Sustainability Commons^™

Analysis On Water Loss Characteristics Of Roof Aquifer And Borehole Hydraulic Curtain Protection In Deep Coal Mining In Inner Mongolia‒Shaanxi Mining Area, Zhao Chunhu, Wang Shidong, Ji Zhongkui, Zhu Kaipeng, Yang Jian, Xu Feng, Yu Bo

Coal Geology & Exploration

The geological and hydrogeological characteristics of the main mined coal seams in the deep Inner Mongolia‒Shaanxi Mining Area vary greatly from that of the shallow area. Herein, the relevant research results on the geological and hydrogeological characteristics, as well as the mining-induced water-flowing fracture, were analyzed systematically for the main mined coal seams in the deep mining areas, such as Hujierte, Taigemiao and Xinjie. On this basis, it is summarized that a typical indirect water loss (inrush) mode could be formed easily under the drive of coal mining, with the protection of key weak water barrier layer of Jurassic Anding …

Experimental Study On Compressive Strength Characteristics Of Coal-Rock Combinations Influenced By Number Of Bedding Surfaces, Zheng Jianwei, Wang Shuwen, Li Haitao, Yang Guoqiang, Lyu Dazhao, Liu Biao, Fu Yukai, Li Xiaopeng, Lei Guorong

Coal Geology & Exploration

The layering effect of the coal seam roof poses major influence on the mechanical behavior of the coal-rock system. Herein, the coal seam roof was simplified into coal-rock combinations with different number of bedding planes in the rock unit, and on this basis, uniaxial compression tests were conducted. Then, the stress-strain characteristics, the evolution law of surface strain field and the acoustic emission characteristics during the test were collected and analyzed using the stress monitoring system, the digital image correlation (DIC) method, and the acoustic emission (AE) system. The test shows that: the stress-strain process of the coal-rock combinations can …

A Simulation Study On The Formation Mechanisms Of Gas Hydrates In Pores Of Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediments In The South China Sea, Zheng Mingming, Zhou Kerui, Wu Zurui, Liu Tianle, Yan Shichun, Zeng Guo’Ao

Coal Geology & Exploration

The formation of high-quality gas hydrates in the pores of the sediment matrix serves as the premise and material basis for experimental research on gas hydrates, thus providing theoretical guidance for the exploration of deep-water hydrocarbons and gas hydrates in China. Based on the geological conditions of gas hydrate-bearing sediments in well GMGS2-07 in the South China Sea, this study conducted numerical simulations and laboratory experiments using the TOUGH+HYDRATE code and a self-developed device for gas hydrate reactions and generation, respectively. Firstly, this study verified the accuracy and reliability of the numerical simulation method. Then, it investigated the quality of …

Construction And Experimental Verification Of A Damage Constitutive Model Of Rocks Under Uniaxial Compression Considering Seepage Pressure, Song Zhanping, Wang Jiahui, Pan Hongwei, Yang Pengtao, Yang Tengtian, Tian Song

Coal Geology & Exploration

The construction of tunnels and underground projects in a water abundance environment is subjected to increasingly frequent construction accidents arising from the surrounding rock instability caused by groundwater infiltration. Therefore, establishing a damage constitutive model of rocks under uniaxial compression while considering seepage pressure is of great significance for guiding field construction. To characterize the stress-strain relationships in the process of uniaxial compression damage of rocks, this study introduced concepts such as the deformation model of porous rocks, pore aspect ratio, and self-consistent model and theories such as hydrochemical damage and Weibull distribution-based statistical damage into the original constitutive models …

Temporal And Spatial Variation Characteristics Of Water Conservation Function Of Upper Danjiang River Basin In Qinling Mountains And Its Influencing Factors, Yang Jingyu, Shu Zunyun, Yang Fu, Fu Deliang, Ma Li, Zhang Liwei, Xue Yuze

Coal Geology & Exploration

Effective water conservation function can regulate the regional hydrological cycles and ensure the regional ecological security, which are closely related to human production and life. For this reason, the way to accurately evaluate the water conservation function has become a research hot topics in current ecohydrology. Herein, the temporal and spatial variation rules of water conservation in Upper Danjiang River Basin in Qinling Mountains from 2010 to 2020 were analyzed based on the Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM) and the water balance method, and the effects of changes in climate and land use on the water conservation function of …

Forward Modeling Of Amplitude Variation With Offset And Azimuth (Avoa) Response For Fracture Parameters Of Horizontal Transversely Isotropic Coal Seams, Wu Haibo, Liu Qinjie, Wang Jinchao, Li Zhi, Bai Ze, Xi Chaoqiang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Fractures serve as a key factor controlling the permeability of coal seams and play a crucial role in the exploration and exploitation of coalbed methane. This study focuses on the Amplitude Variation with offset and Azimuth (AVOA) response mechanisms of the fracture parameters of horizontal transversely isotropic (HTI) coal seams. To this end, this study calculated the equivalent elastic modulus of coal seams with vertical dry and fluid-saturated fractures using the Mori-Tanaka model and the Brown-Korringa anisotropic fluid substitution equation, respectively. Moreover, based on the petrophysical characterization of fractures in coal seams and the forward modeling using the HTI coal …

Methods For Predicting The Thickness Of Coal Seams Based On Seismic Attribute Optimization And Machine Learning, Yin Haiyang, Chen Tongjun, Song Xiong, Xu Haicheng, Li Wan

Coal Geology & Exploration

Accurate location of coal seams is the key technology of unattended mining and predicting the thickness of coal seams is an important content in the seismic interpretation of coalfields. This study constructed a forward model involving wedge-shaped coal seams by referencing the actual thickness and physical properties of strata. Moreover, this study compared and analyzed the effects of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and regression methods on the prediction of the coal seams’ thickness through the forward modeling of seismic profiles and the extraction and optimization of seismic attributes. The results of this study are as follows: (1) Some seismic attributes were …

Image Sharpening Method Of Automatic Loading And Unloading Drill Pipe Target In Underground Coal Mine, Yao Ningping, Liang Chunmiao, Yao Yafeng, Song Haitao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Due to the space limitation of underground roadway in coal mine, the drilling robot is designed with two independent systems, i.e., the drilling system and the drilling pipe loading and unloading system, which are in flexible layout. Using the monocular visual identification based on cooperative target, the drilling system is associated with the drilling pipe loading and unloading system for the cooperative operation of the two systems to deliver the drill pipe. However, there are problems such as borehole cinder, cooperative target polluted by sewage, high dust concentration, low visibility, low luminance of artificial light source, uneven illumination resulting in …

Composite Climate Risk Exposure In High-Emitting California Industries, Nicholas M. Graves

Master's Projects and Capstones

The correlation of anthropogenic carbon emissions and changes in the global climate system is unequivocal. Governments are enacting policy from the local, state, federal, and international levels that present major transition risks for businesses. In parallel, legacy emissions are already causing discernible changes in the climate system via increased frequencies of drought, wildfire, flooding, and extreme heat; these changes present material physical risks to existing business infrastructure. Taken together, these risks form the foundation of proposed regulations for climate risk disclosure by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Existing literature has not provided an at-scale screening methodology for climate …

Assessing Equity Of Green Infrastructure Strategies To Address Heat Vulnerability In Los Angeles Sustainable City Planning, Sophia N. La Herran

Master's Projects and Capstones

Urbanization has brought about many undesirable environmental changes, with extreme heat and urban heat island (UHI) effect being some of the most significant. In addition to the challenge of UHI effect and increase of extreme heat events, heat also disproportionately affects different types of urban populations with higher populations of minority and low-income residents, who are more exposed and have limited capacity to adapt to extreme. The increased vulnerability to heat faced by socially vulnerable communities can be linked to the inequalities in neighborhood level exposure to extreme heat events, underlying health conditions, workplace conditions, housing quality, and other lasting …

Sustainability Analysis: Large-Scale Desalination Implications For Coastal California, Elizabeth H. Whitford

Master's Projects and Capstones

In response to prolonged drought, desalination is gaining popularity as an alternative water production method for fresh water. However, water desalting technology poses concerns; the process is energy intensive, creates brine waste, and has the potential to damage sensitive coastal ecosystems. Significant research is available on the technological, economic, and energy efficiency aspects of desalination, while only a small percentage of the current literature focuses on environmental impacts. This research analyzes the desalination literature holistically in terms of both energy consumption and environmental impacts by conducting 1) a historical and current state review of the sector, 2) a technology analysis …

Stormwater To Groundwater: How California Can Increase Groundwater Storage And Build Climate Resilience., Emily M. Perales

Master's Projects and Capstones

California is predicted to have more intense and frequent changes in weather patterns within the next 50 years. Historical and current groundwater use for residential and agricultural use is unsustainable and is creating significant deficits in groundwater aquifers throughout the state. To better adapt to potential damages caused by atmospheric rivers, better stormwater management and capture could increase California’s Climate adaptability. This study is focused on the means and methods to capture stormwater and increase groundwater recharge. Nature-based infrastructure (NBI), or Green Infrastructure (GI), has been used in urban areas throughout the country to mitigate harmful stormwater effects by replicating …

Clean Energy At The Crossroads Of America: An Integrated Resource Plan For Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Llc (Nipsco), Saad Z. Khan, Shend Boshnjaku

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper outlines an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the Indiana electric utility company, NIPSCO, looking forward to the year 2050 and evaluating different pathways to net zero emissions from the power generation sector. It is a plan for the future, identifying the most cost-effective and reliable mix of resources to meet the energy needs of NIPSCO's customers and reaching decarbonization goals by mid-century.

Desal In So. Cal - Are We There Yet?, Luke F. Swanson

Master's Projects and Capstones

Southern California has access to a finite amount of water that is vulnerable to the state’s changing climate and growing population. The increasing population’s water demands and hydrologic variability due to climate change inspire different proposals to solve these water limitations. Seawater or brackish water desalination and wastewater recycling are all water resources that have the potential to help meet the water needs of Southern California, specifically the South Coast Hydrologic Region. Every water resource requires energy to transport, treat, and distribute the water for use; in an era of climate change, when energy use contributes to greenhouse gases, utilities …

Possible Impact Of Additives In Artificial Turf On Aquatic Life In The San Francisco Estuary, Elena Galkina

Master's Projects and Capstones

The use of artificial turf fields as a replacement for natural turf has been increasingly promoted as a green solution to reduce water usage, maintenance costs, and the need for pesticides. However, the potential environmental impacts of artificial turf fields are poorly understood, particularly in the context of the San Francisco Estuary, which is one of the largest and most polluted estuaries in the United States. This paper investigates the potential contribution of artificial turf from sports fields to the microplastic and chemical pollution of the San Francisco Estuary during artificial turf’s use and maintenance life stage. The study synthesizes …

An Integrated Resource Plan For Tucson Electric Power Company, 2020-2050, Timothy Gary Sheehan Jr, Danny Alexander Zepeda

Master's Projects and Capstones

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States electric power industry is responsible for 25% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. As a result, many utilities face state mandates which force electric utilities to reduce their emissions by decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. An Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is the primary method by which electric utilities plan all aspects of future electricity supply and demand, presenting how the company will deliver reliable and affordable energy while meeting statutory requirements. We propose three IRP scenarios through 2050 for Tucson Electric Power (TEP), an electric utility in southern Arizona. The first …

Development And Evaluation Of An Automated Tactical Tillage Tool To Control Weeds In Row-Crop Production Systems, Grace Mccormick Friday

Theses and Dissertations

Weed control is an integral part of a successful overall production strategy in row- cropping systems and has the potential to reduce or eliminate yield losses that negatively affect profitability. Timely and correctly selected herbicide applications are the major keys for effective weed control in a majority of instances. However, there are negative factors that contribute to ineffectiveness and weed escape issues that currently lack viable options for management. Sparsely populated late-season weeds that emerge after lay-by herbicide applications and weeds that have become tolerant and resistant to traditional herbicide chemistries are of greatest concern. Historically, these weeds would have …

Mutualism In Architecture, Tj Rottenberg

Bachelor of Architecture Theses - 5th Year

Mutualism is a term more commonly used in Ecology and can be defined as the relationship between organisms of differing species in which each benefit. In Architectural terms, Mutualism can be defined as the relationship between differing owners, buildings, typologies, or programs in which each benefit. A relationship already exists in many forms, but not always in a mutually beneficial way. I propose that architecture be designed and built in such a way that physical architecture relates to its surrounding infrastructure in such a way that creates a system or an ecosystem that is mutually beneficial.

In nature there are …

Post Wildfire Vegetation Response To The Wildland-Urban Interface: A Case Study Of The Station Fire, Angelo C. De Guzman, Raju Bista, Parveen K. Chhetri

CSU Journal of Sustainability and Climate Change

In the past, wildfires served as a method for mother nature to promote biodiversity and to help maintain a functioning ecosystem. However, climate change alters the fire regime, significantly impacting vegetation recovery. Human disturbances and increased land use and land cover heighten vegetation disruption and abundance after a fire. Wildland-urban interface (WUI) – the region where the vegetation intermingles with the roads, houses, and human-made structures – threatens vegetation and the human population. Overall vegetation recovery after the Station Fire of 2009 spread through the San Gabriel Mountains, Los Angeles County was observed using Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Normalized Difference …

Energy And Climate Change Issues Around Csudh, Alex E. Perez, Tara B. Jones, Raju Bista, Parveen K. Chhetri

CSU Journal of Sustainability and Climate Change

Climate change is posing significant challenges to California’s energy sector. Extreme weather events (heat and cold) may pressure existing infrastructure. Many studies have indicated that extreme climate events would impact the energy system by affecting peak electricity demand. However, very few studies have been conducted to understand how disadvantaged communities (DACs) will be impacted. Because of unequal access to energy infrastructure (electricity generation and battery storage), DACs are more vulnerable to power outages due to the rising number of significant weather events caused by climate change. To address the issue of how DACs are disproportionately affected by climate change-related energy …

Improving The Cotton Simulation Model, Gossym, For Soil, Photosynthesis, And Transpiration Processes, Sahila Beegum, Dennis Timlin, Kambham Raja Reddy, Vangimalla Reddy, Wenguang Sun, Zhuangji Wang, David Fleisher, Chittaranjan Ray

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

GOSSYM, a mechanistic, process-level cotton crop simulation model, has a two-dimensional (2D) gridded soil model called Rhizos that simulates the below-ground processes daily. Water movement is based on gradients of water content and not hydraulic heads. In GOSSYM, photosynthesis is calculated using a daily empirical light response function that requires calibration for response to elevated carbon dioxide ( CO₂). This report discusses improvements made to the GOSSYM model for soil, photosynthesis, and transpiration processes. GOSSYM’s predictions of below-ground processes using Rhizos are improved by replacing it with 2DSOIL, a mechanistic 2D finite element soil process model. The photosynthesis …

Downstream Hydrochemistry And Irrigation Water Quality Of The Syr Darya, Aral Sea Basin, South Kazakhstan, Bagdat Satybaldiyev, Baimurat Ismailov, Nurbek Nurpeisov, Kairat Kenges, Daniel D. Snow, Arindam Malakar, Omirzhan Taukebayev, Bolat Uralbekov

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

New hydrochemical measurements from the Syr Darya provide insights into factors affecting the composition and quality of a major freshwater source replenishing the Aral Sea. This river is heavily used for power and irrigation and crosses territories of four Central Asia republics. It is intensely managed, draining several major tributaries, many reservoirs, and numerous irrigation distribution systems and canals. Analysis of seasonal changes in dissolved ion concentrations using geochemical diagrams, elemental ratios, statistical correlation, and equilibrium modeling allowed the characterization of mineral formation processes that control the dissolved chemical composition. Measured water hydrochemistry and composition type differs substantially from previous …

The True "New Eve": Ben Wildflower's Magnificat And The Second Creation Story, Mary L. Parks

Obsculta

Images of the Virgin Mary have provided comfort to Christians for almost two thousand years. Many of these images have depicted the Mother of God as gentle, demure, pure, and obedient. Ben Wildflower’s woodcut, Magnificat, imagines another side of Mary’s story. This paper considers the second creation story, “New Eve” typology, and church teaching about current social and environmental issues to demonstrate why Magnificat is an ideal portrait for the true “New Eve”.

Occurrence Of Radionuclides And Hazardous Elements In The Transboundary River Basin Kyrgyzstan–Kazakhstan, Mariya A. Severinenko, Vladimir P. Solodukhin, Bekmamat M. Djenbaev, The National Academy Of Science Of The Kyrgyz Republic G. Lennik, Baktiyar T. Zholboldiev, Daniel D. Snow

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

Important for irrigation, the transboundary river basin between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan is vulnerable to geochemical and anthropogenic sources of pollution. The use of water use indices, together with measurements of the elemental and radionuclide composition of the water and bottom sediments, provides a means for evaluating the continued use of the water from this region. Recent monitoring shows the highest concentrations of hazardous contaminants include lead and thorium contained in the bottom and banks of the Kichi-Kemin River. These contaminants are likely remnants of an accidental spill at the Aktyuz tailing dump in 1964. The specific activity of the Th-232 …

What Are The Impacts Of Deer Browsing And Japanese Stiltgrass (Microstegium Vinenium) On Native Sapling Growth In A Residential Wetland In Southeastern Georgia?, Josie Richards

Honors College Theses

Wetlands promote biodiversity, act as climate stabilizers, and regulate water flow, yet are vulnerable to invaders. An invasive species can affect the biodiversity, abiotic conditions, and increase vulnerability of an ecosystem over time and deer browsing can actively affect new growth by removing the apical buds of young woody vegetation. Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum), a wetland specific invader, has been shown to compete against native species for limited resources and actively crowd them out. Growth of native saplings can be further complicated by the presence of white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), which browse woody vegetation and limit recruitment of trees. …

Radium As A Tracer Of Climate-Driven Changes In The Chemistry Of The Arctic Ocean, Lauren Kipp

Sustainability Seminar Series

The Arctic is one of the most rapidly warming regions on the planet, and rising air and sea temperatures are affecting interactions between the land and the Arctic Ocean. Radium isotopes are naturally produced in sediments and are soluble in seawater, making them a useful tool for monitoring these changes and understanding how land-derived elements are transported into the open ocean. Dr. Kipp will describe results from recent oceanographic sampling expeditions in the Arctic and discuss the important role that continental shelves play in controlling the chemistry of the Arctic Ocean.

An Analysis Of Factors Affecting Municipal Biochar Implementation In Voluntary Carbon Markets, Jadon Basilevac

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

This paper serves as a review article and incorporates elements of survey research in order to identify and address factors inhibiting biochar availability from municipal sequestration projects in voluntary carbon marketplaces. In determining which barriers exist, and devising strategies for solving them, this study can help to expand the role of biochar in mitigating emissions contributing to climate change, and encourage project developers to support municipal biochar projects that provide various co-benefits. To do so, this study addresses how the pyrolysis production process might be made more efficient, economically viable, and see improved public image, the various urban sectors to …

Analyzing The Effects Of Cold Frontal Passage On The Feeding Habits Of Micropterus Salmoides (Largemouth Bass), Ethan Lang

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

For many decades, it has been theorized as to what happens to the feeding habits of largemouth bass (Micropterus Salmoides) when a significant short term weather change occurs. Here in the midwest and all throughout the United States cold front boundaries are a weather phenomenon that occur on a regular basis. They can occur on a very large or small scale and have a rapid effect on the weather locally. These cold front systems have been looked at as one of the main drivers to having an effect on the feeding habits of largemouth. However, up until this point, any …

Physiological Distancing Affects Climate Change Through Spatial Differences, Janette Williams

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Psychological distancing is best described as the human ability to separate ourselves socially, temporally, and spatial and use it to manipulate our perspectives. It is the belief that in order to perceive or understand the information, you have to be within a spatial range(Harvard Business Review,2015). Psychological distancing has been linked to climate change perspectives based on spatial differences. People who are closely affected by climate change and experience more are going to have more ideas and be proactive. The reduced distance by spatial differences correlated with perceptions of climate change. People who are farther from the coast and experience …

Roots Of Passion In Environmental Unl Students, Shane Vrbicky

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

“Passion” is an elusive idea - a simple word invented by man - able to depict vastly different realities and meanings dependent entirely on the user. Highly influential in nature, the simple thought of a passion within human beings can evoke a wide spectrum of strong emotions from pure joy and satisfaction to utter desperation and dread. Sometimes people have never known a life without their passion, guided by a headstrong feeling towards a path they have always dreamed of. Sometimes people can never seem to find passion, not knowing where to look and yet constantly chasing after it. Sometimes …