Environmental Studies Commons^™

Undersea Cables: The Ultimate Geopolitical Chokepoint, Bert Chapman

FORCES Initiative: Strategy, Security, and Social Systems

This work provides historical and contemporary overviews of this critical geopolitical problem, describes the policy actors addressing this in the U.S. and selected other countries, and provides maps and information on many undersea cable work routes. These cables are chokepoints with one dictionary defining chokepoints as “a strategic narrow route providing passage through or to another region."

Utilizing Uas To Support Wildlife Hazard Management Efforts By Airport Operators, Flavio A. C. Mendonca, Ryan Wallace

Publications

The FAA requires airports operating under the Code of Federal Regulations Part 139 to conduct a wildlife hazard assessment (WHA) when some wildlife-strike events have occurred at or near the airport. The WHA should be conducted by a Qualified Airport Wildlife Biologist (QAWB) and must contain several elements, including the identification of the wildlife species observed and their numbers; local movements; daily and seasonal occurrences; and the identification and location of features on and near the airport that could attract wildlife. Habitats and land-use practices at and around the airport are key factors affecting wildlife species and the size of …

Integration Of Blockchain Technology Into Automobiles To Prevent And Study The Causes Of Accidents, John Kim

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Automobile collisions occur daily. We now live in an information-driven world, one where technology is quickly evolving. Blockchain technology can change the automotive industry, the safety of the motoring public and its surrounding environment by incorporating this vast array of information. It can place safety and efficiency at the forefront to pedestrians, public establishments, and provide public agencies with pertinent information securely and efficiently. Other industries where Blockchain technology has been effective in are as follows: supply chain management, logistics, and banking. This paper reviews some statistical information regarding automobile collisions, Blockchain technology, Smart Contracts, Smart Cities; assesses the feasibility …

Optimization In The Application Of Varnishes Barrier On Cartonboard Packaging, Andre Ramalheiro De Andrade, Maria Isabel Rodrigues Phd, Eduardo Luiz Machado Phd

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

In this work adjustments in the rotogravure printing process are proposed to the varnish water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) aiming to obtain results smaller than 20g/m²/24h. One case study was used for the propositions for improvements, where focused on varnish application process in a gravure printer for an eight-printing unit cartonboard packaging, maximum printing speed of 175 m/min and a 285 g/m² weight cartonboard. The possible variables that influenced the WVTR result were selected from the technical expertise of the people involved in the project, the analysis in the printing process with the application of directed trials using experimental designs …

Political Processes Of Displacement In Infrastructure Development: The Case Of Aldeia Da Luz And The Alqueva Dam, Cordelia Walz

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In 2002, the residents of Aldeia da Luz left their village for the final time, displaced to make room for the Alqueva Dam, a massive regional hydropower and irrigation project almost half a century in the making. The Alqueva Multipurpose Project was marketed by the Portuguese government as a way to develop the impoverished region of the Alentejo and bring innovation to the agricultural sector. The village of Luz was the only physical obstacle to this goal and, therefore, its residents were dispossessed, sacrificed for the development of the greater Alentejo region. However, unlike many other large-scale infrastructure projects that …

“Surviving And Growing Up With Illegal Status”: The Analysis Of Socio–Economic Household, Potential Conflict, The Environmental Damage, And Vulnerability Of Local Community To Disaster, Sofyan Syahnur, Yossi Diantimala

Journal of Sustainable Mining

This study aims to analyze, from social-economics and environmental perspectives, how illegal gold mining survives and grows with its illegal status. Generally, illegal mining has a positive impact on the socio-economy of all parties involved. However, mining activities cause environmental damage and pollution so that the local community is vulnerable to disaster and potential conflict. This research was conducted at an illegal mining site in Aceh, the western province of Indonesia. To describe the primary data, it employs a descriptive qualitative method. The purposive sampling method is used to select key informants. The results show an increasing income of all …

Towards Creating Smart Cities In Nepal, Ambika P. Adhikari, Keshav Bhattarai

Himalayan Research Papers Archive

Many urban centers in the world are seeking to become smart cities. Nepali city leaders are also aspiring to make their cities smart. A smart city basically has clever improvements made in three sectors of its operations: technological, human, and institutional. Globally, many cities have recently made impressive enhancements in at least one or more of these areas. Nepal’s National Planning Commission (NPC) in 2016 had released a concept paper on smart cities for Nepal, defining smart cities as sustainable, information and technology-based, with high quality services and replicable (NPC 2016). As most Nepali cities still operate with limited infrastructure, …

Degumming Of Hemp Fibers Using Combined Microwave Energy And Deep Eutectic Solvent, Bulbul Ahmed

LSU Master's Theses

Hemp is considered as one of the sustainable agricultural fiber materials. Degumming or surface modification of hemp bast is needed to produce single fibers for ensuing textile and industrial applications. The traditional degumming process necessitates a high amount of alkali, which causes detrimental environmental pollution. This study offers a new method to degum hemp fibers with reduced use of harmful alkali and precious water resources. In this work, hemp bast fibers were degummed by using combined microwave energy and deep eutectic solvent (DES). The properties of hemp fibers manufactured by this method were investigated and compared with the traditional alkali …

Towards Smallholder Food And Water Security: Climate Variability In The Context Of Multiple Livelihood Hazards In Nicaragua, Christopher M. Bacon, William A. Sundstrom, Iris Stewart-Frey, Edwin P. Maurer, Lisa C. Kelley

Environmental Studies and Sciences

Climate variability and change affect both food and water security, as do other hazards, such as shifting food prices, plant pathogens, and political economic changes. Although household food and water insecurity affect billions, most studies analyze them separately. This article develops a relational approach to explaining household access to food and water in a multi-hazard context. We identify pathways linking hazards to livelihood vulnerability and assess the relative importance of climate-related hazards. Analyzing longitudinal data collected from two surveys of the same 311 smallholder households in northern Nicaragua, conducted in 2014 and again in 2017, we find that peak seasons …

Flood Hazard Mapping And Assessment Of Precipitation Monitoring System Using Gis-Based Morphometric Analysis And Trmm Data: A Case Study Of The Wadi Qena Watershed, Egypt, Wael M. Elsadek, Wael E. Mahmod, Mona G. Ibrahim

Applied Environmental Research

Wadi Qena is one of the Nile Valley areas particularly at risk of severe flash flooding, located in Egypt. The study aims to verify TRMM rainfall data (TRMM 3B42), using eight stations across Egypt as well as relies on morphometric analysis to generate a flood risk map based on the ranking method. Three process could be recognized through the study, calibration, correction and verification processes. The results discuss the match daily rainfall trends of TRMM and observed data, producing a correction equation for TRMM data with root mean square error (RMSE) value of 0.837 mm d-1 and R2= 0.238 (calibration …

Biochar From Rice Husk As Efficient Biosorbent For Procion Red Removal From Aqueous Systems, Neza R. Palapa, Tarmizi Taher, Novie Juleanti, Normah Normah, Aldes Lesbani

Applied Environmental Research

Numerous reports have elucidated the use of biochar (BC) to adsorb dyes from wastewater. However, its applicability for adsorbing Procion Red, which causes carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on aquatic life, has not been studied. In this work, biochar produced from rice husk in Sumatera, Indonesia was used as a biosorbent for Procion Red removal from aqueous systems. Rice husk-BC was characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, surface area specific analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for mor-phological analysis. The characterisation showed a (002) reflection peak at 2θ = 23° with broad and quite intense diffraction, which …

Monitoring The Land Cover Changes In Mangrove Areas And Urbanization Using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index And Normalized Difference Built-Up Index In Krabi Estuary Wetland, Krabi Province, Thailand, Katawut Waiyasusri

Applied Environmental Research

Krabi Estuary Wetland (KEW) is an outstanding wetland with an estuary environment. At present, the tourism industry has rapidly grown, resulting in the impact of land cover changes. This research aims to assess the changes that have occurred in the KEW from 1999 to 2020 using NDVI and NDBI for monitoring changes in mangrove areas and urbanization in Krabi Province, Thailand. Landsat satellite images in years 1999, 2009 and 2020 were classified by using a band ratio to create land cover maps. The results show that NDVI between 0.41–1.00 clearly shows the mangrove forest area, while NDBI between 0.01–0.40 shows …

Application Of Gis And Multi-Criteria Statistical Techniques In Assessing Water Quality In The Coastal Province Of Vietnamese Mekong Delta, Giao Thanh Nguyen, Thi Hong Nhien Huynh

Applied Environmental Research

The study was conducted to evaluate the quality and spatial distribution of surface water quality in Soc Trang, a coastal province using Geographic information system (GIS) and multivariate statistical analysis. Water monitoring data was collected from 19 sampling locations with 19 parameters were analyzed from February 2019 to August 2020. The results indicated that water quality was contaminated with organic matters, nutrients, coliforms and salinity. Water quality index (WQI=22–73) indicated that water quality was from poor to medium level. Cluster analysis (CA) classified 19 monitoring sites into 7 groups and 19 months into 3 seasons including rainy season, rainy season-early …

Adsorption Of Methylene Blue By Low-Cost Biochar Derived From Elephant Dung, Yanasinee Suma, Nittaya Pasukphun, Numfon Eaktasang

Applied Environmental Research

Elephant dung biochar (ED350) prepared by controlled heating at 350 ºC was used to adsorb methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution. The effects of adsorption time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial MB concentration were examined. Kinetic, isotherm, and thermo-dynamic models were then further analyzed to determine the adsorption. The results show that ED350 was found to be efficient within 180 min. The optimum pH of MB adsorption was 11. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to be the most suitable fit for the adsorption equilibrium data, with ED350 having a homogeneous surface. The calculated equilibrium parameter (RL) …

A Workforce And Truck Allocation Model In A Solid Waste Management System: A Case From Nigeria, Desmond E. Ighravwe, Sunday A. Oke

Applied Environmental Research

No abstract provided.

Spatiotemporal Flood Risk Determination And Management For A Large River Basin, Nuanchan Singkran

Applied Environmental Research

No abstract provided.

Synergistic Effect Of Waste Feedstock Mixture And Torrefaction Pre-Treatment On Some Briquette Characteristics Of Cornhusk And Sawdust Wastes, Mufutau A. Waheed, Opeyemi A. Akogun

Applied Environmental Research

Agricultural waste management through energy recovery is one of the critical options that could drive the clean energy production industry and properly replace the use of coal in Nigeria if done sustainably. The objective of this work therefore is to study the synergetic effect of waste feedstock mixture and torrefaction pre-treatment on some physical and performance characteristics of briquettes from cornhusk (CH) and sawdust (SD) wastes. In this work, CH and SD wastes were processed raw and torrefied at 200 to 300 °C and were mixed in the ratios between 90/10 and 10/90 for briquette production using D-optimal crossed design. …

Butte Reclamation Evaluation System Field Manual, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

The Contribution Of Mining Sector To Sustainable Development In Saudi Arabia, Mourad Zmami, Ousama Ben-Salha, Sultan O. Almarshad, Houyem Chekki

Journal of Sustainable Mining

The mining sector development is among the priorities of the Saudi Vision 2030. There is currently a lot of interest in the role of the mining sector in Saudi Arabia. This research contributes to this debate by empirically assessing the effects of mining on sustainable development in Saudi Arabia during the period 1980-2018. Unlike many previous studies, the three sustainable development dimensions, namely economic, social, and environmental, are jointly considered. The cointegration analysis, based on the ARDL, Gregory-Hansen, and combined cointegration tests, confirms the existence of long-run relationships between mining and all sustainable development dimensions. Furthermore, the findings lend substantial …

Contested Landscapes, Disputed Realities: An Investigation Of Socio-Environmental Conflict From Mining In Northern Ecuador: An Honors Thesis, Ian F. Hirons

Student Works

For decades, Ecuador has been one of the preeminent petrostates in South America. However, in response to recent drops in global demand and pricing for oil products, the country has made serious commitments to further develop its mineral resources. By opening a new natural resource sector, Ecuador has firmly cemented itself as a primarily extractivist nation. In the process, the national government has frequently come into conflict with activist and community groups who protest the encroachment of extractive industry. This thesis explores the various dimensions of socio-environmental conflict created by large-scale mining projects in northern Ecuador with specific attention to …

Warming Enabled Upslope Advance In Western Us Forest Fires, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh, John T. Abatzoglou, Charles H. Luce, Jan F. Adamowski, Arvin Farid, Mojtaba Sadegh

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Increases in burned area and large fire occurrence are widely documented over the western United States over the past half century. Here, we focus on the elevational distribution of forest fires in mountainous ecoregions of the western United States and show the largest increase rates in burned area above 2,500 m during 1984 to 2017. Furthermore, we show that high-elevation fires advanced upslope with a median cumulative change of 252 m (−107 to 656 m; 95% CI) in 34 y across studied ecoregions. We also document a strong interannual relationship between high-elevation fires and warm season vapor pressure deficit (VPD). …

Western Fires Are Burning Higher In The Mountains At Unprecedented Rates: It’S A Clear Sign Of Climate Change, Mojtaba Sadegh, John Abatzoglou, Mohammad Reza Alizadeh

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Western U.S. appears headed for another dangerous fire season, and a new study shows that even high mountain areas once considered too wet to burn are at increasing risk as the climate warms.

Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. West is in severe to exceptional drought right now, including large parts of the Rocky Mountains, Cascades and Sierra Nevada. The situation is so severe that the Colorado River basin is on the verge of its first official water shortage declaration, and forecasts suggest another hot, dry summer is on the way.

Warm and dry conditions like these are a recipe …

Going Green: A Comparative Analysis Of Green Urbanism In Paris And Shanghai, Jeanne Torp

Honors Theses

As climate change becomes more pressing with each day and as we scramble to slow down the challenges it poses, adapting the means of operation within our cities will become an invaluable tool for reducing humanity’s carbon footprint. This paper seeks to study the ways in which green infrastructure in global cities can be used to do just that—adapting to and mitigating the effects of challenges resulting from climate change. In order to provide a broad overview of the effectiveness of such green infrastructure systems across the globe, this research will focus on two cities that vary greatly in their …

Compound Extremes Drive The Western Oregon Wildfires Of September 2020, John T. Abatzoglou, David E. Rupp, Larry W. O'Neill, Mojtaba Sadegh

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Several very large high‐impact fires burned nearly 4,000 km² of mesic forests in western Oregon during September 7–9, 2020. While infrequent, very large high‐severity fires have occurred historically in western Oregon, the extreme nature of this event warrants analyses of climate and meteorological drivers. A strong blocking pattern led to an intrusion of dry air and strong downslope east winds in the Oregon Cascades following a warm‐dry 60‐day period that promoted widespread fuel flammability. Viewed independently, both the downslope east winds and fuel dryness were extreme, but not unprecedented. However, the concurrence of these drivers resulted in compound extremes …

Assessment Of Evacuation Network Performance Under Different Evacuation Scenarios: The Florida Keys, Erika Shellenberger

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The goal of this research is to better understand the evacuation of a coastal community, the Florida Keys. This will aid in the planning, mitigation, response, and recovery of this community when a hurricane threatens to destroy their homes. To achieve this, a model of the Florida Keys was built in VISSIM, a microscopic traffic flow simulation software, to experiment with different improvement strategies. This process included collecting data about the Florida Keys, building the roadway network of the Florida Keys, calibrating and validating the model, modeling recommendations, and analyzing the outputs when imploring the different improvement strategies. In addition …

A Study Of Policy Implementation And Community Participation In The Municipal Solid Waste Management In The Philippines, Mary E.C. Camarillo, Luzvisminda M. Bellotindos

Applied Environmental Research

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns of the Philippines at present. Several measures have been implemented to circumvent this issue, including waste management policies stipulated in the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2001.  However, the implementation of these policies even at the barangay level has always been a challenge.  Hence, this study assessed the compliance of selected barangays in Cebu City, Philippines, specifically to the integrated solid waste management plan based on the 3R’s (reduce, reuse, and recycle).  A descriptive quantitative method was utilized in this study. There were 1523 residents …

Characteristics Of Surface Water Quality And Diversity Of Zoobenthos In Water Bodies, An Giang Province, Vietnam, Giao Thanh Nguyen, Thi Hong Nhien Huynh, Hoang Dan Truong

Applied Environmental Research

The use of zoobenthos to evaluate water quality has gained considerable interest due to its low cost and environmental friendliness. This study analyzed water and zoobenthos samples at 13 sites in the water bodies in An Giang province in the rainy season (on March) and dry season (on September) in 2018. The results showed that the surface water was contaminated by organic matters, suspended solids and coliforms. There was occurrence of 28 species of zoobenthos divided into five classes including Oligochaeta, Polychaeta, Insecta, Gastropoda, and Bivalvia in which Bivalvia was the most diverse class accounting for 75%. The densities of …

Ambient And Indoor Pm10 And Pm10-Bound Pahs Around The Vicinity Of An Industrial Estate In Rayong, Thailand: Concentration And Source Identification, Navaporn Kanjanasiranont, Tassanee Prueksasit, Narut Sahanavin

Applied Environmental Research

The ambient and indoor air concentrations of PM10 and PM10-bound PAHs (16 priority PAHs) were investigated in Rayong Province, Thailand. The locations of the selected study areas were Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate and its vicinity comprising six sampling sites (four industrial areas and two vicinity areas). The indoor and ambient air samples of were collected in March 2017. The sampling sites located close to the road were detected the greatest ambient average concentrations of PM10, with an average value of 56.06 µg m-3 (Map Chalut Area or MC). The levels of indoor PM10 were mostly dependent on the resident …

Inspection And Understanding Of Sewer Network Condition In Dindaeng District (Thailand), Hnin E. Phyu, Sutha Khaodhiar

Applied Environmental Research

Sewer pipelines are usually operated with little maintenance after installation. After years in service, sewer pipes get old and deteriorated.  The present research is the first study that attempts to inspect the condition of sewer pipelines in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area. A robot with Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) was used to capture videos and images of the interior of the sewer pipelines between two manholes. The system was operated by Utility Business Alliance (UBA) Company. The condition of the sewer pipelines was visually analyzed in line with the scoring and grading system of New Zealand’s pipe inspection manual. CCTV footage …

Consequence Of Seawater Intrusion On Soil Properties In Agricultural Areas Of Nonthaburi Province, Thailand, Napaporn Phankamolsil, Kiattisak Sonsri, Yutthana Phankamolsil

Applied Environmental Research

Seawater intrusion associated with climate change and sea level rise (SLR) has been postulated for the last decade that causes negative impact on worldwide environmental resources. In Thailand, however; the information pertaining to its effect on soil properties in agricultural areas has not been clearly reported yet. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the seawater intrusion effect on soil properties in agricultural areas of Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. Five study locations, which anticipated to be affected by seawater intrusion, were selected based on the different distances from the Chao Phraya River. Soil morphological properties were recorded, besides undisturbed soil samples at …