Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Uncovering The Mysteries Of Retention Ponds: Comparing The Abundance And Type Of Microplastics In Storm Water Ponds In London Ontario, Natalie Rose Minda

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Microplastics are plastics <5 mm (Liu, 2019; Arthur et al., 2009). They are created in two ways: Intentionally or from the fragmentation of larger pieces of plastic (National Ocean Service, 2021). They can negatively impact human, wildlife and ecosystem health in many ways depending on the exposure, type, size, and shape of the microplastic (Campanale, 2020). Retention ponds are often created in neighborhoods to collect water in order to prevent flooding. They also often serve as habitat for wildlife. Sediment samples were collected in two ponds in London Ontario both dredged in 2016. Samples were processed in the lab and further analyzed under the microscope to isolate the microplastics. Results have not been determined yet, but the abundance and type of microplastic varies in both ponds. Plastic pollution in retention ponds should be considered more, as it poses a threat to human and ecosystem health.

Corrosion Prevention Of Aluminum Alloy, Andrea Brenner

Symposium of Student Scholars

Aluminum alloy (Al-alloy) is a widely used metal in construction, aerospace, aviation, and other necessary fields due to its lightweight and tweakable properties. However, corrosion is inevitable on metals and alloys, and that causes millions of dollars of revenue loss every year. Therefore, we propose to research fabricating coating to prevent corrosion on Al-alloy. This study uses an iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) and polyurethane (PU) based composite coating to prevent corrosion on the Al-alloy. The makeup of the composite material is changed by varying the percentage of MOF. In addition, a binder is also used to enhance the homogenization between …

Reverse Osmosis; Addressing Freshwater Shortage With Sustainable Desalination, Jessica Savage

Sustainability Conference

Water security is an imperative part of high-functioning societies. Currently, large populations of the globe live in water-impoverished or water-stressed areas. With climate change and growing global populations, projections show more people being impacted by issues of water shortage.

One solution to water security is the implementation of desalination, specifically with reverse osmosis systems. This presentation walks through the history, capabilities, future work, and explanations on how reverse osmosis systems work. With continued research on improving desalination, communities in both developed and developing nations around the world can work towards total water security.

Recovering From Industrial Overshoot: Thermal Removal Of Atmospheric Co2, Ted Von Hippel, Sandra Boetcher, Matthew Traum, Farshid Azadian Ph.D., William Mackunis

Sustainability Conference

Humanity will soon overshoot a safe level of atmospheric CO2, if it hasn't done so already. Countries, industries, and the global economy need to dramatically and quickly alter their behavior and technology to avoid this dangerous overshoot, yet this appears unlikely. Direct Air Capture of CO2 represents an insurance policy for society - a way of removing excess atmospheric CO2. I will present an approach to this problem based on thermal physics that cools cubic kilometers of air to extract CO2 as it sublimates. I propose a combination of an efficient heat exchanger, radiative cooling, and refrigeration, all at industrial …

Seeing With A Climate Lens, Jane Ganion

Year on Climate Change: Events

Join Jana Ganion from the Blue Lake Rancheria and Kit Batten, an independent climate change consultant previously at Pacific Gas & Electric to talk about a zero-emission future and your role in it. We will discuss insights and lessons learned from the clean energy and sustainability field through our work to shape a grid of the future. If you don’t yet know exactly what you want to do or you are have been working in these fields for decades, join us to talk about sustainability, electrical grids, climate, international diplomacy, the future, and you.

Effect Of Locality Recognition On Aggressive Behavior In The Red Swamp Crayfish, Procambarus Clarkii, Brett K. Muramoto, Tyler Farley

Seaver College Research And Scholarly Achievement Symposium

Climate change affects habitat globally, facilitating the expansion and rapid proliferation of invasive species which damage the newly invaded ecosystem. Intraspecific aggression among an invasive species is an important focus in ecological studies because it can contribute to their overall success as invaders. The crayfish species, Procambarus clarkii, inhabits freshwater streams in the Santa Monica Mountains (Los Angeles, CA) as an aggressive invasive predator. These invasive crayfish are well known for their highly aggressive interactions with conspecifics. It has been shown that body size, temperature, sex, and level of hunger influence their levels of aggression. However, there is a …

A Socioeconomic Valuation Of Urban Wetland Ecosystems And Policy Recommendation For College Lake, Michael Dunmyer

Student Scholar Showcase

The current dilemma of College Lake offers a unique case study for how urban ecosystems can not only subsist within cities but provide pivotal functions for them as well. With the potential for a dam-breaching storm event increasing in possibility with each passing year, concerns regarding the structural integrity of the College Lake dam in Lynchburg, VA have arisen. Such concerns have led the City of Lynchburg to consider reinforcement or removal of the dam in order to mitigate flood risks along the Blackwater Creek floodplain. Since its formation following the installation of the Depression-era dam, however, College Lake has …

Concurrent Sessions 2c: Growing Sustainable Communities, Vincent Devito, Rebecca Davis, Peggy Sloan, Amy Kacala

Clean Energy Connections

Sustainable communities are an integral part of the clean energy economy - housing, jobs, innovation, growth. Several regions in Massachusetts were awarded Regional Sustainability Planning Grants in 2010 by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and 2011 Preferred Sustainability Status holder, the Institute for Energy and Sustainability. Panelists from each agency will share how these plans will improve sustainability in Massachusetts communities, what we can learn from the similarities and differences of sustainability planning in each region and how groups and individuals …

Concurrent Sessions 2b: When Communities Take The Lead: Green Computing, Solar, Wind, Brian Beauregard, Meredith Cochran, Michael Tautznik, Spiro Vardakas

Clean Energy Connections

Several exciting clean energy projects in Western MA are capturing state and national attention. The initiatives discussed in this session will demonstrate how communities are being proactive in deploying cleantech solutions, unleasing the potential of the innovation that can help our economy grow.

Keynote 2 - Reflections From The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Walter Musial

Clean Energy Connections

No abstract provided.

Lunch, Marla Michel

Clean Energy Connections

No abstract provided.

Concurrent Sessions 1b: A View From The Summits: The Confluence Of Clean Energy Economic And Workforce Development, Said Dini, Marybeth Campbell, Kevin Doyle, Madelinne Snow

Clean Energy Connections

This session (and live-streamed webinar) will be the culmination of a year (+) long project to coalesce clean energy innovators from business, labor, government, academia and community groups to take a snapshot of where we are, share information about our projects, think about strategies and tactics for the future, and re-energize ourselves for the work ahead in support of a robust clean energy industry in Massachusetts. Attendees at this session will hear about the key recurring themes, recommendations, conclusions born from the three summits in Lowell, New Bedford and Amherst, will hear about recent actions taken based on summit discussions, …

Keynote 1 - Developing A Clean Energy Regional Innovation Cluster, Jim Robbins, Michael Ryan

Clean Energy Connections

No abstract provided.

From Sustainability To Resilience: How Best To Communicate Great Challenges?, Wolfgang Brauner

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Wku-Habitat For Humanity Green Community: A Model For Engagement And Partnerships, Nancy Givens, Rodney Goodman

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Child Care Center Garden, Patricia Sowell, Linda Jenkins

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

University-Community Partnerships For Environmental Safety And Sustainability, John W. Vick, Carol Norton

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Global Climate Change International Collaborations Through Stem And Ee, Teddie Phillipson-Mower, Laurie A. Henry

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Student Learning And Retention With Community Partnerships, George Kontos

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Education For Sustainability As A 21st Century Literacy, Nancy Givens

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Encouraging Sustainability Ideas With Mammoth Cave Field Experiences, Lauren Bell, Cheryl Messenger, Jeanine Huss

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Gps Workshop, Education For Sustainability Summer Institute, S. Kay Gandy

Education for Sustainability Summer Institute

No abstract provided.

Social Media For Social Good, Charlie Harris

Fair Trade Universities' National Convergence

No abstract provided.

Imo Social & Fair Trade Programme, Laura Johnson

Fair Trade Universities' National Convergence

No abstract provided.

The State Of The Fair Trade Movement, Jeff Goldman, Executive Director

Fair Trade Universities' National Convergence

No abstract provided.

Environmental Sustainability: Challenges And Opportunities Of Greening Your Study Abroad Program, Sylvia M. Seger Mim, Academic Director

Fostering Multicultural Competence and Global Justice: an SIT Symposium

World Learning’s mission to “… create a more peaceful and just world” by necessity encompasses environmental dynamics, considering that the root causes of most social justice issues and violent conflicts can be traced to environmental degradation and disproportional access to shrinking natural resources. Thus our mission mandates that we employ an ethic of environmental stewardship in all our pursuits and put in place mechanisms to mitigate our environmental impacts.

“We shall never achieve harmony with land, any more than we shall achieve absolute justice or liberty for people. In these higher aspirations, the important thing is not to achieve but …