Digital Commons Network^™

A Study Of Subsurface Vapor Intrusion From Exploration & Production Waste, Daniel Dawson Wascom

LSU Master's Theses

Expanding city growth is causing the inhabitants of Louisiana to move further into rural areas. Abandoned oil and gas production sites are being used for residential and light commercial purposes. This thesis will attempt to determine if known benzene levels in Exploration and Production (E&P) waste will be harmful to human health via subsurface vapor intrusion into the newly developed residential and light commercial structures. Louisiana does not currently regulate benzene during the closure of pits that contained E&P waste. Current pit closure techniques warrant testing for benzene Based on current Louisiana legislation, benzene contamination of groundwater is currently the …

Biogeochemical Processes And Seasonal Effects In Flow-Through Mesocosm Reactors Simulating Constructed Wetlands, Sarah J. Tritschler

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Due to their distinctive environments, constructed wetlands are utilized to remediate groundwater that has been contaminated with chlorinated ethenes (i.e. perchloroethene) and other such contaminants. This research focuses on vertical flow mesocosm reactors housed in a greenhouse at Wright State University, which simulate a constructed wetland on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. These reactors were studied to investigate the effects of vegetation and seasonal changes on the redox parameters present. Water samples were collected from six different reactors from late September/early October 2006 until August 2007. The reactors were sampled three days in a row and this sampling was done once …

Action-Oriented Sustainable Agriculture Education: Attitudes Towards Nutrition And Agricultural Practices In Guaimaca, Honduras, Sarah Lynne Potenza

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Agricultural policies and global economic forces negatively affect many small-scale farmers in developing countries, resulting in widespread micronutrient malnutrition and environmental degradation. This study explores the connections between these issues, and the efficacy of using participatory education on sustainable agriculture to address them at a local level. Specifically, it evaluates an action-oriented education and sustainable agriculture program in Honduras, from the perspective of the participants and my own participation, as a means to improve agricultural practices and rural nutrition among subsistence farmers. As in many developing countries, access to land, poor soil conditions, steep hillsides, adverse climatic conditions, and limited …

Assessment Of Potential Agroforestry Systems For Kafuta: A Village In The Western Division Of The Gambia, Justina Marie Toth

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Toth, Justina M. M.S. December 2007 Resource Conservation ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL AGROFORESTRY SYSTEMS FOR KAFUTA: A VILLAGE IN THE WESTERN DIVISION OF THE GAMBIA Committee Chair: John Goodburn Extensive interviews with a sample of 21 government and non-governmental workers in the natural resource field, as well as random surveys of 18 households (i.e. 18 women and 16 men) in the Western Division village of Kafuta are employed to help inform the following central research question: What agroforestry systems are the most appropriate for the village of Kafuta, given the regions unique physical, biological and socioeconomic conditions? With these two qualitative …

Environmental Education : The Ethic Of Caring For Nature And Social Altruism, Monica Nañez

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Images Of Expertise: Converging Discourses On The Use And Abuse Of Science In Massachusetts V. Epa, David S. Caudill

Villanova Environmental Law Journal (1991 - )

No abstract provided.

Northeastern Illinois University, 2007-2008 Academic Catalog, Northeastern Illinois University

Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Robustness Of Proxy-Based Climate Field Reconstruction Methods, Scott Rutherford, Michael E. Mann, Eugene Wahl, Caspar Ammann

Arts & Sciences Faculty Publications

We present results from continued investigations into the fidelity of covariance-based climate field reconstruction (CFR) approaches used in proxy-based climate reconstruction. Our experiments employ synthetic “pseudoproxy” data derived from simulations of forced climate changes over the past millennium. Using networks of these pseudoproxy data, we investigate the sensitivity of CFR performance to signal-to-noise ratios, the noise spectrum, the spatial sampling of pseudoproxy locations, the statistical representation of predictors used, and the diagnostic used to quantify reconstruction skill. Our results reinforce previous conclusions that CFR methods, correctly implemented and applied to suitable networks of proxy data, should yield reliable reconstructions of …

Molecular Identification Of Chironomid Species Based On Its-1 And Its-2 Regions Of Rdna, Monita Sharma

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Of all major aquatic invertebrate groups, members of family Chironomidae are most abundant and show a wide range of habitat preferences. The importance of correct identification of Chironomids has been realized in many bioassessment studies mainly because of their worldwide distribution, substrate specificities and predictable responses to various pollutants in the water sources. This study establishes that the sequence data from the Intergenic Spacer Regions (ITS) of ribosomal DNA could be used as molecular markers to distinguish between different Chironomidae species and also to identify them. The need to use molecular approaches, to identify various Chironomidae species, comes from the …

2007-2008 Course Catalog, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of The Registrar

University of Montana Course Catalogs, 1895-2024

An annual catalog of courses and course descriptions offered at the University of Montana.

Adaptive And Economic Management Methods For Feral Hog Control In Florida, Richard M. Engeman, Bernice U. Constantin, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Henry T. Smith, John Woolard, John Allen, John Dunlap

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Feral hogs (Sus scrofa) negatively impact the environment in most places around the world where they have been introduced into the wild. In many places, hog removal is essential to protect special habitats, in particular, wetlands. This paper describes techniques developed for use in adaptive management approaches to enhance hog removal efforts in Florida, as well as methods to evaluate the economic impacts from hog management. A valuable adaptive management tool that can be an easily applied index to monitor feral hog activity is track plots. This method has been effective for monitoring hog distribution and relative abundance, …

From The Field An Extraordinary Patch Of Feral Hog Damage In Florida Before And After Initiating Hog Removal, Richard M. Engeman, John Woolard, Henry T. Smith, Jean Bourassa, Bernice U. Constantin, Daniel Griffin

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Effectiveness Of A Place-Based Conservation Education Program By Applying Utilization-Focused Evaluation, Alice B. Flowers

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Lack of personal connection to the natural world by most American youth builds reason for assessing effectiveness of conservation education programs. Place-based learning is important in helping youth understand how their personal and societal well-being are linked and dependent upon their local habitats. Across Montana 2277 students in grades 3 - 10 participate in an interactive year long fishing education program with their teachers called Hooked on Fishing (HOF).

The purpose of my study was to assess the effectiveness of HOF, a place-based conservation education program established in 1996, and modeled after the national Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs …

Vegetation Re-Establishment Of Mojave Desert Plant Communities After 2005-2006 Wildland Fires, E. Cayenne Engel, Scott R. Abella

Fire Science Presentations

Examine biotic and abiotic patterns that determine vegetative regrowth after wildfires to better inform land managers about what to expect after fires and how to manage restoration efforts.

Seeding Effectiveness For Eight Mojave Desert Perennials After A 2005 Wildfire, E. Cayenne Engel, Scott R. Abella, Christina L. Lund

Fire Science Presentations

To assess BLM seeding effectiveness in a mid-elevation burn where pre-burn plant communities were dominated by blackbrush, Joshua trees, and creosote.

University Of Nevada, Las Vegas Transmutation Research Program Annual Report Academic Year 2006-2007, Anthony Hechanova, Rebecca Arbour

Transmutation Research Program Reports (TRP)

It is my pleasure to present the UNLV Transmutation Research Program’s sixth annual report that highlights the academic year 2006-2007. Supporting this document are the many technical reports and theses that have been generated over the past five years.

In the sixth year of our program, we continued to see growth in the Radiochemistry Ph.D. program with a total of 13 students in the third year of the program (we anticipated eight in the program proposal). Since our inception, the program has sponsored to their conclusion 42 M.S. and 4 Ph.D. degrees. The program supported 39 graduate students, 17 undergraduates, …

Immobilization Of Fission Iodine By Reaction With A Fullerene Containing Carbon Compound And Insoluble Natural Matrix, Spencer M. Steinberg, Gary Cerefice, David W. Emerson

Separations Campaign (TRP)

The stability of the association of iodine with FCC and NOM products were studied. Product distributions for the various matrices under various reaction conditions were examined in order to maximize the binding of iodine. The recovery of the iodine from the sequestration matrices was also examined, along with the conversion of the iodine to matrices more suitable for geological storage and/or use as transmutation targets.

The following are the specific research objectives and goals:

• Develop bench-scale experimental set-up and procedures for simulating plutonium extraction process (PUREX) head-end vapor phase.
• Develop experimental procedures for evaluating iodine sequestering methods using bench-scale procedures. …

Evaluation Of Cs/Sr Waste Form For Long Term Storage And Disposal, Gary Cerefice, Longzhou Ma

Waste Forms Campaign (TRP)

The goal of this project is to examine two potential concerns regarding the long-term performance of a proposed cesium/ strontium waste form. To facilitate long-term storage, up to 300 years, the disposal containers will need to be able to survive for the entire storage interval. The first aspect of the project will explore the potential interaction of the aluminosilicate waste form with the storage canister materials to determine if there is any corrosion or chemical interaction concerns for the storage of the materials.

At the end of the storage interval, most of the 137Cs in the waste form will have …

Geochemical And Transport Modeling Of Selected Radionuclides At Yucca Mountain, Yuyu Lin

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Yucca Mountain, Nevada has been selected as a potential high-level nuclear waste repository. The groundwater system at Yucca Mountain is a primary medium through which radionuclides might move away from the potential repository. Characterization studies have identified 237Np, 235 U and 239Pu as radionuclides of concern. In this study, simulations of solid solubility, solution speciation, and transport of selected radionuclides are conducted with PHREEQC, a geochemical modeling system. Results from solubility and speciation simulations indicate the influence of pH value and CO2 fugacity on radionuclide dissolution and aqueous species in solution. Kinetic transport simulations produced radionuclide breakthrough curves under various …

Atmospheric Dispersion Model Validation For Low Wind Speed Conditions, Patrick Shawn Sawyer

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Atmospheric plume dispersion models are used for a variety of purposes including emergency planning and response to hazardous material releases, determining force protection actions in the event of a WMD attack and for locating sources of pollution. This paper provides a review of previous studies that examine the accuracy of atmospheric plume dispersion models for chemical releases. It considers the principles used to derive air dispersion plume models and looks at three specific models currently in use; ALOHA, EPIcode and SCIPUFF. Results from this study indicate over-prediction bias by the EPIcode and SCIPUFF models and under-prediction bias by the ALOHA …

Evaluating The Benefits Of A Systems Approach To Particulate Matter Air Pollution Management, Stephanie Janene Fincher

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Although air quality has improved in the United States over the past thirty years, some air quality management areas continue to have serious problems with air pollutants such as particulate matter (NRC 2004). I hypothesize that using a systems approach would have benefits for PM10 management, including improved results and understanding, as well as identification of ineffective policies. A system dynamics model was developed for PM10 in the Las Vegas Valley. Policy analysis revealed real-world behavior, important dynamics of the system, and potentially harmful policies. Results support the importance of a systems and long-term perspective, and show that PM10 pollution …

On The Use Of Lognormal Distribution For Environmental Data Analysis, Devarshi Pant

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Contaminant concentration data from Superfund sites is quite often positively skewed, and the log-normal theory based statistical procedures are typically used for such data. Recent work in the environmental statistics literature, however, has shown that the use of log-normal theory based formulas, such as the H-statistic confidence interval, is problematic. The performance of the H -- UCL in the presence of non -- detects in the sample is investigated via simulated examples. When comparing mean contaminant concentration at a site with that of the background, the 2-sample t-test on log-transformed data is commonly used. A part of this thesis deals …

Second-Home Owner Attachment To A Destination: A Driver Of Tourism Promotion, John Brumby Mcleod

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Second-homes have become common place in many destinations. The visitation to these homes has become known as second-home tourism. Previous literature suggests that these homeowners might possess traits that would be attractive to tourism planners such as repeat visitation, word-of-mouth promotion, and the hosting of other visitors; The purpose of this study was to explore the presence of these traits in the context of international second-home owners and test a theoretical model that proposes place attachment as a driver of these behaviors. Attachment has been shown as a predictor of visitation and positive word-of-mouth in previous research. Borrowing from the …

Precipitation Monitoring At Yucca Mountain, Klaus J. Stetzenbach, Amanda Brandt

Publications (YM)

Objectives:

Status of the Task to Date
Network Overview/ Equipment
Data Trends
Uses and Collaborative Projects
Spatial Interpolation of YM Rainfall
Storm Event Analysis
Shallow Groundwater Response to Rainfall
UE29a1 Water Level Response to Barometric Pressure Fluctuation

Impact Of The Synthesis Process On Structure Properties For Afci Fuel Candidates, Kenneth Czerwinski

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

Synthesis of actinium mononitrides using carbothermic reduction of the corresponding oxides has a few outstanding issues, including the formation of secondary phases such as oxides and carbides and low densities of the final product. Furthermore the requirement of a high process temperature at 1700°C, for more than 12 hours is also a drawback particularly for Americium-bearing samples. Therefore, it is important to explore the use of other possible routes to synthesize actinide mononitrides.

A low temperature process is used in this research to produce actinide mononitrides using a fluoride route in which the first step is to mix the actinide …

Solution-Based Synthesis Of Nitride Fuels, Tyler A. Sullens, Kenneth Czerwinski

Fuels Campaign (TRP)

The preliminary studies into the synthesis of actinide nitride fuels through a low temperature, liquid ammonia based synthesis route have been conducted on the uranium containing system, and there is good indication for the success of synthesizing uranium (III) nitride. The dissolution of iodine in ammonia is a rapid process, resulting in a pale green solution, which does not result in any observable oxidation of iodine. The cannula transfer of dissolved iodine into the reaction vessel containing U metal has been conducted with little to no residual iodine remaining in the original flask. The metal being used for these reactions …

Piscivory By Non-Native Blue Tilapia (Oreochromis Aureus ) In Clark County, Nevada, Shawn C Goodchild

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

Fish communities that share an evolutionary history typically have mechanisms to offset impacts presented by other species. Fish, especially non-game species, which are intermingled with non-native species for which they lack a shared history, are often poorly adapted to offset these impacts. Non-native fish affect native fish through predation, competition, displacement, and disease, affects which are often synergistic. Native fish within the Muddy River system (Clark County, Nevada) experienced a precipitous decline in numbers following an illegal introduction of blue tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) during the 1990's. The purpose of this investigation was to determine if tilapia were directly predating upon …

Thermal Control For The Liquid Metal Coolant Circulation Loop, Xiuju Tan

UNLV Retrospective Theses & Dissertations

The target complex facility (TC-1 facility) located at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), is serving the fundamental research of thermal-hydraulics and corrosion test of liquid metal coolant lead bismuth eutectic (LBE). A stable thermal condition is the basis for the TC-1 facility to operate and target coolant LBE to circulate throughout the loop made of the main components of TC-1 facility, TC-1 loop. The proper thermal process of the TC-1 loop critically comprises a smooth heating phase, the main intention of which is to warm all the loop components and melt solid LBE; a stable temperature maintenance phase, which …

The Effects Of The Herbicide Atrazine On Mammalian Immune Function., Alexander M. Rowe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Atrazine is the most heavily used herbicide in the United States by weight and human exposure to the compound is wide spread. This study sought to define the immunotoxic effects of atrazine for two types of atrazine exposure models; maternal exposure to atrazine over a period of weeks and acute exposure of adult immune cells to atrazine. We hypothesized that maternal atrazine exposure from day ten of pregnancy to day ten of lactation would result in significant changes to the adult immune system. At three months of age we observed a gender specific increase in the offsprings’ immune function. Male …

Participatory Gis Approaches To Environmental Impact Assessment: A Case Study Of The Appalachian Corridor H Transportation Project., Ram Alagan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores the strengths and weaknesses of Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) approaches to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) with a specific focus on the potential contribution of Geo-visualization (GVIS) in this process. The approach draws heavily on concepts developed under the broad umbrella of GIS and Society and Critical GIS. PGIS recognizes the political economy of GIS in terms of data access, data representation, structural knowledge distortion, and community empowerment as being legitimate and significant issues in the application of GIS in community projects. EIA has been adopted as one of several important environmental practices that seek to engage …