Sustainability Commons^™

Technology Manufacturing Organizations’ Strategies For Achieving Sustainability, Kate Cheney

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sustainability remains a challenge for technology manufacturers struggling to integrate environmental priorities into core operations. This issue is critical for technology manufacturing managers who must embed sustainability into organizational systems and decision-making processes to meet rising expectations from regulators, investors, and consumers. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study is to identify and explore effective strategies used by technology manufacturing managers in the western region of the United States. The data collected from seven semistructured interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The five themes that emerged were (a) leadership and company culture, (b) collaboration, …

Technical Advances And Research Directions Of Borehole Geophysical Prospecting For Coal Mines, Cheng Jianyuan, Yan Yu, Li Yuteng, Wang Pan, Zhao Rui, Jiang Bici

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background High-precision and long-distance exploration of geological conditions is required for coal extraction and disaster prevention in coal mines. However, traditional drilling and geophysical prospecting methods face technical bottlenecks such as insufficient exploration accuracy and limited exploration ranges. Borehole geophysical prospecting technology integrates the reliable and straightforward axial results of drilling with the high-resolution transverse results of geophysical prospecting, providing technical support for safe, efficient, and intelligent coal mining. Based on the construction spaces, this study categorizes borehole geophysical prospecting technology into four types: i.e., intra-borehole, inter-borehole, borehole-surface, and borehole-roadway. Furthermore, it presents the primary advances and applicable conditions of …

Implications Of Helium Accumulation Models In Helium-Rich Basins In China For The Enrichment And Exploration Of Helium In Coal Measures, Li Yunbo, Wang Chengtao, Song Dangyu, Shi Xiaowei, Wang Rongqi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Helium is a strategic resource in serious short supply in China, and intensifying its exploration is crucial to national resource security. China enjoys abundant coal measure gas and significant potential for associated helium accumulation. However, relevant research remains in its infancy. Methods Based on a summary and analysis of helium generation, migration, and accumulation theories in natural gas reservoirs, this study systematically investigated the enrichment patterns of helium in coal measures and proposed exploration targets. Results and Conclusions The insights reveal that the helium resources in China exhibit a distribution pattern of zoning in both north-south and east-west directions. …

Advances In Research On Noble Gas As Tracers Of Geofluids And Helium Enrichment, Gao Yu, Liu Quanyou, Zhu Dongya, Wu Xiaoqi, Li Pengpeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Noble gases emerge as significant tools for tracing the sources and evolutionary processes of geofluids due to their chemical inertness and different isotopic compositions across varying reservoirs. Helium serves as a noble gas tracer and a scarce resource, and its enrichment mechanisms and exploration potential have attracted wide attention.Methods Based on a summary of the geochemical data of typical gas reservoirs, volcanic gases, and surface hot springs at home and abroad, this study analyzed the interfering factors and end-member value screening in the source apportionment of noble gases. Furthermore, it summarized the applications of noble gas isotopes in …

Dominant Factors Causing Helium Deficiency In Coal-Measure Natural Gas In The Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, Liu Jiarun, Liu Quanyou, Li Pengpeng, Gao Yu, Lü Jiahao

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Helium is identified as a scarce strategic resource, having found widespread applications in high-tech fields such as high-end manufacturing, aerospace, and national defense due to its stable chemical properties and low boiling point. The Kuqa Depression in the Tarim Basin is a significant natural gas production base in China. Determining the distribution characteristics and controlling factors of helium in coal-measure natural gas in the Kuqa Depression holds great significance.Methods Using two helium resource assessment methods and geological data, this study explored the dominant factors causing helium deficiency in the coal-measure natural gas in the Kuqa Depression.Results and …

Resource Potential And Extraction Technique Design For Helium In Coal Measures, Wang Lei, Tang Maoyin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Back ground Helium is an important strategic scarce resource. Presently, helium used in industry originates primarily from natural gas. In contrast, helium in coal measures, generally emerging as coalbed methane (CBM) with a high helium content, serves as a vital supplement to conventional helium resources. In industry, helium extraction from boil off gas (BOG) during natural gas liquefaction is recognized as an important way to obtain helium resources. However, existing studies on helium in coal measures mostly focus on the genesis, enrichment patterns, and geochemical characteristics of helium, while there is a lack of studies on its resource characteristics and …

Effectiveness Assessment And Spatial Distribution Characteristics Of Helium Source Rocks In The Shixi Block Along The Eastern Margin Of The Ordos Basin, Chang Yangmei, Liu Chao, Sun Beilei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Helium gas serves as a significant rare strategic resource. In China, helium resources are relatively scarce and dependent heavily on imports. Therefore, there is a pressing need for the exploration and exploitation of helium resources. Helium source rocks provide a material basis for the formation of helium resources. The Zijinshan pluton serves as a principal source of coal-measure helium along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Previous studies reveal that helium in natural gas within the Shixi Block originates primarily from the decay of radioactive elements in the deep part of the Jianjiagou-Zijinshan plutons. However, there is a …

Analyzing The Permeability Enhancement Effect Of Hydraulic Slotting For Low-Permeability Coal Seams Based On A Stress-Diffusion-Seepage Coupling Model, Zhang Hongtu, Zhou Tian, Wang Dengke, Li Botao, Luo Yong, Pan Rongsheng, Tang Jiahao, Lu Weiyong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods This study aims to improve the permeability enhancement effect of coal seams for gas drainage. Targeting the soft, low-permeability coal seams with complex gas occurrence conditions in the Baiping mining area and considering the impacts of effective stress, gas migration, actual gas effects, and tortuosity, this study constructed a stress-diffusion-seepage coupling model based on the pore-fracture dual medium assumption. Using the coupling model, this study simulated the variation patterns of gas content in coal seams during gas drainage under varying gas contents and borehole spacings. Through field tests under different permeability enhancement measures and unloaded coal amounts …

Chemical Temporary Plugging-Based Full-Bore Reconstruction Technology For Old Wellbores For The Collaborative Production Of Tight-Sand Gas And Deep Coalbed Methane, Yang Fan, Tan Zhanglong, Hu Jiachen, An Qi, Li Yu, Yang Ruiyue, Lin Junwen, Sun Zening, Jing Meiyang

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In China, the Ordos Basin boasts abundant coal-measure gas resources, holding considerable potential for resource development. As the development deepens, the proportion of depleted, stripper, and inefficient wells for tight-sand gas in coal measures has gradually decreased year by year. The collaborative production of tight-sand gas and deep coalbed methane (CBM) has emerged as a significant approach to effectively releasing production capacity.Methods To achieve the reconstruction of old wellbores and commingled production of new and old layers, this study proposed a technology of chemical temporary plugging-based full-bore reconstruction of old wellbores of tight-sand gas combined with the large-scale …

The Borehol Wall Image Digital Description Method Of The Overlying Rock Structural Planes Evdution Process In Deep Mining, Wang Jinchao, Zou Junpeng, Li Shenghai, Wang Chao, Li Xiaobin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective In China, as mineral resource mining is increasingly expanding towards the deep parts of the Earth, the safe and efficient exploitation of deep resources has become a major strategic and technological challenge at the national level to be addressed urgently. Understanding the movement patterns of mining-affected strata in deep environments will assist in improving the intelligent prevention and control of mine disasters, thereby ensuring the safe and efficient exploitation of deep resources. Methods Targeting the complex and diverse forms of the overburden’s structural planes in deep mining, as well as a lack of characterization methods tailored to the evolutionary …

Current Status And Future Trends Of Seismic Prediction And Assessment Technology For Coalbed Methane Reservoirs, Wu Haibo, Zhang Pingsong, Xu Shi’Ang, Huang Yaping, Dong Shouhua, Cheng Yan, Li Donghui, Zhang Sheng, Zhang Min

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The seismic prediction and assessment technology for coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs has undergone rapid development for over three decades, playing an indispensable role in CBM exploration. Methods This study reviews the development history and current status of core technologies within the seismic prediction and assessment technical system for CBM reservoirs, including seismic-petrophysical tests, modeling and inversion, seismic wavefield simulation, seismic amplitude versus offset (AVO) inversion and seismic attribute inversion, and integrated seismic prediction of the sweet spot areas of CBM reservoir resources and engineering. Furthermore, this study delves into the impacts and limitations of the characteristics of CBM reservoirs, …

A Method Integrating A Non-Stationary Random Field For Constrained Inversion Of Csamt Data, Dai Qianwei, Guo Luyao, Wu Yun, Xiong Zhexian, Duan Dan, Bao Zhonglin, Wu Hongfei, Hao Fengyun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The inversion of controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotelluric (CSAMT) data remains challenging due to two key issues: computational efficiency and resolution. To tackle these two issues, especially the over-smoothing effect caused by traditional regularization methods in estimating complex geological structures, this study proposed an improved regularization inversion method to reflect the spatial distribution characteristics of subsurface physical property parameters more accurately. Methods The proposed method was developed using the method for establishing the stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) based on the Matérn covariance function. By introducing vector fields and the shape parameters of a range ellipse, this method fully considered both …

Geochemical Nature Of The Geothermal Water From Lanzhou Basin: Implications For The Genesis Of Shallow Helium-Bearing Fluids, Tang Jianzhou, Wang Shuangming, Zhang Zhicheng, Li Ke, Li Changpeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective and Methods Investigations on the geochemical nature of geothermal water are vital to the comprehension of the origin of helium-rich fluids in shallow basins. To address this issue, this paper reports the results of the chemical analysis, H-O isotopes and ¹⁴C ages from geothermal water and soluble gas components from the well BY-1 in Lanzhou Basin, northeastern margin of Qinghai Tibet Plateau. Chemical analysis of geothermal water samples reveals that the chemical type of geothermal water is NaCl. The show δD value of –78‰, high δ¹⁸O value (–8.7‰), low ³H value (<0.4TU), and old ¹⁴C …

Prediction Of Geological And Engineering Integrated Sweet Spots Of Deep Coalbed Methane, Chen Zhengrong, Liu Wei, Zhu Xueshen, Tian Yongjing, Xie Xin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Deep coalbed methane (CBM) has emerged as a hot topic in CBM resource development. However, deep CBM has characteristics such as great burial depths, complex stress environments, and strong reservoir heterogeneity, which seriously restrict sweet spot prediction and accurate well location deployment in its large-scale exploitation. Methods This study investigated a deep CBM field along the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin. Using sonic, density, and caliper logging, this study developed a coal structure index model for deep coals. By introducing the coal structure index based on the coal structure differences in deep coal seams and combining factors including …

Impacts Of Metakaolin And Fly Ash On The Performance Of Cement-Based Grouting Materials In Anchoring Engineering, Cheng Zhiyuan, Yang Junpeng, Xue Wei, Wei Daidong, Wang Yimin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The filling of grouting materials plays a significant role in ensuring the performance of anchoring structures. This study aims to further enhance the fluidity of grouting materials, reduce their dry shrinkage in the curing process, and ensure complete filling. This will help improve the bonding property between the anchoring body and the rock and soil mass to be reinforced. Methods Using cement as the primary material, as well as fly ash and metakaolin as admixtures, this study designed and prepared 20 groups of binary and ternary mixtures and one control group. Through tests of the fluidity, bleeding ratios, and …

Diffusion Mechanisms Of Coal-Measure Helium And Their Implications For Helium Accumulation: A Case Study Of The Taiyuan Formation, Northern Qinshui Basin, China, Ma Yong, Xin Zhiyuan, Chen Jianfa, Li Yuhong, Zhang Xiutao, Jiang Haojie, Chen Zeya

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective The global helium-rich gas reservoirs are dominated by conventional natural gas reservoirs. In recent years, helium-bearing natural gas has been discovered in the Carboniferous-Permian coal measures in the Ordos Basin and surrounding regions, revealing the resource potential of coal-measure helium. However, there is almost a total lack of studies on mechanisms underlying the diffusion and migration of coal-measure helium. This severely restricts further research on the accumulation patterns of coal-measure helium.Methods This study investigated a coal seam in the Taiyuan Formation in the northern Qinshui Basin and mudstones in the coal seam roof. Using physical diffusion experiments on …

Physical Simulation Experiments On Competitive Dissolution Of Helium In Helium-Containing To Helium-Rich Gas Reservoirs, Zou Yi, Luo Qingyong, Chen Jianfa, Zou Huayao, Du Tao, Liu Xiaoqiang, Cai Xinyong, Yu Chengming, Fang Zilong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background and Purpose Helium is widely applied in high-tech and scientific research fields due to its unique physicochemical properties. Formation water plays a key role in helium migration and enrichment. Typically, in the form of dissolved gas, helium is transported in pores or fractures by formation water. When helium-rich fluids migrate to shallow natural gas reservoirs, helium will experience dissolution and desorption exchange with other gases. This process is affected by formation temperature, pressure, and water salinity, as well as the competitive dissolution between helium and other gases. However, there is a lack of studies on the mechanisms underlying the …

Backfill-Strip Mining And Co2 Mineralization Sequestration In Coal Mine Goaves: A Synergetic Method And Its Key Technologies, Zhu Mengbo, Liu Lang, Wang Shuangming, Wei Baoning, Rong Ruoyu, Zhang Wenzhong, Zhuang Dengdeng, Jia Qifeng

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Coals serve as both the cornerstone of China’s energy security and important industrial raw materials. However, their mining and utilization tend to cause ecological and environmental problems such as CO₂ emissions, the generation of solid wastes, and land subsidence. This necessitates reforming coal mining methods to promote the green, low-carbon, and sustainable development of China’s coal industry.Methods Through the comparative analysis of the conditions of CO₂ sequestration in goaves corresponding to the caving, room-and-pillar (also known as knife-pillar), and backfill mining methods, this study developed a synergetic method for backfill-strip mining and CO₂ mineralization sequestration …

A Visual Positioning Method For Tunnel Boring Machines In Underground Coal Mines Based On Anchor Net Features, Zhang Xuhui, Chi Yunkai, Du Yuyang, Jiang Junying, Yang Wenjuan, Zhao Youjun, Wan Jicheng, Wang Yanqun, Tian Chenhui

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background Precise positioning of tunnel boring machines (TBMs) in underground coal mines plays a fundamental role in the automated and intelligent guidance and control of fully mechanized heading face. However, traditional visual positioning methods show limited application effects in underground roadways due to their narrow and enclosed spaces, insufficient illumination, and sparse textures. This study proposed a visual positioning method for TBMs in underground coal mines based on anchor net features.Methods A three-stream depthwise separable convolutional neural network (TSCR-NET) for image enhancement was employed to estimate the reflection, illumination, and noise in images individually. Through illumination adjustment while suppressing …

Table Of Contents, The Editors

Coal Geology & Exploration

No abstract provided.

Construction And Application Of A Tcn-Lstm-Svm-Based Time Series Prediction Model For Water Inflow In Coal Seam Roofs, Liu Xuan, Ji Yadong, Zhu Kaipeng, Zhao Chunhu, Li Kai, Li Chaofeng, Yuan Chenhan, Li Panpan, Yan Pengzhen

Coal Geology & Exploration

Background The accurate prediction of mine water inflow plays a significant role in the prevention and control of water hazards and the safe and efficient production in coal mines. Methods To construct a prediction model of water inflow in mines under threat of water hazards from extremely thick sandstones aquifer in West China, this study investigated a typical mine (also referred to as the studied mine) severely affected by such water hazards in the Binchang mining area of Shaanxi Province. The correlation between the mining footage and water inflow of the mining face was selected as the characteristic variable for …

Influencing Patterns Of Low-Temperature Nitrogen On The Pore Structure And Oxidation Characteristics Of Lignite, Xie Shuliang, Wang Gang, Qu Qingdong, Liu Hao, Sun Lulu

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective During fire prevention and extinguishment for mines, injecting normal-temperature nitrogen into goaves can only play an inerting role. Meanwhile, the preparation of liquid nitrogen is complicated and costly. Therefore, in the Wudong Coal Mine in Xinjiang, low-temperature gaseous nitrogen of –40 ℃ was prepared using nitrogen cooling devices and then injected into goaves to prevent the spontaneous combustion of residual coals. However, the influencing patterns of low-temperature nitrogen on the pore structures and oxidation characteristics of residual coals in goaves remain poorly understood. This tends to affect the prediction and forecast of the secondary oxidation of residual coals in …

Mechanisms Underlying Differential Helium Enrichment In Shale Gas Of Varying Structural Styles In The Southeastern Sichuan Basin, Xin Zhiyuan, Chen Jianfa, Wang Jie, Ma Yong

Coal Geology & Exploration

Objective Shale gas reservoirs hold considerable helium reserves despite relatively low helium abundance, establishing them as a critical replacement for helium production growth. The southeastern Sichuan Basin exhibits diverse structural styles with varying preservation conditions, leading to an unclear understanding of the distribution characteristics and enrichment patterns of helium in shale gas. Determining the mechanisms behind the differential helium enrichment in shale gas is significant for the effective utilization of helium in shale gas.Methods Focusing on the typical shale gas reservoirs of different structural styles in the southeastern Sichuan Basin, this study explored the mechanisms underlying differential helium accumulation …

Physical And Chemical Characterization Of Recycled Glass Sand For Environmental Restoration, Shehbaz Ahmad, Julie P. Vanegas, Nicholas Borne, Natalia Butler, Toby Mendels, Leah A. Michaeloff, Diego Molina, Mary Salvaggio, Samantha Tamayo, Franziska Trautmann

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Introduction

We rely on coastal resources for food, water, and energy. However, over 75% of U.S. coastlines are eroding. Concurrently, the U.S. recycles less glass than other developed countries, landfilling hundreds of millions of tons every year. Recycled glass sand has many potential benefits over natural sand for combatting land loss; for example, it can be produced with controlled particle size to better resist erosion, making it an excellent—and underutilized—material for environmental restoration.

Objectives

This research compares the physical and chemical properties of recycled glass sand to natural sands (beach and dredge) from the U.S. Gulf Coast to assess environmental …

Why Real Impact Stories Of Forest-Dependent Communities Are Essential In Carbon Marketing, Andrew Mwape

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

As the global carbon market matures, the pressure on companies and project developers to prove the integrity and social value of their carbon offset initiatives has never been greater. At the heart of this growing scrutiny lies a key opportunity: to move beyond metrics and tell authentic, human-centered stories that reflect the real impact of carbon projects; especially those rooted in forest landscapes.

An Integrated Geophysical Approach For Estimating The Depth Of Mineral Potential In Some Part Of Basement Complex Terrain Southwestern Nigeria, Hamid Titilope Oladunjoye, Joseph Coker, Niyi-Ola Adebisi, Omolara Abosede Adenuga, Sofiat Adetomilola Adekoya, Aderemi Alabi, Abisola Akinmoladun

Al-Bahir

Effective mineral exploration in a basement complex necessitates precise delineation of overburden thickness and mineral potential within the Basement Complex terrain. This study examined the subsurface geology and assesses the abundance of prospective mineral deposits within the study area The objective of the study was to outline the overburden thickness and infer mineral potential using integrated ground magnetic and electrical resistivity geophysical methods. The electrical resistivity method unraveled the litho-stratigraphic sequence as surmised from geo-electric layers. Consequently, the mineralization of the basement delineated was characterized by the magnetic method. The acquired data were processed using WINRESIST and Oasis Montaj respectively. …

Culture And Environment: The Calling Lakes Ecomuseum As A Community Sustainability Initiative, Kace N. Anders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Located in Saskatchewan, Canada, the Calling Lakes Ecomuseum, CLEM, is a community-based organization focused on water management and sustainability. Ecomuseums are holistic organizations that occupy landscapes, are responsive to community needs, conserve in situ heritage, and incorporate sustainability along with community development. The ecomuseum movement came from a need for holistic heritage management that disengaged with conventional museology and created space for communities to engage with their heritage in ways that promote community identity. This thesis analyzes the Calling Lakes Ecomuseum and how it utilizes the ecomuseum concept alongside environmental sustainability. Both semi-structured interviews and place-based field observations were used …

Toward Sustainable Human Well-Being: A Multidimensional Assessment In Colorado, Uma Umut Baysal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Evaluating progress in human well-being is essential for guiding effective policy and promoting sustainable development. Traditional approaches often emphasize economic and social dimensions while overlooking ecological indicators critical to long-term sustainability. This research addresses that gap by proposing a layered, scalable local framework for county-level analysis and bottom-up decision-making, integrating multiple objective indicators to assess and compare well-being outcomes across regions.

The first goal of this dissertation is to measure human well-being in Colorado counties by developing a Human Well-Being Index (HWBI). This index combines a newly developed Built Environment Index (BEI) comprising five sub-indices: accessibility, housing affordability, transportation, …

Roles Of Organic Agriculture For Water Optimization In Arid And Semi-Arid Regions, Shikha Sharma, Matt A. Yost, Jennifer R. Reeve

Plants, Soils and Climate Student Research

Water scarcity is a critical challenge in arid and semi-arid regions, where agricultural water consumption accounts for a significant portion of freshwater use. Conventional agriculture (CA) methods with high reliance on chemical and mechanical inputs often exacerbate this issue through soil degradation and water loss. This review aims to examine how different organic practices, such as mulching, cover cropping, composting, crop rotation, and no-till (NT) in combination with precision technologies, can contribute to water optimization, and it discusses the opportunities and challenges for the adoption and implementation of those practices. Previous findings show that organic agriculture (OA) may outperform CA …

Session 2: The Cases For Industry Self-Regulation And Government Regulation Of Ai, Boaz Ashkenazy, Kevin Bartholomew, Kevin De Liban, Christopher Yoo

SITIE Symposiums

In Session Two of the SITIE 2025 Symposium titled “The Cases for Industry Self-Regulation and Government Regulation of AI,” moderated by Seattle University Technology Ethics Initiative Director and Professor Onur Bakiner, the panelists discuss their perspectives and experiences with AI regulation. They share observations about the industry and delve into the topics of AI complexity, concerns around accountability, the shift to agentic AI, the current state of AI regulation, existing legal guardrails, and their outlook on AI regulation.