Environmental Studies Commons^™

Ozone Formation Potential Of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds At Roadside In Bangkok, Thailand, Narita Fakkaew, Surat Bualert, Thunyapat Thongyen, Thitima Rungratanaubon

Applied Environmental Research

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play an important role in atmospheric chemistry due to their high reactivity—reacting photochemically with oxides of nitrogen (NOx) in the presence of solar radiation forming tropospheric ozone (O3). Each VOC species have different effects on ozone formation according to the rates and pathways of their reactions. The objective of this study aims to examine ozone formation from the estimation of ozone formation potential (OFP). The observation of 29 VOCs species was carried out in the urban area near the roads of Bangkok, Thailand. Measurements were carried out during the dry season, from 16th February to 15th …

Fire Drivers Affecting Forest Fire Occurrences In The Tropical Mixed Broad-Leaved Forests Of Nepal, Krishna Bahadur Bhujel, Rejina Maskey Byanju, Ambika P. Gautam, Ramesh Prasad Sapkota, Udhab Raj Khadka

Applied Environmental Research

Forest fires triggered by various natural and anthropogenic drivers are increasing and threatening forest ecosystems across the globe. In Nepal, the high value Tropical Mixed Broad-leaved Forests are prone to fire caused by both natural and anthropogenic drivers. Thus, understanding fire drivers and their effect is important for the sustainable forest fire management. However, the preceding studies on forest specific fire drivers and their effect are limited. This research has identified the fire drivers and assessed their effect to fire occurrences in the Tropical Mixed Broad-leaved Forests of Nawalparasi District, Nepal. Fire drivers were identified and prioritized by participatory approaches. …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Ethiopian Cement Manufacturing: A Potential Improvement On The Use Of Fossil Fuel In Mugher Cement Factory, Lemma Beressa, Battula Vijaya Saradhi

Applied Environmental Research

The use of imported fuel in the Ethiopian cement industry increased the cost of production and the environmental burden, necessitating intervention. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, energy usage intensity, and resource exploitation of Ethiopian cement production were evaluated using the life cycle impact assessment (LCA) tool, aiming to recommend improvements. The LCA study used cumulative energy demand (CED) and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods. For the case study of Mugher cement factory (MCF), the results on energy use intensities showed 3.74, 3.67, and 2.64 GJ/ton of clinker, Ordinary Portland cement (OPC), Pozzolana …

Critical Factors And Their Correlation Affecting Green Industry Performance: Evidences From Small And Medium Enterprises, Phurita Noranarttakun, Chanathip Pharino

Applied Environmental Research

Large companies have achieved excellent progress toward green production while small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showed limited progress. This research aims to investigate key factors affect different stages of enhancing green industry implementation particularly in SMEs. This study conducted a systematic analysis to offer recommendations to unlock the inhibitors of the green industry. The electronic products and electrical equipment manufacturing industry in Thailand was chosen as a case study. Questionnaire is the main approach to collect primary data from SMEs. The structural equation model is developed to examine correlation and the degree of influencing factors. The model indicated that the …

Why Should Different City Characteristics Customize The Rate Of Pollution Charge? Evidence Of Factors Affecting Willingness-To-Pay For Wastewater Management In Thailand, Kwanmanas Meethavorn, Chanathip Pharino

Applied Environmental Research

A challenge for wastewater management is enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation. Polluter Pays Principle is a wastewater charge collection approach that could help support the financial burden faced by many countries. Tailor-made policy implementation based on city characteristics is critical to the success of implementing a national policy to fit well in different local contexts. This study examined gaps for improving municipal wastewater management systems in Thailand through in-depth interviews and a questionnaire survey to identify the factors influencing households’ perception and willingness to pay in three different cities. A contingent variation method technique was used to evaluate the …

Evaluating Water Quality Variation In The Vietnamese Mekong Delta Area Using Cluster And Discriminant Analysis, Giao Thanh Nguyen, Thi Hong Nhien Huynh

Applied Environmental Research

The study aims to assess spatial and temporal water quality variations in the upper reaches of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Thirty-one water monitoring samples of the two main rivers (Tien and Hau Rivers) and six canals flowing through An Giang Province were collected in thedry season (March) and the rainy season (September) from 2009 to 2019. Seven physicochemicalparameters were analyzed including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygendemand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), orthophosphate (P-PO43-), and coliforms. Water quality index (WQI), cluster analysis (CA), and discriminant analysis (DA) were applied to evaluate water quality, spatial and temporal variations, and seasonal …

Case Study Of Modular Pre-Cast Concrete On-Site Stormwater Detention System During Monsoon Season In Southeast Asia, Darren Y.S. Mah, Johnny O.K. Ngu, Rosmina A. Bustami, Frederik J. Putuhena

Applied Environmental Research

On-site stormwater detention system within a residential property is meant for an environmental protection device that temporarily stores stormwater within the property lot to mitigate flash flood, particularly during rainy seasons brought by the northeast monsoon. A field test was constructed in a house's car porch with a 4.40 m x 4.70 m x 0.45 m tank filled with precast-concrete modular units with an effective storage volume of 3.97 m3. The system received water from a 95 m2 house roof via 0.1 m diameter pipe, discharged water via 0.05 m diameter pipe. It had recorded six observed storm events coincided …

The Spatial Variability Of Soil Physical Properties Of Different Sized-Gap In A Subtropical Forest, China, Supaporn Buajan, Jinfu Liu, Zhongsheng He

Applied Environmental Research

Gap areas create heterogeneity in the spatial environment, which is important to plant regeneration and diversity. Soil physical properties (SPP) are factors that affect plant growth. This study aims to assess the spatial variability of SPP in different gap sizes and to determine the effect of gap size on SPP. We used geostatistical analysis to illustrate the spatial patterns of SPP variability within 9 gaps, classified into three sizes (small, medium, and large) and under the canopy at the Castanopsis kawakamii natural reserve forest, the soil samples were collected entire gap area at 20 cm depth with the grid system …

Ecosystem Service Value Of The Mixed Land Use Pattern In Asia: Thailand's Experience, Nararuk Boonyanam, Somskaow Bejranonda

Applied Environmental Research

The rapid increase in economic development and urbanisation along the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) of Thailand has accelerated the change in its ecosystem service value (ESV), leading to the demand for related analysis to ensure sustainable growth in the area. The aim of this study is to: (1) evaluate the land use change in Chonburi Province; the most urbanised city in the EEC of Thailand between 2006 and 2016, and (2) assess the land use change impact on ESV. Secondary data from land use maps for 2006 and 2016 was used to evaluate land use change and its impact on …

Tourism Density Effect On Environmental Performance Index: Evidence In Asean Countries, Jain Yassin, Sarma Aralas, Danie E.K. Basa

Applied Environmental Research

The purpose of this current study is to assess the effect of tourism density on the environmentalperformance index on 10 ASEAN countries from 2002 to 2017. This study adopted panel data regressions with the Driscoll and Kraay standard. This method accounts for cross-sectionaldependence, heteroskedasticity, autocorrelation, and the possible correlation between countries when observing the environmental performance index and tourism density. Empirical results found a statistically significant and negative relationship between the tourism density index and the environmental performance index in 10 ASEAN countries. This result implied that an increasein the tourism density index will deteriorate the environmental performance index. The …

Centuries Of Heat Waves Over India During 20th And 21st Century, Naveena Neelam, Gubbala C. Satyanerayana, Kotla S. Rao, Nandivada Umakantha, Dharma Raju

Applied Environmental Research

An assessment of temperature extremes is made for the Indian subcontinent to identify the changes since 1951 to 2015, and for the future climate periods till 2100 for all the 21 CMIP5 (Coupled Model intercomparision Project phase 5) models and the representative concentration pathways RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 were examined for the period from 1 March to 31 May to characterize the heat waves in future climates and mean maximum and mean minimum bias were evaluated for the Indian subcontinent. Later two highest recorded temperature regions were chosen Northwest & Central India (NW&CIN) and only central India (CIN) box and the …

Source Contribution Of 1,3 Butadiene In The Vicinity Of Petrochemical Industrial Area, Nuttakit Sukjit, Sarawut Thepanondh, Suphaphat Kwonpongsagoon, Wanida ๋Jinsart, Lalidaporn Punya, Pattaranan Hanma

Applied Environmental Research

Emissions and ambient concentrations of 1,3 butadiene released from the synthetic rubber industries in the largest petroleum and petrochemical complex in Thailand were evaluated in this study. The industrial emissions in this analysis were those emitted from process fugitive, combustion stack, flare, and wastewater treatment facility. It was found that wastewater treatment units were the largest emission source among other potential sources. The contribution of emission from wastewater treatment plants were about 92% of total 1,3 butadiene emission. The extent and magnitude of 1,3 butadiene in ambient air were further evaluated through the simulation of AERMOD dispersion model using these …

Land Cover Classification Based On Uav Photogrammetry And Deep Learning For Supporting Mine Reclamation: A Case Study Of Mae Moh Mine In Lampang Province, Thailand, Tejendra K. Yadav, Polpreecha Chidburee, Nattapon Mahavik

Applied Environmental Research

Detailed, accurate, and frequent mapping of land cover are the prerequisite regarding areas of reclaimed mines and the development of sustainable project-level for goals. Mine reclamation is essential as the extractive organizations are bounded by-laws that have been established by stakeholders to ensure that the mined areas are properly restored. As databases at the mines area become outdated, an automated process of upgrading is needed. Currently, there are only few studies regarding mine reclamation which has less potential of land cover classification using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry with Deep learning (DL). This paper aims to employ the classification of …

Quantifying Avoidable Food Waste And Identifying Its Underlying Causes: A Case Study Of A University Dormitory In Thailand, Shimpei Iwasaki, Suphat Prasopsin, Thamarat Phutthai

Applied Environmental Research

To develop well-planned and effective policies and programs for reducing avoidable food waste, it is important to quantify the actual food waste level in particular settings and assess relationships among consumers’ awareness, attitudes, and behaviors. Recognizing these considerations, this paper measured avoidable food waste generated by university students living in dormitory buildings and identified its underlying causes in the case of Kanchanaburi campus, Mahidol University, Thailand. The study applied a food waste composition survey 18 times between January and May 2019 while administering questionnaires in October 2019 to the dormitory students. Based on these measures, the study identified 1,417 instances …

Environmental Degradation-Education Nexus In Malaysia, Wong Sing Yun

Applied Environmental Research

This study aims to examine the role of education on CO2 emissions in Malaysia from 1974 to 2014. The unit root tests indicated that the variables were integrated in the same order. As such, the Johansen Co-integration Approach can be employed in this empirical analysis to analyze the impacts of the selected variables. The long-run estimation revealed that economic growth (GDP) and energy consumption (ENERGY) has a negative effect on CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, secondary school education (EDU) demonstrated a significant positive relationship with environmental degradation in the long-run. This can be inferred that secondary school education has a negative effect …

Political Identity Rules: Support Of Renewable Energy Jobs And Attitudes On Soil Conservation In Northeastern Ohio, Leah H. Jorn

Senior Independent Study Theses

The purpose of this study was to look at the support of a proposed Act and renewable energy jobs as it paired with endorsement from elite Republicans. This was tested across political groups but mainly focuses on Republican responses. The hypothesis was that with elite endorsement Republican approval will increase for both the Act and renewable energy jobs. This study also focuses on attitudes of local farmers in Northeastern Ohio on soil conservation and how Republican values and identity politics affect this. This was studied through both a survey of approximately 450 people and through archival work. The results indicate …

The Development Of A Procedure For The Pxrf Analysis Of Soil Cation Exchange Capacity In Collaboration With Colorado Farmers, Claire E. Wineman

Senior Independent Study Theses

Discrepancies between farmers’ and scientists’ knowledge systems and experiences have long prevented the success and mutual beneficiality of collaborative research efforts between these two groups. The development of agricultural technologies, such as portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) for the analysis of soil cation exchange capacity in the field, creates a promising overlap point for farmers and scientists to cooperatively study issues within their sociocultural context and with access to institutional resources. In this study, the generation of an in-field PXRF method in collaboration with Colorado farmers helps to provide a prospective model for scientists and farmers looking to use collaborative research …

"It's About More Than Just Animals": Environmental Politics Of Zoo-Adjacent Conservation(Ists) In The U.S., Dayton D. Starnes Ii

Theses and Dissertations--Anthropology

This research explores the influences of diverse environmental politics in shaping zoo-adjacent conservation activities in the United States. Based upon 13 months of multi-sited ethnographic research, conducted with conservation actors across six states, the researcher investigates and documents how conservation professionals—operating in contexts adjacent to zoological institutions—experience and respond to the socio-environmental implications associated with the cascading effects of global environmental change. In the face of current challenges and uncertain environmental futures—shaped by habitat alterations, ecological transitions, and species declines/extinctions—conservationists are undergoing their own processes of reassessment and reconfiguration of their underpinning philosophies and body of practices that inform their …

Enhancing Harvester Safety And Traditional Food Access Through Participatory Mapping With The Ka’A’Gee Tu First Nation Of Kakisa, Northwest Territories, Neomi Jayaratne

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Northern Canada has struggled with various systemic challenges based on Eurocentric ideologies, policies, and practices. A major challenge Indigenous communities face North of the 60^th parallel is their food security and sovereignty. Inuit, First Nation and Métis populations across the North experience 5 to 6 times higher levels of food insecurity compared to the National average (Food Secure Canada, 2020). These communities face concentrated levels of food system issues, which connect to other factors, such as, health and wellness, the supply chain of market foods, governance, a shift away from traditional foods, and the impacts of climate change. Climate …

Human Centeredness: The Foundation For Leadership-As-Practice In Complex Local/Regional Food Networks, Maryann Martinez

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Our local and regional food systems are predominately modeled on a failed capitalist market-based economy. In the absence of corporate accountability, and/or support on the federal policy level, local and regional leadership and self-organized networks are critical to the scaling across and evolution of a moral and equitable food system. Networked food systems leaders are developing the capacity to solve wicked problems, and spark change. Understanding the values and practices of local food systems leadership that initiate, influence, and support activities is essential to understanding how to foster conditions for local and regional food network growth. My dissertation research is …

Managing Natural Resources Through Vulnerability Analysis: An Applied Case Study Into Recreational Activities At Coral Reefs In Puerto Rico, Karin Jakubowski

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this dissertation is to add knowledge to coral reef management by designing and testing a methodology to assess the vulnerability of select coral reefs to diving and snorkeling recreational activities within La Cordillera Nature Reserve, Puerto Rico. Vulnerability research consists of three main components. This includes measuring exposure to the stressor, characterizing the sensitivity of the exposure, and characterizing the capacity to act. In the context of this research, exposure refers to the number of potentially harmful actions that recreational snorkelers inflict on coral reef ecosystems when they contact the reef and includes the number of individuals …

Building Urban Resilience In New York City, Eliseo Magsambol Cubol

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Existing research shows that cities around the world are now turning to urban resilience as a new approach to governing the urban climate challenges because of the increasing exposure of vulnerable populations and critical infrastructures in coastal cities and communities to extreme weather events. However, there is limited scholarly understanding about how cities and urban regions overcome challenges to the implementation of urban resilience. In particular, little research has focused on local stakeholder perspectives on urban resilience, which can offer valuable insights to help cities and urban regions address these challenges. To better understand stakeholder perspectives, this dissertation shares the …

Decolonizing Food Systems Research – The Case Of Household Agricultural Food Access In Bikotiba, Togo, Katryna Maria Kibler

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Indigenous West African farmers are among the most climate change threatened globally. Food insecurity is prevalent in West Africa because ecological, social, political, and economic instabilities, and globalization worsen climate pressures. In this study, I collaborated with the community of Bikotiba (bih-CO-ti-buh), Togo, to understand their household agricultural food access, one aspect of resilience to food insecurity. I adopted a feminist approach of reflexivity, radical vulnerability, and radical empathy, combined with decolonizing principles, to argue that there could be an ethical way for well-trained Western researchers to engage Indigenous communities, if negotiated carefully. Together, Indigenous Research Assistants and I developed …

Enacting Sustainability In Footwear Product Development, Mary Samantha Hale

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The apparel and footwear industry's negative environmental impacts have companies facing scrutiny as consumer environmental consciousness increases (Brewer, 2019). Apparel and footwear companies are scrambling to develop sustainable initiatives with more consumers demanding they be held accountable for their actions. The industry has focused on recycling, raw materials sourcing, and reducing production waste during product development for more sustainable outcomes. This qualitative case study explores how sustainability as an abstract corporate initiative affects footwear companies and product development processes. The best way to explore how companies engage and execute sustainable practices in their product development process is by examining it …

Evaluating The Social Impact Of The Roundtable On The Crown Of The Continent, Travis D. Anklam

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

For over a decade the Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent – a landscape-scale collaborative conservation network– has convened and connected people together to enhance conservation, culture, and community in the Crown of the Continent region. After years of conferences, workshops, and projects, participants have expressed a need to take stock of the difference that the network has made. This paper shares the results of an evaluation that used both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the social impacts the Roundtable has generated for active participants. Study results reveal that the Roundtable has generated measurable and meaningful impacts for …

Collaborative Conservation And Backcountry Weed Control: A Case Study Of The Great Burn Proposed Wilderness, Christopher James Prange

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Noxious weeds have become a management priority on public lands in the United States. Managing invasive weed populations in natural areas with complex ecosystems presents issues that need a systems-wide approach over long temporal and spatial scales. This broad-scale problem increasingly demands collaborative efforts. While collaborative conservation has become a tool in natural resource management during the 21^st century, it is less commonly applied in weed control in backcountry wilderness areas. Programs that have been initiated are understudied. Accordingly, this research was conducted through semi-structured interviews to gather perspectives of weed professionals involved in a collaborative backcountry weed program …

Three Essays In Regional Economics, Zachary Keeler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation consists of three essays that use applied econometric analysis and other analytical methods from various economic fields, including regional and urban economics, natural resource economics, housing economics, and sports economics. In all three essays, I use housing data to value various amenities and disamenities. Using several variations on the hedonic method, I am able to uncover the values based on the capitalization effect. I consider the effect of natural resource development by examining shale gas development, as well as the effect of urban development projects, including public transportation and sports facilities.

In the first essay of my dissertation, …

Assessment Of The Potential For Youth Engagement In Mountain Gorilla Conservation In Uganda, Samson Elijah Werikhe

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Young people can play a vital role in contributing to protecting natural resources. However, their participation in efforts to support existence of the endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) is relatively new and not well understood. Mountain gorillas are critically endangered and continue to face threats from the local farmers, although several mountain gorilla conservation strategies are under way. This study evaluates the potential of involving young people in the conservation of mountain gorillas by assessing their knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy and intentional behaviors. Attitudinal factors contribute to guiding behavior. Self-efficacy and outcome expectations are beliefs that influence young people’s capability …

Using Principles Of Seascape Ecology To Consider Relationships Between Spatial Patterning And Mobile Marine Vertebrates In A Seagrass-Mangrove Ecotone In Bimini, Bahamas, Sarah Rebecca Taylor Driscoll

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Seagrass meadows and mangrove forests are ecologically and economically important systems that are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activity. This study used a non-invasive method, baited remote underwater video systems (BRUVS), to observe mobile marine vertebrates in the seagrass-mangrove ecotone in North and South Bimini, the only area where mangroves remain in the northwestern Bahamas. An extensive area of mangroves and seagrass was removed for coastal development in North Bimini, where a marine protected area, the North Bimini Marine Reserve (NBMR), has been under consideration for decades. This research applied principles of seascape ecology to assess species abundance, diversity, and richness …

Humboldt Bay Shoreline, North Eureka To South Arcata: A History Of Cultural Influences, Jerry Rohde

Trade & Scholarly Monographs

In 1850 the area east of Arcata Bay was a tapestry of wetlands and sloughs, fringed by conifer-clad hillsides. Canoe channels and trails connected a string of Wiyot villages that nearly encircled the bay.

Then white settlers arrived, establishing towns at Eureka and Union (Arcata). With them came profound changes in the landscape. Rock quarries. Log drives. “Reclaimed” ranchland. An airport. Four and a half railroads. In 170 years the area was transformed into a web of structures and infrastructures that connected what became the two largest cities in Humboldt County.

Recently a new period of change has begun, promising …