Environmental Studies Commons^™

Determinants And Effects Of Offset Usage Within The California Cap-And-Trade System – A Firm-Level Analysis, Adarsh Srinivasan

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines the determinants of the usage of carbon offsets within the California cap-and-trade program for greenhouse gas emissions. It also investigates the relationship between a firm’s investment in offsets and its financials for publicly traded companies. Entity-level data from 2013 to 2020 was used, which was sourced from the California Air Resources Board. Multiple regression analysis was used to investigate factors that correlated with offset usage and whether offset usage correlated with EBITDA. Dummy variables indicating geographic location and economic sector of each entity were used as controls. The analysis found that total covered emissions and privately owned …

The Korean Hanok As A Model For Sustainable Architecture In South Korea, Jordan Oh

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis analyzes the traditional Korean hanok within the Western framework for sustainability across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. It then cross-references the findings of this analysis with existing theory on the cultural role of architecture to elucidate how the traditional Korean hanok can serve as a model for sustainable architecture in South Korea. Through a comprehensive analysis this thesis highlights the importance of architectural vernacular to define a sustainable building, and critiques contemporary Western ideas of sustainable architecture. Furthermore, this thesis synthesizes two current approaches to sustainable development in South Korea, the u-eco-city and the Green Standard for Energy …

Colorful Lizards And The Conflict Of Collection, Colin M. Goodman, Natalie M. Claunch, Zachary T. Steele, Diane J. E. Sturgeon, Christina M. Romagosa

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Invasive species threaten biodiversity, and their management is economically burdensome. Research on the indirect effects of introduced species are often focused on indirect ecological effects, with little focus on the more difficult to capture but critically important societal impacts. Often understated are the social costs of invasive species such as conflicts between invasive species managers and public stakeholders. Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae) are popular in the pet trade and have been introduced throughout Florida, USA, and their presence often attracts private collectors. After locating a population of panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) within a suburban neighborhood in central Florida, we administered …

Instructions For Authors, Discovery Editors

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

No abstract provided.

Contents, Discovery Editors

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

No abstract provided.

Cultivating Access: The Benefits And Challenges Of Using Community Land Trusts To Preserve Farmland And Support Farmers., Meghan Daly

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Agricultural land protected by community land trusts (CLTs) is more likely to remain in active production due to the CLT’s ability to enforce land use practices and select tenants committed to farming. While land tenure approaches vary among CLTs, protected agricultural lands typically utilize long-term leases with affordable rents (Ela and Rosenberg, 2020). Such leasing arrangements enable farmers to access land at prices unaffected by escalating land values (Schwartz et al., 2013). The CLT model not only safeguards farmland but also promotes active agricultural production, thereby ensuring local food supply and providing economic opportunities for farmers.

Despite the promising potential …

Unlocking The West: A Critique Of Previous Statutory Attempts And A Proposed Statutory Solution To Allow Access To Corner-Locked Public Land, Sawyer J. Connelly

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Across the American West, 9.52 million acres of federal and state public lands are inaccessible to the public. The legality of accessing much of those public lands through corner-crossing is unclear in the law because, in the infinitesimal space where four corners of land meet in a checkerboard pattern, there is ambiguity; neither private landowners nor the public can assert an exclusive right or absolute control without infringing upon the rights of the other. This paper discusses the origins of landlocked public land, common law doctrines that inform legal actors in this space, and analyzes federal statute and state legislative …

Optimization Of A Low-Cost Corona Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Plasma Wastewater Treatment System Through Central Composite Design/Response Surface Methodology With Mechanistic And Efficiency Analysis, Yiting Xiao, Yang Tian, Yuanhang Zhan, Jun Zhu

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Water pollution, which is intensified by the release of hard-to-degrade pollutants, poses severe threats to ecosystems, human health, and economic development. The existing advanced oxidation processes often involve high operational costs and can potentially result in secondary pollution, highlighting the necessity for innovative and more sustainable solutions. To address these challenges, our study introduces a cost-effective and eco-friendly corona dielectric-barrier discharge for wastewater treatment. Using the central composite design/response surface methodology, a high decolorization rate of 98% of methylene blue (MB) was achieved within 10 min by optimizing parameters such as pH and voltage. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the generation …

Impact Of Forest Plantations On Energy Poverty: An Assessment Of Reforestation Efforts In Uganda, Matilda Kabutey-Ongor

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study investigates the socio-economic impacts of reforestation initiatives on energy poverty in three Ugandan districts—Hoima, Dokolo, and Nakasongola. Implemented by the Ugandan National Forest Authority, these efforts aim to mitigate the adverse effects of deforestation, exacerbated by a growing population and increased demand for forest products. We hypothesize that through sustainable afforestation, access to biomass and other renewable energy sources can be improved, thereby alleviating energy poverty. The study establishes a causal relationship between reforestation and reductions in energy poverty and general poverty using advanced econometric methods, such as Ordinary Least Squares regression, Weighting, and matching techniques including Propensity …

A Tale Of Two Working Landscapes, Sage C. Sutcliffe

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Integrating Western Science And Indigenous Knowledge For Just Practices In Conservation, Cierra Lea Keith

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Local Visions For Patagonia: Drivers And Dynamics Of Collaborative Environmental Governance In Aysén, Chile, Zachary J. Hummel

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Collaborative governance (CG) has emerged as a tool for addressing increasingly complex societal problems by engaging a diverse of set of cross-sector actors in a deliberative process with the aim of realizing consensus-driven outcomes. Emerson et al.’s (2011) Integrated Framework for Collaborative Governance (IFCG) attempts to improve understanding of these arrangements by articulating causal connections between collaborative drivers and dynamics across different contexts. Answering researchers’ call for more empirical support for the IFCG in non-US/European contexts, I used the framework to guide 10 interviews with collaborative governance practitioners in the comanaged marine protected area, AMCP-MU Pitipalena Añihue, located in Aysén, …

Culture & Contamination On The Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Sidney Upsis Fellows

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The land-based culture of our Shoshone-Bannock Tribes reflects our ability to live a healthy and good life by connecting to the land physically and spiritually in ways of respect, accountability, and other traditions that uphold land-human relations. In consideration of the settler colonialism that has spread across Turtle Island (a.k.a., North America) over the past 500 years, appropriation and contamination of land puts land-based cultures at stake. For the Shoshone-Bannock, two Superfund sites, a result and ongoing issue of settler colonialism, present an issue of environmental justice for the Tribes. This thesis seeks to provide a holistic understanding of our …

Changing The Communication For A Changing Climate: Effects Of Climate Change Communication On Identity, Emotions, And Mobilization, Liam Schwartz

Departmental Honors Projects

What are the most constructive emotions to evoke in climate change communication for diverse groups of people in a way that encourages pro-environmental behavior? A specific communication style and subsequent emotional response may best mobilize people interested in efforts to address climate change compared to people who are less invested in the issue. In this study, 927 valid participants surveyed were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a “fear” condition, a “hope” condition, and a control condition. All participants were asked a series of questions about their demographics, identities, perceptions, values, and environmental attitudes. Following these experimental tasks, they …

Metal Contamination In Household Dust And Their Health Risk Assessment: A Study In Two Malaysian Cities, Xin Yi Lim, Ting Fang Lye, Joo Hui Tay

Applied Environmental Research

Investigating the composition of household dust can provide crucial insights into potential environmental and health implications. This study aimed to determine the concentration of selected metals in 30 household floor dust samples collected from two cities in Peninsular Malaysia, namely Melaka and Butterworth. The samples were collected using nylon socks attached to a vacuum cleaner nozzle during January-February 2021. All samples were sieved through a 200-µm sieve, acid-digested with aqua regia, and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Mean metal concentrations decreased in the order of Fe>Al>Mg>Zn>Mn>Ba>Cu>Cr>Pb. Cd was not …

Exposure To Metal Accumulation In Chicken Giblets And Human Health Risk In Lokoja, Nigeria, Jude Ehwevwerhere Emurotu, Lami Habib, Ephraim Musa Dallatu, Adamu Shuaibu Onakpa, Aloysius Akaangee Pam

Applied Environmental Research

When consumed, the toxic heavy metals in chicken giblets pose a grave risk to humans. An inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) was used to measure the concentrations of metals (Al, Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, Mn, and Pb) in the liver, gizzard, and kidney of chickens from the Lokoja poultry market. Except for lead, which slightly exceeded the FAO/WHO limit of 0.1 mg kg-1, the metal concentrations found were all within the threshold limit. The estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and cancer risk (CR) were used to assess the risks that humans would face …

Unveiling Long-Term Impacts Of Forest Cover Changes And Carbon Storage Assessment In Nan Province, Thailand, Jiratiwan Kruasilp, Sura Pattanakiat, Siam Lawawirojwong, Thamarat Phutthai, Poonperm Vardhanabindu, Warinthorn Kiadtikornthaweeyot Evans, Anne Jacquine

Applied Environmental Research

Forests serve as carbon sink by storing and sequestrating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Forest cover loss adversely affects communities by increasing risks to the shortage of carbon storage. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of forest fragmentation and assessment of forest cover changes impacts on carbon storage over Nan province during 1990 to 2019. Spatial and temporal patterns were explored using landscape metrics analysis. Forest areas declined 10.69% over 30 years using random forest classifier based on Google Earth Engine platform, with an overall accuracy of 97.10%. The highest rate of forest cover changes was 5.27% (2010 to 2014), …

Geospatial Modelling Of Flood Susceptibility Of The Calabar City, Cross River State, Nigeria, Joel Efiong, Eme Efiong, Oluyemi Akintoye, Ebin Inah, Obianuju Awan, Francis Ogban

Applied Environmental Research

Flooding remains a major environmental problem in many parts of the world including Nigeria, causing untold losses. This study modelled the flood susceptibility of Calabar Metropolis using frequency ratio and geographical information system (GIS). Direct field observation and key informant approaches were used to obtain 127 previous and current flood locations in the study area from which a database of historical flood occurrence was developed. Using the geostatistical analyst tool within a geographical information environment the flood locations were split into two parts in the ratio of 70:30 percent for the training and testing processes, respectively. Eight flood conditioning factors …

Minimization The Chemical Oxygen Demand (Cod) Content In Tannery Wastewater Using Activated Carbon From Spent Tea Leaves, Kanish Fatama, Nasifa Akter, Badhan Saha, Nur -E- Alam Md., Shimul Chakma

Applied Environmental Research

Water pollution from tannery wastewater is a serious environmental issue. This study aimed to investigate the potential of spent tea leaves as activated carbon (AC) to minimize chemical oxygen demand (COD) of tannery effluent. To determine the best conditions for minimizing COD, a batch adsorption process was conducted, involving various factors such as different adsorbent dosages (ranging from 1 to 11 gm L-1), contact time (30 to150 min), and pH values (ranging from 3 to 11). The characterization was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM). The outcomes of this study demonstrated that using 1.5 M …

Adsorption Behavior And Mechanism Of Brilliant Green Dye Onto Acid-Modified Mesoporous Volcanic Pumice, Suchada Sawasdee, Prachart Watcharabundit

Applied Environmental Research

Water pollution is a major problem in the environment. The important one is the dying effluent from the textile industry. Dye effluent has affected human health and aquatic life. Recently, natural adsorbents have been most commonly used for dye treatment wastewater. This study explores the adsorption mechanism of brilliant green onto HCl-modified pumice. It involves a comparative analysis of the raw and HCl-modified pumice's characterization and adsorption properties. The adsorption experiments were carried out by considering several parameters, such as pH, contact time, initial dye concentrations, and temperatures. The research indicated that the raw and acid-treated pumice possess Si-OH and …

Outlooks And Challenges For Urban Green Space Development: A Review Case Study In Thailand, Kanawat Paoin, Chanathip Pharino

Applied Environmental Research

Even though prior studies have provided ample proof of the benefits of urban green space, Thailand's development and exploitation of urban green space remain insufficiently efficient. To assess the prospects for urban green space development in Thailand, our review study highlighted gaps and challenges related to these areas. This review study discussed the rationale for urban green space, its definitions, as well as its benefits and co-benefits (i.e., economic, social, health, and environmental). The review research additionally discussed Thailand's current urban green space issues, associated challenges (such as difficulties valuing and using urban green space, budgetary limitations, low priority for …

Path Analysis Of The Relationship Between Diarrhea, Climate And Environmental Variables In Province Of West Nusa Tenggara-Indonesia, Khadijah Azhar, Ika Dharmayanti, Dwi Hapsari Tjandrarini, Bambang Wispriyono

Applied Environmental Research

Diarrhea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, due to certain factors. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of climate, economic status, demographic, water, sanitation, and hygiene factors on diarrhea. The study procedures were carried out using an ecological design that focused on the characteristics of the sample population. The unit of analysis was districts/cities, where data on diarrhea cases from 2017–2020 were used, along with other variables in the same period. The dependent variable was the number of diarrhea cases per month, while the independent variables included average temperature, …

Enzyme Activity And Biodegradation Potentials Of Serratia Marcescens Cell-Free Extract On Polyethylene Terephthalate Sheet, Ogunjemite Oluwadamilola E, Folasade M. Olajuyigbe

Applied Environmental Research

Microbial strains with potential hydrolytic enzymes are excellent hosts for the biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, knowledge of the best working conditions for enzymatic actions is essential to suggest the most suitable condition for the bio-transformation process. In this research, PETase and lipase produced by Serratia marcescens under PET exposure were screened and their physicochemical properties were evaluated. Furthermore, the biodegradation efficiency of the cell-free extract produced from S. marcescens on a PET sheet was studied via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). The result showed maximum production of PETase activity (8.80 U mL-1) and …

Effective Microorganisms (Em) As Bioremediation Agent Of Profenofos Pesticide Residue In Vegetable Farm Soil From Benguet Province, Philippines, Maylowen P. Lumayna, Paulina A. Bawingan

Applied Environmental Research

Effective microorganisms (EM) have shown remarkable adaptability and have been used in agriculture and environmental management. This study intended to provide insights into the effectiveness of EM technology in rehabilitating soils contaminated with pesticides. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the efficiency of EM in breaking down the profenofos component of Selecron® 500 EC pesticide in a controlled condition. Results show that the initial profenofos (17.2 mg kg-1) degraded in the control and experimental groups by 94.19% and 96.45%, respectively, over a 21-day laboratory experiment. EM-treated soil samples showed a significant difference from untreated samples, as revealed in the Kruskal-Wallis …

Microplastic Contamination In Table Salt: A Study Of Consumer Behavior In Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, Sk Abid Md Saad, Faijunnesa Rashid, Maisha Miskat, Mukul Chandra Sarker, Arman Khan, Mustafizur Rahman

Applied Environmental Research

Plastic particles resulting from the breakdown of bigger plastics may be introduced directly as micro- and nano-sized particles polluting the marine ecosystem, including ocean-extracted table salt. This study investigated the presence of microplastic (MP)-like particles in table salt from Bangladesh, focusing on both locally refined and commercially branded varieties. Local salt samples from Sadar and Moheshkhali Sub-district of Cox’s Bazar contained an average of 23.4 and 12 particles kg-1, respectively. In contrast, no particles were detected in commercial brands, likely due to their complex refining processes. The study also explored factors influencing local salt consumption, finding it influenced by the …

Global Perspectives On Healthcare Waste Management And Bibliographic Mapping During The Crises Of Covid-19, Vasudeo Zambare, Bhushan Bhusare, Lew Christopher, Mohanadoss Ponraj, Nabin Narayan Munankarmi, Mohd Fadhil Md. Din

Applied Environmental Research

The lack of proper waste management of health care facilities can have a significant negative health impact on the global population. This study provides a critical view on the current state of the existing healthcare waste management practices used in healthcare facilities around the world during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. The increasing amount of COVID-related healthcare waste was analyzed and classified to provide justification for the urgent need to develop waste management standards that ensure safe containment and diversion of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes through recycling, reuse and repurposing. The waste handling, treatment, and disposal management of …

Assessment Of Total Petroleum Carbon And Heavy Metals Of Some Selected Plants Grown In Crude Oil Polluted Soils Using Gc-Fid, Pius O. Adah, Ndem E. Edu, Reagan B. Agbor, Henry B. Kogbara

Applied Environmental Research

This study was focused on assessing the phytoremediation potentials of some selected plant species on crude oil contaminated soils. Five plant species were cultivated in soils polluted with crude oil at 10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg kg-1. The results revealed that there were significant reduction in THC contents of soil ameliorated with the various plants species compared to the control group increases with increasing concentration of crude oil pollutant in soil. THC was 62.24 mg kg-1, 1,120 mg kg-1, 208.67 mg kg-1, 257.87 mg kg-1 and 2,762.79 mg kg-1 for R. simplex, P. balfouriana, K. pinnata …

Study Of Solar Collector Potential In Thailand Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach, Phongpapop Kitisomkiat, Varudom Siri, Benjapon Chalermsinsuwan, Kejvalee Pruksathorn

Applied Environmental Research

Due to the proximity of Thailand being near the equator, there is a significant potential for harnessing an excess amount of solar energy using a solar collector. The solar collector harvests solar energy by acting as a passive heat exchanger, receiving solar energy, and transferring it to a fluid medium to be further utilized. This study presents the analysis of temperature outlet and pressure drop of a solar collector in Thailand, utilizing Earth’s geological location, date, and time for solar energy calculations and employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the collector’s efficiency. The CFD approach offers a reduction in …

Food Waste From Catering Services In Thai Hotels: A Composition Analysis And Practical Guidelines For Effective Utilization, Patranit Srijuntrapun, Patinya Sukwong

Applied Environmental Research

Food waste from the hotel sector is a significant contributor to the overall volume of food waste, particularly in restaurants and food services through various processes. However, precise data on food waste generated by the hotel industry is lacking. This study aims to quantify and characterize the food waste generated during the preparation and serving processes in hotel catering, with the goal of finding efficient solutions to reduce food waste that are appropriate for the hotel and catering sectors. The study presents novel findings that among the different types of catering, dinner-style buffets (DB) generate the highest amount of food …

Determinants Of Physicochemical Composition Of Palm Oil Mill Effluent - Implications On Environment And Bio-Digester Treatment Design, E.B. Tambe, A.U. Okonkwo, I.E. Mbuka-Nwosu, C.O. Cookey, E. Agbe, S.C. Onwusa, I.N. Ekpe, U.F. Evuen, J. Okpoghono

Applied Environmental Research

Growing need for renewable energy and addressing challenges associated with indiscriminate wastes disposal has necessitated harnessing wastes to wealth. The study investigated parameters determining the physicochemical composition of palm oil mill effluent (POME) generated at Agricultural Development Authority Palm (ADAPALM) and palm oil mills in its catchment communities, located at Ohaji/ Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria and their implications on environmental health and treatment approaches required. Survey research design was used. From a randomly sampled small-scaled mill in each community, and for the lone medium and large-scaled mills, four homogenous samples of POME were collected from sampled …