Environmental Health and Protection Commons^™

Water Quality Assessment In Cypress Creek Nature Preserve, Jason Flora

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Swamps are unique ecological communities that provide many valuable ecosystem services. In Kentucky, however, many swamps were altered by cypress removal and land development in their watersheds. Cypress Creek Swamp, which lies near Paducah in western Kentucky, is a good example of a swamp whose ecological integrity may be threatened by past and current nearby land use practices. This study was conducted to assess the water quality and macro- and microinvertebrate communities in the swamp. Three sites were monitored for temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductivity, depth, phosphorus measured as orthophosphate, nitrite (NO2") and nitrate (NO3", NOx collectively), and ammonia …

Transport Of The Herbicide Atrazine On Suspended Sediments During A Spring Storm Event In Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, Michael Anderson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examines the transport of atrazine, an herbicide used in Kentucky to control grassy and broad-leaf weeds in corn fields, on suspended sediments. Atrazine is a known carcinogen and endocrine disruptor and has been shown to be toxic at low environmental concentrations. Atrazine has the capacity to adsorb to soil particles, which in karst areas such as those found in south central Kentucky can be transported directly into the groundwater. Suspended sediments and water were collected from a well at the Hawkins River in Mammoth Cave National Park during a spring storm and tested for atrazine. Atrazine was found …

Actiononaias Ligamentina As A Biomonitor In The Green River: An Unique Approach For Analysis Of Environmental Impacts, Robert Kirkland

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Biomonitoring has become an important component in bioassessment programs. It is used to maintain high water quality standards, and determine contaminant levels and biological affects in areas that have been heavily disturbed. The objectives of this research were 1) to improve and apply certain modern biomonitoring techniques and 2) to locate possible contaminant sources affecting the flora and fauna of the Green River and of Mammoth Cave. Actinonaias ligamentina (Lamarck, 1819), a freshwater mussel, was used for interpretation of these impacts as well as refinement of biomonitoring techniques. The mussels were collected in the Lawler Bend region of the Green …

The Progression Of Recycling In Bowling Green, Kentucky, Susan Marklin

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Recycling is an important issue when dealing with solid waste. It keeps many tons of garbage out of our landfills and prolongs landfill life. Although many people in the Bowling Green area participate in the mandatory recycling program, there are still many who do not. The number of people who participate in the program has steadily grown over the past five years; however, there are still many people who need to get involved. This research argues that much effort has been put into recycling in recent years at the global, national, and local level. However, it also argues that even …

Dye Tracing To Delineate Drainage Basins And Determine Groundwater Sensitivity, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky; With Special Reference To Potential Groundwater Contamination From Spills Along Interstate I-65, Arthur Capps

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The Mammoth Cave System of south central Kentucky encompasses more than 560 km of surveyed cave passages. The largest groundwater basin (244 km2) found within this cave system emerges from the Turnhole Bend Spring on the Green River. During high flow conditions, water from this groundwater basin will spill over into the Echo River section of the cave. Previous research, including cave mapping and dye tracing (Quinlan and Ray, 1989; Currens and Ray, 1998; Coons, 1994), has delineated the boundaries of spring groundwater basins for numerous springs along the Green and Barren Rivers. These data showed that 60% of the …

Park And Ride Feasibility Analysis For The Evansville, Indiana, Metropolitan Area, Brian Howard

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Congested roadways and declining air quality standards are major concerns for many communities faced with the challenges of suburban growth and city decay. How each community chooses to fight the problems created by urban sprawl depends greatly on individualized characteristics of the community. Analyzing and understanding unique values of each community provides a sound foundation for measures designed to promote sustainable growth initiatives. The Evansville, Indiana, region is experiencing many of the growing pains associated with increased residential, commercial, and industrial development. Many roadways are currently strained near capacity, and traffic problems are anticipated to increase over the next 20 …

Measuring The Applicability Of The Seville Strategy To The Mammoth Cave Area Biosphere Reserve, Debra Kreitzer

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The dominant paradigms of the past decade involve the preservation of biodiversity through the use of landscape corridors and buffer zones, as well as the integration of economic growth through sustainable use. The International Biosphere Reserve (IBR) program, as defined in the Seville Strategy, encourages locations already involved in conservation to continue to protect biodiversity and foster harmonious relationships between humans and their environment through sustainable development. An excellent example of an IBR is the Mammoth Cave Area Biosphere Reserve (MCABR) in south-central Kentucky. In order to measure the significance of the implementation of the Seville Strategy in the MCABR, …

Development Of An Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustor (Afbc), William Orndorff

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The relatively recent interest in the U.S. in the development of atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) has been preceded by two main factors. First of these is the ever present problem of acid rain and growing public support for cleaner burning fossil fuels. Second is the increasing demand on public landfills and subsequent need for burning of municipal solid waste. From these factors and their corresponding influences, Western Kentucky University has the impetus and has received the financial assistance necessary to build and develop a laboratory scale AFBC system. A brief history of the events leading to this development, as …

Evaluation Of Continuous Flow Constructed Wetlands Treating Swine Waste, Stephanie Rivard

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The ability for wetlands to purify contaminated water is not a new concept. Natural wetlands have been cleansing water within our environment for ages. After studying the process of natural wetlands the same concept was applied to municipal waste. It is the success of constructed wetlands treating municipal waste that created the new idea for the application of a wetland system to treat wastewater from livestock facilities. Through proper design and management, constructed wetlands may be useful for reducing the nutrient concentration of waste (Rieck el al., 1996). Taking into consideration the higher nutrient loads of livestock waste, the same …

Evaluation Of Constructed Wetlands For The Waste Management Of A Large Scale Swine Production Unit, Robert Sutton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The effectiveness of using constructed wetlands to remove unwanted nutrients, increase dissolved oxygen while at the same time decreasing the biological oxygen demand, and to reduce the levels of the Fecal Coliform Bacteria from a swine operation was evaluated. The indicator of proper waste purification will be the result of testing for the following: ammonia nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus, total suspended solids, dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, and Fecal Coliform Bacteria. The wetland was divided into nine connected cells that covered approximately 3.8 hectares. Material was loaded from an anaerobic holding lagoon on four separate occasions during …

Environmentalism In The United States: An Evolving Perspective, Mary Snow

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this study is to investigate environmentalism in the United States. The dimension of perspective receives considerable attention. The prevailing perspective by a society regarding the importance of the health of the natural world greatly influences the degree of support of environmental organizations, environmental policy, as well as the direction charted for the future of that society. The perspectives of the Native Americans and the dominant European cultures which arrived in North America are presented and contrasted. It is supposed that the perspective which prevails in the United States regarding the importance of the natural world is evolving. …

Ecology, Economy And Ecotourism: Sustaining People And The Environment, Richard Snow

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Tourism is the world's largest industry. The fastest growing segment of the travel and tourist trade is ecotourism. The concept of sustainable development insists that humans cooperate with nature in the search for an ecological economy which can support present and future populations. Ecotourism attempts to attain this elusive goal by preserving ecosystems while generating revenue for local communities. In this study, the researcher examines the positive and negative effects of ecotourism on people, culture, and landscape. An analysis of tourism data seems to suggest that developing countries, which are popular ecotour destinations, are benefitting economically and ecologically from properly …

Bill #92-09-F - Contractual Agreement For Adopt-A-Spot Program, Wku Student Government Association

Student Government Association

Bill regarding Adopt-a-Spot litter program on Western Kentucky University campus.

Radon Contamination Of Residences In A City Built Upon A Karst Landscape Bowling Green, Warren County, Kentucky, James William Webster

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 8 to 12% of U.S. homes have radon concentrations that equal or exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/l). A statewide screening of Kentucky by EPA resulted in an average residential radon concentration of 2.8 pCi/l with 17% of the homes at or above 4 pCi/l. EPA requires routine monitoring and maintenance or worker health records in mines and caves having radon daughter concentrations at or above 0.30 working levels (WL).

Bowling Green is a city located in a karst region of south central Kentucky. Residents of Bowling Green have been subjected …

Factors Affecting Wood Fuel Consumption And Environmental Impacts In Warren County, Kentucky, Barry Vann

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The purpose of this research is to identify factors that contribute to wood fuel consumption as a space heating source and estimate a county-wide proportion for wood fuel consuming households. In addition, environmental problems associated with deforestation such as erosion and loss of wildlife habitat are delineated; moreover, air pollution resulting from wood fuel emissions are discussed.

An exhaustive literature review provided the basis for the study. Data on Warren County wood fuel consumption patterns were derived from a mail survey. Proportion estimates were tested by using a classical two-tail test of hypothesis. Subsequently, factors were identified and used in …

A “Drastic” Evaluation Of The Ground-Water Pollution Potential Of Karst Terrain: Lost River Ground-Water Basin, Warren County, Kentucky, David Baize

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Karst terrains, such as the Lost River Karst Ground-Water Basin, are extremely vulnerable to ground-water contamination. Seven physical factors: depth to water, recharge, aquifer media, soil media, topography, impact of the vadose zone, and hydraulic conductivity, are evaluated using the DRASTIC system to determine the ground-water pollution potential of the study area. A numerical value is calculated for each of the seven factors, and a map layer for each factor is produced. These layers are then “added” together to produce a DRASTIC ground-water pollution potential map. The effectiveness of each factor in evaluating the pollution potential of karst terrain is …

A Bacteriological And Chemical Analysis Of Nonpoint Source Pollution In A Karst Aquifer Bowling Green, Kentucky, Wayne Green

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Monthly water samples collected from four sites in the Lost River Groundwater Basin, a shallow karst aquifer in the Bowling Green-Warren County area of Kentucky, represented samples from sites receiving conduit and diffuse flow. All sites were severely contaminated with bacteria, and on some occasions the surface water criteria for some heavy metals were exceeded.

Of the total 334 bacterial colonies identified 92.1% were verified as Escherichia coli by the API20E system. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratum accounted for 2.10% of colonies; Citrobacter freundii for 0.30% Klebsiella pneumoniae for 0.90%; Klebsiella oxytoca, 0.90%; Citrobacter amalonaticus 0.30%; Enterobacter cloacae, 1.20%; …

Ua12/2/19 Earth Week, Energy For Student Awareness

WKU Administration Documents

Newspaper created by the Energy for Student Awareness group regarding Earth Week and environmental issues.

A Position Paper Of Environmental Education For Nelson County, Geneva B. Hunt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The results of a survey, concerning environmental education taken of the educators of the Nelson County School System, indicated a need for environmental education workshops and classes.

The status of environmental education in the nation and in Kentucky were studied and compared. A research was done of the status of environmental education in Nelson County, and implications were drawn for implementing environmental education in the Nelson County School System.

A tentative program for implementing environmental education in the Nelson Country schools was given, and a bibliography of resources and materials to be used in said program was included.

Ua45/6 Attack On The Environment, Wku Registrar

WKU Administration Documents

Elvis Stahr's 1971 commencement speech.

Ua77/1 Western Alumnus, Vol. 39, No 5, Wku Alumni Association

WKU Administration Documents

WKU alumni magazine. Features the following articles:

• What's Going On In Teacher Education? - Tate Page Hall
• Conway, Sheila. Faithful Servant of Generations - Shirley Posey
• Cravens, Raymond. Western & the Accreditation Process
• The Educational World: Where Does Western Stand?
• Photo Feature: Downing University Center
• Armstrong, Don. The Environment & Cornfield Calculus - Marvin Russell
• Service Lives On at Western - Alpha Phi Omega, Gamma Sigma Sigma, Gamma Beta Phi, Circle K
• Wilder, Jerry. Undergraduate Advisement: They Shall Not Fail!
• Downing, Dero. Founder's Day Meditation
• Cochran, Robert. What Do We Mean by School Public Relations?
• Given, Ed. Hitch-Hiker on Football's …

Ua3/3/1 Memo Re: Environmental Commission, David Porter

WKU Administration Documents

Memo from Associated Student Government vice president David Porter to WKU faculty members regarding ASC Bill No. 3 Environmental Commission. The bill is attached.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 49, No. 46, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU Campus Newspaper Reporting Campus, Athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky News. This issue contains articles:

• Sutherland, David. Regents Okay Plans for Married Housing
• Dr. J.P. Cornette to Deliver Spring Commencement
• Two Comic Operas Billed to Begin Thursday Night
• Dr. Hubert Marshall to Speak on Campus Tuesday
• Star Performers to Bow Out – Kathy Walters, Bill Nelson
• Kappa Delta Seeks Okay for House
• Western Coed to Represent State in Miss USA Contest – Joanna Smith
• International Club to Elect Officers
• Wendell Ford to Speak Here Tomorrow
• Late Start Better Than None at All – Married Student Housing
• Lack of Money Forces …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 49, No. 43, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU Campus Newspaper Reporting Campus, Athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky News. This issue contains articles:

• Conrad, Peggy. Three-Day Seminar Probes Down to Earth Problems
• Foreign Policy Conference Set Tomorrow at WKU
• Hightower, Paul. Associated Students Congress to Seek Ratification of Four Constitution Changes
• Collegiate Journalists to Convene Here Today
• Adpi 500’ to End Greek Week
• Miller, Joyce. Terry Miller Crowned Greek Goddess
• Potter, Jerry. Triangular Alignment Will Dominate Future World Affairs – John Stoessinger
• Forcing Underclassmen to Live in Dorms Absurd
• Pidgeon, Patrick, et al. Attacks Scheduling – Greek Week
• Lewis, Lynette. Compliments Spotlights
• Simpson, Steven. Backs James Dowd
• Goodwin, …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 49, No. 42, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU Campus Newspaper Reporting Campus, Athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky News. This issue contains articles:

• Environmental Discussions Seek Ways to Save the Earth
• Blood, Sweat, Tears, Concert Set Saturday
• U.S.-Soviet Affairs Lecture Set Tonight – John Stoessinger
• Paper, Yearbook Applications Due
• Todd, Tom. Enthusiastic Reception Welcomes Southern Folk Festival Performers
• Miller, Joyce. Greeks Continue Spirited Jousting
• Environmental Teach-In is Designed to Inform
• Visitor’s Parking Should Be Added
• Dowd, James. Answers Vendetta – Military Recruiters
• Ferguson, Brent. Disagrees with Disagrees – Military Recruiters
• Bennett, Ellen. Breathing Air May Be Hazardous to Your Health
• Population Boom: Challenge of 70’s
• Litter Causes Untold …

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 49, No. 41, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU Campus Newspaper Reporting Campus, Athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky News. This issue contains articles:

• Walls, Gary. Three-Day Environment Probe Begins with Sessions Monday
• Miller, Joyce. Festive Week Begins Sunday for Greeks
• Veterans Village to Succumb to University Expansion
• Applications Due Wednesday for Publications Positions
• Greek Carnival Set Tomorrow
• Western Holds Kentucky Education Association Breakfast
• On Western Faculty 47 Years
• Dr. Gordon Wilson Sr. Dies
• Women’s Dorms to Study Problems of Students
• Senior Art Exhibits on Display in Gallery
• Cinema ’70 to Show ‘The Promoter’
• Environmental Teach-In Deserves Wide Support
• Ressler, Ed. Deplores Dorms
• Watkins, Eddie. Wants Married Housing
• Willingham, …

Ua3/3/1 Memo Re: National Environment Teach-In, David Porter

WKU Administration Documents

Memo from the Associated Students Government to faculty members encouraging participation in the National Environment Teach-In.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 49, No. 40, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU Campus Newspaper Reporting Campus, Athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky News. This issue contains articles:

• Walls, Gary. Pollution to Get Full Airing During Environmental Teach-In
• Smith, Don. Nine-Piece Puzzle Booked for April 25 – Blood, Sweat & Tears
• Walls, Gary. Thoughts Turn Toward South as Awaited Break Approaches
• New Body to Rest – College Heights Herald, IBM Computer
• Hightower, Paul. Legislators Feel Independence During Session
• Folk Festival to Return April 16
• Applications Being Taken for Administrative Interns
• Libraries Set Vacation Hours
• Campus Mail Guidelines Need to Be Clarified
• Dowd, Jim. Abhors Military Recruiters
• Yell Leading Program Needs Re-Examination
• Hawkinson, Kristi. …

Sewer System More Than A Million Years Old, Department Of Library Special Collections

Research Collections

Article about the sewer system in early Bowling Green that used fissures in the limestone as a natural sewer; it then flows out to the river. Henry Jameson is shown and an outcropping of oolitic limestone in Reservoir Hill park.