Sustainability Commons^™

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 …

Characteristics Of Dynamic Mode Ⅱ Fracture Of Frozen Saturated Sandstones Under Varying Low Temperatures And Loading Rates, Zhao Tao, Cui Zhao, Jia Hailiang, Yang Guangyu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Investigating the mode Ⅱ fracture of frozen saturated sandstones under dynamic disturbances, including changes in their critical stress intensity factor (SIF; i.e., fracture toughness) and energy dissipation mechanisms, is crucial for the safe excavation of frozen wellbores through drilling and blasting in coal mines. Methods Using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB), this study conducted experiments on the dynamic mode Ⅱ fracture of a sandstone specimen using the short core in compression (SCC) method (also referred to as dynamic SCC experiments) under varying temperatures and loading rates. Accordingly, this study analyzed the SIF versus time curves of the frozen …

An Experimental Study On The Yield Strength Of Cement Grout For Grouting In The Limestone Area Of A Coal Seam Floor, Zou Jun, Guo Yan, Gui Herong, Wang Weimin, Chen Zhenlin, Liu Faming, Dai Yanan, Hu Yang, Chen Zengbao, Li Jun, Gao Chuan, Li Heng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods In recent years, regional grouting through ground directional drilling has become the preferred technique for water disaster prevention and control in floor limestones in a coal mining area. In grouting engineering, the diffusion radius of cement grout, which has always received wide attention, is constrained by multiple factors including the shear yield strength (yield strength for short) and specific gravity of cement grout, along with grouting pressure. The diffusion radius in turn influences the implementation effects of on-site grouting engineering. Among its controlling factors, the yield strength of cement grout cannot be tested on site. Given this, …

Critical Technical Parameters Of Large-Diameter Multi-Stage Casing Drilling For Mine Rescue, Xu Chao, Yao Ningping, Jiang Lei, Tian Hongjie, Liu Zhi, Zhu Ning

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective This study aims to meet the needs of mine rescue in cave-in accidents occurring in narrow underground spaces and to address the contradiction between equipment miniaturization and the drilling of large-diameter rescue boreholes under complex collapse conditions. Based on the goal of constructing a 60-m-long rescue passageway, this study developed a dual-power, composite drilling process based on multi-stage casing drilling technology for large-diameter horizontal rescue boreholes under complex collapse conditions. Furthermore, this study investigated the critical drilling parameters, aiming to provide a basis for the function development and parameter formulation of rescue equipment. Methods This study designed supporting three-stage …

Application Of Five Seismic Attributes In Natural Fracture Prediction For Deep Coalbed Methane Production Along The Eastern Margin Of The Ordos Basin, Tong Jiangnan, Wang Feng, Zhang Feng, Hou Wei, Li Zhongbai, Ji Liang, Jiang Yanan, Sun Wei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Natural fractures serve as both the primary storage space for free gas of deep coalbed methane (CBM) and pathways for hydrocarbon migration. Furthermore, these fractures can enhance the porosity and permeability of strata under the deep, high-pressure condition, significantly amplifying the permeability of coal seams. Therefore, the fine-scale characterization of the planar distribution of natural fractures is crucial to deep CBM production.Objectives and Methods This study investigated the No.8 coal seam in the Carboniferous Benxi Formation within the Daning-Jixian block on the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Through offset vector tiles (OVT) domain processing of offshore 3D …

Analyzing Northwest Ohio Industries And Utilizing The Shape Program To Increase Sustainable Practices, Abigail Stucker

Honors Projects

The purpose of this project is to dive deeper into the corporate perspective on sustainability and why manufacturing companies should take action on such an important topic. Is there a true balance for businesses between increasing profits and reducing waste? Why should businesses care about being branded as a sustainable company? What efforts do companies need to take to truly be branded as “sustainable?” These are questions that drove the research and development of this project. After looking into these guiding questions, this project develops a program to help monitor and measure the successful sustainability practices that various Northwest Ohio …

Solar Parking, Glen Welch, K.C. Green, Catie Bean, Makenzie Keith, Connor Patterson

Earth Day Symposium on Climate and Sustainablity

No abstract provided.

Energy Efficient Dorms, Antonio Soares, Zachary Nassar, Aidan O'Neill

Earth Day Symposium on Climate and Sustainablity

No abstract provided.

Reducing Energy Consumption At Bryant University, Joey Madan, Jake Chernin, Brandon Kemp

Earth Day Symposium on Climate and Sustainablity

No abstract provided.

Innovative Machine Learning, Isotopic, And Hydrogeochemical Techniques For Groundwater Analysis In Arid Landscapes In Egypt’S Eastern Desert, Saad Ahmed Mohallel, Hesham Morgan, Ali Elgendy, Surendra Maharjan, Shahryar Fazli, Wenzhao Li, Rejoice Thomas, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Groundwater serves as a lifeline in Egypt’s hyper-arid Eastern Desert, particularly for agricultural and domestic uses. However, a comprehensive understanding of groundwater origin, quality, and recharge dynamics in the region remains limited due to geological complexity, data scarcity, and the high cost of isotopic analysis. This study addresses these challenges by integrating stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H), hydrogeochemical parameters, remote sensing, and explainable artificial intelligence (AI) to investigate groundwater dynamics and support sustainable water management strategies. A total of 34 groundwater samples were collected from three key aquifers: the Quaternary alluvium, Nubian Sandstone, and fractured Basement aquifers. Hydrochemical analyses and …

From Food To Fashion: Bio-Based Textiles Advancing Sustainability And Socioeconomic Growth In Emerging Markets, Andrew Burnstine

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The global fashion industry is undergoing a profound shift towards sustainability, driven by innovations in bio-based textiles derived from agricultural byproducts such as cactus, pineapple, banana, coconut, fungi, and bacterial cultures. This article comprehensively explores the technological advancements, industry adoption trends, socioeconomic impact on emerging markets, and barriers to widespread adoption of bio-based textiles. The alignment of these innovations with global sustainability initiatives, key industry collaborations, and policy interventions are also examined.

Pursuing Sustainability In Campus Dining Services, Nick Ventrola, Emily Zito

Sustainability Research & Practice Seminar Presentations

Nick Ventrola, WCU Dining Services Resident District Manager, and Emily Zito, WCU Dining Services Registered Dietitian, present "Pursuing Sustainability in Campus Dining Services".

How Can The Adoption Of Biodegradable Packaging In The Beverage Industry Specifically Contribute To Reducing Single-Use Plastic Waste, And What Regulatory Or Cost-Related Challenges Hinder Its Widespread Implementation In Developing Countries?, Rebecca Aba Gaisie

2025 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity - Documents

This research investigates the potential of biodegradable packaging to reduce single-use plastic waste in the beverage industry and explores the regulatory and cost-related barriers to its adoption in developing countries. The beverage sector is a major contributor to global plastic pollution, and biodegradable alternatives offer a promising path toward sustainability. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study combines qualitative interviews with industry experts and case studies of businesses implementing biodegradable solutions, alongside quantitative survey data from 100 manufacturers and 200 consumers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Findings reveal that while biodegradable packaging significantly reduces plastic waste and appeals to environmentally …

Contributions Of Biochar And Biofertilizer On Food Scraps Composting, Kabita Budthapa, I.P. Handayani Dr, Shova Shrestha Dr

Scholars Week

Food scraps have contributed significantly to environmental problems. Because of its substantial effects on the environment, the economy, and society, it has become a major global issue. This research was conducted at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Lalitpur, and was meant to find ways to shorten the composting period using biofertilizers and biochar and study their impacts on the compost nutrients. The experiment involved seven treatments with three replications: T1 (Control), T2 (EM-1), T3 (Prarhamva decomposer), T4 (Biofertilizer KM), T5 (Biochar 400 g + Biofertilizer KM), T6 (Biochar 800 g + Biofertilizer KM), T7 (Biochar 200 g) with 5 …

08 - Blue Carbon Sequestration And Sediment Storage In Seagrass Meadows Of South Bay, Luke C. Clements, Adriana Amrhein, Richard P. Hale

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Blue carbon is stored in coastal and marine ecosystems like seagrass meadows and salt marshes, which helps combat climate change by preventing greenhouse gas emissions. This study examines the role of seagrass in carbon storage by comparing sediment cores from a mud channel and a seagrass meadow in South Bay.

We collected a 100 cm core from the mud channel and a 55 cm core from the seagrass area, taking samples every 10 cm to analyze grain size and organic carbon content. Using a wet sieving method, we separated sand from mud and measured organic carbon through loss on ignition. …

To Infinity And Beyond (And Beyond): The Legal And Ethical Imperative For Rocket Reusability, Matthew Lumia

Duke Law & Technology Review

Although the Space Shuttle’s first flight was in the 1980s, reusable rocket technology did not achieve mainstream viability until SpaceX’s reusable Falcon 9 rocket revolutionized access to space. This note argues that transitioning to reusable rocket technology is not only a practical and economic advancement, but also a legal and ethical imperative. By analyzing reusable rockets through the “due regard” framework of the Outer Space Treaty, this note demonstrates how reusable rockets mitigate space debris, expand access to space, and can reduce environmental harm. Additionally, reusable rockets address critical ethical concerns by lowering barriers to space exploration, allowing the benefits …

“Lyfting” The Possibilities And Opportunities For Sustainable And Safe Transportation To Access Medical Care, Saneywongse Le Mar

Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being

No abstract provided.

Turning Farm Waste Into Energy: Pragmatic Approaches For Cleaner Midwestern American Communities, Rebecca Gaisie

Selected or Submitted Student Research Papers/Projects

Mismanagement of farm waste in the Midwest of the United States has resulted in significant methane emissions, water contamination, and public health concerns. The present manure management rules are still inconsistent, underfunded, and insufficient to motivate individuals to behave in a way that benefits the environment, despite increasing concerns about the environment. This policy study investigates anaerobic digestion as a potential means to convert waste into energy that could support rural and environmental development. Some of the problems with the federal and state legislation examined in this study under an EPI framework are a lack of incentives, inadequate technical support, …

The Living Campus: Landscaping With Purpose At St. Mary's, Karelen Bastida, Alyana Estes, Erick Jarquin, Elijah Perez

Presentations - 2025

This project focuses on evaluating and improving current landscaping and waste management practices at the Casa Maria community to create a sustainable model that can be scaled across the broader campus.

Brother Nature: Pursuing Zero-Waster At Casa Maria, Isaiah Charles, Giuliana Porzio Cuenca, Tatiana Flores, Isabella Lopez, Antonio Martinez, Kelly Sawyers

Presentations - 2025

This presentation focuses on evaluating waste production and management at Casa Maria, a Marianist community on campus, with the goal of establishing baseline data and offering sustainability recommendations grounded in the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Insights from this initiative aim to inform broader sustainability efforts across the university.

Analysis Of The Potential Impacts Of Brine And The Main Challenges Of The Water Importing Project From The Gulf Of California To Phoenix, Arizona (Arizona Water Project Solution), Alejandro Corral Hernandez

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

In December 2022, the Arizona Water Project Solution (AWPS) was presented to the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA). The project proposes to develop, construct, and operate a Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) plant in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico, and transport potable water through a 200-mile pipeline to supply the city of Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States.

This study includes a cross-multiple-case analysis, incorporating expert data and information, to evaluate the brine impacts and challenges faced in developing the five operational SWRO plants in Israel and the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad plant in California, United States. By identifying patterns, …

Ground-Arthropod Assemblage Response To Groundwater As A Metric Of Flooding In The Middle Rio Grande, Wesley Noe

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

Riparian zones are dynamic ecosystems, crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance, particularly in arid environments like the Middle Rio Grande (MRG). Ground arthropods, with their sensitivity to environmental changes, serve as bioindicators for assessing the impacts of water regime changes in the MRG, specifically flooding which was historically the main driver of the MRG ecosystem. This study investigated the responses of ground arthropod communities to fluctuations in groundwater and land management practices within MRG riparian habitats. Using a combination of pitfall trapping and habitat assessments, arthropod abundance was assessed in relation to depth to groundwater (DTG). Findings revealed shifts …

Spatial And Equity Analysis Of The Xeriscape Conversion Rebate Program In Albuquerque, Nm., Claire Jordy

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

With increasing water scarcity concerns threatening water supplies, many cities in the Western U.S. are focusing more effort on their water conservation programs to reduce consumptive water use. The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (Water Authority) in Bernalillo County, NM has had several water conservation programs in place since the 1990s, and still, they aim to further reduce water consumption. The Xeriscape Conversion Rebate Program is one of the primary tools to achieve this goal, encouraging customers to convert their high water-use turfgrass lawns to desert-friendly xeriscaping by providing a one-time rebate on their water bill. This rebate program …