Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Polymer Degradation And Their Environmental Impact, Addison Orr, Vanessa Gilbert

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Synthetic polymer material usage has increased significantly within the last several decades due to their durability, resistance to mechanical wear, low density, and inexpensiveness. Despite these advantages, most synthetic polymers are not biodegradable and instead undergo slow degradation processes. The processes are multifaceted, involving physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms influenced by material properties and environmental conditions, such as soil, light, temperature, and moisture levels. As a result, the polymers break into microplastics and contaminate air, water, and soil, posing risks to human health and surrounding ecosystems. Additionally, polymer degradation can release harmful substances that disrupt food chains and can lead …

Secondary Water Saturation Of The Rock Mass And Quality Of Rocks In Active Mine Areas Bordering The Flooded Workings Of Closed Mines, Mirosława Bukowska

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The goal of this paper was to inspect the influence of capillary water saturation on the specific strain energy of sedimentary rocks. The relationships between the determined specific strain energies in an air-dried state and in a state of capillary water saturation for detrital rock were exponential, with a strong correlation among the variables. For silt, the relationships were described by a second-degree polynomial function, and the correlation was medium or weak. The relationships for kinetic and dissipated energy were described with a linear function. Pearson correlation coefficients indicated a strong correlation among the variables for detrital rock and a …

Final Report, Luke Murphy

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

No abstract provided.

Advancing Sdg 9 Through Ai-Powered Waste Diversion, Ally Murphy

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

No abstract provided.

Human-Centered Electric Vehicle Adoption Framework For Smart Mobility: Modeling Perceived Range And Charging Anxiety As A Psychological Barrier, Fatemeh Nazari, Abolfazl (Kouros) Mohammadian, Thomas Stephens

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a transformative pathway toward reducing the environmental, economic, and health-related externalities of internal combustion engine vehicles in urban settings. Despite substantial advances in battery technology, charging infrastructure expansion, and supportive policy incentives, EV penetration remains limited which poses challenges for smart and sustainable mobility planning. A critical yet insufficiently modeled barrier to adoption lies in the psychological perceptions surrounding electric driving range and charging reliability, which is commonly framed as “range anxiety,” but more broadly reflecting perceived range and charging anxiety. To address this gap, this study introduces a latent psychological construct capturing individuals’ perceived range …

The Aggregation Of Microplastics By Enhancing Extracellular Polymeric Substance Production In Pseudoalteromonas Sp. Ncimb 2021 To Improve Removal Efficiencies In Environmental Matrices, Janelle L. Mercer

All Theses

Microplastics (MP) are ubiquitous in the natural environment and are a growing threat due to their small size and durability. Plastics are released into the environment through improper waste management, wastewater treatment outfalls, industrial spills, agricultural runoff, and landfills. These particles breakdown into secondary MP through degradation pathways. MP, less than 5 mm, require intricate removal techniques from water systems. Filtration techniques, though viable and effective, have implementation constraints due to high cost, maintenance demands, and filter fouling. By integrating coagulation and flocculation processes prior to filtration, MP removal efficiencies can increase, while minimizing operational challenges during filtration. Extracellular polymeric …

Evaluation Of Dredged Sediments As A Partial Replacement For Fine Aggregate In Mortar And Concrete, Ashish Gautam

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The feasibility of using dredged sediment from the Mobile River as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in mortar and concrete was investigated through a series of laboratory characterization and performance evaluation. Three dredged sediment samples (A, B and C) were initially examined, and Sample A was selected for further evaluation due to its closer resemblance to natural fine aggregate. This sample exhibited lower moisture content, higher sand equivalent values, higher specific gravity, and lower absorption. Mortar mixtures with 0, 10, 20, 30, 50, 75 and 100% dredged sediment replacement showed decreasing workability as the replacement level increased. The 20% …

Indigenous Community Research Opportunities, Sharon Hausam, Aaron M. Canter

Faculty Publications

This is a working paper produced as part of National Science Foundation project #2115169, “Transforming Rural-Urban Systems: Trajectories for Sustainability in the Intermountain West,” known as the “Intermountain West Transformation Network” (TN), led by the University of New Mexico with institutional partners at three additional universities in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one each in Utah, Colorado, and Washington. The TN’s Indigenous and Tribal engagement was supported through a contract with Dr. Sharon Hausam, additional work by Aaron M. Canter, coordination with Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, and an Advisory Committee on Indigenous Information Needs primarily comprised of Indigenous representatives in …

Opportunities For Leadership In Indigenous And Tribally Engaged Research At The University Of New Mexico, Sharon Hausam

Faculty Publications

This is a working paper produced as part of National Science Foundation project #2115169, “Transforming Rural-Urban Systems: Trajectories for Sustainability in the Intermountain West,” known as the “Intermountain West Transformation Network” (TN), led by the University of New Mexico with institutional partners at three additional universities in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one each in Utah, Colorado, and Washington. The TN’s Indigenous and Tribal engagement was supported through a contract with Dr. Sharon Hausam, additional work by Aaron M. Canter, coordination with Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, and an Advisory Committee on Indigenous Information Needs primarily comprised of Indigenous representatives in …

Sludge-To-Sod: Sustainability In Action At Bull Creek Water Treatment Plant, Ava Baker

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

No abstract provided.

Protecting Wetlands In Georgetown County, Sophia Harrison

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

No abstract provided.

Examples And Evaluation Of Sustainability Research With Tribes, Aaron M. Canter, Sharon Hausam

Faculty Publications

This is a working paper produced as part of National Science Foundation project #2115169, “Transforming Rural-Urban Systems: Trajectories for Sustainability in the Intermountain West,” known as the “Intermountain West Transformation Network” (TN), led by the University of New Mexico with institutional partners at three additional universities in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one each in Utah, Colorado, and Washington. The TN’s Indigenous and Tribal engagement was supported through a contract with Dr. Sharon Hausam, additional work by Aaron M. Canter, coordination with Dr. Lani Tsinnajinnie, and an Advisory Committee on Indigenous Information Needs primarily comprised of Indigenous representatives in …

Land Condition Standards For The Western Australian Nullarbor Pastoral Region, Peter-Jon A. Waddell, Wayne J. Fletcher

Natural resources published reports

This report outlines the quantitative land condition standards that define acceptable pastoral land condition for the Western Australian part of the Nullarbor, to meet the regulatory requirements of the Land Administration Act 1997 and the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is developing regional-level pastoral land condition standards for Western Australia as a critical component of the Framework for sustainable pastoral management – revised edition (Fletcher 2022), the purpose of which is to address the Office of the Auditor General’s recommendations to improve the management of pastoral lands in WA …

A Community Planning Approach To Green Infrastructure And Hazard Mitigation, Kara Salazar, Daniel Walker, Carrie Mckillip

Journal of Extension

As communities seek to increase their resilience to climate change and natural hazards, integrating mitigation and adaptation solutions into local planning has become essential. Purdue Extension, the University of Illinois Extension, and Illinois–Indiana Sea Grant developed a program, funded by the Extension Disaster Education Network, which supports community-based updates to hazard mitigation and resilience planning, with an emphasis on green infrastructure. This paper highlights the lessons we learned after implementing the program in Hancock County, Illinois, and LaPorte, Indiana, and the toolkit we created, which provides engagement and education techniques, planning processes, and other resources to Extension professionals working in …

Governance, Culture, And Law: The Expanding Scope Of Environmental Science And Sustainable Development Research, Ahyaudin Sodri, Herdis Herdiansyah

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Environmental science emerged as a discipline based on physical measurements, such as soil pollutant levels (Ailijiang et al., 2022), ecological restoration (Yue et al., 2026), city surface temperature (Shafizadeh-Moghadam et al., 2025), and microbial density in air samples (Hayleeyesus & Manaye, 2014). However, its objects of study increasingly extend beyond the confines of the laboratory. Questions that were once sufficiently answered with measurement data now require answers through draft laws, Constitutional Court decisions, financial reports of mining companies, and even traditional ritual discourses governing community access to forests. In other words, environmental …

Reskilling And Retraining The Water Technology Workforce: An Agentic Generative Ai Framework For Water Purification, Nano‑Mems, And Curriculum Development, Satyadhar Joshi, Noor Zulfiqar

Harrisburg University Other Works

The rapid digitalization of water infrastructure is bringing artificial intelligence, advanced sensing, and membrane materials science into routine water treatment practice. At the same time, utilities, regulators, and training institutions face a persistent workforce challenge: many operators, engineers, and managers are being asked to adopt data-driven tools without a coherent educational pathway that links AI literacy to real treatment workflows. This article synthesizes recent literature on agentic generative AI, reinforcement learning, smart sensing, nano-enabled membranes, and digital twins for water systems, then translates those developments into a structured reskilling model for the water sector. The proposed framework is organized around …

History, Current Status, And Implications Of The Exploration And Exploitation Of Coal Resources In Guangxi, China, Wang Hui, Han Xiaozhong, Peng Zhilong, Li Huoying, Qin Baojian, Lu Ankang, Qin Xiaoyan, Peng Feifei, Xu Huiheng, Lan Bingui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Based on a comprehensive review of the history and current status of coal exploration and exploitation, this study presents an analysis of both the endowment characteristics and the exploration and research levels of coal resources in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. From the perspective of coal self-sufficiency capacity and energy security guarantee, this study proposes several recommendations for the exploration and exploitation of coal resources in the region. Methods The exploration level, current status of exploitation, and supply-demand imbalance of coal resources in Guangxi are determined through a systematic literature review, surveys of coal mine enterprises, and exchanges with relevant …

Research And Practice Of Four-Dimensional In-Situ Stress Fields For Deep Coalbed Methane Production: A Case Study Of The Daning-Jixian Block, Ordos Basin, Wang Chengwang, Chen Yiyu, Gao Deli, Zhao Haifeng, Chen Gaojie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Deep coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs are characterized by well-developed microstructures and natural fractures, along with highly heterogeneous rock mechanical properties and in-situ stress field distribution. The CBM production of the reservoirs tends to cause constantly evolving formation pressure and in-situ stress within the control ranges of CBM wells, further enhancing the complexity of stress distribution. Additionally, severe fracturing channeling can be observed between new and old wells. This phenomenon is primarily triggered by in-situ stress variations induced by large-scale fracturing and CBM production. Therefore, accurately assessing the dynamic evolutionary patterns of in-situ stresses in reservoirs after fracturing and during …

Enrichment Mechanisms Of U And Th Elements In The Bauxite Rock Series Of The Benxi Formation, Lower Carboniferous, Central North China Block, Bian Yukang, Zhang Xiaoyang, Chen Jinfeng, Lyu Dawei, Zhu Dongya, Liu Quanyou, Meng Qingqiang, Shen Xiaoli, Li Qing, Kong Weijiang, Dou Yunfei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Uranium (U) and thorium (Th) in rocks and minerals are the material basis for the generation and release of crust-derived helium. Methods The enrichment characteristics and mechanisms of U and Th are key to understanding the accumulation of crust-derived helium reservoirs. Taking the bauxite series of the Benxi Formation in the central North China Block as the research object, this study reveals the enrichment mechanisms of U and Th in the bauxite series and calculates the helium generation rate by means of petrogeochemical and chronological research methods, combined with detrital zircon dating, sedimentary environment identification, and mass balance calculation. …

Sand Tank Experiments On The Seepage And Water Pressure Distribution During Single-Well Dewatering At The Bottom Of A Confined Aquifer, Wang Wenxue, Zhang Mengying, Li Yang, Fang Yuan, Zhao Shuli, Shen Mengjun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Depressurization through dewatering using inclined wells arranged at the aquifer bottom represents a crucial technical approach to the prevention and control of water-sand inrush disasters during coal mining beneath aquifers. However, the mechanisms underlying seepage-pressure interactions and water-preserved depressurization remain poorly understood. Methods Based on the water-yield properties of confined aquifers and the distribution characteristics of inclined wells for dewatering, this study developed a fan-shaped sand tank experimental system for simulating dewatering and seepage from confined aquifers. Using the experimental system, this study carried out seepage experiments using a partially penetrating well at the bottom of a confined aquifer …

Load Sharing Patterns And Their Key Influencing Factors For The Composite Structure Of A Lined Hard Rock Cavern For Compressed Air Energy Storage, Hu Lihua, Zhou Qiming, Zhang Kai, Yu Liyuan, Liang Xin, Sun Qiang, Wu Yun, Hu Chengguo, Li Wei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Compressed air energy storage (CAES) in a lined hard rock cavern holds great prospects. However, the load sharing mechanisms of the cavern’s composite structure, comprising a sealing layer, lining, and surrounding rocks, remain poorly understood.Methods Based on the elastic analytical solutions of stress fields, this first study derived the radial load equilibrium equations for the composite structure of a lined hard rock cavern for CAES. Accordingly, a novel method for calculating the load sharing ratios of the composite structure was developed. Then, an analysis scheme for the load sharing ratios was designed. Using this scheme, this study investigated …

Cnn-Based Assessment Of The Degrees Of Fracture Development In Bedrocks And Classification Of Bedrock Weathering Zones, Lei Jian, Lu Haifeng, Fan Yufei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Bedrock weathering zones exhibit distinct vertical gradational characteristics. Accurately identifying the degrees of fracture development in the zones is critical to the safe production of mines in shallowly buried coal seams covered by thick water-bearing unconsolidated layers. Methods Focusing on the Qinan coal mine in Anhui Province, this study proposed a hybrid convolutional neural network (CNN) model, which enabled feature extraction using a synergistic architecture consisting of conventional convolutional layers and inception modules. Specifically, based on conventional log data and calculated shale content and fracture development index, combined with core observations, this study constructed a dataset containing labels that …

Three-Dimensional, Collaborative Detection Approach For Fire Zones In Shallowly Buried Coal Seams And Its Application, Fan Kaixiang, Hu Xiangming, Hong Haibo, Dong Hao, Yu Shijian, Wei Zhengrong, Guo Yongxiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Fire zones in shallowly buried coal seams have long restricted safe and efficient coal mining due to their considerably hidden and hazardous nature. However, individual methods for fire source detection are susceptible to geological conditions and ambient noise, suffering from limited detection dimensions and the presence of technical blind spots. Therefore, they fail to accurately localize hidden fire sources in shallow coal seams. Methods This study proposes a three-dimensional, collaborative multi-source detection approach that combines the self-potential (SP) method, the radon measurement (Rn) method, electrical resistivity tomography (ERT; also referred to as high-density resistivity method), and the transient electromagnetic …

Evaluation Of Deep High-Quality Reservoirs Based On The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process And The Entropy Weight Method: A Case Study Of The No. 8 Coal Seam In The East-Central Ordos Basin, Yan Ronghui, Xu Hao, Hu Jianling, Li Xiaotian, Jiao Pengshuai, Huang Daojun, Chen Shida, Wu Xiaozhuo

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Significant breakthroughs have been achieved in the exploration and exploitation of coalbed methane (CBM) in the deep No. 8 coal seam within the east-central Ordos Basin. However, a comprehensive quantitative evaluation system at the regional scale is yet to be established for reservoirs in the No. 8 coal seam. Methods Based on logs, coal quality, and measured physical property data from over 270 wells in the east-central Ordos Basin, this study developed a comprehensive evaluation system for deep coal reservoirs using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process combined with the entropy weight method. Specifically, the evaluation system consisted of nine …

Co2 Fracturing Stimulation Technology For Low-Yield Directional Coalbed Methane Wells And Its Applications, Zhang Junsheng, Cao Yunxing, Wang Li, Wang Zhongbin, Yang Baige, Shi Bin, Cao Yongsen, Xu Fengyi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background In China, low-yield coalbed methane (CBM) wells represent a high proportion of approximately 57% (over 12400 wells), generally encountering challenges such as low pressure, dry reservoirs, and near-wellbore formation damage and blockage. Conventional hydraulic fracturing is prone to induce water blocking damage, while treatments such as acidification offer only limited blockage-removing radii. Therefore, existing techniques are insufficient to achieve blockage removal and permeability enhancement while avoiding reservoir damage. Exploring efficient waterless stimulation technologies suitable for these low-yield wells is of great significance for increasing CBM production and advancing the CBM industry. Methods This study investigated directional wells PXC-03 and …

Water Hazards In Thick Floor Aquicludes For Coal Mining Above Confined Aquifers In North China-Type Coalfields: Patterns, Mechanisms, And Prevention And Control, Meng Haopeng, Yin Shangxian, Lian Huiqing, Yin Huichao, Hou Enke, Zhang Yi’An, Wang Zhuo, Jin Zidong, Cai Xiangjun, Cao Min, Wang Jianguang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Water hazards in coal seam floors represent a core challenge restricting the exploitation of deep coal resources in North China-type coalfields. As coal mining extends to greater depths, previous studies and experience exhibit limited applicability in the pattern classification, mechanism interpretation, and prevention and control of water hazards in thick floor aquicludes. Therefore, there is an urgent need to make breakthroughs and improvements in these three aspects.Methods Using several methods, including case-based induction, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and technical summary, this study developed a classification system based on parallel multiple criteria for floor water hazards by combining available …

Assessing Fault-Induced Floor Water Inrushes Based On Improved Water Inrush Coefficients, Jiao Bin, Tan Wenfeng, Li Hongsheng, Chen Juntao, Gao Hongbing, Zhao Zizhang, Wu Fangcan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background As coal mining in mines constantly expands to greater depths, water hazards in the Ordovician limestone aquifers of coal seam floors pose a serious threat to the mining of coal seams in lower formations. Fault reactivation represents a primary factor inducing water inrushes. However, the original water inrush coefficient (T = p/M) suffers from certain limitations when used to assess the water inrushes in areas with faults. Methods Four models of floor water inrushes induced by non-penetrating faults (i.e., concealed hydraulically conductive faults, concealed isolated faults, and exposed faults) and penetrating faults were constructed, and …

Numerical Simulations And Dispersion Analysis Of 3d In-Seam Waves Based On Finite Difference Method On Curvilinear Grids, Liu Dan, Ren Zhiming

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background With the comprehensive advancement in intelligent coal mine construction, creating high-precision, transparent geological models of coal seams and their surrounding strata has emerged as a prerequisite for intelligent coal mining. The accurate identification of concealed geological anomalies, such as folds and faults, within coal seams represents a key challenge in safe coal mining. In-seam seismic exploration has become an important approach to detecting underground concealed structures owing to its advantages, including a considerable detection distance along coal seams, high precision, pronounced frequency dispersion effects, and facilitating the identification of waveform signatures. However, conventional methods for seam wave simulation are …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Enhanced Adaptive Smith Predictor Control For Underground Coal Gasification With Long Time Delays, Tang Yang, Wu Qiong, Zhang Lei, Zhou Mingjun, Wan Min, Liao Zhuodong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Underground coal gasification (UCG) represents an in situ conversion technology used to convert solid coals into gaseous fuel. However, the reaction process during UCG exhibits significant time delays. Such a limitation will reduce the response capability of the UCG system and is prone to induce overshoot and oscillation, thereby increasing the system’s control difficulty and reducing its stability and dynamic performance. Method To address these issues, this study proposed an enhanced Smith predictor control algorithm based on a genetic algorithm and established a semi-physical experimental platform integrating a physical distributed control system DCS-Matlab for modeling. Using the platform, experiments …