Earth Sciences Commons^™

Bioavailability Of Lead In Terre Haute Soils, Terre Haute, Indiana, Zach Kemp

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Contamination of soils from heavy metal pollution has been a global concern for decades. Heavy metals are released into the soil from natural and anthropogenic releases. The largest producers of heavy metal pollution include mining, industrial production, and the combustion of fossil fuels. Vigo County formed in 1818, and Terre Haute was established in 1832. After the discovery of coal in Clay County in 1867, Terre Haute became the third largest coal producer and fifth largest iron manufacturer in the state during that time. Lead, in particular, is a heavy metal of concern because of the harmful effects to humans …

Optimizing Nitrogen Management: Assessing Nitrate Transport In The Deep Vadose Zone And Its Impact On Groundwater Quality In East-Central Nebraska, Muili O. Lawal

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Groundwater contamination by nitrate (NO₃-N) is a growing environmental and public health concern driven largely by intensive agricultural fertilizer applications. The vadose zone plays an important role in NO₃-N transport, influencing groundwater quality and agricultural sustainability. This study investigated NO₃-N leaching dynamics in the deep vadose zone of Water Quality Sub-Area 30 (WQA30) within the Lower Loup Natural Resources District (LLNRD), northeast of Columbus, Nebraska (mean groundwater NO₃-N: 20.3 mg/L), using soil cores from 16 shallow (to 6.1 m) and four deep (down to 25.9 m) across four zones, two with inorganic fertilizer (Zones 1 and 4) and two with …

Spatio-Temporal Pattern Of Nutrient Dynamics In The South Texas Coastal Watershed, Mohammad Sadman Alam

Theses and Dissertations

Eutrophication threatens aquatic ecosystems by altering productivity through excessive nutrient inputs. In some systems, primary productivity is limited by nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), or both, based on the N:P ratio defined by the "Redfield" ratio. South Texas, facing rapid urban growth and industrialization, is at risk of higher nutrient loads, but research on nutrient dynamics in this region is limited. This study investigates nutrient variations in the freshwater (FW) abandoned distributaries of the Rio Grande and hypersaline saltwater (SW) systems. Results showed a significant decrease in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) and an increase in dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), shifting the …

Mitigation Of Droughts And Floods From Conjunctive Water Resource Management Using Managed Aquifer Recharge (Mar): Experiments And Numerical Modeling, Sumiaya Amin Preota

Theses and Dissertations

Water supply of Rio Grande Valley in South Texas has been impacted by intensified climate extremes such as droughts and floods. This research assessed the viability of conjunctive water resource management using Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) carbon-modified infiltration basins. Multiple environmental variables in the Arroyo Colorado watershed were investigated, i.e., (i) water availability- quantity of floodwater can be repurposed, (ii) storativity and suitability - capacity within the unsaturated aquifer and ideal locations for building infiltration basins, (iii) water quality- contaminant removal using active carbon/biochar.

Unappropriated flow and high magnitude flow (HMF) analysis indicated that excess floodwater can be a …

Effects Of Environmentally Relevant Concentrations Of Roundup On Oxidative-Nitrative Stress, Cellular Apoptosis, Prooxidant-Antioxidant Homeostasis, Renin And Cyp1a Expressions In Goldfish: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Kidney Damage During Roundup Exposure, Md Imran Noor, Md Saydur Rahman

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Roundup is one of the most widely used glyphosate-based harmful herbicides in the United States as well as globally, which poses a severe risk for terrestrial and aquatic organisms. In order to identify the detrimental effects of Roundup exposure in aquatic organisms, we investigated the environmentally relevant concentrations of Roundup exposure (low dose: 0.5 μg/L and high dose: 5.0 μg/L for 2 weeks) on renin expression, oxidative-nitrative stress biomarkers (e.g., 2,4-dinitrophenol, DNP; and 3-nitrotyrosine protein, NTP), prooxidant-antioxidant enzymes expressions (e.g., superoxide dismutase, SOD; and catalase, CAT), cellular apoptosis, and cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) mRNA levels in the kidneys of goldfish …

Post-Fire Debris Flow Initiation Potential Based On Forensic Analysis Of Debris Flow Occurrence From The 2020 El Dorado Wildfire On Yucaipa Ridge, San Bernardino County California, Seth Clemen D. Saludez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study focuses on the potential debris flow initiation and effect in areas affected by the El Dorado Fire in the Southern San Bernardino Mountains. It uses novel technology combining drone-based photography and LiDAR imaging to create surface models of areas where potential debris flows could initiate, flow, and be deposited. The scans were repeated as geomorphic change occurred through the wet season to document spatial and volumetric changes resulted from the flows. These measurements were combined with traditional fire assessment and observational methods to characterize pertinent conditions.

As we investigated potential debris flow risk in this study area, we …

The Petm: A Window Into Earth's Future Climate, Jacalyn M. Wittmer Malinowski

Climate Change and the Individual, 2025-26

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is not just an event that occurred in Earth’s distant past (~55 million years ago) but is a crucial lesson for today’s meteoric climate change. The PETM offers a historical parallel of rapid flux of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere that caused global warming, ocean acidification, dramatic changes in weather, and extinctions. This global warming event was the result of 20,000 years of “rapid” warming (in geological terms) however, we are experiencing rates of warming that are 5-10x higher than PETM levels. We are not experiencing rapid warming today, in comparison to the past, we …

The Human Legacy: Agriculture, Civilizations, Strife, And Pandemics Changing Our Climate, Jacalyn M. Wittmer Malinowski

Climate Change and the Individual, 2025-26

For most of human history, climate has shaped our lives, while our influence on it remained minimal. However, the notion that early humans had no measurable impact on the climate before industrialization is inaccurate. Early in human history, activities – such as the rise of agriculture, the growth of civilizations, periods of conflict, and pandemics – altered greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere. These changes contributed to significant periods of climate change long before the burning of fossil fuels set us on the path to today’s global climate crisis.

Microplastics In Coastal And Marine Environments: A Critical Issue Of Plastic Pollution On Marine Organisms, Seafood Contaminations, And Human Health Implications, Rebecca Muñiz, Md. Saydur Rahman

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Plastic has quickly become one of the world's most prevalent environmental pollutants. Population growth has only amplified the demand, resulting in 430 million tons of plastic produced annually, with 11 million tons ending up in our oceans. Without intentional intervention, plastic waste in the oceans is expected to triple, posing severe risks for the aquatic ecosystems, animals, and humans dependent on these waters. As plastic accumulates in oceans and other water environments, the non-biodegradable particles break down into micro- and nano-plastics, invading coastal and marine organisms and causing considerable physiological and morphological damage. This is especially concerning for the millions …

Optimized Filtrations For Stormwater Quality Improvement By Porous Media–Biochar Applications: Column Experiments And Inverse Modeling, Sumiaya Amin Preota, Chu-Lin Cheng, Myung Hwangbo, Jongsun Kim

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Stormwater reuse plays a critical role under changing climates and increasing water demands. This study investigates the removal efficacy of lead (Pb2+) and ammonia (NH3) using sand and rice husk (RH) biochar for potential stormwater quality improvements and treatments. Column experiments combined with HYDRUS inverse modeling were conducted to optimize adsorption isotherms from breakthrough curves. Among linear and non-linear models, the Langmuir and Freundlich models performed better for sand and biochar, respectively. RH biochar showed much higher adsorption capacity of both Pb2+ (4.813 mg/g) and NH3 (6.188 mg/g). In contrast, sand showed a relatively limited adsorption capacity for Pb2+ (0.118 …

Training Sensor-Agnostic Deep Learning Models For Remote Sensing: Achieving State-Of-The-Art Cloud And Cloud Shadow Identification With Omnicloudmask, Nicholas J. Wright, John M A Duncan, Nik Callow, Sally E. Thompson, Richard J. George

Natural Resources Research Articles

Deep learning models are widely used to extract features and insights from remotely sensed imagery. However, these models typically perform optimally when applied to the same sensor, resolution and imagery processing level as used during their training, and are rarely used or evaluated on out-of-domain data. This limitation results in duplication of efforts in collecting similar training datasets from different satellites to train sensor-specific models. Here, we introduce a range of techniques to train deep learning models that generalise across various sensors, resolutions, and processing levels. We applied this approach to train OmniCloudMask (OCM), a sensor-agnostic deep learning model that …

The Effects Of Climate Change On The Advancement Of West Nile Virus, Mackenzie R. Epperson

ATU Scholars Symposium

The West Nile virus (WNV) first emerged in the United States in the year 1999 within the state of New York and has become endemic throughout the country over time. This virus is contracted from an avian species acting as the reservoir host, by the vector species which are mosquitoes. From this point, the mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans and other mammals, which are the dead end hosts. The WNV often presents itself as flu-like symptoms, but in serious cases can cause severe arboviral neurological disease. Since this is an arbovirus, it is important to have the ability to …

From The Ground Up: Community-Based Participatory Research Reclaiming The Science Of Lead, Juan Manuel Rubio, Bavisha Kaylan, Anthony Diaz, Patricia Flores, Maya Cheav, David C. Bañuelas, Ashley Green, Annika Hjelmstad, Ariane Jong-Levinger, Tim Schütz, Maya Carrasquillo, Alana M. W. Lebron, Jun Wu

Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research

For decades, the dominant approach to lead poisoning has been to focus on homes affected by lead paint and to treat children who are already suffering from lead poisoning. This individualizing approach developed in the context of the defunding and deregulation of government agencies in the 1980s. In recent years, however, community–academic partnerships have reframed lead as an environmental issue produced by the development of the lead industry in the twentieth century and connected to overlapping histories of exploitation, discrimination, and inaction. These community-based projects have contributed to shifting research agendas (by emphasizing historical analysis and the study of the …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Research On Underground Coal Gasification From 2023 To 2024: A Systematic Review, Qin Yong, Yi Tongsheng, Wang Lingxia

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The industrialization of underground coal gasification (UCG) technology presents a potential solution for securing the supply of clean energy. The latest wave of exploration into UCG is currently gaining momentum. Methods This review systematically organizes domestic and international literature, expatiates the advances in research on UCG from 2023 to 2024, analyzes the primary challenges in its development, and proposes key areas for future exploration. Advances Transformative technological advancements in the development and utilization of coal energy based on UCG have been proposed. The development of an integrated, synergistic UCG – coalbed methane – carbon capture, utilization, and storage (UCG–CBM–CCUS) …

Evolutionary Pattern And A Calculation Method Of In Situ Gas Pressure Based On Pressure-Retaining Coal Cores, Gao Mingzhong, Song Jie, Cui Pengfei, Li Yongcheng, Wang Zhipeng, Zhou Xuemin, Li Ju, Hao Zongxin, Hao Haichun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods The in situ gas pressure of coal seams represents a crucial parameter for the safe production of coal mines and the assessment of coalbed methane (CBM) resources. To overcome current limitations in determining the in situ gas pressure, such as prolonged measurement cycles and the influence of multiple parameters on the measurement results, this study conducted isothermal adsorption and volumetric expansion desorption experiments on pressure-retaining coal cores with varying moisture contents using a self-constructed experimental system for gas pressure evolution in pressure-retaining coal cores. As a result, the evolutionary pattern of gas pressure in pressure-retaining coal cores …

Key Technologies For Surface Control Of Gas Dynamic Disasters In Coal Mines And Their Application, Wang Bo, Xu Fengyin, Liu Wenge, Shao Sihua, Wang Ning, Wen Jiandong, Cheng Guoxi, Qu Zhenghui, Xie Yadong, Han Jiaye, Li Zhi, Xu Bo, Yang Weihua, Zhang Yiteng, Li Changxing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Significance As the coal mining depth increases, coal mining faces increasingly prominent challenges including coal and gas outbursts, rock bursts, and compound dynamic disasters. Deepening the understanding of disaster-causing mechanisms and developing diversified prevention and control technologies are significant for the safe production of coal mines. Employing the key technologies for coalbed methane (CBM) production to control gas-related dynamic disasters is an inevitable course for the safe production of coal mines. However, large-scale, suitable technology systems are yet to be developed. Methods From the perspective of the application of key technologies for surface CBM production, this study systematically …

Microseismic Monitoring And Assessment Of Segmented Hydraulic Fracturing Of Horizontal Wells In Coal Seam Roofs, Li Quangui, Peng Shuyue, Liang Yunpei, Li Wenxi, Qian Yanan, Cheng Chunhui, Yu Changjun, Zhan Jinfei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Microseismic monitoring, a non-destructive monitoring technique, has been extensively applied in the hydraulic fracturing performance assessment of coal seams. However, little attention is paid to the vertical wave velocity gradients in media in the same layer during the construction of layered wave velocity models. This leads to limited precision of travel time calculation and microseismic source localization, thus affecting the assessment accuracy of the hydraulic fracturing of coal seams. Objective and Methods Based on the coal seam segmented hydraulic fracturing project in a mine in Anhui, this study proposes an improved velocity model based on the Universal Kriging interpolation …

Reflections And Implementation Strategies For Constructing A Standard System For Deep Coalbed Methane Exploration And Exploitation, Chen Xinjun, Liu Zengqin, Shen Baojian, Zhao Shihu, Zhang Jiaqi, Ye Jincheng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Deep coalbed methane (CBM; burial depths: > 1500 m) in China holds considerable resource potential. As a strategic clean energy, deep CBM is exhibiting increasingly high value of exploitation and utilization. This is of great practical significance for China’s energy structure transformation and the achievement of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality in the country. In recent years, breakthroughs have been made in deep CBM exploration in basins such as Ordos, Sichuan, and Junggar, with a single-well daily gas production exceeding 100 000 m³, marking the initial achievement of large-scale deep CBM exploitation. However, the existing standard …

Dynamic Gas Supply Mechanism And Theoretical Production Modes Of Free Gas-Rich Deep Coal Reservoirs, Chen Shida, Zhang Taiyuan, Tang Dazhen, Xu Hao, Tao Shu, Li Song, Tang Shuling

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods The production processes of adsorbed and free gases and the dynamic partitioning mechanism behind the production efficiency of both gas types are critical scientific issues to be addressed urgently in the exploration and production of deep coalbed methane (CBM). Based on the test and assay data of cores from exploration wells, this study systematically analyzed the theoretical production of deep CBM resources. By integrating the building of mathematical and numerical models, carbon isotope monitoring of methane, and the analysis of production curves, this study revealed the spatiotemporal evolutionary processes of production-induced pressure drop expansion, adsorbed gas desorption, …

An Experimental Study Of Ch4 Displacement By Co2 Under Varying Initial Reservoir Pressures, Xu Jiang, Jiang Shiyu, Peng Shoujian, Wang Zhonghui, Chen Jiaxuan, Niu Huiting

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective This study aims to reveal the evolutionary patterns of reservoir parameters during the CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane (CO₂-ECBM) recovery and the impact of initial reservoir pressure on CBM recovery by gas injection. Methods Based on the multi-field coupling-based physical simulation experiment system of gas injection into coal seams for production growth, this study conducted experiments of CH₄ displacement by CO₂ under a constant gas injection pressure of 2.0 MPa and initial reservoir pressures of 1.5 MPa, 1.0 MPa, and 0.5 MPa. Accordingly, this study explored the spatiotemporal evolutionary patterns of multiphysical field parameters such …

Parameter Optimization For Multistage Horizontal Well Fracturing Based On Multi-Cluster Perforation For Deep Coal Measure Gas: A Case Study Of The Jurassic Baijiahai Area In The Junggar Basin, Wang Bo, Jin Chenghong, Liu Jiang, Wang Zhiwei, Li Shenjian, Sheng Mao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The multistage horizontal well fracturing based on multi-cluster perforation has emerged as an effective approach for the efficient production of deep coal-measure gas (CMG). However, deep coals feature unique rock mechanical properties, fluid loss characteristics of reservoirs, and microfracture developmental characteristics, which differ significantly from those of unconventional shales, tight sandstones, and shallow coals. As a result, existing fracturing experience cannot be directly applied, highlighting the investigation of fracturing parameter optimization tailored for deep CMG production.Methods Focusing on deep CMG reservoirs in the Baijiahai area within the Junggar Basin, this study constructed a model of multistage horizontal well …

Measures And Effects Of Eco-Geological Restoration In Well No.4 In The Muli Mining Area, Qinghai Province, China, Zhao Xin, Wang Tong, Wang Weichao, Li Congcong, Li Fei, Jiang Zhikun, Li Jin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The Muli mining area, located in the hinterland of the Qilian Mountains, Qinghai Province, serves as the source of the Datong River—a major tributary of the Yellow River. This area falls within the alpine permafrost region, exhibiting a sensitive, fragile ecosystem. In the early 21st century, disordered coal mining in this area has caused ecological damage. This has notably posed four challenges in the ecological restoration of well No.4 in this area: (1) high, steep, and unstable slopes of spoil heaps; (2) a large volume of water accumulating in mining pits; (3) permafrost excavation and destruction, and (4) land …

Advances In Research On Lithium In Coal-Bearing Strata And Its Isotopes, Zhang Yun, Wei Yingchun, Cao Daiyong, Li Xin, Jin Liangliang, Dong Bo, Wang Xin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Significance Lithium serves as a significant strategic metal in emerging industries, and lithium isotopes have become crucial geochemical tracers due to their pronounced mass-dependent fractionation effects. Therefore, lithium minerals in coal-bearing strata have emerged as a priority in recent exploration of strategic metallic mineral resources. Investigating the isotopic composition and variation of lithium in coal-bearing strata helps reveal the sources, migration, and enrichment process of lithium while also providing a theoretical basis for lithium exploration and exploitation in coal-bearing strata. Advances This study offers a summary of advances in research on lithium in coal-bearing strata and its isotopes from three …

Multi-Field Information Fusion-Based Analysis Of The Macroscopic And Mesoscopic Damage Evolution And Location Identification Of Caving And Water-Conducting Fracture Zones For Mining Overburden, Wei Jiangbo, Wang Shuangming, Liu Lang, Wei Baoning, Chong Deyu, Liu Zhizhen, Li Dongkui, Zhuang Dengdeng, Zhou Jing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective For the coal mining areas in the middle reaches of the Yellow River, there is an urgent need to determine the failure characteristics of the mining overburden and the spatial structural evolution of caving and water-conducting fracture zones in the overburden, which is recognized as the major challenge in coal mining through gangue grouting filling in goaves. Methods To accurately identify the locations of the caving and water-conducting fracture zones in the mining overburden, this study investigated mining face 42205 in the Liangshuijing Coal Mine in northern Shaanxi Province. Using drilling data, this study constructed a numerical model of …

Intelligent Identification Of The Acoustic Emission Characteristics And Crack Propagation States During Of Coal Failure Based On The Nrbo-Xgboost Model, Zhang Tianjun, Cao Xinshuang, Song Shuang, He Suinan, Xue Yilun, Liu Guoying, Chen Juntao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The dynamic hazards of coals are intimately associated with the complexity and uncertainty of coal failure, while accurately identifying the propagation states of coal cracks serves as a critical approach to investigating the instability failure of coals. However, the current identification methods based on the physical quantities of acoustic emission suffer from slow speeds and low efficiency, failing to meet the demand for safe, efficient, and intelligent mining of coal mines. Methods To achieve the intelligent identification of the crack propagation states of coals, this study constructed an optimization model based on the Newton-Raphson-based optimizer (NRBO) and the eXtreme …

Effects Of Coal Seam Dip Angle On Asymmetric Load Transfer Paths In The Overburden Of Inclined Stopes, Zhu Kaipeng, Luo Shenghu, Xie Panshi, Li Zhilin, Fan Juan, Tian Chengyang, Yi Leilei, Xu Hui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objectives The coal seam dip angle is recognized as the root cause of far more complex load transfer paths in the overburden of inclined stopes compared to those of common coal seams. A clear understanding of the effects of the coal seam dip angle on the load transfer paths holds great significance for the stability control of surrounding rocks in inclined coal seams. Methods Based on the engineering background of a certain coal mine in Xinjiang, this study investigated the asymmetric deformations and failure of the overburden in inclined stopes using physical similar material simulation experiments, finite element numerical simulations, …

Operation Strategy Simulation Of The Heating System For Moderately Deep Geothermal Resources, Zhao Yongzhe, Zhao Baofeng, Hu Zhenyang, Gou Li, Du Dingshan, Liu Chenglu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The active utilization of moderately deep geothermal resources for heating serves as a critical measure to achieve the goals of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the operation strategies of the heating system using these resources directly influences heating performance and significantly affects the energy consumption of the heating system. It is necessary to prevent resource waste while utilizing geothermal energy. Methods Based on a heating project using moderately deep geothermal resources in the Guanzhong Basin, Shaanxi Province, this study established a dynamic simulation model using the TRNSYS transient simulation software. Then, this study …

Fracture Activation In The Overburden And Aquiclude Stability Under The Mining Of Close-Distance Coal Seams, Cao Jian, Su Haitao, Wang Chao, Li Jianwei, Li Liang, Mao Xuwei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background In the Jurassic coalfield of northern Shaanxi Province, the repeated mining of close-distance coal seams exacerbates the activation of fractures in the overburden. This is prone to cause aquiclude instability, leading to groundwater loss. Methods This study aims to reveal the characteristics of fractures in the overburden and the aquiclude stability in the mining of close-distance coal seams. Using a method combining measurement statistics, physical simulations using similar materials, and theoretical analysis, this study proposed categorizing primary coal-rock combinations based on the water-preserved mining of close-distance coal seams in the Jurassic coalfield of northern Shaanxi. Additionally, this study analyzed …

Inversion Of Electric Field Component EX In The Sotem Method Based On The Improved Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm, Zhang Jifeng, Chen Changjian, Li Yuteng, You Xiran, Ma Ziben

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The inversion of the horizontal electric field component in the grounded-source short offset transient electromagnetic (SOTEM) method using traditional algorithms is prone to fall into local extrema. To address this challenge, this study proposed an improved particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm that integrates the center of gravity reverse learning strategy. Methods Based on the center of gravity reverse learning strategy, the improved PSO algorithm can dynamically adjust learning factors and the value of the adaptive inertia weight, thus improving the global search capability and convergence efficiency effectively. The performance of the improved PSO algorithm was verified using the typical …