Environmental Monitoring Commons^™

Experiment Using Infrared Spectroscopy To Study The Effect Of Soil Characteristics Upon The Rate Of Trichloroethylene Desorption, Benjamin T. Kindt

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the influence of soil characteristics on the desorption of trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is one of the most common contaminants at Superfund sites. Unfortunately, extraction of TCE from contaminated soils has been hindered by its slow and poorly understood desorption from soil particles. The rate and progress of desorption of TCE from seven types of soil with varying particle diameters and elemental compositions was measured using optical absorption techniques. Fitting the data to the Langmuir Isotherm functional form predicted in the literature yielded parameters for the desorption rate and total amount desorption each soil type. These parameters were …

Bulletin 4279 - Streamlining - An Environmentally Sustainable Drainage Network For The Swan Coastal Plain (Peel-Harvey Catchment), Garry Heady, Neil Guise

Bulletins 4000 -

Community Catchment Centre Pinjarra

A network of over 1400 kilometres of drains and modified natural waterways constructed by the Public Works Department criss-crosses the Peel-Harvey catchment. There are also over 3300 kilometres of minor drains and natural waterways in this same region.

The expansion of agriculture relied on this extensive drainage network, which was designed to ensure rapid drainage of the region. Unfortunately there was little regard to future environmental consequences.

Along with drainage water, these same drains now carry high loads of silt and nutrients. Many of the drains are also degraded and require expensive maintenance annually.

Should Australia Export Its Native Birds?, Ross Kingwell

Biosecurity Research Articles

Commercial export from Australia of native birds, wild or captive bred, is prohibited. This paper firstly describes the current legislation and regulations that restrict the export of native birds and discusses why governments have adopted such a regulatory approach to bird species preservation. Secondly, the paper reviews the debate concerning the export ban, pointing out strengths and weaknesses in arguments and indicating the important role of CITES. Lastly, the paper outlines a new case for a conditional lifting of the ban, whereby DNA fingerprinting is used to establish transferable property rights to overcome a main source of market failure in …

Drought Profile: Haryana State In North India, K. Kailasa Nathan

Drought Network News (1994–2001)

Haryana state is considered the breadbasket of India, along with the Punjab state. The effects of drought (and mitigation of those effects) are, therefore, of considerable importance for the state. This article considers the state’s drought profile through a study of six drought years in Haryana.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Narrogin, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

The management of native vegetation and agricultural land is closely related. It is vital that both native vegetation and agricultural land issues are considered within the context of their ecological area of influence. Both have a wide range of effects on each other and as a consequence should be managed together. For example native vegetation impacts on the hydrology of agricultural land. Conversely nutrients can be transferred from agricultural land to remnants of native vegetation. This booklet is one of a series covering the agricultural region of Western Australia and provides agricultural land managers with information relating to the natural …

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Wagin, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet is one of a series covering the agricultural region of Western Australia and provides agricultural land managers with information relating to some of the natural resources of the Shire of Wagin including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural resources in the Shire of Wagin and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped that this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Corrigin, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Corrigin including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Corrigin and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Katanning, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet is one of a series covering the agricultural region of Western Australia and provides land managers with information relating to some of the natural resources of the Shire of Katanning including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Katanning and where possible solutions to these problems are discussed. By providing this information it is hoped that this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Mingenew, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet is one of a series covering the agricultural region of Western Australia and provides agricultural land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Mingenew including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Mingenew and where possible, solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Wickepin, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Wickepin including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Wickepin and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Bulletin 4283 - Nitrogen Fertilisers For Cereal Production, M. G. Mason

Bulletins 4000 -

Because fertiliser prices are high, it is important to understand what affects the response to fertilisers by crops.

Among the many factors influencing crop response to nitrogen applications, the most important are the season, soil type, paddock history, time of application and source of nitrogen. Before deciding whether to use nitrogen on a cereal crop, which source to use and at what rate, you need some understanding of how these factors work.

Greatest responses to nitrogen fertilisers can be expected in areas with a relatively long growing season. In such areas light soils with a low nitrogen status give the …

Miscellaneous Publication 10/94 - The Climate And Soils Of South-Western Australia In Relation To Vine Growing, J. S. Gladstones

Viticulture research reports

The vine industry in Western Australia is at present located mainly in the Swan Valley, some 15 miles inland from Perth. It produces currants for export, wine grapes, and table grapes for both local and export markets, in approximately that order of importance.

Climatically, the Swan Valley is well suited to vine fruit production. With an annual rainfall of about 34 inches, it has a mild, wet, almost frost-free winter, and a warm, dry summer. Olmo (1956) concluded that the Swan was especially well suited to the production of currants, table grapes and sweet dessert wines. However, he considered that …

Study Of Existing Information Concerning Water Quality Within Lake Mead, Vicki Scharnhorst, Southern Nevada Water Authority

Publications (WR)

The purpose of Task 010A15M of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) Treatment and Transmission Facility (TTF) contract is to conduct a study of existing information concerning water quality within Lake Mead and identify additional water quality studies that are needed to supplement existing data. The objective of this task is not to discuss treatability of the raw water source; this is addressed by Task 010A18M, "Define Water Treatment Requirements." In addition, a narrative on the effect of pending Safe Drinking Water Act amendments and a determination of treated water quality goals is included in Task 010A16M, "Review Safe Drinking …

Land Use Patterns In Relation To Lake Water Quality In The Long Pond, North Basin Watershed, Problems In Environmental Science Course (Biology 493), Colby College, Colby Environmental Assessment Team, Colby College

Colby College Watershed Study: Long Pond, North (2006, 1994)

Long Pond has been used recreationally over time for boating, fishing and swimming. Additional uses include drinking water and various types of waste disposal. In past winters, sawdust from lumber mills has been placed on the ice that covers the north basin of Long Pond (Ed Mayer pers. comm.). This may raise total phosphorus levels at depth and could lead to problems in the future. Activities which raise organic sediments input into the lake should be avoided.

A major purpose of our study was to analyze the present water quality of Long Pond, North Basin, including the biotic and abiotic …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Murchison River Catchment, Western Australia, Peter James Curry, A L. Payne, K A. Leighton, P Hennig, D A. Blood

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the Murchison River catchment and surrounds, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture between 1985 and 1988, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed by field work during 1985-88 …

An Inventory And Condition Survey Of Rangelands In The North-Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia, H J. Pringle, S A. Gilligan, A M E Van Vreeswyk

Technical Bulletins

The inventory and condition survey of the north-eastern Goldfields, undertaken by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia (DAFWA) between 1988 and 1990, describes and maps the natural resources of the region’s pastoral leasehold land. This survey report provides a baseline record of the existence and condition of the natural area’s resources, to assist with the planning and implementation of land management practices. The report identified and described the condition of soils, landforms, vegetation, habitat, ecosystems, and declared plants and animals. It also assessed the impact of pastoralism and made land management recommendations. The area surveyed covers about 100 …

How Sustainable Is Grazing Sheep On Annual Pastures In The Woolbelt?, Don Mcfarlane, Richard George

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Low wool prices have reduced the profitability of producing wool from clover-based annual pastures in the south-western woo/belt. The heavy reliance on one commodity is economically unsustainable for many farmers. But we should also consider how ecologically sustainable the practice is.

Shallow-rooted annual pastures contribute to widespread salinity in the area, annual legumes are acidifying the soils and making them water repellent, and bare, detached soils from heavy grazing cause sheet and rill erosion during autumn storms. In addition, stock are degrading remnant vegetation and destroying the soil's structure.

To counteract this degradation, the woo/belt needs more perennial pastures and …

Application Of Time Series Models To Sets Of Environmental Data, Saarah Ahmed Farag

Theses : Honours

In environmental studies, many programs have been implemented for the purpose of examining the influence of factors on the natural environment from various sources. In the past, predictions have been obtained from a simple regression model of the data from these programs to aid in deciding whether an intervention is required in the program or policy. However, most environmental time series involve correlated dependent variables which makes it difficult to apply conventional regression analysis. This thesis compares the application of the class of transfer function models, where high correlation between dependent variables is allowed, to that of conventional regression analysis. …

Carbon Monoxide In The Antarctic Atmosphere: Observations Of Decreasing Concentrations, M. A. K. Khalil, R. A. Rasmussen

Environmental Science and Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

Hydroxyl radicals remove hundreds, perhaps thousands, of organic gases from the atmosphere and are often regarded as am index of the oxidizing capacity of the Earth's atmosphere (Thompson 1992). In recent years, there have been growing concerns that, over the past century and now, human activities may be depleting hydroxyl concentrations by adding huge amounts of carbon monoxide and methane to the atmosphere. Reduction in the hydroxyl concentrations can then indirectly lead to more global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and other disturbances in atmospheric chemistry. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a key component in the determination of hydroxyl radical (OH) concentrations: …

The Near-Shore, Soft-Substrate Bivalves Of The Swan Estuary: An Assessment Of Their Use As Biological Indicators, Graham Bailey

Theses : Honours

The soft-substrate bivalves of the Swan Estuary were evaluated for their suitability as biological indicators. The major requirement of a biological indicator is that a response to changing conditions can be shown. Demonstrating that bivalve community and populations respond to changing environmental conditions within The Estuary would fulfill this criteria. To make this assessment the study conducted a quantitative sampling program which established the current structure of the near-shore soft-substrate bivalve community and this was compared with the community established in 1973-74. To evaluate the predictive potential of bivalve structure as an indicator, major environmental conditions in the Estuary were …

Identification Of Tire Leachate Toxicants And A Risk Assessment Of Water Quality Effects Using Tire Reefs In Canals, S. M. Nelson, G. Mueller, D. C. Hemphill, U.S. Bureau Of Reclamation

Publications (WR)

Cover is an important component of aquatic habitat and fisheries management. Fisheries biologists often try to improve habitats through the addition of natural and artificial material to improve cover diversity and complexity. Habitat-improvement programs range from submerging used Christmas trees to more complex programs using sophisticated artificial habitat modules. Used automobile tires have been employed in the large scale construction of reefs and fish attractors in marine environments and to a lesser extent in freshwater and have been recognized as a durable, inexpensive and long-lasting material which benefits fishery communities.

Recent studies by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have quantified …

Air Pollution Transport Modeling, David M. Paal

Theses and Dissertations

This research effort addresses modeling of the transportation of air pollution in the atmosphere and the numerical analysis of the partial differential equations used in such modeling. Three Gaussian models are examined and compared using example problems. Several finite difference schemes are developed to solve the partial differential equations used in air pollution transport modeling. This study examines three Gaussian models SCREEN, AFTOX, and the program GAUSPLUM. The model GAUSPLUM is developed in this study and uses the Ada programming language and the analytic solution to the advection- diffusion equation. Numerical analysis of the partial differential equations PDE used in …

Miscellaneous Publication 42/93 - Development And Dissemination Of Design Methods For Rangeland Paddocks Which Maximise Animal Production And Minimise Land Degradation, Shane Cridland, Mark Stafford Smith

Animal production and livestock published reports

Surveys of rangeland resources in Western Australia to date have shown that 23% of the area surveyed is in poor range condition. Poor condition is characterised by the loss of perennial vegetation allowing wind and water erosion. Approximately another 37% is in only fair range condition (Curry and Hacker 1990).

The loss of range condition is partly due to uneven use of paddocks by sheep and cattle. The areas close to water and the preferred pasture types are often over-utilised, while areas well away from water and less preferred pasture types are under-utilised. The result is that rangeland in good, …

Resource Inventory And Condition Survey Of The Ord River Regeneration Reserve, John De Salis

Natural resources published reports

It is now some 33 years since the Ord River Regeneration Project, the largest and most ambitious of its kind in Australian rangelands, commenced.

During this time there have been a number of publications and miscellaneous reports about the project, but this publication is by far the most comprehensive produced to date. Although the field work was undertaken in 1981, the findings recorded here will stand in a good stead as a detailed account and reference work for years to come.

Much has changed within the Regeneration Reserve area since the project commenced. Cattle and feral donkey numbers have finally …

Atmospheric Depositional Fluxes Of 7Be And 210Pb At Galveston And College Station, Texas, M. Baskaran, Charles H. Coleman, Peter H. Santschi

Environmental Science and Geology Faculty Research Publications

The bulk depositional fluxes of ²¹⁰Pb and ⁷Be were measured at a coastal (Galveston) and an inland (College Station) station for about 3 years, between 1989 and 1991. The annual depositional fluxes of ⁷Be and ²¹⁰Pb at Galveston during this period varied by a factor of about 2.5, between 8.9 and 23.2 disintegrations per minute (dpm) cm⁻² yr⁻¹, with a mean of 14.7 dpm cm⁻² yr⁻¹ for ⁷Be, and 0.67 and 1.71 dpm cm⁻² yr⁻¹, with a mean of 1.03 dpm cm⁻² yr⁻¹ for ^{210 …}

Epa's Map Of Radon Zones Nebraska, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's, U.S. Geological Survey

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Sections 301 and 309 of the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA) direct EPA to identify areas of the United States that have the potential to produce elevated levels of radon. EPA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Association of. American State Geologists (AASG) have worked closely over the past several years to produce a series of maps and documents which address these directives. The EPA Map of Radon Zones is a compilation of that work and fulfills the requirements of sections 307 and 309 of IRAA. The Map of Radon" Zones identifies, on a county-by-county basis, areas' of …

Vadose Zone Contamination Measurement And Modeling, Thomas A. Reeder

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the effects of the slow sorption mechanism on the transport of volatile organic contaminants in the vadose zone. Recent research has shown that slow sorption may have a significant impact on the transport of volatile organic compounds in the subsurface. Specifically, this document examined the effects of slow sorption on the Vapor Extraction System (VES) and the Purge and Trap Measurement System. It was found that the slow sorption of organic molecules on soil may profoundly influence the efficiency of VES and purge and trap. In addition, this thesis investigated possible alternatives to purge and trap, including …

A Plan For Coordinating Department Of Defense Emissions Trading, Charles H. Weir

Theses and Dissertations

The original purpose of this research was to develop a plan to coordinate emissions trading between DoD installations. During the course of this research, findings indicated that restrictions on emissions trading would make such a plan of limited applicability. However, findings did indicate the need for a tool to assist managers with selecting the netting, offset, and banking emissions trading alternatives. Developing this tool became the objective of this research. This objective was fulfilled by developing a management guide to assist environmental managers with selecting the emissions trading alternatives netting, banking, and offsets. Background information was collected by examining literature …

Epa's Map Of Radon Zones, Nebraska, Sharon W. White, Lisa Ratcliff, Kirk Maconaughey, R. Thomas Peake, Dave Rowson, Steve Page, Linda C. S. Gundersen, R. Randall Schumann, James K. Otton, Doug Owen, Russell Dubiel, Kendell Dickinson, Sandra L. Szarzi

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Sections 307 and 309 of the 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA) direct EPA to identify areas of the United States that have the potential to produce elevated levels of radon. EPA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Association of, American State Geologists (AASG) have worked closely over the past several years to produce a series of maps and documents which address these directives. The EPA Map of Radon Zones is a compilation of that work and fulfills the requirements of sections 307 and 309 of IRAA. The Map of Radon Zones identifies, on a county-by-county basis, areas of …

Evaluation Of The Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon Standard For Cleanup Of Petroleum Contaminated Sites, Rick A. Blaisdell, Mark E. Smallwood

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluated the TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbon) cleanup standard for petroleum contaminated soils (PCS). A survey of 13 state regulators was performed to characterize current standards and regulatory viewpoints on the use of a TPH versus a BTEX cleanup standard. The regulatory community considers the BTEX constituents the greatest threat to groundwater, yet expressed concern that the use of a compound specific standard, without an accompanying analysis for TPH, might result in residual soil contamination that may present risk. This study also evaluated the ratio of BTEX TPH in soil over time. Based on JP-4 contaminated site soil data, …