Environmental Studies Commons^™

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 …

Potential Factors Of Landslide Recurrence In Uttaradit, Thailand: A Case Study In Laplae, Mueang Uttaradit, And Tha Pla Districts, Panithan Sawatdikomon, Watit Khokthong, Nipada Santha

Applied Environmental Research

Laplae, Mueang Uttaradit, and Tha Pla district, Uttaradit province, Thailand are considered as high potential landslide areas. Still, this disaster is difficult to address because of complex factors controlling its occurrence. Therefore, the prediction of the potential landslide area using a landslide susceptibility map has been able to accomplish as a great strategy for the disaster.  A landslide susceptibility map was produced by the geographic information system (GIS) data. The methods were initially conducted by the selection of potential factors related to landslides, which were lithology, slope, aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, distance to stream, land use, and rainfall. All …

Application Of Fe3o4/Thiamine Magnetic Particles In The Removal Of Methylene Blue, Lan Tran-Nguyen, Suong Mai-Thi-Thu, Thanh-Ty Nguyen, Kim-Phung Ly, Luu-Ngoc-Hanh Cao, Tran Thi Bich Quyen, Shella Permatasari Santoso, Nguyen-Phuong-Dung Tran, Nguyen Minh Nhut

Applied Environmental Research

Fe3O4/thiamine particles were prepared in this work via precipitation method. The synthesis method is based on the principle of precipitation of Fe3O4 particles in the presence of thiamine coating agent. Also, the potential application of Fe3O4/ thiamine in the removal of methylene blue (MB) was investigated. Several factors that affect the synthesis of Fe3O4/thiamine such as base concentration, mass ratio of FeCl2 to thiamine, reaction temperature, and reaction time were determined. Optimal conditions for preparing Fe3O4/thiamine are NH4OH concentration = 10%, mass ratio of FeCl2:thiamine = 5:1 (g g-1), reaction temperature = 30 °C, reaction time = 120 min. The …

Assessing The Compliance Of A Coastal Municipality To The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act Of 2000 (Ra 9003), Michelle Del Rosario

Applied Environmental Research

To bring about a significant change in the SWM situation in the Philippines, the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003) was enacted to provide local government units with frameworks that would help them solve the looming garbage problem in the country. Despite the presence of the decree, managing wastes remains a problem in the country particularly in the CALABARZON. This study was conducted to assess the extent of compliance of a coastal municipality to RA 9003 in terms of institutional mechanism, comprehensive solid waste management, incentives, and financial solid waste management and compare the assessments of 72 …

The Effect Of Incubation Time And Drainage Ph On The Immobilization Of Copper In Post Coal Mine Soil Using Sumatera Brown Coal Char, Muhammad Haviz, Damris Muhammad, Maria Vabylita, Miftahul Djana, Rizka Mayasari, Ashruri -, Sandri Erfani, Yuli Darni, Opik Taufik Purwadi, Simparmin Ginting

Applied Environmental Research

Post coal mine (PCM) activities pose significant environmental challenges. Soils affected by PCM often exhibit increased acidity and elevated levels of heavy metals. In the case of Sungai Buluh PCM in the Jambi Province, Indonesia, copper (Cu) levels in the soil reach 94.79 mg kg-1, surpassing the Indonesian standard of 40 mg kg-1. Sumatera brown coal (SBC), typically is not considered as fuel due to its properties, offers a cost-effective solution for Cu immobilization in such soils. In this study, SBC was subjected to pyrolysis at 400°C for 1 h, sieved through a 10-mesh sieve, and characterized using SEM and …

Dual-Polarimetric Radar Applications For Investigating Severe Thunderstorms In Northern Thailand During The Pre-Monsoon Season, Nattapon Mahavik, Sarintip Tantanee, Fatah Masthawee

Applied Environmental Research

Understanding the physical characteristics of severe pre-monsoon thunderstorms is crucial for mitigating the adverse impacts of natural disasters on people in tropical regions. On April 23, 2020, a severe storm affected the Chiang Khong District of the Chiang Rai Province in Northern Thailand, causing devastation to more than 500 houses with hail and strong winds. This study investigated the storm's physical characteristics using dual-polarimetric radar data from the Thai Meteo-rological Department (TMD). Using a combination of polarimetric radar variables, such as reflectivity (ZH), specific differential phase (KDP), differential reflectivity (ZDR), and copolar correlation coefficient (ρhv), fuzzy logic was utilized to …

Distribution Of Exchangeable Magnesium In Lowland Rice-Cultivated Soils Of Sri Lanka As Affected By The Differences In Climate, Soil, And Water Source, Indeera Hetti Arachchige, Buddhi Marambe, Mohomad Nijamudeen, Harsha Kadupitiya, Dinaratne Sirisena, Rohana Chandrajith, Lalith Suriyagoda

Applied Environmental Research

Magnesium (Mg) is an essential macronutrient for plants. Even though Sri Lankans consume rice as the staple food, the Mg status in Sri Lankan paddy soils as affected by its climate, soils, and water sources used are not well understood. This study was conducted to (i) determine the distribution of exchangeable Mg (ex-Mg) concentration, and (ii) examine the interactive effects of agro-climatic zones (ACZs), soil order, and water source in determining the ex-Mg concentra-tion in lowland paddy fields of Sri Lanka. A total of 9,038 soil samples representing six ACZs, six soil orders, and three water sources were collected using …

The Effect Of Irrigation Techniques On Sustainable Water Management For Rice Cultivation System - A Review, Bittawat Wichaidist, Amornrat Intrman, Songsak Puttrawutichai, Chawakorn Rewtragulpaibul, Supatchaya Chuanpongpanich, Chaisri Suksaroj

Applied Environmental Research

Rice serves as a fundamental sustenance for approximately half of the global population, particularly in Asia. Nevertheless, the cultivation of rice demands a substantial water supply, and the challenges associated with water deficits have been exacerbated by irregular rainfall patterns induced by global warming. Consequently, there is a critical need to reassess irrigation techniques to effectively tackle these issues. In this comprehensive review, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) method was employed to systematically explore literature on irrigation techniques aimed at fostering sustainable water management in rice cultivation systems. The primary components of the framework encompass …

Effects Of Management And Environmental Variables On Ant Richness, Diversity, And Nest Abundance In Pitch Pine-Scrub Oak Barrens, Heathlands, And Dry Rocky-Ridge Communities In Inland Massachusetts, Usa, Kyle Bradford

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Heathlands and pitch pine-scrub oak (PPSO) barrens are globally-imperiled natural communities threatened by human development and disruption of natural disturbance regimes. To restore these habitats in the northeastern United States, many sites are managed by mechanical tree harvesting, mowing, selective herbicide, and prescribed fire. Restored PPSO barrens and heathlands are important habitat for rare and threatened biota; barrens habitat has been shown to support high ant diversity including rare and threatened species. Ants are important providers of ecosystem services and functions, yet their ecology and response to management in inland Massachusetts barrens are not well known. I used hand-sampling to …

Less Meat, Less Heat: Analyzing Meat Consumption Through The Theory Of Planned Behavior, Identity, Past Behavior, And Conservatism, Madeleine Powers

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Meat reduction is a largely underutilized means of combatting climate change that warrants further investigation. The current study utilized an extended model of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict intention to eat red meat. In addition to traditional TPB components of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, this study adds to the literature by including meat-eating identity, past meat-eating behavior, and conservatism as predictors of meat consumption intentions. 744 participants were recruited via Mturk and compensated $1 for completing surveys assessing the extended TPB constructs related to meat consumption. The sample was 57% men, and 81% white, …

Economic Impacts Of Wild Pigs On Livestock Producers In 13 States, Sophie C. Mckee, Ryan S. Miller, Jeremiah L. Psiropoulos, Stephanie A. Shwiff

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are an invasive species in the mainland United States, where they are responsible for a wide range of negative impacts including damage to crops, livestock depredation as well as disease transmission, destruction of property and ecosystems, and depredation of wildlife. This manuscript summarizes a recent survey-based effort to estimate wild pig damage and control costs incurred by livestock producers by state and livestock type. The survey was distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistical Service in the summer of 2021 to a sample of livestock producers in the 13-state region. Findings …

Where And Why Do Ecosystem-Based Adaption Projects Take Place In California?, Daniel K. Jacobson

Master's Theses

California is experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change and will continue to do so for generations. As a result, municipalities have been forced to turn to adaptation solutions to help local residents adjust to inevitable impacts such as sea level rise, extreme heat, and extreme weather. Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), the use of nature and ecosystem services to help human systems adapt to climate change impacts, is an increasingly popular, cost-effective, and multi-benefit adaptation strategy. While prior research has shown that other forms of adaptation, often referred to as ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ strategies, disproportionately benefit whiter and wealthier populations, there …

Conceptualizing The Construct Of Ocean Identity, Miriah R. Kelly, Jo-Marie Kasinak, Emma Mckinley, Caitlin Mclaughlin, Jamie M.P. Vaudrey, Jennifer Mattei

Biology Faculty Publications

The construct of ocean identity provides a valuable lens that can unpack the multiple dimensions of human connections with ocean spaces, and crucially places importance on the integration of cognitive, affective, and behavioral components. The construct of ocean identity is applicable in academic and professional contexts, and is largely unexplored from both qualitative and quantitative research perspectives. This comment article presents a revised definition of ocean identity and posits a useful conceptual framework based on a robust analysis of literature to unveil the multiple dimensions that may explain an individuals’ ocean identity. Here we identify a series of attributes that …

To Change Everything, We Need Everyone: Belonging, Equity, And Diversity In The U.S. Climate Movement, Clara Changxin Fang

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Climate change affects everyone but lack of racial diversity in the climate movement makes it challenging for it to be truly inclusive, champion solutions that are equitable, and affect transformative change. This dissertation describes a two-part study of diversity in the climate movement using a survey of 1,003 climate activists and interviews with 17 people of color who work or volunteer in the U.S. climate movement. The study analyzes differences between Whites and people of color in terms of their (a) demographics, (b) engagement in climate action, (c) experience of climate impacts, (d) worries, (e) challenges and barriers to participation, …

Land Reform In Sub-Saharan Africa: Exploring Interested Parties Perspectives On Cameroon's Land Tenure And Land Law Reform, Jacques Kenjio

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research study seeks to understand interested parties’ perspectives on Cameroon's existing land tenure systems, the 1974 land law, and ongoing efforts to reform this land law. It identifies both concerns and specific recommendations from these parties on the formulation and implementation of future reforms. In the decades following the achievement of independence from European colonizers, most governments in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have adopted new national land tenure policies to meet their countries’ needs and aspirations. In some parts of SSA, however, this process of land tenure formalization has negatively impacted the land rights of people observing customary land tenure. …

Forest Bathing Increases Adolescent Mental Well-Being And Connection To Nature: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study, Jennifer Keller

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Previous research has demonstrated that practicing forest bathing has significant positive effects on well-being. However, few studies have investigated whether forest bathing increases adolescent well-being despite the growing adolescent mental health crisis in the United States. Similarly, few studies have explored forest bathing’s impacts on connectedness to nature. Considering the ongoing environmental crisis, determining if forest bathing increases connectedness to nature is a critical expansion of forest bathing research, as connectedness to nature is linked to environmental care and concern. This study investigated the possibility that forest bathing, a nature-based mindfulness practice, could increase adolescent mental well-being and connectedness to …

Children Tell Landscape-Lore Among Perceptions Of Place: Relating Ecocultural Digital Stories In A Conscientizing/Decolonizing Exploration, Meredith Jean Bird Miller

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

We know that when children feel a sense-of-relation within local natural environments, they are more prone to feel concern for them, while nurturing well-being and resilience in themselves and in lands/waters they inhabit. Positive environmental behaviors often follow into adulthood. Our human capacities for creating sustainable solutions in response to growing repercussions of global warming and climate change may grow if more children feel a sense of belonging in the wild natural world. As educators, if we listen to and learn from students’ voices about how they engage in nature, we can create pedagogical experiences directly relevant to their lives. …

Artistic Engagement With Monadnock: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Jonathan W. Coffin

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This hermeneutic phenomenological study discloses the lived experience of creating art in association with New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock. This study reveals the potential for artistic invention in association with place gradually to undermine an established sense of separation from environment and to prompt conscious awareness of continuity with environment. A series of interviews with four artists who create art of or in the presence of Monadnock revealed in the lived experience of creating Monadnock art a process that consists of five phases: first encounter, abstract appreciation, existential understanding, sustained attention, and continuity. A hermeneutic circular method of interpretation based upon …

The Use Of A Habitat Quality Stress Index To Evaluate Stress As An Analog For Proximate Fitness In The American Crow Within A Matrix Of Landcover Characteristics To Assess Its Potential Contribution To Disease Etiologies, Theodore Lee Grabarz

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

All organisms occur within spatial and temporal environments to maximize proximate fitness (health) and thus life history outcomes. Previous work has examined the temporal and behavioral aspects of proximate fitness on life history outcomes particularly regarding highly perturbed environments (i.e., climate and land use change, resource extraction, agricultural erosion, etc.). My work focuses on the less examined spatial aspect of these perturbed environments. More specifically, this dissertation examines habitat selection and quality as the basis for understanding stress response (negative and positive feedback mechanisms) to environmental stressors within the larger context of regional or gamma (ɣ) biodiversity. Through the lens …

Transboundary Marine Species At Risk & Their Recovery In A Changing Climate: Workshop Report, Jonathan J. Choi, Olga Koubrak, Jess Kuesel, Michelle B. Nowlin, Stephen E. Roady, Susan J. Rolston, David L. Vanderzwaag

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Rice Biomass Response To Various Phosphorus Fertilizers In A Phosphorus-Deficient Soil Under Simulated Furrow-Irrigation, Jonathan B. Brye, Kristofor R. Brye, Diego Della Lunga

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Wastewater-recovered phosphorus (P), in the form of the mineral struvite (MgNH4PO4∙6H2O), may provide a sustainable alternative to decreasing rock-phosphate reserves. Struvite can be generated via precipitation methods, potentially reducing the amount of P runoff to aquatic ecosystems. The objective of this greenhouse tub study was to evaluate the effects of chemically and electrochemically precipitated struvite (CPST and ECST, respectively) on aboveground plant response in a hybrid rice cultivar grown using furrow-irrigation compared to other common fertilizer-P sources [i.e., triple super phosphate (TSP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP)] using three replications of fertilizer treatment in a P-deficient silt loam (Typic Glossaqualfs). Aboveground …

"Our Loons": Participant Attachments And Motivations Within A Community-Based Monitoring Program, Taylor Tewksbury

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Organizations can benefit from understanding person-place relationships and volunteer motivations as they recruit and sustain involvement in their community-based monitoring (CBM) programs. Place attachment, or the bond between people and their meaningful environments, is one lens through which to explore these relationships. Past studies have associated place attachment with environmentally responsible behaviors (ERB), such as CBM involvement. However, few studies have explored the relationship between place attachment and CBM in the context of volunteers’ attachment to the species of study.

The purpose of this research study was to explore the place-based relationships and motivations among volunteers of the Loon Preservation …

In The Weeds, Bianca J. Jensen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.