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Articles 1 - 16 of 16
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Evaluating Our Reliance On Rare Earth Minerals And Platinum Group Metals Over The Period Of 2012 To 2021, Ryan Smith
Evaluating Our Reliance On Rare Earth Minerals And Platinum Group Metals Over The Period Of 2012 To 2021, Ryan Smith
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
Rare Earth Elements (REE’s) are minerals used in our everyday lives. They can be found in our household appliances, phones, computers, cars, as part of wind turbines and solar panels. The US relies on imports of these rare earths from several other countries (e.g. China, Estonia, Malaysia, and Japan) as we cannot mine a majority of the minerals (e.g. cerium, lanthanum, europium, etc) domestically. Since the year 2012, the US has imported approximately 3,000 metric tons of rare earths, and in recent years, this number significantly increased. As of 2021, the US now imports approximately 43,000 metric tons of rare …
Determination Of Nitrate In Aqueous Media, Ebony Arauz Tellez, John Bohannon, Rebecca Mills, Virginia Tam, Isabelle Villarreal, Melissa C. Rhoten
Determination Of Nitrate In Aqueous Media, Ebony Arauz Tellez, John Bohannon, Rebecca Mills, Virginia Tam, Isabelle Villarreal, Melissa C. Rhoten
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
Determining the amount of inorganic ions in aqueous media is important in the food industry and environmentally. In the environment high levels of ions like nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-), and phosphate (PO43-) can lead to unhealthy conditions for aquatic species. Similarly, high levels of nitrate and nitrite can cause health issues in humans. One method for determining nitrate levels in aqueous samples involves reducing the nitrate species to nitrite via a redox reaction with finely divided zinc powder followed by conversion to a diazonium salt and complexation with 1-napthylamine to form a …
The Analysis Of Heavy Metals In Samples Of Honey Using X-Ray Fluorescence And Anodic Stripping Voltammetry, Mia Arrieta, Kaleigh Beale
The Analysis Of Heavy Metals In Samples Of Honey Using X-Ray Fluorescence And Anodic Stripping Voltammetry, Mia Arrieta, Kaleigh Beale
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
A daunting reality is haunting scientists as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is declining bee population in the United States (1). A concrete conclusion as to why CCD is happening remains unclear but extensive research and studies are leaning towards a toxic component in honey to bees called hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) (1). HMF has been a culprit in question for a while but researchers are still on the fence as to whether it should be concluded as such. It is theorized that HMF is formed in very warm temperatures and catalyzed by a metal in honey; manganese (1). Manganese is one of …
Effect Of Lancer Park Detention Pond On Stormwater Sediment Concentrations, Rian Blakesley, Randolph Zerick, Jason Seagraves, Joseph Kohler
Effect Of Lancer Park Detention Pond On Stormwater Sediment Concentrations, Rian Blakesley, Randolph Zerick, Jason Seagraves, Joseph Kohler
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
During rain events, stormwater collects sediments and other pollutants during runoff and transports them to receiving water bodies. Detention ponds can reduce pollutant concentrations in stormwater by allowing particulate matter to settle out of the water column. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Longwood University's Lancer Park stormwater detention pond in reducing sediment concentrations. This was accomplished by quantifying the difference between sediment concentrations of stormwater entering and leaving the pond. Inflow and outflow samples were collected from the pond for 3 separate rain events and the samples were filtered, dried, and weighed. The change …
Chemistry Meets Art: Instrumental Analysis At The Lcva, James Rakes, Mia Arrieta, Kaleigh Beale, Adonel Grubb
Chemistry Meets Art: Instrumental Analysis At The Lcva, James Rakes, Mia Arrieta, Kaleigh Beale, Adonel Grubb
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
This project is an ongoing collaboration between the Longwood chemistry program and the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts. The demonstration shows the capabilities of the X-ray fluorescence spectrophotometer as a non-destructive elemental analysis technique. Our class visited the LCVA to analyze several pieces in their art collections. We were able to utilize the XRF instrument to analyze the elemental composition of glass and metal, painted pottery and porcelain, oil paintings, and metals. This project lays the groundwork for further research using X-ray fluorescence for non-destructive chemical analysis.
The Effect Of Urbanization On Water Quality, Mary Hays Scott, Paul Caspar, Danielle Clarke-Bradley
The Effect Of Urbanization On Water Quality, Mary Hays Scott, Paul Caspar, Danielle Clarke-Bradley
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
The past several decades have seen the proliferation of urban areas around the world (Uitto, 1999). Land-cover change, correlated with different forms of land use, is documented to have significant impact on earth's hydrologic systems (Aichele, 2005). Significant studies point to urbanization as being a key source of pollutants in earth's watersheds and natural hydrologic landscapes(Li et al. 2016; Aichele 2005). This study aims to measure the effect of urbanization on the water quality of Gross Creek. Concentrations of E.coli, phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended sediments were measured from four sampling sites along Gross Creek in Farmville, Virginia. This process was …
The Abundance Of Soil Microbes In Relationship To Proximity To The Urban Area Of Lancer Park In Farmville, Virginia, Christian Michael, Callie Cutrell, Miguel Diaz-Montealegre
The Abundance Of Soil Microbes In Relationship To Proximity To The Urban Area Of Lancer Park In Farmville, Virginia, Christian Michael, Callie Cutrell, Miguel Diaz-Montealegre
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
Soil microbes are microorganisms found in soil that serve various critical roles and functions in the environment, such as decomposition and the cycling of nutrients in ecosystems. Natural and human-caused factors can have positive and/or negative impacts on soil microbes. The objective of this study is to examine the abundance of soil microbes in relationship to proximity to the urban area of Lancer Park in Farmville, Virginia. Soil samples were taken from four locations within Lancer Park: the upper and lower floodplain of Buffalo Creek, the bottom of a large stormwater detention pond, and adjacent to an ephemeral channel connecting …
Combined Effects Of Allelochemical And Pesticide Treatment On The Growth Of Cucumber Plants, Samue Morgan
Combined Effects Of Allelochemical And Pesticide Treatment On The Growth Of Cucumber Plants, Samue Morgan
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
Allelochemicals are biochemicals produced by one plant that inhibits the success of other plants in its vicinity. These allelochemicals are sometimes produced naturally or as a result of stimulus or stress. Ferulic acid is a widespread allelochemical found in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus). Artificial inhibitory chemicals such as the pesticide zeta cypermethrin may create new interactions with ferulic acid. We found that cucumbers acclimate to ferulic acid over time while the inhibitory effects of pesticide remained relatively constant over 14 days.
Riemann Versus Lebesgue Integrals, Justin Moore
Riemann Versus Lebesgue Integrals, Justin Moore
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
The purpose of this project is to examine how integrals work and compare Reimann integrals to Lebesgue integrals, determining their applications and distinctions.
Chemical Analysis Of An Herbal Opioid, Lauren Johnson
Chemical Analysis Of An Herbal Opioid, Lauren Johnson
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
Different chromatography techniques were used to analyze the concentration of an active component, mitragynine, in kratom samples. The analysis also compared three different extraction methods, one using ultrasonification, the other two using a commercial at home espresso maker. Using gas chromatography mass spectrometry, and high performance liquid chromatography, comparisons between key compounds in the substances were determined and concentrations of mitragynine within the samples were calculated.
Water Quality Assessment Of Farmville, Va, Meghan Hall
Water Quality Assessment Of Farmville, Va, Meghan Hall
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
In Farmville, some people drink tap water, but others choose only to drink filtered or bottled water. Some blame this on taste, and others say the mineral content affects their skin from sinks and showers. I propose to conduct an analysis of water hardness and chloride, nitrate, and lead levels of water from various sources in Farmville, Virginia. To measure each parameter, an EDTA titration was carried out to test for water hardness, anodic stripping voltammetry was conducted to detect lead, ion-selective electrode was used to measure chloride, and a modified Griess reaction was carried out to measure nitrate levels. …
Which Weather And Water Conditions Affect The Biodiversity And Abundance Of Macroinvertebrates The Most?, Alyssa Oppedisano, Phil Anderson, Val Phillips
Which Weather And Water Conditions Affect The Biodiversity And Abundance Of Macroinvertebrates The Most?, Alyssa Oppedisano, Phil Anderson, Val Phillips
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
Macroinvertebrates are important biological monitors that play a valuable role in the metabolism of freshwater food chains. Previous studies have suggested that conditions such as dissolved oxygen, pH, water temperature, precipitation, and air temperature can affect the abundance of macroinvertebrates which can in turn affect the health of freshwater ecosystems. This research aimed to find the relationship between macroinvertebrate biodiversity and various environmental conditions in freshwater ecosystems. Weather data was taken from a weather station at Lancer Park and water data was taken on-site at Wilson stream, both locations in Farmville, Virginia. Sample collection and identification occurred twice a week …
Microplastics In Urban Stormwater Ponds, Maryelizabeth Crabbs, James Giering
Microplastics In Urban Stormwater Ponds, Maryelizabeth Crabbs, James Giering
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
Microplastics are pieces of plastic that have been broken down into extremely small particles. If introduced into the aquatic environment microplastics can impose adverse effects on aquatic wildlife, especially if they are ingested. The purpose of this study is to analyze the concentrations of microplastics in the waters of local stormwater ponds and compare them to a natural pond. Three ponds in the Farmville area were tested: two stormwater ponds on Longwood University's campus and one natural pond with limited human influence at an off campus location. Water samples were taken weekly over a five week period and then analyzed …
Effect Of Lancer Park Detention Pond On Stormwater Sediment Concentrationsâ , Randolph Zerick, Rian Blakesley, Jason Seagraves, Joey Kohler
Effect Of Lancer Park Detention Pond On Stormwater Sediment Concentrationsâ , Randolph Zerick, Rian Blakesley, Jason Seagraves, Joey Kohler
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
During rain events, stormwater collects sediments and other pollutants during runoff and transports them to receiving water bodies. Detention ponds can reduce pollutant concentrations in stormwater by allowing particulate matter to settle out of the water column. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Longwood University's Lancer Park stormwater detention pond in reducing sediment concentrations. This was accomplished by quantifying the difference between sediment concentrations of stormwater entering and leaving the pond. Inflow and outflow samples were collected from the pond for 3 separate rain events and the samples were filtered, dried, and weighed. The change …
Cis-Trans Isomerism In Single Molecule Electronic Devices, Tinsae Alem
Cis-Trans Isomerism In Single Molecule Electronic Devices, Tinsae Alem
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
We investigated the switching properties of cis-trans isomers of azobenzene for single molecule electronics. Although the cis-trans isomerization leads to structural changes within the molecule, the current flow is found to depend mainly on the relative position of the electrodes. The on/off ratio was determined to measure the performance of these isomers as switches. Different cis-trans isomers were studied to compare results.
A Non-Destructive Analytical Technique Used For Analyzing A Variety Of Glassware Samples In Hopes To Determine Their Elemental Composition Based Off Their Qualitative And Quantitative Data Results., Angela Scarpa
Spring Showcase for Research and Creative Inquiry
In this study, XRF analysis was used to examine and identify specific glassware samples, exported from remote locations, in hopes to determine any correlation between the glass samples being tested. During experimentation, there were 41 glass samples and 3 glass standards that were examined and quantitatively analyzed to determine the elemental compositions of all samples. To ensure optimal sensitivity of these different materials, four methods were utilized to confirm accurate data is collected and to improve all quantitative data results. These four methods contain distinct experimental factors and were purposely selected due to their specific current, voltage, filter, time, and …