Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons™
Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Keyword
-
- Carbon (3)
- Energy (2)
- Invasive species (2)
- Allowance (1)
- Arsenic (1)
-
- Bin (1)
- Biodiversity (1)
- Canopy (1)
- Cities (1)
- Climate change (1)
- Companies (1)
- Conservation (1)
- Dam (1)
- Data (1)
- Deforestation (1)
- Ecosystem (1)
- Education (1)
- Efficiency (1)
- Emissions (1)
- Environmental science (1)
- Exports (1)
- Footprint (1)
- Green (1)
- Human activities (1)
- Human activity (1)
- Industry (1)
- Instability (1)
- Landscape (1)
- National Parks (1)
- Natural resources (1)
Articles 1 - 13 of 13
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
There Must Be Something In The Water: A Comparative Study Of Ground Water Contamination In The U.S.A. And Canada, Kathleen Spooner
There Must Be Something In The Water: A Comparative Study Of Ground Water Contamination In The U.S.A. And Canada, Kathleen Spooner
Honors Theses
The regions of Nova Scotia and New Hampshire are naturally susceptible to arsenic water contamination due to their geological makeup. These locations are relatively rural, with many of their citizens reporting low incomes and lacking education, the majority of which are unaware of the risk of arsenic poisoning. There is also a high dependency on private wells which are not regulated in terms of water quality under federal law in both countries. Arsenic water pollution is undetectable as it is both odorless and tasteless and potentially very dangerous, and therefore water testing must be performed on wells, which is currently …
Predictors Of Exotic Plant Species In United States National Parks, Rachel S. Fried
Predictors Of Exotic Plant Species In United States National Parks, Rachel S. Fried
Honors Theses
Invasive species are recognized as a major threat to biodiversity. Understanding what factors facilitate invasion is of great conservation value, as this will allow for more specific and targeted conservation efforts related to non-native species. Knowledge of factors that contribute to invasion play an important role in conservation of particularly unique habitats, such as the iconic United States National Parks. Though National Parks have some legal protections against some forms of habitat degradation, they are still vulnerable to the introduction of non-natives. The purpose of this study is to characterize species invasion in National Parks and identify what environmental conditions …
Automated Household Tracking System, James Triola
Automated Household Tracking System, James Triola
Honors Theses
The past few years have seen the highest recorded amount of waste produced in America. Despite several options of responsible wasting, landfills are still bearing the brunt of waste deposits. Although recycling is a common practice, it is still not accomplished with maximum efficiency, and composting is even less common in areas where it is not legally mandated. Food scraps and byproducts that could otherwise have been broken down in proper composting methods continue to pile up in landfills where they breakdown into methane gas. Although there is no easy answer to the complex problem that is consumer waste, the …
Controlling Carbon: A Study Of National And Regional Emissions Trading Systems, Jordan Pulling
Controlling Carbon: A Study Of National And Regional Emissions Trading Systems, Jordan Pulling
Honors Theses
The release of carbon and other chemicals into the atmosphere is a growing environmental problem. The use of carbon-based processes is at an all-time high with the continued growth in carbon-fueled transportation, electric power generation and other carbon-intensive industrial processes. With climate change increasingly threatening the daily lives of Earth's population, many countries are beginning to take steps to reduce their impact on the Earth and its climate. Over the last decade, carbon markets have been established in 18 countries worldwide. While all of these emissions trading systems have similarities, each also has some unique traits, including differences in allowance …
The Nature Conservancy And Aquatic Invasive Species, Rachel Ross
The Nature Conservancy And Aquatic Invasive Species, Rachel Ross
Honors Theses
No abstract provided.
Cost Benefit Analysis Of The Keystone Xl Pipeline, Daniel Carr
Cost Benefit Analysis Of The Keystone Xl Pipeline, Daniel Carr
Honors Theses
The Keystone XL pipeline is one of the most controversial topics in North America over the last five years. The debate is based on the trade‐off between Canadian oil sands as a usable energy resource and the environmental effects associated with the extraction and refining of the oil. The green house gasses emitted from the extraction and refining of oil sands produces several environmental concerns that make the proposed pipeline controversial. On the other hand, Canadian oil companies see a significant benefit from the ability of Canadian oil reaching international markets. TransCanada, a 79.99 percent owner of the pipeline, conducted …
Proving Widespread Deforestation Of The Ancient Mediterranean As Myth: A Detailed Examination Of How Anthropogenic Activities During Antiquity Affected The Mediterranean Landscape, Carolyn Hooper
Honors Theses
This thesis examines the debate surrounding the possible deforestation of the ancient Mediterranean landscape through anthropogenic activities. Until the ancient Mediterranean landscape is understood more clearly, it is impossible to impose current beneficial land-use laws in order to conserve and preserve the future landscape of the region. Currently there are three predominant views surrounding the debate: (1) deforestation did occur and drastically altered the landscape from a forested region to a more desert-like region, (2) human activities did not cause deforestation, rather the Mediterranean has always been home to a distinct and resilient landscape that is able to regenerate following …
The Effect Of Canopy Organization On The Photosynthesis Of Sphagnum, Brian Solinsky
The Effect Of Canopy Organization On The Photosynthesis Of Sphagnum, Brian Solinsky
Honors Theses
With climate change becoming a greater problem the ability of plants to photosynthesize and sequester carbon becomes more important for us to understand. Sphagnum moss stores more than a third of the world’s soil carbon. Much is understood about the physiology of Sphagnum, but what is generally not understood is the effect of variation in canopy organization in Sphagnum: why are they both rough and smooth? This study examined whether different canopy structures influenced how the canopy uses different angles of light for photosynthesis. The first step was modeling photosynthesis in two simulated structures (rough and smooth) as the angle …
The Politics Of Rsfs: An Antidote To Reversing The Resource Curse In Latin America?, Sarah Gagnon
The Politics Of Rsfs: An Antidote To Reversing The Resource Curse In Latin America?, Sarah Gagnon
Honors Theses
Over the past three decades, the world has become highly globalized. As such, most countries around the world depend on exports for a large portion of their national income. However, some countries’ dependency on exports is extreme, especially those that heavily rely on natural resource commodities. Despite the natural resource wealth that these commodities grant countries, due to the instability of global prices and the intensive focus of the resource extraction industry, scholars have theorized this type of dependency as a “resource curse.” The resource curse is a paradox where countries that are so rich in natural resources have not …
The State Of Sustainable Transportation At Union College: A Transportation Audit Of Union College Students And Faculty, Benjamin Engle
The State Of Sustainable Transportation At Union College: A Transportation Audit Of Union College Students And Faculty, Benjamin Engle
Honors Theses
Union College has established a Climate Action Plan with the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060 as part of its commitment to sustainability. A significant component of Union’s carbon footprint, however, is student and faculty transportation. The purpose of this research was to analyze the transportation behavior of students and faculty to determine the carbon emissions that result from the use of various transportation methods. Two campus‐wide surveys were conducted; one was distributed to students and the other targeted faculty. For comparison purposes, survey questions were designed to be compatible with, but more focused than, those of a survey conducted …
Sustainable Cities As The Gateway To The Future: A Case Study Of New Rochelle, Andrea B. Grenadier
Sustainable Cities As The Gateway To The Future: A Case Study Of New Rochelle, Andrea B. Grenadier
Honors Theses
This thesis explores the characteristics of sustainable cities and uses New Rochelle, New York as a case study to further describe initiatives synonymous with green communities. Five prominent topics of sustainable cities and urban planning are discussed within the literature review and later mirrored throughout the case study of New Rochelle. These topics include, smart growth, energy efficiency, green buildings, transportation, and recycling. The mayor of New Rochelle and Sustainability Coordinator completed questionnaires and their responses contributed to an assessment of the contemporary issues facing sustainable cities.
Wind Energy: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Costs?, Scott E. Fixman
Wind Energy: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Costs?, Scott E. Fixman
Honors Theses
As wind energy continues to increase in demand, research to reduce the overall impact of turbines on birds will greaten, resulting in lower turbine‐induced avian and bat mortality. It is important that wind energy continues to increase in energy production per year, as it is one of the safest and most viable renewable energy sources available today.
The Gilboa Dam And Its Possible Failure: What It Means For Nyc And Upstate New York, Kelly C. Owens
The Gilboa Dam And Its Possible Failure: What It Means For Nyc And Upstate New York, Kelly C. Owens
Honors Theses
The majority of the NYC water supply is provided by a system of dams and reservoirs that have been created in upstate New York. As the owner of this water supply system, NYC is responsible for managing each of the dams and reservoirs within the system. This responsibility includes upholding dam regulations in order to ensure the safety of the citizens of the surrounding area and to lesson any environmental impacts that may occur due to the water supply system. Of the 30 dams owned by NYC, however, 25 of them have been identified at a high-hazard level according the …