Environmental Studies Commons^™

Eco-Label Certification: A Case Study Of The Campeche Shrimp Fishery, Mexico, Antonio Di Cintio, Luis Bourillón Moreno

Gulf and Caribbean Research

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) eco—label certifies that seafood comes from a sustainable source. The use of this eco—label lags behind in the developing world, where ecosystem approaches to fishery management have not yet been widely implemented. However, the Food and Agriculture Organization under its REBYC—II LAC project is addressing ecosystem concerns within the shrimp trawl fisheries of a number of developing countries in Latin America and the Caribbean by helping them to improve management of the negative ecosystem impacts by modifying their gear to reduce by—catch and habitat damage. This study investigates how the potential improvements identified by the …

Potential Of Using Surfactants To Enhance Ammonium And Nitrate Adsorption On Rice Husk And Its Biochar, Lada Mathurasa, Seelawut Damrongsiri

Applied Environmental Research

Inorganic nitrogen fertilizers are widely and heavily used in agriculture. Leaching of these fertilizers is a cause of eutrophication in water bodies. This study examines the use of rice husk and its biochar, their efficiency in adsorption of ammonium and nitrate and the potential of using surfactants, sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) and cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), to increase adsorption. Physical and chemical properties of adsorbents were examined through BET, SEM-EDX, and CEC value, respectively. The equilibrium batch adsorption was conducted. The result showed that rice husk was lower in surface area, total pore volume, pore diameter, silica and oxygen …

Prevalence Of Fatigue And Its Determinants Among Chemical Transportation Drivers In Chonburi, Sujee Phatrabuddha, Thitima Wonginta, Nantaporn Phatrabuddha

Applied Environmental Research

Driver fatigue is a recognized risk factor for commercial road transport industry drivers. The aim of this cross-sectional research was to assess the fatigue and its determining factors among 99 chemical transportation drivers in Chonburi. Driving fatigue was assessed by both subjective questionnaire (n = 99) and flicker fusion instrument (n = 88). The association between driving fatigue and related factors were analyzed by Pearson's correlation and Chi-square (?2). The results revealed that the prevalence of fatigue as assessed by critical flicker fusion analyzer, subjective fatigue question and either one of the instruments were 32.32 %, 16.16 % and 43.43 …

Impact Of Aquaculture On The Livelihoods And Food Security Of Rural Communities, Rajee Olaganathan, Alicia Tang Kar Mun

Publications

Aquaculture production has prospered rapidly since the 1970s and is considered as a part of the rural development program in many countries. The impacts of aquaculture on the rural communities in terms of livelihood and food security are assessed in this paper. Aquaculture contributes to the livelihood of the poor through improved employment and income. Aquaculture creates job opportunities for rural communities, especially for illiterate women to earn side income for the household. With increased financial ability, household manage to reflect stronger purchasing power and have better access to the resources. However, there is a controversy among the researchers whether …

Manganese Removal From Aqueous Solution By Ozonation Process Designed By Box-Behken Design (Bbd), Sunisa Jongdee, Tinnakorn Kumsaen, Kitirote Wantala

Applied Environmental Research

The aim of this research was to investigate interactions in the removal of manganese from contaminated water by oxidation through an ozonation process. The manganese oxidation was used to oxidize manganese ions (Mn2+) in solution to manganese dioxide (MnO2) in its brown solid form, in order to reduce levels of manganese ions in the water to below the acceptable limit for drinking water (0.05 mg L-1). In this study, the independent effects such as the initial concentration of manganese (5, 10 and 15 mg L-1), initial pH of solutions (3, 4 and 5) and ozone concentrations (10.970, 21.945 and 32.920 …

Assessment Of Water Usage And Water Management In Mae Fah Luang University, Yanasinee Suma, Nittaya Pasukphun, Anuttara Hongthong, Vivat Keawdounglek

Applied Environmental Research

A university may be compared by its size of population and activities to a small city, with high water consumption and in need of effective water conservation strategies. This study presents the results of a study of water consumption on the Mae Fah Luang University campus in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Consumption was classified by activity type, water usage and water saving behavior of students and staff. The results suggest strategies for water conservation on campus. With a water conservation plan focusing on residential areas (halls and homes), which accounted for the highest levels of consumption on the campus. The study …

Land - Water - Population Model: Developing An Agricultural Resources Management In The Upper Part Of Pranburi Watershed, Jirattinart Thungngern, Thavivongse Sriburi, Saowanee Wijitkosum

Applied Environmental Research

This research proposes the application of the Land-Water-Population (LWPM) concept in the upper part of the Pranburi Watershed. The objective of the study is to develop a model for agricultural resources management under the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP). The methodology is divided into three parts; 1) evaluate the soil quality in agricultural areas, 2) analyze water quality in agricultural land; and 3) assess farmer practice in agricultural resources management using a questionnaire. The study findings point to problems in soil and water conservation, suggesting that in the area should prioritize agricultural management, as advocated under the SEP, which provides guidelines …

Comparison Of Co2 Emissions From Vehicles In Thailand, Sutthicha Nilrit, Pantawat Sampanpanish, Surat Bualert

Applied Environmental Research

Emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, from typical passenger vehicles in Thailand was investigated using a chassis dynamometer in the Automotive Emission Laboratory. The vehicle running method was controlled under the standard Bangkok driving cycle. CO2 emissions were measured at three different speeds for the following four vehicle types commonly used in Thailand: heavy duty diesel (HDD), light duty diesel (LDD), and light duty gasoline (LDG) vehicles and motorcycles (MC). HDD vehicles had the highest average CO2 emission rate, followed by LDD, LDG and MC at 1,198.8±93.1, 268.4±21.3, 166.1±27.7 and 42.5±6.1 g km-1, respectively; all values were significantly …

Treatment Of Piggery Wastewater By Three Grass Species Growing In A Constructed Wetland, Supaporn Pongthornpruek

Applied Environmental Research

The study aimed to investigate the efficiency of piggery wastewater treatment by the surface flow constructed wetland with three different grass species; bulrush (Scirpus spp.), cattail (Typha angustifoliaL.), and vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides L.). All pilot units were used for wastewater treatment by the flowing surface water system, giving a system carrying capacity of several 0.18 m3 d-1 of HLR with a 5 day hydraulic retention time (HRT). The results showed that the cattail pilot showed improvement in several wastewater quality indicators: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) with efficiencies of 80.59, 84.11 …

The Effects Of Thermal Stress On Fluorescent Protein Expression In An Indo-Pacific Scleractinian Coral Species, Acropora Tenuis, Anna Knochel

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

The scleractinian coral species that so heavily define tropical coral reefs are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic global warming. Rising sea surface temperatures in combination with light stress causes the photosynthetic breakdown of the coral’s algal symbiont, Symbiodinium. Corals have developed a number of physiological responses to handle acute stressors, such as the production of ultraviolet-protecting amino acids, heat shock proteins, the ability to shift symbionts, and the production of fluorescent proteins. The latter has been thought to play a photoprotective role in the coral holobiont, and studies have shown evidence that corals orient these pigments to divert harmful light away …

Environmental And Climate Justice Along The Brahmaputra River In Northeast India, Costanza Rampini

Faculty Publications, Environmental Studies

The glaciers of the Himalayas are the source of all of Asia’s major rivers and are crucial to Asia’s water supply, economies, and livelihoods. The Himalayan region is uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of anthropogenic climate change, while also becoming one of the most dammed regions in the world. This case study explores the unequal distribution of the impacts of climate change and dam building along the Brahmaputra River in Northeast India. It examines how the combined impacts of these two processes negatively affect local communities and explores environmental and climate justice issues. In discussing climate change impacts and hydropower …

Assessment Of Usda-Nrcs Rangeland Conservation Programs: Recommendation For An Evidence-Based Conservation Platform, David D. Briske, Brandon T. Bestelmeyer, Joel R. Brown, Mark W. Brunson, Thomas L. Thurow, John Tanaka

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

The Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) was created in response to a request from the Office of Management and Budget that the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA- NRCS) document the societal benefits anticipated to accrue from a major increase in conservation funding authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill. A comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of rangeland conservation practices cost- shared with private landowners was unable to evaluate conservation benefits because outcomes were seldom documented. Four interrelated suppositions are presented to examine the causes underlying minimal documentation of conservations outcomes. These suppositions are (1) the benefits of …

Community Gardens: Exploring Race, Racial Diversity And Social Capital In Urban Food Deserts, Jennifer F. Jettner

Theses and Dissertations

Study purpose. The study examined race and racial diversity in community gardens located in Southern urban food deserts, as well as the capacity of community gardens to generate social capital and promote social justice. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was used to describe characteristics of gardeners and community gardens located in urban food deserts, and test Social Capital Theory hypotheses. A convenience sample of 60 gardeners from 10 community gardens was obtained. Data was collected using surveys and semi-structured interviews. Analyses. Univariate and bivariate statistics were used to describe gardeners and gardens. Leader rationales for garden characteristics were analyzed using thematic …

Salmon Pluralities: The Politics Of Commercial Fishing On The Hoopa Valley Reservation, Lori D. Biondini

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

From 2008 to 2010 members of the Hoopa Valley Tribe harvested large quantities of salmon from the Trinity River within the boundaries of the Hoopa Valley Reservation, and sold them to an off-reservation buyer. Other tribal members questioned the legality of the sellers’ actions, as well as the appropriateness of their fishing methods, which were interfering with non-commercial fishing on the river. In response, the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s governing council created a commission charged with developing commercial fishing regulations with input from the tribal membership. In early 2011, the commission invited me to participate in planning and facilitating two public …

Ownership Structures And Financing Options For Solar Energy Generation In The Redwood Coast Energy Authority Service Area, Mahayla Ca-Va Slackerelli

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Ownership structures and financing sources for photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays have a large effect on the economic feasibility of a project. This thesis examines potential ownership structure and financing combinations for a one-megawatt PV solar array in Humboldt County. The options deemed suitable for the context of the project are discussed qualitatively. A subset of the financing options and ownership structures are modeled using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s System Advisory Model to gauge their economic viability.

Access to the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and other tax advantages are the most crucial variables for a competitive solar array. Not all …

International Lessons For The Future Spatial Direction For Ireland: Aspects Of Agglomeration And Their Influences On The Economic Role Of Cities, Brian Hughes

Conference papers

Ireland’s demography in the world context is unique. Its population count remains the same as it was some 200 years ago and yet it has experienced profound movements. This paper contrasts Ireland’s changing demography with that of Japan since the 1840’s, for these the two offshore nations, located off either end of the Eurasian land mass. Historic urban literature identifies that governmental policies towards cities and city-based industry and services appears to explain many of these contrasts. In Ireland’s case such policy both prior to and since the formation of the State has been an ambivalent one that has not …

Human Energy Maximization In A Customized Leadership Program, Robin A. Roberts, Matthew P. Earnhardt, Rene Herron

Publications

Sustainability and thriving are key terms that are driving how energy sources, such as solar, wind, water, and geothermal, generate survivability in the era of globalization. Rarely are those terms used to define human energy expenditures; however, human energy is the most readily available energy source for it serves as a primary catalyst in the fueling or degrading of the sustainability and survival of all other resources. Additionally, humans live, learn, and earn in spaces where they expend energy by mere existence. Most humans are unaware of the impact their personal energy has on the utility and fortitude of the …

Exploratory Modeling Of Environmental And Anthropogenic Impacts On Mercury In Fish Tissue For Select Watersheds In South Carolina, Julia Mcguire

Theses and Dissertations

Fish tissue from various sampling locations in South Carolina rivers has shown elevated levels of mercury (Hg). A number of variables may impact this Hg in fish tissue and this study evaluated the impact of these variables using a predictive model. Over 341 variables were assembled from 6 different databases describing land use, water chemistry, point source pollutants, watershed characteristics and more. One dataset describes the location of historical gold mines throughout the sample site, which have been shown to increase Hg in fish tissue in other locations. The variables were assembled in ArcGIS to evaluate variable significance and to …

From Disposable Culture To Disposable People: Teaching About The Unintended Consequences Of Plastics, Sasha Adkins

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Plastics, the epitome of disposable culture, pose both a toxicological and a spiritual problem. This dissertation examines plastics at a molecular level using the discourse of endocrine disruption, and at a sociological level using the discourses of eco-theology and environmental justice. Adding to the literature on the adsorption of toxicants to plastic marine debris, I demonstrate that certain types of plastic -- those containing mercaptans, such as styrene butadiene block copolymer -- efficiently concentrate methyl mercury from seawater. Further, samples of polycarbonate contributed mercury to seawater. I propose the term plastic-mediated magnification to describe the phenomenon that plastics, along with …

A Poetics Of Food In The Bahamas: Intentional Journeys Through Food, Consciousness, And The Aesthetic Of Everyday Life, Hilary B. Booker

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research explores intentional food practices and journeys of consciousness in a network of people in The Bahamas. Intentional food practices are defined as interactions with food chosen for particular purposes, while journeys of consciousness are cumulative successions of events that people associate with healing, restoration, and decolonization personally and collectively. This research examines (1) experiences and moments that influenced people’s intentional food practices; (2) food practices that people enact daily; and (3) how people’s intentional food practices connect to broader spiritual, philosophical, and ideological perspectives guiding their lives. The theoretical framework emerges from a specific lineage of theories and …

Robocar Risks, Michael Lewyn

Scholarly Works

Suggests that policymakers should not widen roads or stringently enforce anti-jaywalking laws in order to accommodate autonomous vehicles.

The Environmentalist Case For Sprawl- And Why It Fails, Michael Lewyn

Scholarly Works

Environmentalists generally favor compact, walkable development, because development that reduces automobile use may reduce automobile-related pollution. Defenders of suburban sprawl argue, however, that compact development may actually increase pollution in a variety of ways. This article criticizes the latter argument.,

Social Change Through Entrepreneurship: Utilizing Portable Sawmill Based Small Businesses To Promote Community Development, Crystal Lupo

Journal of Sustainable Social Impact

Reduced demand for wood and wood products resulting from the economic crisis in the first decade of the 2000s severely impacted the forest industry throughout the world, causing large forest-based organizations to close (CBC News, 2008; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2009; Pepke, 2009). The result was a dramatic increase in unemployment and worker displacement among forest product workers between 2011 and 2013 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). Forested rural communities often depended on the large-scale forest industry for their livelihood, and as a result, decreased reliance on large-scale industry became increasingly important (Lupo, 2015). This article …

Russell Lord And The Permanent Agriculture Movement: An Environmental Biography, Margaret L. Eppig

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This work is an environmental biography of agricultural journalist Russell Lord and a history of the agricultural conservation organization he co-founded. Today the work of the Society for the Friends of the Land (1940 – 1960) is little known to contemporary agricultural and environmental history, yet its influence continues through the fields of sustainable agriculture and landscape restoration. This work chronicles how modern revolutions in scientific and ecological thought transformed the future of American agriculture. It formed the cornerstone of an emerging environmental movement. I argue that this movement, with Lord as its literary vanguard, was the lynchpin that bound …

Oceans Of Space, Stephanie Steinbrecher '16

EnviroLab Asia

"Oceans of Space" relates my observations of the 2016 EnviroLab Asia Clinic Trip to Singapore and Sarawak, Malaysia. In this meditation, the concept of space serves as a lens to examine assumptions of geopolitical, historical, and philosophical positioning—regionally and globally. At the center of my inquiry is EnviroLab's connection to the Dayak communities in Baram, Sarawak. This region is experiencing dramatic social and ecological change as a result of industrial development. By triangulating my subjective impressions of this space, various knowledge systems, and the qualitative data EnviroLab gathered in Southeast Asia, I aim to untangle some paradoxes that complicate the …

Employment Proximity And Outcomes For Moving Toopportunity Families, Michael C. Lens, C. J. Gabbe

Environmental Studies and Sciences

The Moving to Opportunity for Fair Housing Demonstration (MTO) randomly assigned housing vouchers to public housing residents in an experimental test of the effect of neighborhood and location on household outcomes. In terms of adult employment outcomes, the 2 treatment groups did not significantly differ from the control group. We use MTO data to examine whether spatial proximity to jobs and job growth explains this lack of treatment effect. We first estimate differences in access to jobs and job growth for the 3 MTO groups. We then use 2-stage least squares models to test relationships between employment accessibility and 2 …

Wildlife Finds Its Way Back To Polluted Newtown Creek, Suzanna Masih

Capstones

The Newtown Creek in New York is one of the most polluted water bodies in the United States. Scores of chemical factories and industries lined its banks in the 1800s up until the 1950s. Toxic contaminants from these sites and sewage discharges from the city left the creek a barren wasteland. But now, decades of water conservation efforts in New York City have begun to revive the health of the waterway and are making it habitable for wildlife again. Yet, the fight for even cleaner waters continues.

Nyc Waterfronts, Pollution And Access, Guglielmo Mattioli

Capstones

This capstone is about the waterfronts of New York and their relation with access and pollution.

The city has come a long way since the 80s in terms of cleaning up open waters, rivers, and creeks. Many new promenades have been open and development spurred along the city shores. Yet too many miles of waterfront are still not accessible to the one most in need.

Jamaica Bay, Newtown Creek, and Flushing Bay are some of the most representative examples of where there is little access to the water and pollution levels are still too high. This capstone, organized in two …

Plastic Oceans: A New Way In Solving Our Plastic Pollution, Dakota S. Floyd

Master's Theses

By 2050, the world’s oceans will have more plastic than fish with potentially catastrophic consequences on sea life and the health of the ocean. Economically, countries with coastal boundaries will be heavily impacted as plastic pollution has already generated a 13 billion dollars in monetary losses. Considering that this is an extreme problem that we are currently facing the current solution is not enough in curbing our plastic pollution. While, recycling programs have been beneficial in reclaiming some plastic our mass consumption of plastic has outpaced the capabilities of recycling efforts. If we are to find a solution in our …

From Love Canal To The Flint Water Crisis: Government, Public Opinion, And Environmental Crises, Sarah Hughey

Honors Theses

After the rise of the modern-day environmental movement, environmentalism in the United States focused more and more on issues and crises related to the areas in which people lived and to the aspects that impacted public health. In particular, the crisis at Love Canal in Niagara Falls, New York during the late 1970s and early 1980s provided a starting point to the awareness and activism of modern environmental history. Recently, an environmental crisis related to drinking water occurred in Flint, Michigan in the mid-2010s that showcases how various aspects of the environmental movement have developed over time since the Love …