Environmental Studies Commons^™

Queer Ecologies: A Final Syllabus/Zine Product Of Our Independent Study, Yeh Seo Jung, Ray Craig

Crossings: Swarthmore Undergraduate Feminist Research Journal

This zine is the product of our independent study course Queer Ecologies, which is an exploration of bio-social systems using a queer and feminist theoretical lens. We aim to look critically at knowledge formation and construct alternative visions for more just and sustainable relationships between science, nature, and ourselves. While queer theory most directly interrogates the normative structure of heterosexuality both in humans and in biology more broadly, these studies include analyses of hierarchy, power, and value. Queer Ecology can be used to examine phenomena such as climate change, extinction, pollution, species hierarchies, agricultural practices, resource extraction, and human population …

My Encounters With Paradise: The Evolution Of Natural Beauty And Luminist Aesthetics In Central Florida, Jeremy Laplanche

Honors Program Theses

Historically, the marshes and swamps of Central Florida have been depicted as a paradise in artwork by naturalists such as William Bartram and Luminist landscape painters like Martin Johnson Heade. Today, the image of Florida’s tourism centers around theme parks and beaches. However, state parks in Central Florida preserve and restore unique ecosystems. This thesis analyzes the effectiveness of Wekiwa Springs State Park and Blue Spring State Park’s management practices for maintaining the Luminist and naturalist aesthetics. Previous research has identified the role of landscape paintings, particularly from the Hudson River School and the American West, in establishing America’s appreciation …

Polytech To Polytek: Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Indigenous Science, And The Future Forward Polytechnic University, Cutcha Risling Baldy, Kaitlin P. Reed, Kayla Begay

Humboldt Journal of Social Relations

It is clear from Cal Poly Humboldt’s Polytechnic Prospectus that Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous communities are key parts of what elevates Humboldt’s development of a polytechnic university for the next century. The prospectus demonstrates Humboldt's proposed framework for a different comprehensive polytechnic "will also be informed by Indigenous communities and ways of knowing, as many Native peoples have lived sustainably in their places since time immemorial” (19). There are many considerations when engaging with TEK, especially around sustainable use. It is also important that engagement with TEK and Indigenous science not only center knowledge sharing, but also how …

Assessment Of Microplastics In The Surface Water Of Sitio Pulo, Navotas, Metro Manila, Mark Lester C. Galicia, Carl Luis P. Flestado, Jeff Ryan S. Magalong, Ronald Benz L. Rivera, Kim M. Villacorte, William Peter G. Sarmiento, Chester C. Deocaris

Applied Environmental Research

Microplastics are synthetic polymer particles with a length of 5 mm or less with no well-defined lower boundary. These debris particles are known to affect marine and aquatic organisms which poses a threat to biodiversity and marine resources. In this study, the isolated microplastic from the coastal and lagoon surface waters of Sitio Pulo is described. Sitio Pulo is a barrier island mangrove sanctuary located at Brgy. Tanza I, Navotas City surrounded by Manila Bay. The samples collected last July 4 and 25, 2019, were isolated, profiled, and analyzed. A total of four hundred forty-nine (449) microplastic fragments were isolated …

An Urban Tree (Tabebuia Argentea) Exhibits Higher Sensitivity To Environmental Conditions Than An Urban Palm (Ptychosperma Macarthurii) Growing In The Same Roof Garden: An Implication For Sustainable Urban Water Use, Ratchanon Ampornpitak, Prangwilai Khobpee, Weerapong Unawong, Nisa Leksungnoen, Pantana Tor-Ngern

Applied Environmental Research

Roof gardening is popular for increasing green space in cities due to the restricted urban areas. However, when watering plants on a roof garden, one should consider loading capacity of the roof, which may limit water supply to the plants therein. To improve the efficiency in irrigating trees in a roof garden, we evaluated plant water status, represented by midday leaf water potential (ΨL), and leaf gas exchange parameters including stomatal conductance (gs) and net photosynthesis (An) of a tree (Tabebuia argentea, Ta) and a palm (Ptychosperma macarthurii, Pm) species, which dominate the garden. …

Impact Of Covid-19 Nationwide Lockdowns And Unlock Phases In India On River Water Quality Of Upper Part Of The Ganga River, Dhara Kakwani, Abha Kumari, Kumar Suranjit Prasad, Bablu Prasad

Applied Environmental Research

The river water quality index (RWQI) of the upper Ganga canal has been computed to assess the effect of lockdown and unlock phases lead down by COVID-19 in India. Geospatial distribution of RWQI from January 2019 to December 2021 in the study area revealed significant impacts of lockdown on water quality. However, unlock phases (post lockdown) have deteriorated water quality since August 2020 and reached to actual conditions of the river by August 2021. To evaluate the lockdown as a management strategy to clean the river, other factors were reviewed including rainfall data, migration, and other activities. The results revealed …

The Combination Of Activated Sludge And A Constructed Wetland For Treating Soybean Wastewater, Tri Nguyen Minh, Nhan Nguyen Thi, Hoan Le Thi-Hai, Thanh Pham Van

Applied Environmental Research

Soybean is a nutritious and popular material in the Vietnamese food industry. Soybean processing wastewater contains a significant amount of organic compounds, which have a negative impact on aquatic life due to light penetration and oxygen consumption limitations. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine whether the combination of activated sludge and a constructed wetland using VA06 grass could be effective in treating soybean wastewater. Various amounts of activated sludge were investigated. To be specific, a 20% additional sludge percentage resulted in the shortest treatment time for chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and phosphorus (TP). Additionally, the …

Riverine Microplastics Pollution In Vietnam: A Review Of Current Scientific Knowledge And Legal Policies, Sang Truong Tran Nguyen, Emilie Strady, Thuy Chung Kieu Le, Thi Minh Tam Le, Phuoc Dan Nguyen, Ngoc Bao Pham, Yukako Inamura

Applied Environmental Research

Plastic litter and microplastic pollution in the aquatic environment have become a major concern since scientists, politicians, and citizens began to learn about the impacts in recent years. This in-depth desk review of scientific papers and Vietnamese policies aims to state the current knowledge, legal framework, and action plan relative to microplastic assessment, release, and control in Vietnamese aquatic environments, especially rivers. Regarding scientific literature, this paper focuses on (i) the occurrence of microplastics in riverine surface water and sediments, (ii) the fate and transfer of microplastics in Vietnam’s canals-riverine- estuarine systems, (iii) their accumulation in biota, and (iv) effects …

Breakwater: Anti-Blackness In Geoscience Lessons From Long Beach, Ca, Christina Marsh

Pomona Senior Theses

Breakwaters are more than just physical structures that protect against storm surges and in the context of Long Beach, CA, my hometown, they are actualizations of economic, social, environmental, geologic, and policy challenges. Inspired by Trace: Memory, History, Race, and the American Landscape by Lauret Savoy, and Teaching to Transgress by bell hooks, I use an extended metaphor and autoethnographic approach to connect a chronology of my educational life to the physical structure of a breakwater. Where the breakwater also acts as a signifier of my personal experiences of seeing it, questioning its purpose, and not always finding an answer. …

Unequal Trust: Bottled Water Consumption, Distrust In Tap Water, And Economic And Racial Inequality In The United States, Daniel Jaffee

Sociology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Reviewing public health, nutrition, and social science literature, this article examines how bottled water consumption and spending in the United States differ along lines of race, ethnicity, and income, how these consumption patterns have changed in recent years, and how those shifts map onto perceptions of the safety and trustworthiness of tap water supplies, both before and since the Flint water disaster. It also addresses the differential impact of bottled water spending on household income. The findings challenge the truism that bottled water consumption is positively correlated with income, instead showing a bimodal racial and class consumption pattern that reflects …

Teaching Agroecology: Preparing Students For Navigating Uncharted Territory, Charles A. Francis, Steve Gliessman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Agroecologists understand that farming and food systems are more complex than the aggregation of their components. This realization drives our choices of learning strategies and activities that will prepare students for complexity and uncertainty. Our quest for a just, sustainable, and nutritious food system adequate to equitably serve everyone on the planet today and into the future is an enormous challenge. An undertaking of this magnitude will be met only with major adjustments informed by thoughtful teaching and practicing problem solving skills through a new educational lens. The principles of agroecology help us focus this lens on the wicked problems …

Middle Savannah River: An A/R/Tographic Ecopedagogical Ethnography Experimenting With Rhizomatic Perspectives, Lisa Augustine-Chizmar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This research is an experiment in perspective. Using the four commonplaces (Schwab, 1978), I practiced letting the Savannah River teach me what there is to know about the water, the land, the people, and the other entities that depend on ki through artistic, ethnographic, and ecopedagogical lenses. The ethnographic findings describe the social actors that depend on ki and give a voice to the River. The a/r/tographic findings display the River on a canvas map through two hundred years using paint, clay, photography, video, abstract acrylics, and fabric. Together, these methods contribute to a unique ecopedagogical journey. This word cloud …

Quantifying The Carbon Stored And Sequestered By The Trees On Pomona College’S Campus, Paola A. Giron-Carson

Scripps Senior Theses

We are experiencing a climate crisis that must be confronted with strategic mitigation. Pomona College contributes to the climate crisis through its emissions for which there is a baseline record. However there is no baseline record of the climate mitigation currently performed by the trees on Pomona’s campus through carbon storage. This study seeks to determine a current baseline quantity of carbon stored and sequestrated by Pomona’s trees as well as possible courses of climate mitigation for Pomona College to take. Initial information gathering was conducted through interviews with several stakeholders. This study was conducted using data collected prior to …

Assessing The Knowledge On Sustainability And Barriers To Daily Sustainable Practices Among Faculty And Students In Higher Education: The Case Of Eastern Illinois University, Joel Edem Holison

Masters Theses

The concept of sustainable development gained prominence with the publication of the Brundtland Report, which emphasized economic progress without jeopardizing future generations' well-being. Following that, the Education for Sustainability (EfS) program was created by the United Nations to raise sustainability awareness. However, the transition to sustainable living is fraught with difficulties, including a lack of knowledge, financial constraints, infrastructure gaps, and political ideologies. This study focuses on sustainable practices among Eastern Illinois University (EIU) students and faculty, as well as the barriers to daily sustainable behaviors. As independent variables influencing sustainable practices, the study evaluates sustainability knowledge/awareness, personal financial situation, …

Socio-Economic Comparative Analysis Of Front-Of-The-Meter And Behind-The-Meter Microgrids For Panamnik, Olivia C. Amann Mcshea

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

In Northern California, the Karuk Tribe is feeling the effects of climate change on inadequate energy infrastructures leading to unreliable power supply. Improving energy reliability in a way that also increases energy sovereignty is necessary. Renewable energy microgrids have emerged as a pathway forward.

Modeling ownership structures and cash flows for different microgrid configurations can support the Tribe’s implementation of a microgrid in Orleans, CA that maximizes community benefits. This thesis considers a front-of-the-meter (FTM) and behind-the-meter (BTM) configuration, both approximately 2 MW solar PV and 3 MW/12 MWh battery energy storage. Cash flows including capital costs, operations and maintenance …

The Effects Of The Preparation Factors On The Properties Of Co2 Capture Sorbent Derived From Local Waste Eggshell, Janjeera Chuanchob, Pornpote Piumsomboon, Benjapon Chalermsinsuwan, Saowaluck Chanchairoek

Applied Environmental Research

In this study, the CaO adsorbent was prepared by using local waste eggshell as a raw material. The influence of preparation parameters including calcination temperature, calcination time and particle size of eggshell powder on the adsorption surface area were investigated. By means of statistically experiment design, the interesting parameters were investigated by a full 23 factorial design. The prepared sorbent material was characterized by X–ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET). The results showed the particle size of eggshell powder greatly affected the BET surface area. By applying the prepared condition of 149 μm in particle …

Evaluation Of E-Waste Generation Through G-Pestle Analysis In The City Of Zamboanga, Philippines: Basis For Management Strategies, Mary Ann Beth L. Kong, Edwin R. De Los Reyes, Francis Dave C. Siacor

Applied Environmental Research

Due to a growth in the production of electronic waste (e-waste), the Philippines, particularly Zamboanga City, a top-tier, highly urbanized city on the Zamboanga Peninsula, is coping with an e-waste problem. Understanding the outside forces influencing e-waste management is necessary for creating effective strategies. With the help of a G-PESTLE analysis (geographical, political, economic, social, technical, legal, and environmental) and recommendations for improvement, this study assessed the city's existing e-waste management situation. The study looks at possibilities and problems, then offers management tactics based on the results. The study employed a hybrid methodology. Using the G-PESTLE analysis framework, the external …

Phosphorus Speciation And Heavy Metal Levels In Ogun River Sediments At Different Anthropogenic Locations In Abeokuta, Ogun State, Olayinka Oluwafunmilayo Olasunbo, Opatoyinbo Oluwabamise Esther, Olujimi Olarenwaju Olusoji, Azeez Jamiu Oladipupo, Oyebanji Adedayo Olamide

Applied Environmental Research

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient for phytoplankton growth in water bodies and an important element in biochemical processes. Also, excessive P in river causes eutrophication which endangers aquatic organisms while sediment acts as sink for inorganic and organic pollutants and nutrients. To assess the availability of P and heavy metals (HMs) in Ogun River, surface sediment samples were collected at twelve anthropogenic sites for three months. The surface sediment samples were sequentially extracted to determine five phosphorus fractions [loosely-sorbed P (LS-P), iron-bound P (Fe-P), authigenic apatite, biogenic apatite and CaCO3-bound P (CFA-P), detrital apatite (Det-P) and other inorganic P …

Removal Of Diclofenac In Wastewater By Activated Sludge In Batch And Moving-Bed Biofilm Reactor Experiments, Keletso Chakalisa, Piriyakorn Injai, Kullapa Chanawanno, Panaya Kotchaplai, Pumis Thuptimdang

Applied Environmental Research

This study aimed to determine the diclofenac removal in wastewater by sludge taken from an operating wastewater treatment facility. Laboratory experiments were conducted in two parts: batch and moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) experiments. Results from batch experiments showed that 0.1–2 mg L-1 of diclofenac could be removed more than 80% within 72 h, and the removal efficiency reduced to less than 60% for higher concentrations. The increase in the removal rate from 0.00058 to 0.16527 mg L-1 h-1 was observed when the initial diclofenac concentration increased from 0.1 to 10 mg L-1, respectively. The average first-order rate constants of 24-h …

The Role Of Bacteria And Factors Affecting The Decomposition Of Pollutants In The Biofilter Reactor: A Review, Muliyadi Muliyadi, Purwanto Purwanto, Sri Sumiyati, Sudarno Sudarno, Budiyono Budiyono, Budi Warsito, Hadiyanto Hadiyanto

Applied Environmental Research

The findings showed that several types of bacteria can help biodegrade organic pollutants, such as Comamonadacea, which can biodegrade volatile fatty acids and aromatic compounds. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria can biodegrade ammonium. Burkholderiales can biodegrade ferric ions and hydrogen. Comamonas testosteroni is able to biodegrade nitrates. Pseudomonas taiwanensis, Acinetobacter guillouiae, and Klebsiella pneumoniae can reduce copper, chromium and zinc levels. Azolla biomass reduces strontium. Rhodospirillum sp. can biodegrade cadmium, mercury, lead, and nickel. Gallionella ferruginea and Leptothrix sp. can biodegrade arsenic and manganese. Gracilaria sp. can biodegrade aluminum, chromium, and zinc. Desulfovibrio sp. can …

A Framework For Assessing Environmental Incidents In Coastal Areas: A Case Study In The Southeastern Coastal Area Of Vietnam, Cuong Le Tan, Phuoc Nguyen Van, Quan Nguyen Hong, Loan Tran Thi Diem, Minh Tran Thanh

Applied Environmental Research

As developing dynamic regions, coastal areas have a high potential for environmental incidents, especially chemical spills, which may permanently threaten livelihoods and coastal ecosystems. Establishing an appropriate methodological framework for assessing environmental incidents in coastal areas, ensuring increased predictability and minimising potential consequences is a trend of interest to scientists. In this study, the environmental risk assessment model was applied to develop a framework for assessing environmental incidents in coastal areas due to chemical spills from the mainland based on hazard, exposure and vulnerability factors (i.e., sensitivity and adaptability). Using the multiple criteria decision-making (MCDM) method approach, suitable criteria, their …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Plastic Resin: A Case Study Of The Petrochemical Industry In Thailand For The Production Of Hdpe Resin, Natthapong Wichaiutcha, Abhishek Dutta, Orathai Chavalparit

Applied Environmental Research

Life cycle sustainability is an important tool for assessing product performance based on the three pillars of environment, economy and society. This study examined the life cycle impact, cost and social implications of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin. Environmental assessment revealed nonrenewable energy as the greatest impact followed by carcinogens, respiratory inorganics and global warming while economically, the operational cost of HDPE resin production was significantly highest. The social impact assessment following the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP)/ Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) guidelines demonstrated optimal performance for all indicators except for gender ratio and disabled employee criteria which …

Optimization Of Vanillin Production From Lignin Using Catalytic Depolymerization Over A Cuo/Al2o3 Catalyst, Sirawit Sangnak, Arthit Neramittagapong, Sutasinee Neramittagapong, Somnuk Theerakulpisut, Pongsert Sriprom

Applied Environmental Research

The optimal conditions for vanillin production from lignin depolymerization using CuO/Al2O3 catalysts were determined by combining Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM). Independent variables, including temperature (80–140 °C), NaOH loading (0.5–1.5 g), time (30–90 min), and catalyst weight (0.5–1.5 g), were investigated to determine the optimal conditions, with the concentration of vanillin being the dependent variable. A CuO/Al2O3 catalyst was prepared by impregnation method. The vanillin obtained from the reaction was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The maximum obtained vanillin concentration of 59.14 mg·L-1 was achieved with a temperature of 80 °C, a reaction time of 90 …

Utilizing Wasteaware Benchmark Indicators To Improve Municipal Solid Waste Management In Northern Thailand, Sujitra Vassanadumrongdee, Ridthipat Kallayanapattharasit, Arisara Lekkham, Pattayaporn Unroj

Applied Environmental Research

Primarily responsible for waste collection and disposal, local governments in northern Thailand face significant obstacles in managing waste. Mixing infectious, hazardous and general waste, over-utilizing incinerators and implementing environmentally improper disposal methods all contribute to burgeoning volumes of waste with adverse environmental and health impacts. The objectives of this study are to use the Wasteaware benchmark indicators (WABIs) to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of the waste management of Wiengthoeng Sub-district Municipality (WSM), to identify advantages and disadvantages of its system and offer fact-based recommendations for improvement. Pertinent data was obtained through interviews of governmental authorities, community members and private …

Estimation Of Respiratory Disease Burden Attributed To Particulate Matter From Biomass Burning In Northern Thailand Using 1-Km Resolution Maiac-Aod, Anuttara Hongthong, Kampol Nanthapong, Thongchai Kanabkaew

Applied Environmental Research

The upper northern Thailand suffers from air pollution due to open burning, which has been known for a long time. It was also found that different respiratory diseases were attributed to air pollution, especially particulate matter. This study estimated the health impacts attributed to PM10 between 2014 and 2016 using the burden of disease in terms of the disability adjusted life year (DALYs). The spatial correlation was evaluated based on applicable remote sensing data using the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model. The average measured PM10 concentrations for the summer and annual periods between 2014 and 2016 were 73 and 89 …

Microplastic Contamination In The Coastal Environment: A Case Study From The Mae Klong River, Samut Songkhram, Pattraporn Chaisanguansuk, Suphak Ploenbuppa, Thitiphan Assawincharoenkij, Sumet Phantuwongraj, Akkaneewut Jiraphinyakul

Applied Environmental Research

To investigate the microplastic contamination in the coastal area in Samut Songkhram, we collected sediment samples from six locations in mangrove forests along the Mae Klong River estuary (MK) and the nearby Khlong Khon canal (KK). The microplastics were extracted by ZnCl2 density separation and subsequently H2O2 digestion. The microplastic abundance and physical properties, including their size, color, and shape, were determined under the binocular microscope. The selected microplastic samples were analyzed by µ-FTIR spectroscopy to identify their polymer types. Microplastic concentrations were c. 580 and 1690 items kg-1 d.w. in the samples from MK and KK. The lower microplastic …

Groundwater Potential Mapping At Highly Populated Sub-Districts Of Thimphu District Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process, Thongley Thongley, Tshering Choki, Kuenzang Choden

Applied Environmental Research

Groundwater is important when there is an insufficient spring water supply for daily needs. The population growth and expansion of the cities demand more water. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and facing water shortage in recent times due to urban expansion and population growth. This study aims to find the potential area for groundwater using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process. The factors used for this study are elevation, slope, curvature, topographic wetness index, drainage density, normalized difference vegetation index, distance from fault density, rainfall distribution map, soil texture map, and drainage density. The rating for the factors and …

Assessment Of Heavy Metal Cd And Pb Concentrations And The Ecological Risk From Seawater, Sediments, And Perna Viridis In Semarang Bay, Indonesia, Max Rudolf Muskananfola, Agus Hartoko, Nurul Latifah

Applied Environmental Research

Semarang Bay is a multiple water source from some rivers located at the forefront of the most populated city in Central Java. These waters are polluted by wastes from various sources. Previous studies conducted were limited to specific areas and were mainly focused on one or two media only. This research aims to analyse the heavy metal Cd and Pb concentrations in seawater, sediments, and green mussels and the ecological risks. Field data were collected from 18 sites from three locations: Semarang, Demak and Kendal during the dry season of 2020. Environmental variables were measured in situ, and the heavy …

Health Impacts From Pm2.5 Exposure Using Environmental Epidemiology And Health Risk Assessment: A Review, Thanakon Sukuman, Kayo Ueda, Sarunya Sujaritpong, Hirunwut Praekunatham, Kornwipa Punnasiri, Tuangsit Wimuktayon, Trakarn Prapaspongsa

Applied Environmental Research

Exposure to PM2.5 has been known to cause a variety of serious health consequences. Quantifying and investigating the health effects of PM2.5 pollution are imperative to understand and collect scientific evidence for supporting policies and associated actions. In this paper, we reviewed published environ-mental epidemiological studies and health risk assessments evaluating the health impacts of PM2.5 exposure in the PubMed database to identify the attributes of each method and aggregate the health impact results to perform analyses and summaries. Forty-two studies were identified after applying our search strategy, inclusion, and exclusion criteria. The epidemiological studies found an increased risk of …

Banana Stem (Musa Balbisiana Colla) As Potential Biosorbent To Remove Methylene Blue Dye In Wastewater: Isotherm, Kinetic, Thermodynamic Studies And Its Application, Rahmiana Zein, Clalitya Akmal, Safni Safni, Syiffa Fauzia, Putri Ramadhani

Applied Environmental Research

Textile industries discharge various waste including dye waste to the environment. Dye waste such as methylene blue taints both aquatic and land ecosystem. Thus, the recent study employs banana stem (Musa balbisiana Colla), as an economical and environmentally friendly biosorbent for methylene blue removal. The chemically activated banana stem indicates the significant methylene blue uptake at pH 5, initial concentration of 800 mg L-1, contact time of 60 min, temperature at 25 °C with adsorption capacity of 71.5470 mg g-1. The adsorption process follows the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.9965) and pseudo order model which involve monolayer …