University of Northern Colorado
Purdue University
University of Central Florida
University of Northern Iowa
William & Mary Law School
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Paleotemperature Estimates From Diatom Morphometrics In The Amundsen Sea For Marine Isotope Stage 5,
2023
Northern Illinois University
Paleotemperature Estimates From Diatom Morphometrics In The Amundsen Sea For Marine Isotope Stage 5, Cesar Lopez
Honors Capstones
Because of ever rising temperatures driven by anthropogenic climate change, much attention has been given to the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) by the scientific community. This is due to its sensitivity to global climate change and vulnerability for collapse as evidenced by Pleistocene interglacial events. Paleotemperature estimates from the Amundsen Sea are crucial for understanding how global temperature changes impacted WAIS throughout the Pleistocene. Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS 5) is of particular interest as it contains different substages and intervals of fluctuating temperatures. This period also is estimated to have had temperatures equal to, or slightly higher than …
Radar Signatures In Tropical Cyclone Tornadic And Nontornadic Supercells,
2023
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Radar Signatures In Tropical Cyclone Tornadic And Nontornadic Supercells, Michaela Wood
Dissertations & Theses in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Tropical cyclones (TCs) contain highly-sheared environments that are conducive for supercell thunderstorms. These TC supercells sometimes produce tornadoes, often with little warning. Given the often-close proximity of tornadic and nontornadic TC supercells, environments may not be well-distinguished, pointing to the potential value of radar observations. In this study, dual-polarimetric radar signatures of a sample of TC supercells are examined in the context of known supercell structure and microphysics. Tornadic and nontornadic TC supercells are compared with their midlatitude counterparts, and the environments and characteristic structure of these storms are shown to be notably different. An attempt is made to distinguish …
From Mountain Streams To Urban Rivers: An Assessment Of Microplastic Sources And Characteristics,
2023
Utah State University
From Mountain Streams To Urban Rivers: An Assessment Of Microplastic Sources And Characteristics, Macy Gustavus
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Plastic products are produced and discarded at an alarming rate. Bottles, bags, toys, and clothing break down into tiny plastic pieces called microplastics, ranging in size from an eraser on the top of a pencil to smaller in size than a red blood cell. Microplastics are becoming so common in the environment that they travel in the atmosphere, rivers, and ocean currents in ways that are similar to other types of Earth Systems Cycles (i.e., the water cycle). In this study, we explored microplastic sources and sinks in a freshwater river system and how seasonal changes in discharge affect how …
Evapotranspiration And Energy Balance Of Irrigated Urban Turfgrass,
2023
Utah State University
Evapotranspiration And Energy Balance Of Irrigated Urban Turfgrass, Matthew D. Miksch
All Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Water usage for irrigation is a big consumer of water resources in urban areas in Utah and other parts of the Intermountain Region of the Western United States. As populations continue to increase in these states, it is important to understand how much water is being used by urban landscapes in order to plan and manage future water resources. Evapotranspiration (ET), or the amount of water leaving a surface over a certain timeframe due to both transpiration from plants and evaporation from the soil, is a key variable in understanding how much water urban landscapes are really using to grow …
Hydroclimate Effects On Great Salt Lake Decline Since 1980,
2023
Utah State University
Hydroclimate Effects On Great Salt Lake Decline Since 1980, Siiri Joy Bigalke
All Graduate Plan B and other Reports
As a terminal basin lake, the Great Salt Lake (GSL) is known to act as a barometer for low frequency climate variability for the Western United States. As thus, there are naturally occurring large changes to GSL elevation levels that vary on time scales from years to decades. However, amongst these naturally occurring interannual changes there has been a significant declining trend in the elevation levels since a string of anomalous pluvial years in the early 1980s. In the summer of 2022, the Great Salt Lake reached its lowest levels in recorded history, which coincided with a two-decades long regional …
An Overview Of Serial Depletions Of Global Marine Fisheries 1950 To 2019,
2023
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
An Overview Of Serial Depletions Of Global Marine Fisheries 1950 To 2019, Alison Follmer
Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses
Overfishing is a global issue that poses a significant risk to the entire ocean ecosystem in diminishing biodiversity and ecosystem function. This thesis examined the pattern and pace of fisheries depletions due to commercial fishing during the past 70 years. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Division of Fisheries and Aquaculture maintains a database of global hauls of marine taxa (reported in metric tonnes) from 1950 – 2019. These data were queried to determine the total number and sequence of fisheries depletions documented by the historic record. Analysis of this database showed progressive, linearly-increasing exploitation of …
The Last Drought Frontier: Building A Drought Index For The State Of Alaska,
2023
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Last Drought Frontier: Building A Drought Index For The State Of Alaska, Olivia Campbell
Dissertations & Theses in Natural Resources
Drought is characterized by periods of below average precipitation. There are five major types of drought recognized in the literature: meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, socioeconomic, and ecological. A relatively new concept in the drought literature is “snow drought.” A key part of the definition of drought is that it is not always accompanied by extreme heat. This means drought can occur even in cold climates, cold seasons, and higher latitudes and altitudes, like Alaska. Drought is a natural part of climate variability, but Alaska’s climate is changing faster than any other state in the United States. Alaska is no stranger to …
Cloud Microphysical Response To Entrainment And Mixing Is Locally Inhomogeneous And Globally Homogeneous: Evidence From The Lab,
2023
Michigan Technological University
Cloud Microphysical Response To Entrainment And Mixing Is Locally Inhomogeneous And Globally Homogeneous: Evidence From The Lab, Jaemin Yeom, Ian Helman, Prasanth Prabhakaran, Jesse Anderson, Fan Yang, Raymond Shaw, Will Cantrell
Michigan Tech Research Data
The effects of entrainment-mixing on the cloud droplet size distribution are examined in the Pi cloud chamber that creates a turbulent supersaturated environment for cloud formation. The experiments are conducted with a temperature-controlled flange to mimic the entrainment-mixing process. The entrainment zone is created at the center of the top surface of the chamber, allowing dry air of controlled temperature (Te) and flow rate (Qe) to flow into the mixing cloud region. Due to the large-scale circulation, the downwind region is directly affected by entrained dry air from the flange, whereas the upwind region is representative …
Estimating Blue Carbon Stocks In Native And Non-Native Seagrass Beds Of Jobos Bay, Pr,
2023
Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Estimating Blue Carbon Stocks In Native And Non-Native Seagrass Beds Of Jobos Bay, Pr, Michael Chapman, Raven Winant, Kayla Gonzalez-Boy, Mark Mccarthy, Ángel Dieppa-Ayala
Symposium of Student Scholars
Seagrasses are keystone species that support coastal biodiversity, but not all species of seagrasses provide the same ecosystem services. Although seagrasses occupy a small area of marine habitat, they provide many ecosystem services. They stabilize sediments, remove nutrients, provide habitat and food for diverse marine life, and promote carbon storage in sediments. Jobos Bay is the second largest estuary in Puerto Rico and contains salt marshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds. The native seagrass, Thalassia testudinum, is the most abundant seagrass in the bay; however, a seagrass species from the Indian Ocean, Halophila stipulacea, began invading in recent years. The impacts …
The Compound Risk Of Heat And Covid-19 In New York City: Riskscapes, Physical And Social Factors, And Interventions,
2023
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Compound Risk Of Heat And Covid-19 In New York City: Riskscapes, Physical And Social Factors, And Interventions, Janelle Knox-Hayes, Juan Camilo Osorio, Natasha Stamler, Maria Dombrov, Rose Winer, Mary Hannah Smith, Reginald Blake, Cynthia Rosenzweig
Publications and Research
Climate change is disrupting the fundamental conditions of human life and exacerbating existing inequity by placing further burdens on communities that are already vulnerable. Risk exposure varies by where people live and work. In this article, we examine the spatial overlap of the compound risks of COVID-19 and extreme heat in New York City. We assess the relationship between socio-demographic and natural, built and social environmental characteristics, and the spatial correspondence of COVID-19 daily case rates across three pandemic waves. We use these data to create a compound risk index combining heat, COVID-19, density and social vulnerability. Our findings demonstrate …
Accelerating Atmospheric Gravity Wave Simulations Using Machine Learning: Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability And Mountain Wave Sources Driving Gravity Wave Breaking And Secondary Gravity Wave Generation,
2023
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Accelerating Atmospheric Gravity Wave Simulations Using Machine Learning: Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability And Mountain Wave Sources Driving Gravity Wave Breaking And Secondary Gravity Wave Generation, Wenjun Dong, David Fritts, Alan Z. Liu, Hanli Liu, Jonathan Snively
Publications
Gravity waves (GWs) and their associated multi-scale dynamics are known to play fundamental roles in energy and momentum transport and deposition processes throughout the atmosphere. We describe an initial, two-dimensional (2-D), machine learning model – the Compressible Atmosphere Model Network (CAMNet) - intended as a first step toward a more general, three-dimensional, highly-efficient, model for applications to nonlinear GW dynamics description. CAMNet employs a physics-informed neural operator to dramatically accelerate GW and secondary GW (SGW) simulations applied to two GW sources to date. CAMNet is trained on high-resolution simulations by the state-of-the-art model Complex Geometry Compressible Atmosphere Model (CGCAM). Two …
The Linkage Between The Climate Change And The Cybercrimes,
2023
William & Mary
The Linkage Between The Climate Change And The Cybercrimes, Min Kim
Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research
At the beginning of the new era, the rise of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has been rapidly transforming society into a new form that has never been experienced before. While previous industrial revolutions have also contributed to societal growth through phenomenal inventions and discoveries, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has the potential to break the most conventional rule, and one that has dominated social and economic activities: physical interaction. In the near future, sitting at the office, having an in-person meeting, or going on a business trip may no longer be needed as physical barriers are destroyed by cyberspace. However, two …
The Importance Of Processing And Understanding Bacteriophages,
2023
Coastal Carolina University
The Importance Of Processing And Understanding Bacteriophages, Alexandra Greco, Emily Bishop, Emma Hofseth, Kelsi Phelps
Undergraduate Research Competition
There are many bacteria that are increasingly becoming antibiotic resistant resulting in a new prevalent medical issue. Bacteriophages are evolutionary virus weapons that infect and fight against these infectious bacteria that give rise to Bacteriophages the most abundant biological entity found in nature, outnumbering all life combined, with a total estimated population of 1031. As part of BIOL 302L - Phage Discovery, we focused on identifying phages from individually collected soil samples found regionally in South Carolina. Through a series of experiments, we were able to identify and amplify two newly discovered phages that infect Mycobacterium Smegmatis following the protocols …
Telling Their Story: Identifying Stranded Bottlenose Dolphins Using Dorsal Fin Photo-Identification To Match Known Individuals,
2023
Coastal Carolina University
Telling Their Story: Identifying Stranded Bottlenose Dolphins Using Dorsal Fin Photo-Identification To Match Known Individuals, Grace Richa
Undergraduate Research Competition
Bottlenose dolphins are protected and managed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. When dolphins die (strand), researchers investigate the cause of death, but additional information regarding past experience and distribution can help to identify long-term exposure to pathogens and threats. The objective of this study is to use dorsal fin photo-identification to identify stranded bottlenose dolphins by matching them to known individuals from historical CCU research survey data. Photos from vessel-based surveys in Cape Romain, Murrells Inlet, Winyah Bay, and North Inlet, SC were sorted, cropped, and compared to existing fins in the CCU catalog using finFindR, a photo processing …
The Impact Of Prc Language Policies On Minority Languages Of China,
2023
Coastal Carolina University
The Impact Of Prc Language Policies On Minority Languages Of China, Margaret Shoop
Undergraduate Research Competition
While language is often used as a tool to bring people together and celebrate differences, language can also be weaponized and used to suppress minority groups of people. There are over three hundred unique languages and dialects spoken in Mainland China, with Mandarin Chinese being the most widely spoken of the languages. Mandarin is the official state language of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and it is also the primary language taught in schools across the country. Despite official Chinese policy of teaching Mandarin Chinese alongside local dialects, Mandarin is favored over minority languages. The unequal emphasis on Mandarin …
Comparative Analysis Of Implementing Solar Energy In South Carolina,
2023
Coastal Carolina University
Comparative Analysis Of Implementing Solar Energy In South Carolina, Paige Huntzberry, Jo Whitney
Undergraduate Research Competition
Solar energy is becoming an increasingly popular method of providing energy to homes and businesses all over the world. Converting to solar energy is a huge step in reducing our carbon footprint, a driving force of global climate change. While this type of energy production provides an eco-friendly approach to power, requiring minimal maintenance and virtually no additional infrastructure, many are still opposed to the implementation due to financial reservations. The aim of this project is to design a solar array for installation on a building at the Medical University of South Carolina, providing a cost effective and practical approach …
Seasonal Fluctuation Of Nutrients That Lead To Microcystis Bloom Development In Wall Pond, Coastal Carolina University,
2023
Coastal Carolina University
Seasonal Fluctuation Of Nutrients That Lead To Microcystis Bloom Development In Wall Pond, Coastal Carolina University, Alyssa Antolak
Undergraduate Research Competition
The harmful cyanobacteria Microcystis globally dominates eutrophic freshwater systems. Eutrophication leading to nitrogen and phosphorus loading into aquatic systems is increasing bloom propagation and shifting diatom/dinoflagellate dominated systems to cyanobacteria dominated systems. Understanding seasonal variability and environmental parameters combined with nutrient loading will allow for better understanding of what factors are influencing Microcystis blooms. Biweekly plankton samples, environmental parameters, and nutrients were collected from Wall Pond from spring 2022-spring 2023. Nitrogen and phosphate limitation was examined by performing seasonal nutrient limitation experiments. Early results show that yearly plankton samples shifted from diatom dominated in the late summer-early fall to Microcystis …
Identifying Overwash Layers In Marsh Sediment,
2023
Coastal Carolina University
Identifying Overwash Layers In Marsh Sediment, Charles Mina
Undergraduate Research Competition
Hurricanes have become one of the most researched topics in recent years, due to their damage costs and their uncertain correlations with climate change. Much of the research for this topic has come from direct interaction with storms, such as damage reports and land surveys. However, there is a gap in the historical record of hurricanes, as most historical record is only written. These records can be biased and are too short of a record to identify a pattern of climate change. Grain size analysis, where sizes of sediment grains are measured, can be used to identify the storm events …
Physiological And Transcriptomic Responses Of Two Artemisia Californica Populations To Drought: Implications For Restoring Drought-Resilient Native Communities,
2023
Chapman University
Physiological And Transcriptomic Responses Of Two Artemisia Californica Populations To Drought: Implications For Restoring Drought-Resilient Native Communities, Hagop S. Atamian Dr., Jennifer L. Funk
Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences Faculty Articles and Research
As climate change brings drier and more variable rainfall patterns to many arid and semi-arid regions, land managers must re-assemble appropriate plant communities for these conditions. Transcriptome sequencing can elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying plant responses to changing environmental conditions, potentially enhancing our ability to screen suitable genotypes and species for restoration. We examined physiological and morphological traits and transcriptome sequences of coastal and inland populations of California sagebrush (Artemisia californica), a critical shrub used to restore coastal sage scrub vegetation communities, grown under low and high rainfall environments. The populations are located approximately 36 km apart but …
Modeling Spatial Distributions Of Tidal Marsh Blue Carbon Using Morphometric Parameters From Lidar,
2023
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Modeling Spatial Distributions Of Tidal Marsh Blue Carbon Using Morphometric Parameters From Lidar, Bonnie Turek
Masters Theses
Tidal marshes serve as important “blue carbon” ecosystems that accrete large amounts of carbon with limited area. While much attention has been paid to the spatial variability of sedimentation within salt marshes, less work has been done to characterize spatial variability in marsh carbon density. Driven by tidal inundation, surface topography, and sediment supply, soil properties in marshes vary spatially with several parameters, including marsh platform elevation and proximity to the marsh edge and tidal creek network. We used lidar to extract these morphometric parameters from tidal marshes to map soil organic carbon (SOC) at the meter scale. Fixed volume …
