Environmental Sciences Commons^™

Fostering & Understanding Diversity Within The Ant Microbiome & Research Group, Manuela O. Ramalho

Sustainability Research & Practice Seminar Presentations

Dr. Manu Ramalho of the Biology Department presents: Fostering and understanding diversity: within the ant microbiome and our research group.

Magnetic And Optical Properties Of Airborne Dust Particles Nearby Coal-Fired Power Plants In Upper Silesia, Poland: A Mineralogical, Petrographical And Chemical Approach, Chrysoula Chrysakopoulou, Konstantinos Perleros, Małgorzata Wojtaszek-Kalaitzidi, Lambrini Papadopoulou, Nikolaos Kantiranis, Stavros Kalaitzidis

Journal of Sustainable Mining

Coal mining and exploitation pose certain challenges in terms of environmental management. The objective of this research is the study of airborne dust from Knurow region, Southern Poland, aiming to identify the level and the features of anthropogenic particles, mostly in the form of fly ash. Two samples collected from a domestic gutter system were analysed regarding their mineralogical, chemical and petrographical features, emphasizing the magnetic fraction and the carbonized organic particles. The airborne dust contains 22 wt.% of fossil and fresh organic matter, whereas the major mineralogical phase is magnetite. The magnetic fraction (up to 3 wt.%) appears in …

Leveraging High-Frequency Sensor Data And U.S. National Water Model Output To Forecast Turbidity In A Drinking Water Supply Basin, John T. Kemper, Kristen L. Underwood, Scott D. Hamshaw, Dany Davis, Jason Siemion, James B. Shanley, Andrew W. Schroth

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

As high-frequency sensor networks increasingly enhance data-driven models of water quality, process-based models like the U.S. National Water Model (NWM) are generating accessible forecasts of streamflow at increasingly dense scales. There is now an opportunity to combine these products to construct actionable water quality forecasts. To that end, we couple streamflow forecasts from the NWM to a gradient-boosted decision tree algorithm (LightGBM) trained on 5+ years of high-frequency monitoring data to forecast in-stream turbidity levels in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA. Results indicate LightGBM models are capable of relatively skillful predictions, which enable robust forecasts for 1–3 days lead times. …

The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Transforming Physical And Online Fashion Retail: Enhancing Experiences, Driving Sustainability, And Fostering Innovation, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

This study explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionizing the fashion industry, with a focus on enhancing consumer experiences, promoting sustainability, and driving innovation in retail. It examines AI applications in personalized recommendations, virtual try-ons, and supply chain optimization, while also addressing societal implications. Sustainability is a central theme, highlighting how AI minimizes overproduction, enables circular fashion, and encourages conscious consumerism. Case studies, such as Nike’s AI-powered retail stores and Lynn University’s Surreal Fashion Show, demonstrate practical applications and innovations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research synthesizes insights from reports by The Business of Fashion and McKinsey …

Urban Heat Dynamics In Pune: The Influence Of Land Cover And Local Climate, Arpit Tiwari, Preethi Nanjundan, Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Ananya Karmakar, Satyaban Bishoyi Ratna

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Urban areas with high population density and extensive infrastructure development have been experiencing an increasing strain on the local heat budget, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses and discomfort. This study examined the impact of climate and land use as heat islands in Pune, India, from 2012 to 2023 at six different locations representing varying degree of urbanization. Satellite land cover observations revealed that 55.17% of the total area was urbanized in the city itself, which was limited to 44.8% in 2012. This urbanization has significantly impacted the increasing tendency of maximum temperature (T_max; 0.13℃ to 1.63℃ …

Prediction Of Unit Haulage Cost In An Underground Mine Using Machine Learning Techniques, Marco Cotrina, Jairo Marquina, Junior Polo

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The primary objective of the research was to apply machine learning techniques to forecast the unit costs of ore hauling in an underground mine. The methodology employed was quantitative, with a non-experimental and descriptive design. Haulage data were collected over a 12-month period. Furthermore, an exploratory data analysis (EDA) was conducted using various models, including ANN-MLP (Artificial Neural Network – Multilayer Perceptron), Random Forests, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Support Vector Regression, Decision Tree, KNN, and Bayesian Regression, to handle the data’s complexity. The data were split into 80% for training, 10% for testing, and 10% for validation. The results indicated that …

Enhancing The Efficiency Of Eaop Degradation Using Ultrasound: A Study With Methylene Blue And Pfoa As Model Pollutants, Jamiu Busayo Ahmed

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Energy Saving Through Climate Education: Climate Sensitization In School For Mindful Consumption At Home, Haritha Saranga, Satyajit Roy, Kanchan Mukherjee

Working Papers

An effective fight against climate change requires both a “top-down” approach and “bottom-up” changes; that is, adopting sustainable practices at the individual and household levels, which requires knowledge, belief, and willingness to engage in climate action. Extant research has shown a number of challenges in bringing about persistent changes in human behavior. We propose to bring about mindful energy consumption behavior at the household level by using children as the conduit for behavior change. Scalable interventions that create awareness about climate change and its impact through early self-regulation in middle and high schools are a promising and cost-effective opportunity to …

A Feedback-Guided Analysis Of Environmental, Health And Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Drivers’ Willingness To Shift To E-Jeepneys, Charlotte Kendra Gotangco Gonzales, Katrina Abenojar, Carlos Rosauro Manalo, Melliza Templonuevo Cruz, Maria Obiminda L. Cambaliza, James Bernard Simpas, Imee Delos Reyes, John Wong, Bernell Go, Krizelle Cleo Fowler, Rene Marlon Panti, Emma E. Porio, Jean Jardeleza Mijares

Environmental Science Faculty Publications

The Jeepney Modernization Program involves the replacement of traditional jeepneys with more efficient alternatives, including modern enclosed electric vehicles, alongside operational improvements to the public transportation system. This study aims to assess the environmental, health and socio-economic factors impacting drivers’ willingness to shift to e-jeepneys. Feedback-Guided Analysis was used as a framework for designing an interdisciplinary approach towards understanding the decision-making paradigms of drivers plying a specific route in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Measurements of drivers’ exposure to PM2.5 and associated health parameters were complemented by key informant interviews delving into income, expenses, valuation of benefits and decision-making paradigms. A …

Characterization Of Btex Species At Texas Commission On Environmental Quality (Tceq) Continuous Ambient Monitoring Station (Cams) Sites In Houston, Texas, Usa During 2018, Amit U. Raysoni, Sai Deepak Pinakana, August Luna, Esmeralda Mendez, Gabriel Ibarra-Mejia

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the atmosphere negatively impact human and environmental health. Various sources of VOCs include gasoline evaporation, solvent usage, traffic, etc. A dataset 1-year (2018) consisting of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m, p, and o-xylenes) concentrations in Houston, Texas, was analyzed to understand the spatial trends and sources of BTEX in the region. This study assesses 24-hour data concentrations from the Continuous Ambient Monitoring Station (CAMS) operated by the TCEQ Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in Houston. Spatial variations of the BTEX species across the various TCEQ CAMS sites were determined using multiple statistical analyses, …

Production Of Alinite-Chlormayenite Clinker And Its Hydration Behavior With Increasing Gypsum Content, Marco Simoni, Aniruddha Baral, Zhili Ren, Tristana Y. Duvallet, Robert B. Jewell, Christiane Rößler, Theodore Hanein

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

An alternative low-energy alinite-chlormayenite clinker was produced and its hydration with different gypsum content was studied. The clinker was produced at 1225 ◦C using reagent-grade materials in an electric kiln with alinite, larnite, and chlormayenite content of 48, 24, and 16 wt%, respectively. The hydration kinetics of the clinker with different gypsum additions (0,10, 20, and 40 wt%) did not have a distinct induction period, and the hydration was faster than Portland cement. Alinite was in general more reactive than chlormayenite. In the presence of a limited amount of gypsum (10 and 20 wt%), alinite consumed gypsum to form ettringite …

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, March 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Navigating Change Together
--- UNI Day at Capitol
--- Welcome Olivia
--- Free Assistance Available
--- MSEI Assistance
--- Resilient Iowa Communities
--- Industry News

Accurate Estimation Of Jujube Leaf Chlorophyll Content Using Optimized Spectral Indices And Machine Learning Methods Integrating Geospatial Information, Nigela Tuerxun, Sulei Naibi, Jianghua Zheng, Renjun Wang, Lei Wang, Binbin Lu, Danlin Yu

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) is vital for photosynthesis and ecosystem functioning; it influences carbon, water, and energy exchanges while serving as an indicator of photosynthetic activity and nitrogen levels in precision agriculture. Hyperspectral data enable precise LCC monitoring by extracting spectral indices through optimal band combination (OBC) and predicting LCC with machine learning. However, OBC faces dimensionality issues, and machine learning models often overlook geographical influences, potentially reducing prediction accuracy. This study hypothesizes that developing spectral indices from important wavelengths and integrating geospatial data into machine learning models can address these issues and increase prediction accuracy. To test this hypothesis, …

Lagging Brain Gene Expression Patterns Of Drosophila Melanogaster Young Adult Males Confound Comparisons Between Sexes, Flannery Mclamb, Zuying Feng, Jeanne P. Vu, Lindsey Griffin, Miguel F. Vasquez, Goran Bozinovic

Center for Life in Extreme Environments Publications

Many species, including fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), are sexually dimorphic. Phenotypic variation in morphology, physiology, and behavior can affect development, reproduction, health, and aging. Therefore, designating sex as a variable and sex-blocking should be considered when designing experiments. The brain regulates phenotypes throughout the lifespan by balancing survival and reproduction, and sex-specific development at each life stage is likely. Changes in morphology and physiology are governed by differential gene expression, a quantifiable molecular marker for age- and sex-specific variations. We assessed the fruit fly brain transcriptome at three adult ages for gene expression signatures of sex, age, and sex-by-age: 6698 …

Assessment Of Water Pollution Levels In Lake Batur, Indonesia And Their Effect On Water Weed Presence, Syarif Prasetyo, Tri Retnaningsih Soeprobowati, Tirtaduna Tirtaduna, Agus Purnomo, Sri Hartati, Umi Chodrijah, Prihatiningsih Prihatiningsih, Ari Wahyono, Jumari Jumari, Rossi Prabowo

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

Lake Batur in Bangli Regency, Bali Province is a priority area for ecological quality restoration in Indonesia due to its vulnerability to environmental changes caused by diverse and intensive utilization. Agricultural activities, fisheries, and tourism affect the lake’s water quality, leading to the uncontrolled growth of water weeds such as water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes). To determine the relationship between water quality, community activities, and water weed presence, water samples were collected from 9 locations consisting of residential, tourist, aquaculture, and agricultural areas. In situ analysis was then conducted to measure turbidity, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved …

Plural Water Narratives: An Environmental Justice Lens On A Systematic Review Of Q-Methodology Water Research, Melissa Haeffner, Alida Cantor, Janet Cowal, Andrea Bryant, Darius Mani Yaw, Kinna Je Palacios, Daniela Serna, Bryce Sprauer, Abigail Tran-Gruver

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Environmental justice research has shown that people's experiences and perceptions of water differ because systematic inequalities shape the extent to which people access clean water and are exposed to water hazards. Q‐methodology is one technique that has been used to aggregate multifaceted subjective narratives and understand different perspectives on a topic. In this paper, we systematically review 77 case study articles applying Q‐methodology to water‐related topics, to inventory how people perceive their relationships with water. We create a classification system based on environmental justice theory to examine (1) distributive justice issues around alternative water sources and agricultural and urban water …

Evaluating Atmospheric Water Generation For The Indo-Pacific: Predictive Modeling, Energy Considerations, And Regional Viability, Jose I. De La Serna

Theses and Dissertations

Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) technology presents a promising solution for extracting and harvesting water from ambient air through condensation methods. This innovative approach offers a viable alternative for water production in regions with limited or unreliable water sources. AWGs operate most effectively in hot and humid environments, typically at temperatures of 80°F and relative humidity levels of 80%. As of 2020, the Department of Defense (DoD) has identified the Indo-Pacific region as a strategic focus for addressing future greatpower competition. Within the framework of Agile Combat Employment, this study evaluates the feasibility and performance of AWG technology at pre-determined locations …

Refining Chlorosulfonation Methods For The Synthesis Of A Perfluoroalkyl Arylsulfonimide (Pfsi) Monomer, Ainsley P. Foster, Ben Varney, Hua Mei

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are sources of energy that are clean, quiet, and highly responsive to changes in power needs, making them promising for use in automobiles and other portable power devices. The electrolyte of a PEM cell–the layer responsible for conductivity–is a polymer membrane, commonly consisting of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers. In place of the PFSA polymers, perfluoroalkyl arylsulfonimide (PFSI) polymers are expected to improve the efficiency of PEM fuel cells with better stability and proton conductivity. The trifluovinylether (TFVE) aryl perfluorosulfonamide monomer is a new PFSI monomer proposed to fulfill these benefits once polymerized. The previous …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Managed Aquifer Recharge For The United States Air Force, Daniel Hendrix

Theses and Dissertations

Water stress is becoming an increasing global issue, with 4 billion people (50% of the world’s population) experiencing water stress at least one month per year. By 2050, 60% of the world’s population and $70 trillion USD in global gross domestic product will be affected. This research analyzes 78 CONUS USAF installations to determine location-specific water stress and feasible Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) solutions. Although thousands of MAR projects have been implemented globally, active-duty USAF installations have yet to contribute to solving this growing issue. Important factors such as required subsurface conditions, physical limitations, design, cost, and regulatory constraints are …

Managing Beyond Water: Utilizing Community Well-Being Interviews In The Upper Yakima River Basin, Usa, For Climate Change Adaptation, Rebecca Gustine, Alexander Theophilus, Courtney G. Flint, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad, Emma Epperson, Claudia Mendez Wright, Jennifer C. Adam

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Student Research

In contemporary, natural resources dependent and specialized communities, community well-being is connected to the environment. Understanding the local connections between community well-being and the environment can provide a more complete understanding of how to manage social-ecological systems and promote community resilience. Herein, we combine semi-structured community well-being interviews with hydrologic modeling using the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model to suggest climate adaptation pathways for a diverse set of community interests. We found that community well-being across the Yakima River Basin was connected to water, snow, and the environment through recreation opportunities, aesthetics, livelihoods, and having clean water and air. Additionally, …

Technical Memorandum - Re: 2022 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Groundwater Compliance Evaluation, Paddy Stoy

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Clay Minerals Origin And Paleoclimate Implications In Quaternary Deposits Of The Saïs Plain, Fez-Morocco, Ayman Agharabi, L. Karrat, Frank R. Ettensohn, N. Har, L. Gourari, H. Bedelean, C. Balica, C. V. Mircescu

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

The city of Fez in northern Morocco is situated on northeastern parts of the Saïs Plain, an alluvial basin. It is spreading southwesterly onto Pleistocene sediments consisting primarily of alluvial, channel-fill conglomerates and overbank deposits, as well as Holocene tufas. As urban develop- ment expands, human activities are increasingly eradicating these deposits, about which little is known. This study focuses on the clay-mineral composition of these Pleistocene overbank de- posits, informally known as the “Red” and “Yellow” units, as well as of the Holocene tufas. In contrast to previous research that has emphasized the industrial uses of nearby Miocene marls. …

Draft Final 2022 Unreclaimed Sites Sampling: Ur-20 Site Evaluation Summary Report, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Technical Memorandum - Re: 2022 Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Groundwater Compliance Evaluation, Paddy Stoy

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Mind The Green Skills Gap, Panchali Guha

Asian Management Insights

The need to build tomorrow’s sustainable green economy today. Climate change and the shift towards a net zero economy pose significant risks to jobs globally unless workers are equipped with green skills and competencies. There is already a green skills gap in the labour market that will only widen over time if it is not addressed. Comprehensive and coordinated policies must be developed to define and measure green jobs and skills, enhance educational offerings, and provide support for workers and employers during the transition.

Atmospheric Water Generation: Experimental Observations And Assembly Of An Artificial Neural Network, Houston Hoss Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the performance of a Tsunami T50 Vapor Compression Cycle styled Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) machine operated under ambient conditions in Dayton, Ohio. Water yield from the device was measured volumetrically and these values are paired with respective weather data, collected from a local monitoring station, to build an Artificial Neural Network in MATLAB and JMP software. Water yield varied over the course of this study but averaged 1.2L and maxed at 5L for 4-hour operating periods. This work is part of a 3-year project; future data is needed to enhance both training and validation of the model …

Atmospheric Water Generation: Bacterial And Inorganic Chemical Quality, Garrett E. Stanley

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the quality of untreated water collected from a vapor compression-based atmospheric water generator (AWG) operated outdoors in Dayton, Ohio. The concentrations of bacterial and chemical constituents were determined. The concentration of culturable bacteria was between 200 and 2300 CFU/mL, significantly higher than the reference levels described in recreational and drinking water quality guidance. Three discrete bacteria phenotypes were visually identified; two were yellow in color, rod-shaped and gram-negative while the third was milky white, circular, and gram-positive. Chemical analysis on 15 randomly selected samples revealed the presence of Barium (average = 0.16 mg/L), Magnesium (0.08 = mg/L), …

Draft Final - Silver Bow Creek Conservation Area (Sbcca) Butte Reduction Works (Brw) Air Monitoring For Interim Demolition Activities – Phase I Data Summary Report (Dsr), Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Environmental Justice And Ecology In Social Work Education: Emerging Trends Among Faculty., Keri Otte

Doctor of Social Work Capstone Projects

March 31, 2025

This paper presents a study of how social work educators in the U.S. are integrating environmental justice and ecological content into social work coursework and /or curriculum. Current literature in this area suggests that educators should be incorporating deep ecology philosophy, using experiential learning techniques, and moving away from anthropocentrism towards ecocentrism. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather data on pedagogical approaches, educator knowledge and previous training, and barriers to content integration. The interviews took place virtually with social work educators from five geographical areas in the United States. The findings illustrate the importance of transformative …

Draft Final Quarterly Operations And Maintenance Report Butte Treatment Lagoon System – Fourth Quarter 2024, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.