqian, Huang Qingrong, Shuai Yunlin, Zhang Jimin, Liu Rongke

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Investigating the micromechanical properties of minerals using nanoindentation tests is of great significance for revealing the microscale mechanisms behind mineral failure. Methods Focusing on the primary minerals in the surrounding rocks of red shales in a phosphate deposit, this study conducted qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses of these minerals, including their spatial distributions, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and targeted nanoindentation tests, determining the micromechanical properties of the minerals. This study developed a discrete numerical calculation model for the microscopic nanoindentation of minerals based on Voronoi tessellation and compared the simulation results with …

State Of The Art And Future Directions In Groundwater Contamination Risk Assessment, Xu Beiyi, Wang Ce, Zhou Guangyang, Zhou Pengpeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Rapid global socio-economic development has intensified the resource crisis and contamination of groundwater, rendering groundwater contamination risk assessments critical to contamination prevention, control, and remediation. Advances Through a systematic summary of domestic and international studies, this study reviews the development of theories on groundwater contamination risk assessments and the formation of the theoretical system. Based on the source-pathway-receptor assessment system, this study presents a summary of the research methods for the assessments of contamination source load risks, groundwater vulnerability, and contamination hazards. Groundwater contamination risk assessments have evolved from unidimensional qualitative assessments to quantitative process models highlighting contamination mechanisms …

Underground Coal Gasification In The Aidinghu Mining Area, Turpan-Hami Coalfield: Geological Evaluation System And The Selection Of The Optimal Coal Seam, Zeng Zhiwei, Lai Peng, Tian Jijun, Yang Shuguang, Hu Zhenpeng, Wang Bo, Yu Yu, Wang Haichao, Liu Yunxuan, Yuan Yixuan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Underground coal gasification (UCG) is an innovation in traditional coal mining technology. The prerequisites for successful UCG include developing a systematic geological evaluation system and scientifically selecting the optimal coal seam.Methods Using mathematical analysis methods such as analytic hierarchy process (AHP), coefficient of variation method, and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS), this study systematically analyzed the coal quality, coal seam occurrence, hydrology, surrounding rocks, geological structures, hazardous elements, and geological exploration degree of coal reservoirs in the Aidinghu mining area, Turpan-Hami coalfield. Accordingly, this study deeply explored the feasibility of UCG in the …

Research Progress On Variation Pattern And Monitoring Control Technology Of Negative Pressure For Gas Drainage In Directional Long Borehole, Li Quanxin, Cheng Zhuoer, Fang Jun, Mou Quanbin, Liu Fei, Cong Lin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Significance Near-horizontal directional long borehole is an important technical approach and effective means for preventing and controlling the gas disasters of coal mine. Negative pressure is an important factor affecting the gas drainage effect of directional long borehole. Advances Herein, the research progress on gas drainage through near-horizontal directional long borehole was systematically summarized from three aspects: the attenuation mechanism and distribution law of negative pressure in the borehole, gas drainage parameter monitoring technology, and intelligent control system for gas drainage. Regarding the attenuation mechanism and distribution law of negative pressure in the borehole, the basic theoretical research results concerning …

Fine And Intelligent Interpretation Of Key Geological Structures In The Metal Metallogenesis Of Coal Measures, Yang Yi, Zhao Jingtao, Li Wenyu, Shi Suzhen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In order to identify the key geological structures in the metallogenic process of coal measures metal deposits, the Linxing block of Ordos Basin was taken as the research object. Based on the previous research results, geological data of the block, seismic and logging data, a geological model including tectonic volcanic activities and other events was constructed to analyze the key geological factors of deposit formation. Methods Firstly, based on the post-stack seismic data, the diffraction wave separation and imaging are realized by using the plane wave destruction filter technology, and the small-scale key geological information is extracted. Secondly, the …

Spatial Gap-Filling Of Himawari-8 Hourly Aod Products Using Machine Learning With Model-Based Aod And Meteorological Data: A Focus On The Korean Peninsula, Youjeong Youn, Seoyeon Kim, Seung Hee Kim, Yangwon Lee

Institute for ECHO Articles and Research

Given the complex spatiotemporal variability of aerosols, high-frequency satellite observations are essential for accurately mapping their distribution. However, optical remote sensing encounters difficulties in detecting Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) over cloud-covered regions, creating data gaps that limit comprehensive environmental analysis. This study introduces a spatial gap-filling method for Himawari-8/Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI) hourly AOD data, using a Random Forest (RF) model that integrates meteorological variables and model-based AOD data. Developed and validated over South Korea from 1 January to 31 December 2019, the model effectively improved data coverage from 6% to 100%. The approach demonstrated high performance in blind tests, …

What Works When Working Together?: Cross-Sector Collaboration Barriers & Facilitators Of A Built Environment Health Impact Assessment In Southern Nevada, Maxim Gakh, Courtney Coughenour, Bertille Assoumou, Emily C. Strickler, Timothy J. Bungum, Jennifer R. Pharr, Pashtana Usufzy, Megan Mcdonough, Nicole Williams Bungum, Mindy Meacham

Environmental & Global Health Faculty Research

Purpose: Cross-sector collaboration can improve community health because decisions made across sectors influence health. Health Impact Assessments (HIAs) and other health-focused, cross-sector collaborations encounter challenges. This case study uses a completed HIA to explore factors impeding and supporting health-related cross-sectoral collaboration.

Methods: Semi-structured key informant interviews with 10 of 12 HIA working group participants were conducted and analysed using a content analysis approach.

Results: Analysis generated 48 codes across seven themes in three primary groups: HIA as a collaborative tool; logistical and systemic barriers; and benefits and logistical, interpersonal, and sectoral facilitators. Recognizing the importance of knowledge, analysis, and …

Climatological Trends And Effects Of Aerosols And Clouds On Large Solar Parks: Application Examples In Benban (Egypt) And Al Dhafrah (Uae), Harshal Dhake, Panagiotis Kosmopoulos, Antonis Mantakas, Yashwant Kashyap, Hesham El-Askary, Omar Elbadawy

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Solar energy production is vastly affected by climatological factors. This study examines the impact of two primary climatological factors, aerosols and clouds, on solar energy production at two of the world’s largest solar parks, Benban and Al Dhafrah Solar Parks, by using Earth observation data. Cloud microphysics were obtained from EUMETSAT, and aerosol data were obtained from the CAMS and assimilated with MODIS data for higher accuracy. The impact of both factors was analysed by computing their trends over the past 20 years. These climatological trends indicated the variations in the change in each of the factors and their resulting …