Digital Commons Network^™

Economic Analysis: Sustainable Seafood Choice Experiment, Dylan Cowley, Jesse Coulon

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

The sustainable seafood choice experiment is a co-discipline study run by Tierney Dodge (Environmental Studies), along with Jesse Coulon and Dylan Cowly (Economics). The purpose of the study is to better understand how sustainable seafood labeling is correlated with accepting higher prices at restaurants. Specifically, we are looking at how much people are willing to pay for dishes that have certified seafood labeling, such as Marine Stewardship Counsel Certified, compared to the simple label of sustainable seafood, which is a more arbitrary term with no outside body of regulation. We will then focus our study to see how these results …

Sacrificing The Sacred: Land-Use Changes And Moral Shifts In Northern Ethiopian Church Forests, Ellen Evangelides, Jacob Wall

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Marine Plastics On Seabirds, Sea Turtles, And Whales, Elizabeth Mccormack, Sergei Poljak, Michelle Burt

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Plastics are durable, cheap, and have high tensile strength resulting in their ubiquitous incorporation into society. There has been a rapid increase in plastic production worldwide. A significant amount of plastic waste, like other garbage, inevitably ends up in the worlds oceans. Marine species can be impacted by plastics by ingestion, entanglement, bioaccumulation, and even incorporation as a nesting material. This study aims to determine the effect of plastic on marine megafauna - namely seabirds, sea turtles and whales - using a variety of case studies worldwide. The percent of animals impacted by plastics was recorded from each case study. …

Ecological Role Of Anadromous Salmon In Aquatic Ecosystems, Janice Liang

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

As the economic, cultural, and ecological concerns grow for decreasing salmon populations, scientists and resource managers have been expanding our understanding of the ecological role of salmon and other anadromous fishes, which return from the sea to spawn in fresh water. Spawning salmon not only serve as a food source for species like bears and seals, but when they die after spawning (as all Pacific species and most Atlantic species do), their remains provide nutrients to freshwater systems, having significant impacts on the communities in the ecosystem. Given the heterogeneity in habitats, the ecological impact of nutrient inputs varies among …

The Ecological Effects Of Overfishing In Japan, Katrina Chicojay Moore, Emily Walker

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Since the beginning of WWII in 1937, Japan has faced a number of difficult decisions regarding its economy, environment and nationalistic interests. During the war, the Japanese economy experienced rapid development. Its nationalism and desire to meet the West in economic and industrial levels drove its extreme postwar economic development which, along with its nuclear reliance, has spurred a number of environmental issues, including population growth, increased fossil fuel emissions, waste management and overfishing practices. We plan to explore each of these issues that have resulted from Japans rapid industrial expansion, with a focus on its overfishing practices, specifically regarding …

The Presence Of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Found In Cosmetics And Personal Care Products For Children, Molly Nash, Marie Abrahams

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Endocrine disrupting chemicals including parabens, triclosan, and phthalates are commonly found in popular personal care products. Research shows that children are especially vulnerable to the negative health impacts of these chemicals and face increased risk of chronic diseases and developmental deficiencies. Due to minimal governmental regulation, endocrine disrupting chemicals are commonly found in cosmetics intended for children. Previous literature indicates that early exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals can cause cognitive defects, early puberty, reproductive birth defects in males, fertility problems in females, obesity, diabetes, and increased risk of cancer and other diseases later in life. Although the regulation of cosmetic …

Shellfish Closure Trends Near Mt. Desert Island, Maine, Marianne Ferguson

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Shellfish are a popular commercial fishery harvest in Maine. However, they are susceptible to biotoxins transmitted by toxic phytoplankton, which can lead to paralytic or amnesic shellfish poisoning of the humans that consume them. The Maine Department of Marine Resources has a phytoplankton monitoring program in place to detect such biotoxins and to close areas of shellfish harvesting if need be. Since 2001, they have archived the data from every closure. One of Maines shellfish species, the Blue Mussel, is sensitive to environmental changes and is known as a bio-monitor of pollution. Therefore, a method will be developed to analyze …

The Neurotoxic Effects Of Mercury Vapor Exposure From Artisanal Gold Mining, Mackenzie Kennedy

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining is the worlds second largest source of atmospheric mercury pollution behind coal combustion (United Nations Environment Program 2012). It is estimated that 10 to 15 million people in 70 countries work in the ASGM trade and are exposed to toxic effects of mercury from an inexpensive yet effective gold processing technique. Adult mercury exposure produces localized damage to the cerebellum, visual cortex, and motor strip, leading to visuospatial problems and effects on executive functioning, mood, and memory. Early life exposure, however, is most harmful because increased exposure can damage the whole brain. In its organic …

Does Air Pollution Lead To Increased Incidence Of Breast Cancer?, Naomi Schmidt

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

This project will be examining what kinds of chemicals are released into the environment and how those chemicals affect human health in terms of cancer, specifically lung cancer. This will include looking at chemistry to look at the health effects, to see if theoretically common chemicals that are in air pollution, such as NO2 and PM, affect the likelihood of getting cancer. It will also involve looking at empirical data to see if there are more incidences of lung cancer in places with more air pollution. If there is a disconnect between theoretical expectations and reality, I will attempt to …

Vegetation Change Surrounding Parks And Reserves In Costa Rica From 1990-2000, Olivia Collins

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

The objective of this project was to analyze vegetation changes around and within the borders of national parks in Costa Rica over the time period from 1990 to 2014. Edge effects are a common occurrence where two different habitats or ecological communities border one another. The majority of the national parks and reserves in Costa Rica have been placed under protection during the last 35 years. During this time period, tourism in the country has increased as conservation efforts have strengthened. The goal of this analysis is to use Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to determine if conservation of protected …

Copenhagen: A Case Study Of One Of The Most Sustainable Cities In The World, Sophia Samuels, Altinay Karasapan

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Across the globe, people are increasingly feeling the effects of climate change. With fluctuating temperatures, severe weather, and increased droughts and floods, it is time for global leaders to finally take firm action to alleviate these incoming problemsespecially in urban areas where the effects will be the most extreme. One of the global leaders in climate change mitigation is Copenhagen, Denmark. Because Copenhagen is a coastal city, it is especially vulnerable to these climatic changes, and is innovating urban planning to adapt to the severe weather that is likely to come. By improving energy efficiency, water use, and transportation, the …

Roles Of Community Engagement And Church Leadership In Participatory Forest Management: A Case Study Of Woji Church Forest In Northern Ethiopia, Grey Benjamin

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

Research on participatory forest management (PFM) typically involves the study of ownership-use relationships among local communities and state or federal governments. This study examines the management of natural resources by a religious institution--the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church (EOTC)--whose followers protect thousands of small fragments of indigenous Afromontane forest scattered all across Northern Ethiopia. Using social surveys, group discussions, and community mapping we identify differences in norms and forest management activities of three distinct groups--priests, farmers, and women--living in and around Woji Church Forest in Northern Ethiopia. Community members offered a first-hand look into how their religious beliefs and leadership affect …

Does Bisphenol-A Cause Obesity In Humans?, Xuan Du, Lidia Henderson

CLAS: Colby Liberal Arts Symposium

This project will analyze the link between bisphenol-A and obesity in humans using epidemiological and toxicological research.

The Colby Echo (2014-04-10), Colby College

The Colby Echo

Published by the students of Colby College since 1877, The Colby Echo is the weekly, editorially independent student-run newspaper of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Published monthly, 1877-1886; semi-monthly, 1886-1897; and weekly, during the academic year, 1898-present.

The Colby Echo (2014-02-27), Colby College

The Colby Echo

Published by the students of Colby College since 1877, The Colby Echo is the weekly, editorially independent student-run newspaper of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Published monthly, 1877-1886; semi-monthly, 1886-1897; and weekly, during the academic year, 1898-present.

The Colby Echo (2014-02-13), Colby College

The Colby Echo

Published by the students of Colby College since 1877, The Colby Echo is the weekly, editorially independent student-run newspaper of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Published monthly, 1877-1886; semi-monthly, 1886-1897; and weekly, during the academic year, 1898-present.

Anthropogenic Impacts On Headwater Streams: A Case Study Of Three Streams In The Belgrade Lakes Catchment, Colby College, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Belgrade Area Streams (2014, 2013)

No abstract provided.

The Colby Oracle 2014, Colby College

The Colby Oracle

Colby College’s yearbook for the Class of 2014.

Colby College Catalogue 2014 - 2015, Colby College

Colby Catalogues

Colby College Catalogue: September 2014 - August 2015

Optimization Of A Chemical Genetic Screen To Identify Druggable Targets In U138 Cells Treated With Laromustine, Kathryn Coe

Honors Theses

Laromustine is an experimental sulfonylhydrazine prodrug used in late-stage clinical studies against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Despite initial promise for both indications, clinical trials for GBM have not been as successful as those for AML. To investigate methods for improving the effectiveness of laromustine in GBM and to learn more about the mechanism of action of laromustine, a chemical genetic screen will be conducted to identify agents that sensitize GBM cells to the anti-proliferative effects of laromustine. The library, which will include approximately 450 FDA-approved drugs, will be screened using a newly optimized high throughput assay …

The Role Of Underutilized Fish In New England's Seafood System, Taylor Witkin

Honors Theses

The global fisheries crisis has led to an increasing recognition for the need to relieve pressure on overfished, popular food fish stocks. Opportunities exist to shift consumer demand toward more sustainable choices, including fish that may be locally abundant. Attempts have been made to market underused fish (sometimes termed “trash fish”) that represent more sustainable alternatives; however, it is unclear whether consumers will choose to purchase these more sustainable options, particularly if underused fish are also unfamiliar. Chapter 1 reviews existing research and current issues surrounding sustainable seafood and the recent shift toward local, abundant, undervalued species in New England’s …

The Relationships Between Local Food And Food Security In Maine, Erin Love

Honors Theses

There is a food systems paradox in Maine: the State has one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the nation, while simultaneously experiencing a local agriculture boom. Maine has some of the largest percentages of young farmers and women farmers in the country and is home to the second highest number of artisan cheese makers of any state in the country. Amidst this exciting, sometimes quirky, agricultural activity there is a critical need for food systems development in the state, especially in the context of serving vulnerable populations. This thesis explores the ways in which Mainers are working …

The Effect Of Azo Textile Dyes On Gross Primary Production And Community Respiration In An Artificial Environment, Theresa L. Petzoldt

Honors Theses

Azo dyes are the largest category of textile dyes in production today, with over 100,000 tons of dye produced yearly in the United States. Ten to fifty percent of this dye is not fixed to the fabric during the textile production process, and is therefore discarded as effluent. Because dye waste is difficult to process in wastewater treatment facilities, it is important to understand how this waste affects aquatic systems using a whole ecosystem approach. This study used an artificial stream to model the effects of four azo dyes on benthic biofilm production and respiration. Dyes were found to have …

The Impact Of Dams On Nitrogen Cycling In The Messalonskee Stream, Rebecca K. Forgrave

Honors Theses

The Messalonskee Stream in central Maine has five hydroelectric dams on 16.6km. Each dam drastically changes the flow regime of the stream, dividing it into segments with different patterns of sediment settling and organic matter retention. I investigated how these disruptions impact nitrogen cycling, specifically nitrification rates above and below each dam. I expected higher nitrification rates above the dams, where levels of organic matter are higher, and lower rates below the dam where scouring removes organic matter and fine sediment from the streambed. I measured sediment nitrification rates with a nitrapyrin-inhibition assay and potential drivers of nitrification including sediment …

The Economic Impact Of Shale Gas Development: A Natural Experiment Along The New York And Pennsylvania Border, Brendan Cosgrove

Honors Theses

In the United States, the rapid increase in shale gas production has recently stimulated local economies. This paper investigates the regional economic impact of shale gas development. The border of New York and Pennsylvania provides a natural experiment for its economic impact because of the moratorium on fracking in NY and the supportive fracking regulations in PA. Using BLS data from 2001-2013, results show that shale gas development has a statistically significant impact at the industry level, but not across the entire economy. The findings contribute new evidence to the economic benefits and the boom-bust cycle of shale gas extraction.

The Colby Echo (2013-11-21), Colby College

The Colby Echo

Published by the students of Colby College since 1877, The Colby Echo is the weekly, editorially independent student-run newspaper of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Published monthly, 1877-1886; semi-monthly, 1886-1897; and weekly, during the academic year, 1898-present.

Back Matter

Colby Magazine

Adoration of the Autobots, by Gift Ntuli '14

Alumni At Large

Colby Magazine

Catching Up: Alumni Profiles
On Deadline: Brian MacQuarrie '74
Where the Chips Fall: Rose Marie del Rio '87
Sea Change: Lindsey Williams '02 and Carolyn Lindley '02
Bridge Builder: Yuri Maruyama '12

Updates

Newsmakers

Obituaries

From The Hill, Gerry Boyle, Kayla Lewkowicz, Stephen Collins, Mira Ptacin, Rocio Orantes Carey

Colby Magazine

Q&A: Professor Ben Fallaw on the forces at play in Mexico and ways they affect U.S. immigration policy

The Secret Is Out: More Chinese students choose Colby--and the liberal arts--over big American universities

"Let's Get Dinner Sometime:" Students practice the lost art of dating

Into the Forests of Gondar: Colby researchers plumb the secrets of Ethiopia's ancient "church forests"

Paradox or Paragon? Boylan memoir about parenting is a new and powerful love story

Recent Releases:
Religion and State Formation in Postrevolutionary Mexico, by Ben Fallaw (Latin American Studies)
Inquisition in Early Islam: The Competition for Political and Religious Authority in …

The Colby Echo (2013-05-01), Colby College

The Colby Echo

Published by the students of Colby College since 1877, The Colby Echo is the weekly, editorially independent student-run newspaper of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Published monthly, 1877-1886; semi-monthly, 1886-1897; and weekly, during the academic year, 1898-present.