Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Lead Bioaccessibility And Commonly Measured Soil Characteristics (Detroit, Mi, Usa) – Phase 1, Sabrina R. Good, Allison R. Harris, Patrick Crouch, Conor T. Gowan, William D. Shuster, Shawn P. Mcelmurry

Open Data at Wayne State

Contaminated urban soil is one of the major contributors to child Pb exposure. To gain a better understanding of Pb risk in urban areas, composite samples were collected from 142 residential, privately owned, parcels in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, Michigan, with approval from the property owners. The proximity of soil sampling and former smelter locations were also reported. Sample were collected from areas covered with turf grass. Four samples were collected, one from each cardinal direction (north, south, east, and west), 20 cm from an aluminum tent stake driven into the center of the sampling site. Soils were collected …

Scenario Analysis Of Drinking Water Infrastructure Rightsizing In Flint, Michigan: Model Pipe Conditions, Richard Casey Sadler, Hyun Jeong Koo, Basheer Allamy, Shawn P. Mcelmurry

Open Data at Wayne State

Sustainable urban systems require appropriately sized infrastructure. However, when cities face economic and population decline, hardened infrastructure - such as drinking water distribution systems – is difficult and costly to modify. This dataset provides the results of a modeling exercise performed using EPANET (Version 2.2) to examine potential scenarios for rightsizing water infrastructure in a shrinking city. The modeling was performed utilizing a full-scale, calibrated hydraulic model of the drinking water distribution system in Flint, Michigan obtained through a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Flint and Wayne State University.

For this analysis, in addition to a base model, …

Scenario Analysis Of Drinking Water Infrastructure Rightsizing In Flint, Michigan: Model Census Tract Results, Richard Casey Sadler, Hyun Jeong Koo, Basheer Allamy, Shawn P. Mcelmurry

Open Data at Wayne State

Sustainable urban systems require appropriately sized infrastructure. However, when cities face economic and population decline, hardened infrastructure - such as drinking water distribution systems – is difficult and costly to modify. This dataset provides the results of a modeling exercise performed using EPANET (Version 2.2) to examine potential scenarios for rightsizing water infrastructure in a shrinking city. The modeling was performed utilizing a full-scale, calibrated hydraulic model of the drinking water distribution system in Flint, Michigan obtained through a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Flint and Wayne State University.

For this analysis, in addition to a base model, …

Characterizing The Beneficial Uses Of The Arcata Marsh Constructed Wetland Treatment System And Wildlife Sanctuary, Andrew S. Wolff

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The Arcata Marsh Constructed Wetland Treatment System and Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Arcata California, has been in operation since 1986. Not only has it served as the wastewater treatment facility for the city, it has also provided other beneficial uses such as acting as a sanctuary for bird, mammal, amphibian, and macroinvertebrate species. With facility upgrades currently underway, it has become important to revisit the beneficial uses of the Arcata Marsh. This project aimed to identify and characterize these beneficial uses. Literature review was conducted, and eleven beneficial uses were identified. Existing and newly obtained data were analyzed to characterize …

An Integrated Framework For Establishing Long-Term Transportation Management Strategies Promoting Sustainable Urban Growth, M Imtiaz Rahman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Urban land areas are experiencing a more rapid expansion compared to their population growth on a global scale. This phenomenon, known as urban sprawl, is characterized by low-density development in the outskirts of cities. This unplanned urban growth leads to changing urban transportation patterns, posing a threat to sustainable development. In response, government agencies implement growth management practices, with transportation management strategies playing a crucial role in achieving sustainable urban growth. However, developing effective growth management strategies is difficult because of several challenges, including limited understanding of the key influencing factors, the complex interdependencies among these factors, and the uncertainties …

Implications Of Alternative Communications And Sensing Technologies For Implementing Variable Speed Limit Control Through Connected Vehicles: Sag Curve As A Case Study, Reza Vatani Nezafat, Mecit Cetin, Elizabeth Williams, George F. List

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Connected vehicles (CVs) will enable various applications to improve traffic flow. This paper's focus is to investigate how the potential implementation of variable speed limit (VSL) through different types of communication and sensing technologies on CVs makes it possible to mitigate congestion at a sag curve bottleneck. A VSL algorithm is developed and implemented in a simulation environment for controlling the inflow of vehicles to a sag curve to minimize delays and increase throughput. Both vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) options for CVs are investigated when implementing the VSL control strategy in a simulation environment. Also, for measuring traffic density …

Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Maize No-Till Agroecosystems In Southern Brazil Based On A Long-Term Experiment, Guilherme Rosa Da Silva, Adam J. Liska, Cimelio Bayer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Brazilian agriculture is constantly questioned concerning its environmental impacts, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This research study used data from a 34-year field experiment to estimate the life cycle GHG emissions intensity of maize production for grain in farming systems under no-tillage (NT) and conventional tillage (CT) combined with Gramineae (oat) and legume (vetch) cover crops in southern Brazil. We applied the Feedstock Carbon Intensity Calculator for modeling the “field-to-farm gate” emissions with measured annual soil N₂O and CH₄ emissions data. For net CO₂ emissions, increases in soil organic C (SOC) were applied as a proxy, …

Characterization Of Recent Wild Pig‑Vehicle Collisions In Georgia, Usa, Jeremiah L. Psiropoulos, Emily Howe, John J. Mayer, Sophie C. Mckee

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Vehicle collisions with wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are reported almost everywhere this species is found. However, this is one of the least studied and characterized forms of damage that these invasive animals cause in the United States (US). We analyzed 518 wild pig-vehicle collisions (WPVCs) that took place statewide in Georgia between 2015 and 2021. From that dataset, we analyzed several parameters in order to better understand and characterize these accidents on a scale that had previously not been done in the US. Wild pig-vehicle collisions were reported from 105 out of the 159 counties in Georgia, increasing …

Characterizing Climatic Socio-Environmental Tipping Points In Coastal Communities: A Conceptual Framework For Research And Practice, Julie Elizabeth Shortridge, Anamaria Bukvic, Molly Mitchell, Jesse Goldstein, Tom Allen

Political Science & Geography Faculty Publications

The concept of climate tipping points in socio-environmental systems is increasingly being used to describe nonlinear climate change impacts and encourage social transformations in response to climate change. However, the processes that lead to these tipping points and their impacts are highly complex and deeply uncertain. This is due to numerous interacting environmental and societal system components, constant system evolution, and uncertainty in the relationships between events and their consequences. In the face of this complexity and uncertainty, this research presents a conceptual framework that describes systemic processes that could lead to tipping points socio-environmental systems, with a focus on …

Compound Flooding Hazards Due To Storm Surge And Pluvial Flow In A Low-Gradient Coastal Region, Sunghoon Han, Navid Tahvildari

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Flood risk analyses often focus on a single flooding source, typically storm surge or rainfall-driven flooding, depending on the predominant threat. However, hurricanes frequently cause compound flooding through significant storm surges accompanied by heavy rainfall. This study employs a hydrodynamic model based on Delft3D-Flexible Mesh that couples flow, waves, and rainfall-driven flow to simulate five historical tropical cyclones in Virginia's southeast coastal region. These storms produced varying intensities of storm surge and rainfall in the study area. Model simulations, incorporating rainfall through a rain-on-grid approach, account for the dynamic interaction between storm tides, and pluvial flow and enable the definition …

Metal Contamination In Household Dust And Their Health Risk Assessment: A Study In Two Malaysian Cities, Xin Yi Lim, Ting Fang Lye, Joo Hui Tay

Applied Environmental Research

Investigating the composition of household dust can provide crucial insights into potential environmental and health implications. This study aimed to determine the concentration of selected metals in 30 household floor dust samples collected from two cities in Peninsular Malaysia, namely Melaka and Butterworth. The samples were collected using nylon socks attached to a vacuum cleaner nozzle during January-February 2021. All samples were sieved through a 200-µm sieve, acid-digested with aqua regia, and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean metal concentrations decreased in the order of Fe>Al>Mg>Zn>Mn>Ba>Cu>Cr>Pb. Cd was not …

Exposure To Metal Accumulation In Chicken Giblets And Human Health Risk In Lokoja, Nigeria, Jude Ehwevwerhere Emurotu, Lami Habib, Ephraim Musa Dallatu, Adamu Shuaibu Onakpa, Aloysius Akaangee Pam

Applied Environmental Research

When consumed, the toxic heavy metals in chicken giblets pose a grave risk to humans. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to measure the concentrations of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Pb) in the liver, gizzard, and kidney of chickens from the Lokoja poultry market. Except for lead, which slightly exceeded the FAO/WHO limit of 0.1 mg kg-1, the metal concentrations found were all within the threshold limit. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were used to assess the risks that humans would face …

Unveiling Long-Term Impacts Of Forest Cover Changes And Carbon Storage Assessment In Nan Province, Thailand, Jiratiwan Kruasilp, Sura Pattanakiat, Siam Lawawirojwong, Thamarat Phutthai, Poonperm Vardhanabindu, Warinthorn Kiadtikornthaweeyot Evans, Anne Jacquine

Applied Environmental Research

Forests serve as carbon sink by storing and sequestrating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Forest cover loss adversely affects communities by increasing risks to the shortage of carbon storage. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of forest fragmentation and assessment of forest cover changes impacts on carbon storage over Nan province during 1990 to 2019. Spatial and temporal patterns were explored using landscape metrics analysis. Forest areas declined 10.69% over 30 years using random forest classifier based on Google Earth Engine platform, with an overall accuracy of 97.10%. The highest rate of forest cover changes was 5.27% (2010 to 2014), …

Geospatial Modelling Of Flood Susceptibility Of The Calabar City, Cross River State, Nigeria, Joel Efiong, Eme Efiong, Oluyemi Akintoye, Ebin Inah, Obianuju Awan, Francis Ogban

Applied Environmental Research

Flooding remains a major environmental problem in many parts of the world including Nigeria, causing untold losses. This study modelled the flood susceptibility of Calabar Metropolis using frequency ratio and geographical information system (GIS). Direct field observation and key informant approaches were used to obtain 127 previous and current flood locations in the study area from which a database of historical flood occurrence was developed. Using the geostatistical analyst tool within a geographical information environment the flood locations were split into two parts in the ratio of 70:30 percent for the training and testing processes, respectively. Eight flood conditioning factors …

Minimization The Chemical Oxygen Demand (Cod) Content In Tannery Wastewater Using Activated Carbon From Spent Tea Leaves, Kanish Fatama, Nasifa Akter, Badhan Saha, Nur -E- Alam Md., Shimul Chakma

Applied Environmental Research

Water pollution from tannery wastewater is a serious environmental issue. This study aimed to investigate the potential of spent tea leaves as activated carbon (AC) to minimize chemical oxygen demand (COD) of tannery effluent. To determine the best conditions for minimizing COD, a batch adsorption process was conducted, involving various factors such as different adsorbent dosages (ranging from 1 to 11 gm L-1), contact time (30 to150 min), and pH values (ranging from 3 to 11). The characterization was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). The outcomes of this study demonstrated that using 1.5 M …

Adsorption Behavior And Mechanism Of Brilliant Green Dye Onto Acid-Modified Mesoporous Volcanic Pumice, Suchada Sawasdee, Prachart Watcharabundit

Applied Environmental Research

Water pollution is a major problem in the environment. The important one is the dying effluent from the textile industry. Dye effluent has affected human health and aquatic life. Recently, natural adsorbents have been most commonly used for dye treatment wastewater. This study explores the adsorption mechanism of brilliant green onto HCl-modified pumice. It involves a comparative analysis of the raw and HCl-modified pumice's characterization and adsorption properties. The adsorption experiments were carried out by considering several parameters, such as pH, contact time, initial dye concentrations, and temperatures. The research indicated that the raw and acid-treated pumice possess Si-OH and …

Outlooks And Challenges For Urban Green Space Development: A Review Case Study In Thailand, Kanawat Paoin, Chanathip Pharino

Applied Environmental Research

Even though prior studies have provided ample proof of the benefits of urban green space, Thailand's development and exploitation of urban green space remain insufficiently efficient. To assess the prospects for urban green space development in Thailand, our review study highlighted gaps and challenges related to these areas. This review study discussed the rationale for urban green space, its definitions, as well as its benefits and co-benefits (i.e., economic, social, health, and environmental). The review research additionally discussed Thailand's current urban green space issues, associated challenges (such as difficulties valuing and using urban green space, budgetary limitations, low priority for …

Path Analysis Of The Relationship Between Diarrhea, Climate And Environmental Variables In Province Of West Nusa Tenggara-Indonesia, Khadijah Azhar, Ika Dharmayanti, Dwi Hapsari Tjandrarini, Bambang Wispriyono

Applied Environmental Research

Diarrhea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, due to certain factors. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of climate, economic status, demographic, water, sanitation, and hygiene factors on diarrhea. The study procedures were carried out using an ecological design that focused on the characteristics of the sample population. The unit of analysis was districts/cities, where data on diarrhea cases from 2017–2020 were used, along with other variables in the same period. The dependent variable was the number of diarrhea cases per month, while the independent variables included average temperature, …

Enzyme Activity And Biodegradation Potentials Of Serratia Marcescens Cell-Free Extract On Polyethylene Terephthalate Sheet, Ogunjemite Oluwadamilola E, Folasade M. Olajuyigbe

Applied Environmental Research

Microbial strains with potential hydrolytic enzymes are excellent hosts for the biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, knowledge of the best working conditions for enzymatic actions is essential to suggest the most suitable condition for the bio-transformation process. In this research, PETase and lipase produced by Serratia marcescens under PET exposure were screened and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. Furthermore, the biodegradation efficiency of the cell-free extract produced from S. marcescens on a PET sheet was studied via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). The result showed maximum production of PETase activity (8.80 U mL-1) and …

Effective Microorganisms (Em) As Bioremediation Agent Of Profenofos Pesticide Residue In Vegetable Farm Soil From Benguet Province, Philippines, Maylowen P. Lumayna, Paulina A. Bawingan

Applied Environmental Research

Effective microorganisms (EM) have shown remarkable adaptability and have been used in agriculture and environmental management. This study intended to provide insights into the effectiveness of EM technology in rehabilitating soils contaminated with pesticides. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the efficiency of EM in breaking down the profenofos component of Selecron® 500 EC pesticide in a controlled condition. Results show that the initial profenofos (17.2 mg kg-1) degraded in the control and experimental groups by 94.19% and 96.45%, respectively, over a 21-day laboratory experiment. EM-treated soil samples showed a significant difference from untreated samples, as revealed in the Kruskal-Wallis …

Microplastic Contamination In Table Salt: A Study Of Consumer Behavior In Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sk Abid Md Saad, Faijunnesa Rashid, Maisha Miskat, Mukul Chandra Sarker, Arman Khan, Mustafizur Rahman

Applied Environmental Research

Plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of bigger plastics may be introduced directly as micro- and nano-sized particles polluting the marine ecosystem, including ocean-extracted table salt. This study investigated the presence of microplastic (MP)-like particles in table salt from Bangladesh, focusing on both locally refined and commercially branded varieties. Local salt samples from Sadar and Moheshkhali Sub-district of Cox’s Bazar contained an average of 23.4 and 12 particles kg-1, respectively. In contrast, no particles were detected in commercial brands, likely due to their complex refining processes. The study also explored factors influencing local salt consumption, finding it influenced by the …

Global Perspectives On Healthcare Waste Management And Bibliographic Mapping During The Crises Of Covid-19, Vasudeo Zambare, Bhushan Bhusare, Lew Christopher, Mohanadoss Ponraj, Nabin Narayan Munankarmi, Mohd Fadhil Md. Din

Applied Environmental Research

The lack of proper waste management of health care facilities can have a significant negative health impact on the global population. This study provides a critical view on the current state of the existing healthcare waste management practices used in healthcare facilities around the world during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. The increasing amount of COVID-related healthcare waste was analyzed and classified to provide justification for the urgent need to develop waste management standards that ensure safe containment and diversion of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes through recycling, reuse and repurposing. The waste handling, treatment, and disposal management of …

Assessment Of Total Petroleum Carbon And Heavy Metals Of Some Selected Plants Grown In Crude Oil Polluted Soils Using Gc-Fid, Pius O. Adah, Ndem E. Edu, Reagan B. Agbor, Henry B. Kogbara

Applied Environmental Research

This study was focused on assessing the phytoremediation potentials of some selected plant species on crude oil contaminated soils. Five plant species were cultivated in soils polluted with crude oil at 10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg kg-1. The results revealed that there were significant reduction in THC contents of soil ameliorated with the various plants species compared to the control group increases with increasing concentration of crude oil pollutant in soil. THC was 62.24 mg kg-1, 1,120 mg kg-1, 208.67 mg kg-1, 257.87 mg kg-1 and 2,762.79 mg kg-1 for R. simplex, P. balfouriana, K. pinnata …

Study Of Solar Collector Potential In Thailand Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach, Phongpapop Kitisomkiat, Varudom Siri, Benjapon Chalermsinsuwan, Kejvalee Pruksathorn

Applied Environmental Research

Due to the proximity of Thailand being near the equator, there is a significant potential for harnessing an excess amount of solar energy using a solar collector. The solar collector harvests solar energy by acting as a passive heat exchanger, receiving solar energy, and transferring it to a fluid medium to be further utilized. This study presents the analysis of temperature outlet and pressure drop of a solar collector in Thailand, utilizing Earth’s geological location, date, and time for solar energy calculations and employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the collector’s efficiency. The CFD approach offers a reduction in …

Food Waste From Catering Services In Thai Hotels: A Composition Analysis And Practical Guidelines For Effective Utilization, Patranit Srijuntrapun, Patinya Sukwong

Applied Environmental Research

Food waste from the hotel sector is a significant contributor to the overall volume of food waste, particularly in restaurants and food services through various processes. However, precise data on food waste generated by the hotel industry is lacking. This study aims to quantify and characterize the food waste generated during the preparation and serving processes in hotel catering, with the goal of finding efficient solutions to reduce food waste that are appropriate for the hotel and catering sectors. The study presents novel findings that among the different types of catering, dinner-style buffets (DB) generate the highest amount of food …

Determinants Of Physicochemical Composition Of Palm Oil Mill Effluent - Implications On Environment And Bio-Digester Treatment Design, E.B. Tambe, A.U. Okonkwo, I.E. Mbuka-Nwosu, C.O. Cookey, E. Agbe, S.C. Onwusa, I.N. Ekpe, U.F. Evuen, J. Okpoghono

Applied Environmental Research

Growing need for renewable energy and addressing challenges associated with indiscriminate wastes disposal has necessitated harnessing wastes to wealth. The study investigated parameters determining the physicochemical composition of palm oil mill effluent (POME) generated at Agricultural Development Authority Palm (ADAPALM) and palm oil mills in its catchment communities, located at Ohaji/ Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria and their implications on environmental health and treatment approaches required. Survey research design was used. From a randomly sampled small-scaled mill in each community, and for the lone medium and large-scaled mills, four homogenous samples of POME were collected from sampled …

Typhoon Damage Assessment Of Natural And Planted Mangroves In Bais Bay, Negros Oriental, Philippines, Myron Gavriel F. Baring, Pablina L. Cadiz

Applied Environmental Research

Category 5 Typhoon Odette, internationally known as Rai, devastated the Central Philippines in December 2021, causing immense damage to the country’s infrastructure, agriculture, and ecosystems. Coastal vegetative ecosystems, which include mangroves, are exposed to strong wind and wave energy during extreme weather events. Considering their importance in providing a myriad of ecosystem services to coastal communities, the post-typhoon assessment of mangroves will serve as a guide to future rehabilitation efforts.  On August 13 and 14, 2024, 8 months after Typhoon Odette, the community structure characteristics (species composition, stem density, basal area, and regeneration potential) and damage severity of planted and …

Addressing The Consumer Food Waste Crisis: A Decade Of Psychological Interventions, Pei ๋Jun Woo, Yohanna Veshanya, Lai Ti Gew

Applied Environmental Research

Food waste has become an increasing global crisis, especially in the last few years. Researchers and policymakers have attempted to work towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. While much research has been conducted, we are still far from achieving the SDG by 2030. Many interventions have been studied, but each outcome varies. Thus, this review summarizes 30 psychological-based interventions between 2010 to 2022, retrieved via the Scopus database. It is found that each method of intervention works differently based on each type of food waste. Institutional food waste appears to be the most common …

Removal Of Chromium From Aqueous System Using Nanocellulose Prepared From Defoliated Terminalia Catappa Leaves, Lopamudra Digal, Jayashree Mohanty

Applied Environmental Research

Nanocellulose is considered as a sustainable and renewable nanomaterial due to its abundant availability, biodegradability and biocompatibility characteristics. The study demonstrates the synthesis of nanocellulose from defoliated leaves of the Tropical Almond (Terminalia catappa) plant, abundantly available residual plant biomass and its subsequent use in eliminating Cr(VI) from the water system. The study demonstrates the preparation of nanocellulose by chemical means, employing NaOH and H2SO4 as chemical agents. Characterization techniques like FTIR, SEM, and XRD were used to study the chemical composition and morphology of the resulting nanocellulose. The characterization studies confirm the formation of nanocellulose from the plant biomass. …

Monitoring Of Estrone From Hospital Wastewater And Its Removal By Photocatalytic Membrane Reactor, Nicha Karnjanamit, Chongdee Thammakhet-Buranachai, Panitan Jutaporn, Watsa Khongnakorn

Applied Environmental Research

Steroid hormones, classified as endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), pose significant environmental and health concerns due to their persistence and potential adverse effects. This study investigates the presence of estrone (E1) in hospital wastewater and the efficiency of E1 removal through a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR). Wastewater samples were collected from two hospitals with different wastewater treatment processes. The concentration of E1 was analyzed using a combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The PMR experimental setup involved a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane incorporated with 1 wt% titanium dioxide (PVDF/TiO2). The PMR performance was evaluated with and …