Sustainability Commons^™

Mechanical Characteristics And Fracture Propagation Mechanism Of Deep Coal Reservoirs In The Shenfu Block, Mi Honggang, Wu Jian, Peng Wenchun, Xu Lifu, Li Yong

Coal Geology & Exploration

[Objective] Clarifying the mechanical properties and in-situ stress distributions of coal seams, along with the mechanisms behind their control over the morphologies and propagation behavior of artificially induced fractures, is crucial to the fracturing design, well pattern deployment, and coalbed methane (CBM) production of deep coal seams. [Methods] This study investigated the Nos. 8 and 9 coal seams of the Taiyuan Formation in the Shenfu block in the northern portion of the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Using data from sonic logging, density logging, injection/falloff well tests, and production, this study systematically analyzed the mechanical …

Technology For Efficient Production Of Deep Coalbed Methane In The Shenfu Block, Li Bin, Yang Fan, Zhang Hongjie, Feng Lei, An Qi, Hao Zhaobing

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Deep coalbed methane (CBM), representing one crucial resource successor for ensuring the oil and gas security of China and achieving peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality of the country, exhibits broad prospects for production. However, due to the small low universality of CBM production technologies under varying geological conditions, a technology that has been successfully applied in some blocks cannot be directly extended to other blocks. This leads to blind deployment of well types and well patterns in the early-stage exploration and development of new blocks to a certain extent. Given this, it is necessary to develop a …

Pore Structure And Differential Fluid Occurrence Of Deep Coal Seams, Wu Jian, Sun Qiang, Shi Xuefeng, Gao Lijun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Breakthroughs have been achieved in deep coalbed methane (CBM) exploration along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin, exhibiting the characteristics of local breakthroughs but regional differential CBM production in multiple blocks. The pores and fractures in deep coal reservoirs, serving as the material spaces for fluid occurrence and occurrence, are critical to the differential development across deep CBM blocks. Methods In this study, coal samples were collected systematically from the deep part of the Shenfu block located along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Using conventional tests on porosity, permeability, and physical properties, as well as CO …

Characteristics And Transformations Of Mineral Phases In Burnt Rocks, Yalikun Rexiti, Huang Lei, Yang Fan, Xue Xiaoyuan, Song Shijun, Hu Jian, Zhang Zeyu, Ji Zhongkui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Burnt rocks are special rocks formed by the surrounding rocks that are baked due to the spontaneous combustion of coal seams. They are extensively distributed in the Yan’an Formation on the northeastern margin of the Ordos Basin. However, the characteristics and formation mechanisms of burning-associated mineral phases in these rocks remain unclear. Methods This study conducted analytical tests and high-temperature heating simulations of protolith to analyze the mineral phases of underground burnt rocks in the Zhangjiamao Coal Mine, Shaanxi Province. Results and Conclusions The results indicate that the underground burnt rocks exhibit enrichment in mafic components, abnormal migration of …

Seismic Data Denoising Based On The Convolutional Neural Network With An Attention Mechanism In The Curvelet Domain, Bao Qianzong, Zhou Mei, Qiu Yi

Coal Geology & Exploration

[Objective] Noise in seismic data significantly affects the accurate interpretation of subsurface stratigraphic information. Given that effective signals with pronounced lateral correlations in seismic data are distributed in specific coefficients but random noise typically spreads uniformly over all coefficients in the curvelet domain, more effective separation of signals can be achieved. [Methods] The convolutional neural network based on the attention mechanism can adaptively extract key information by focusing on important features of images. Hence, this study proposed a noise attenuation method for seismic data using a convolutional neural network based on the curvelet transform and attention mechanism (Curvelet-AU-Net). First, the …

Characteristics Of Gas Bursting And Application Of Layered Cutting Drilling In Outburst Coal Seam, Wang Yonglong, Zhao Aoqi, Yu Zaijiang, Wang Zhenfeng, Liu Xiao, Ma Denghui, Zhang Hui, Liu Chun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The overlimit gas bursting in the drilling process of outburst coal seam is a safety hazard that threatens the efficient production of the mine. The layered cutting drilling method helps to weaken the burst gas pressure in the borehole, but the characteristics of gas release around the trapezoidal borehole formed by layered cutting are unknown, which limits the structural design and application effect of the layered cutting drilling tool. Methods Herein, study was conducted based on the layered cutting boreholes with different layer spacing and layer thickness difference. Specifically, a mathematical model was established to analyze the gas flow …

Coastal Sedimentary Records Of Extreme Events And Human Activity: Examples From Hurricanes And Microplastics, Nicholas T. Culligan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Coastal regions are uniquely vulnerable to a myriad of natural and anthropogenically caused stresses such as hurricane strikes and chronic microplastic pollution. Both hurricanes and microplastics have major negative effects on global coastlines and are forecast to become more damaging in the future. However, current model trends are based on limited modern data and may not provide an accurate or comprehensive view of the future. Therefore, this dissertation investigates coastal stratigraphic records to determine long-term past trends of these presses and pulses so that researchers, stakeholders, and policy makers can use them to enact strategies to mitigate damages from worsening …

Developing Green Design, Leading Green And Low-Carbon Society, Yongxiang Lu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Green design refers to a design principle and method that comprehensively considers energy and resource conservation, emission reduction, and environmental impact during the product manufacturing and operation process in the product design stage. It strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire product lifecycle. In the era of information networks, green design is supported by big data, AI network collaborative design, network detection and monitoring, etc. It involves selecting energy-saving processes, green and low-carbon materials, and optimizing product geometry design and surface treatment to achieve efficient resource utilization and minimize waste. For example, selecting environmentally friendly materials through networked …

Research And Implications Of The Us Clean Energy Strategy, Lanchun Li, Qing Liu, Wei Chen, Yun Tang, Jun Chen

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

As the world enters a new period of carbon neutrality, the US government is actively building a clean energy innovation ecosystem through both internal and external measures. Systematically tracking and in-depth analysis of the intent, structure, approach, and other characteristics of the new phase of the US clean energy strategy is of practical significance to Chinese energy revolution. The US focuses on the strategic objectives of science and technology innovation, energy security, and infrastructure, and has constructed an innovation ecology characterized by technology lists, planning blueprints, full-chain research, and innovative subjects from the perspective of whole-government coordination, cross-institutional decision-making, deep …

Effective Carbon Cost Constraints: Unity Of Environmental Effectiveness, Cost Effectiveness, And Incentive Effectiveness, Yongping Sun, Jingning Jiang, Xinyu Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The carbon market serves as a crucial policy tool in the pursuit of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. It holds significant importance in driving the innovation of green and low-carbon technologies in China, facilitating the realization of nationally determined contributions, and bolstering China’s global leadership in climate action. The core function of the carbon market is carbon pricing, which can only be effective and achieve various objectives like carbon emissions reduction and sustainable development when carbon costs are reasonably constrained. Environmental effectiveness, cost effectiveness, and incentive effectiveness are three important dimensions to evaluate the effectiveness of the carbon market, …

Natural Resource Factors Promoting Urban And Rural Integrated Development In The New Era: Target Selection And Policy Design, Zhimin Zhang, Guohua Yuan, Ruilin Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Reconstructing the reverse flood of natural resource elements in rural and urban regional systems is the basic form of requirement for realizing urban-rural integration. Taking target selection-realistic obstacles-institutional demand-system construction as the logical main line, starting from the current situation of natural resource element allocation under the framework of urban-rural integrated development, it sorted out the problems existing in the urban-rural integrated development of natural resources such as asymmetrical property rights design, inconsistent bearing plans of various types, lack of natural resource revenue sharing mechanism, and poor asset flow channels and trading systems, with unified layout, power return, paid use, …

International Development Strategy And Analysis Of Science And Technology Trends In Carbon Capture, Utilization, And Storage (Ccus), Aning Qin, Yuling Sun

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

In the context of carbon neutrality, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has emerged as a critical focus for policymakers worldwide. Recognized as a critical tool for combating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality, CCUS has gained widespread endorsement from major nations and international organizations. Through methods such as bibliometrics, text clustering, and comprehensive research involving foreign official institutions and authoritative websites, this study delves into the technology strategy and development trends of CCUS. It is found that various countries，including the United States, Europe, and Japan, have sequentially rolled out CCUS strategies, elevating CCUS to a pivotal national strategic …

Scientifically Improving Integrated Water Governance For Resilient Flow Of The Yellow River, Shuai Wang, Shuang Song, Yanxu Liu, Xutong Wu, Enhui Jiang, Bojie Fu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The severe soil erosion and river channel disconnection along the Yellow River have been curbed. Still, the fundamental situation of prominent contradictions in the relationship between humans and water has not changed. Scientifically enhancing comprehensive management capabilities has become an important demand for high-quality development in the Yellow River basin during this new era. This study summarizes the fundamental ecological and hydrological changes in the Yellow River basin, and identifies three main characteristics, namely, sediment transport has significantly decreased, water resource shortages have intensified, and the relationship between humans and water has changed significantly. The four key challenges for sustainable …

Analysis Of International Carbon Budget Management Systems And Their Applicability To China, Wenjun Wang, Huiquan Huang, Xujie Zhao, Pengcheng Xie, Chonghui Fu, Qiaqia Zhang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

China is establishing a carbon budget management system at both provincial and municipal levels. The carbon budget system, as a policy tool for integrating total carbon emission management and economic planning, has already been effective in developed countries. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the concept, core elements, and practical experiences of the carbon budget system, and compares international practices with China’s low-carbon management system in the context of national circumstances. It extracts elements from international experiences that provide empirical insights, exhibit reference value, and require localization and innovation. Based on the analysis, this study proposes the following policy …

Sustainable Transportation: Transforming Utah Through Community Action, Isabella Erwin, Kendall Becker, Patrick A. Singleton, Scott Hotaling

All Current Publications

Transportation in the United States accounts for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Over half of these emissions come from on-road vehicles. Nationwide, Utah has the third highest rate of car ownership, and the resulting air pollution from on-road vehicles has significant implications for the climate and public health. This fact sheet provides information on how Utah’s government and other entities are working to expand modes of transport that minimize harm to communities and the environment.

Groundwater Modeling Of The Ogallala Aquifer: Use Of Machine Learning For Model Parameterization And Sustainability Assessment, Tewodros Aboret Tilahun

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Addressing groundwater depletion problems in heterogeneous aquifer systems is a challenge. The heterogeneous Ogallala Aquifer, a critical source of groundwater in the central United States, has undergone decades of decline in water levels due to pumping. This project aims to build a robust groundwater model to evaluate optimal scenarios for sustainable use of the groundwater resource within a section of the Ogallala aquifer located in the Middle Republican Natural Resources District (MRNRD). This study follows a comprehensive approach involving parameterization, construction, and optimization. The model is parametrized using hydraulic conductivity and recharge values obtained from a random forest-based machine learning …

Coffee In Brasil: Sustainability And The Role Of Intermediaries, Livia Petzinger

Capstone Collection

ABSTRACT

Coffee is traded in a highly complex global value chain where countless sustainability initiatives have emerged to address social, economic, and environmental issues, challenges which persist due to dominance of the market structure by largescale traders and roasters. Specialty coffee and direct trade have emerged as alternative trade arrangements that promote high-quality coffee through the use of sustainable practices, transparency, and a shortened supply chain. This research analyzes the role that intermediaries in the Brazilian specialty coffee supply chain play in the implementation of sustainability initiatives asking what kinds of sustainability practices they implement and why, and how this …

Solar Photovoltaics As Climate Change Adaptations For Farmers In West Bengal, India: Barriers Within A Food-Water-Energy Nexus Approach, Emily Rochford

Capstone Collection

This capstone research project seeks to identify and address barriers to the use of solar photovoltaics (PV) as an adaptation method to climate change for farmers in West Bengal, India. These barriers are examined within the context of the food-water-energy nexus, particularly concerning the ability of many small holder farmers to produce their own food and sustain their livelihoods. Previous studies have examined both energy access and renewable energy development in West Bengal, and also the food-water-energy nexus in its application to climate change. However, there is minimal literature on how renewable energy development should be applied within the nexus …

Returning Power To The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe: Energy Policy And Tribal Autonomy, Nicolas Land-Kazlauskas

Capstone Collection

This policy brief addresses tribal autonomy, energy policy, and the resources of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe in Massachusetts. Tribal sovereignty has been a difficult and often painful area of discussion for many tribal communities. For generations, tribes have had to carefully navigate their interactions with colonial forces and the residues of colonialist legacies, especially tied to resource wealth and decision-making. Even with the best of efforts by the tribe, their actions often have not impacted the basic legal or economic situations on-the-ground. Their on-going relationships with states and companies continue to undermine tribal autonomy and sovereignty oftentimes simply because they …

Impact Of Land Use Dynamics On The Water Yields In The Gorgan River Basin, Masoomeh Yaghoobi, Aram Fathi, Shahryar Fazli, Wenzhao Li, Elham Haghshenas, Vahid Shokri Kuchak, Hesham El-Askary

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

This research investigates the future dynamics of water yield services in the Gorgan River Basin in the North of Iran by analyzing land cover changes from 1990 to 2020, using Landsat images and predicting up to 2040 with the Land Change Modeler and InVEST model under three scenarios: continuation, conservation, and mitigation. The results indicate significant shifts in agricultural land impacted water yields, which fluctuated from 324.7 million cubic meters (MCM) in 1990 to 279.7 MCM in 2010, before rising to 320.1 MCM by 2020. The study uniquely assesses the effects of land use changes on water yields, projecting a …

Sustainability In The Specialty Mushroom Industry And The Fight Against Single-Use Plastic: A Case Study, Amanda Newman

University Honors Theses

Specialty mushroom cultivator, Bridgetown Mushrooms, generates approximately 3 metric tons of polypropylene plastic waste a year. This is just a fraction of the 1-2 million metric tons created by the specialty mushroom industry annually. With only 10% of plastic waste being used as secondary materials, the majority of this waste ends up in landfills or in the environment. Through collaboration with employees within Bridgetown’s operation and government agency mentorship, it was determined that the most viable and ecological solution to reduce on-farm plastic waste within Bridgetown’s operation was to develop a reusable growing apparatus as a direct replacement for polypropylene …

Spatio-Temporal Changes In The Gravity And Post-Mining Seismic Activity In Abandoned Deep Coal Mine Kazimierz-Juliusz During Flooding, Andrzej Kotyrba, Łukasz Kortas, Sławomir Siwek

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The flooding of an underground hard coal mine, resulting in the filling of post-mining voids (workings and goafs) and the repeated saturation of pore and interstitial spaces of the adjacent rock with water, change the mass and its distribution in the near-surface part of the earth’s crust. This process is slow and lasts many years. As a result, the local gravity field undergoes dynamic changes. It depends on the surface morphology and the density of geological strata, which is related to their water content. Changes in the local gravity field can be monitored by periodic gravity surveys performed in the …

Mapping Urban Tree Canopy Using Publicly Available Satellite Data, Rosemary Mcguinness

Theses and Dissertations

This project addresses the need for accessible, cost-effective tools for quantifying spatial and temporal changes in tree canopy cover in urban areas. Urban tree canopy provides a wide range of ecosystem services, including lowering air temperatures, reducing pollution, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Cities around the world have placed the expansion of their urban forests at the center of their sustainability goals. Consistent and timely data on urban tree canopy is essential for urban greening initiatives to succeed. Existing methods of accessing information about urban tree canopy are highly technical, costly, and labor-intensive, while the freely available source of tree canopy …

Renewable Energy Perception And Policy Implementation In Rural Communities: Case Studies In The Ohio And Tennessee River Valleys, Madeline Petty

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Utility-scale renewable energy development allows clean energy production to fulfill energy demand and mitigate climate change. Development of utility-scale renewable energies such as wind and solar energy requires expansive tracts of land, typically found in rural areas. Rural center communities in the United States (U.S.) exhibit unique characteristics and ideologies that influence individuals’ perceptions of renewable energy about climate change. This research aimed to understand rural residents’ perception of renewable energy by surveying six rural center communities with varying levels of renewable energy. Surveys were distributed electronically to residents in these communities via mailers, digital ads, flyers, press releases, and …

Integrating Water And Nitrogen Management For Sustainable Agriculture: Optimizing Resource Use Efficiency And Maximizing Crop Productivity, Jiaming Duan

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Advisors: Derek Heeren and Daran Rudnick Maize, accounting for over 95% of national grain production in the United States, is highly sensitive to water and nitrogen (N) inputs. Conventional agricultural practices often lead to excessive application, causing groundwater contamination through nitrate leaching. Therefore, there is a demand for integrating water and nitrogen management with innovative scheduling methods for sustainable agricultural development.

This dissertation first reviewed two decades of U.S.-based research, highlighting the optimal management of water and N to enhance yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). Findings indicate that maintaining optimal levels of N and water …

Lca Operational Carbon Reduction Based On Energy Strategies Analysis In A Mass Timber Building, Moein Hemmati, Tahar Messadi, Hongmei Gu, Mahboobeh Hemmati

Architecture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Buildings play a significant role in the rise of energy consumption and carbon emissions. Building operations are responsible for 28% of the world’s carbon emissions. It is crucial, therefore, to evaluate the environmental impact of various buildings’ operational phase in order to implement sustainable strategies for the mitigation of their energy usage and associated carbon footprint. While numerous studies have been conducted to determine the carbon footprint of conventional building operation phases, there are still a lack of actual data on the operational carbon (OC) emissions of mass timber buildings. There is also a lack of research pertaining to the …

Sustainability Measures Of The Apparel Industry: A Longitudinal Analysis Of Apparel Corporations’ Sustainability Efforts, Lance Cheramie, Mahendran Balasubramanian

Apparel Merchandising and Product Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Climate change is a paramount challenge of our era, with profound implications for various sectors, including the apparel industry, known for its extensive environmental footprint throughout the entire clothing lifecycle. This study assesses the industry’s carbon emission trends using six years of data (2017–2022) focusing on Scope 1 and Scope 2. Employing a one-way repeated measures ANOVA, this study evaluates the impact of sustainability strategies on emissions. The results indicate a notable decrease in Scope 2 and overall carbon emissions, while Scope 1 emissions remain relatively unchanged despite a downward trend. These findings underscore the success of current sustainability measures …

Developing Educational Tools For Sustainable Stormwater Management, Lauren Houskeeper

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

Rapid population growth and development in Western states are exerting strain on the region’s limited water resources. Urbanization exacerbates this issue by increasing impervious surfaces, limiting infiltration of precipitation during storm events and snowmelt, which results in changes to hydrologic conditions with higher runoff volumes and higher peak flows. Stormwater transports pollutants as it flows across impervious surfaces, discharging high volumes of runoff and elevated loads of urban contaminants into receiving waters. The amount of pollution entering waterways continually increases as urban areas expand. Utah is currently experiencing a rapid transition from undeveloped to developed landscapes, necessitating the implementation of …

Utilizing Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas) And Computer Software To Assess Effects Of Cover Crops On Cash Crop Volumetric Mass And Plant Height, Carlos Andres Garcia Patlan

Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability in agriculture starts with the health of soil-- from its productivity and fertility, to its ability to retain water during droughts and allow for drainage during rain. One approach of improving soil health is the use of cover crops, a practice associated with improved nutrient availability in soils, the promotion of soil biodiversity and organic matter to improve density and structure, effective weed management, and ultimately improved yields of subsequent cash crops. Assessing the cumulative impacts of cover crops is difficult, with various metrics and indicators. Crop dry weight may be a way to predict the effects cover crops …

Enhancing Fuel Injection System Reliability Through Weibull Family Functions Analysis, Ali Nouri Qarahasanlou, Abbas Barabadi, Meisam Saleki, Ali Rahimazar, Parisa Rezakhania, Masoume Gholamia

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The efficient operation of heavy machinery is crucial to the success of mining and civil construction operations. To guarantee this performance, equipment performance is assessed using the Reliability Index, which analyzes failures to study the ability of a system to carry out its intended functions under predetermined conditions. On the other hand, the failure rate and operational environmental condition (such as management decisions, maintenance performance, etc., that are defined as “risk factors”) over the life cycle of industrial systems pose a significant challenge to reliability analysis. This paper proposes an approach to address these challenges by extending Weibull family functions …