SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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Bio-Renewable Alternatives: Nanocellulose as Conductive Fibers and Lignin as Uv Absorption Agent
No full textCellulose is the most abundant naturally occurring polysaccharide. Its inherent mechanical stability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and polyhydroxy functional groups make it desirable for various applications such as conductive fibers. Cellulose acetate (CA) – an acetate ester of cellulose – has a good fiber-forming property using a variety of solvents. Fiber-based materials offers good mechanical and thermal stability. Electrospinning is one of the emerging technologies in producing fibers in the nanoscale range. A polymer solution is fed through a spinneret and is collected on a metallic plate where both surfaces are attached to a high voltage supply. Asthe solution traverses the distance from the needle to the plate, the material stretches and gradually solidifies into superfine fibers. Polyaniline (PANI) is a conductive polymer that is popular for its high chemical stability, nontoxicity, good processability, and stable intrinsic redox state. This study explored the fabrication of a conductive PANI/CA nanocomposite through electrospinning. Working conditions, electrospinning variables and solution parameters were optimized to produced characterizable PANI/CA nanofibers. The effects of varying CA concentration, amount of PANI, molecular weight of CA, and feed flowrate on the morphology of the nanofibers were investigated
Wiigwaas: An Indigenous Traditional Knowledge Informed Study of Sustainable Roofing Materials
Full text linkThe inadequacy of contemporary Indigenous housing has been recognized worldwide from historical problems related to colonization, dispossession, and resettlement. Indigenous housing on reservations is often substandard which meets the minimum regulations for low-income housing, with little regard to the health or cultural values of the people that live there. This study focuses on reincorporating traditional values into tribal housing with the use of wiigwaas, the Anishinaabe Ojibwe word for Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) and a cultural keystone species of the Anishinaabe. The traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) surrounding wiigwaas is utilized to compare it to sustainable roofing materials. The researcher used methodologies which combined autoethnography, Indigenous Research Methodology, and quantitative data collection to analyze the potential of wiigwaas for covering structures. This study concluded that the durability of wiigwaas in terms of flexibility, strength, and energy allow this to be a valid sustainable roofing material for future use on Anishinaabe lands
Enzymatic Conversion of D-Psicose From D-Glucose by the Co-Expression of D-Psicose 3-Epimerase and Glucose Isomerase
No full textEscherichia coli was genetically modified for the production of D-psicose. A modified plasmid containing an extra copy of gene expression elements, including Ribosomal Binding Site (RBS), T7 promoter, multiple restriction enzyme cloning site, was constructed for the inserting the encoding sequences of D-glucose isomerase (GI) from E. coli MG1655 and D-psicose 3-epimerase (DPE) from Agrobacterium tumefaciens CGMCC 1.1488. The recombinant plasmid was introduced into E. coli BL21(DE3) for the co-expression of GI and DPE. The resulting stain showed capacity for the bioconversion of D-glucose to D-psicose. The characterization and optimization of the D-psicose production were carried out.
The optimal conditions were found to be weak alkaline (pH 7.0-7.5), mesothermal (40- 50°C), with the co-existence of Mg2+ and Co2+ . The transformation equilibrium with an 16% conversion rate was reached at 24h under the optimal conditions, with the highest rate during the first 12h. The increase of initial substrate concentration required higher enzyme input to reach the maximum transformation rate. The enzymatic hydrolysate of sugarcane bagasse and microalgae have been used as the substrate for D-psicose production, which gave out rare sugar yields of 5.7% and 6.5%, respectively.
A kinetic model based on fast equilibrium step assumption was built. The regression was carried out and the rate constants were determined with the experimental data of sugar concentrations accumulating with reaction time. The enzyme loading experimental data showed good agreement with the predicted data calculated by the model based on the derived constants.
Three deep eutectic solvents (DES), including ChCl/glycerol, ChCl/urea, and ChCl/ethylene glycol, have been proved to be capable of improving the conversion efficiency of D-psicose by the whole cell catalysts. The increase of nucleic acid and protein content in the reaction solution indicated the extracellular penetration of intracellular substance. TEM results verified the cell membrane permeability by the DESs, which eliminated the substrate transportation and accelerated the reaction rate
Assessing Relationships Between Physical Parameters of Streams and Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in New York State
Full text linkAquatic macroinvertebrates are well-established biological indicators of water quality and a major component of water quality assessment of flowing waters because of their ability to detect and integrate natural and anthropogenic changes in physical and chemical habitat. The New York State Stream Biomonitoring Unit (NYS SBU) has been collecting biological, chemical, and physical data of the state’s rivers and streams since 1972. These data have been used to develop assessment methodologies specific to segments of the river continuum. However, no associated physical parameter (e.g., substrate and instream habitat) models that could help predict water quality have been developed. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in physical variables and macroinvertebrate response to physical habitat stressors, and create models to aid in accurately assessing water quality along the river continuum. Historical data were used to identify variation in physical parameters within the longitudinal stream gradients (i.e., headwaters to non-headwaters). Catchment-scale land use data were used to identify reference versus non-reference streams, and assess if human disturbances impacted the physical parameters. Headwater streams exhibited a departure from the reference condition for substrate composition and habitat parameters, resulting in impact threshold models for each. However, non-headwaters did not show any deviation from the reference condition for substrate composition and habitat. A threshold indicator taxa analysis was performed and a community change-point was identified for each substrate and habitat parameter for non-headwater streams, resulting in a model with thresholds of concern rather than an impact threshold model. These models can be utilized in future water quality assessments in New York State to improve implementation and management
Beaver Dam Analogue Impacts on Stream Hydrology and Channel Morphology
No full textNatural beaver ponds in beaver impacted streams help connect the stream to the floodplain and shape stream channel form by affecting erosion and deposition patterns at the reach scale. When beavers are extirpated from the landscape, stream degradation often ensues. This study assesses the impact of beaver dam analogues (BDA) as a stream restoration technique to reduce stream incision and enhance stream-floodplain interactions in Red Canyon Creek, Lander, WY. BDAs increased surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) levels, favored the occurrence of flow reversals (i.e. stream-to-floodplain GW flow), increased SW-GW interactions on an annual basis, and led to a decrease in groundwater temperatures at times of groundwater recharge, but they did not impact stream temperature. BDAs also decreased erosion and increased deposition and channel morphological heterogeneity at the reach scale. BDAs constructed with a combination of wooden posts, vegetation, mud, and sediments were the most resilient after one year
Rebuilding Baghdad: A Half-Century of International Urban Plans for the Historic Capital of Iraq
Full text linkI bring a personal history to this study of Baghdad. I lived and worked in Baghdad, and I have the personal connection to the place, history and people. The study investigates the international planning history in the historical capital of Iraq from middle of the twentieth century up to now. The study provides a brief history of the foundation of Baghdad in 762 AD, the characteristics of the Arab-Islamic cities and planning issues of the modern era. A qualitative comparison analysis was the methodology adopted in the study. The city plans of Doxiadis 1958, Polservice 1973, JCCF 1990, and Khatib and Alami 2018 were discussed and analyzed. Comparisons for the four plans were carried out, and an evaluation of what expertise, planning techniques and solutions the four plans brought to Baghdad. The study shows the primary physical planning strategies employed in the four plans, and how the plans addressed population growth. What lessons do the previous plans for Baghdad offer the city today, and can these lessons be transferrable to other Arab-Islamic cities? There is no question that Baghdad is the hub of political, economic, and social activities of the country. Any future study must cover not only the City of Baghdad, but also its metropolitan area, “Greater Baghdad”. Recommendations include a metropolitan development planning study developed in coordination with a national urban policy. Also, Baghdad needs an operative and implementable master plan. Based on what can be learned from many other cases from the past, it is a good chance for the Iraqi people to build a beautiful and robust national capital to match or surpass its glorious past incarnation. This study would help the urban planner, policymaker and researcher to evaluate the previous work of international urban planners, and lessons learned from this set of plans may be useful for the rebuilding of Baghdad today
Evaluating the Role of Invasive Dreissenid Mussels on Harmful Algal Bloom Formation and Toxicity Using Citizen Science Data
Full text linkInvasive dreissenid mussels cause ecological and economical damage to non-native freshwaters. Dreissenids are implicated as causative factors in cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (HABs) formation and toxicity in low-nutrient lakes. I used data from the Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP) to assess variations in water quality and HAB parameters between invaded and uninvaded lakes in New York State. Only true color differed significantly between lake types, while HAB frequency did not. Instead, lake characteristics, water temperature, and nutrient status were drivers of HABs parameters. Open water microcystin concentrations were also a function of total nitrogen to total phosphorus ratios and did not differ based on invasion status. To better understand methods for monitoring dreissenid populations, an artificial substrate methodology was tested. The methodology did not provide sufficient information on either detection or population dynamics. Citizen science remains an imperative tool for understanding water quality, invasive species, and HABs
Impacts of Climate Change on Crop Production in West Africa: A Modeling Approach Using Aquacrop and Remotely Sensed Data
No full textClimate change is already affecting food security in West Africa, posing a serious threat to the agriculture--which is mainly rain-dependent. Crop models can help investigate climate-crop relationships in order to better assist farmers. In this study, we implemented AquaCrop at a landscape level to examine the impact of climate change on maize, millet and rice. First, we simulated historical yields and second we simulated future yields--of maize, millet, and rice. Results indicate that: (1) AquaCrop model performed well in few cases and poorly in others, and (2) future yield might likely vary, considering the scenarios used. Further steps are required to improve the model configuration for reliable model forecast
Geospatial analysis and monitoring in stream corridors: riparian vegetation, riparian buffer and channel migration
No full textRiparian zones provide important transitions between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and they are closely linked to river channel geomorphology. However, vegetation within riparian zones has long been modified by humans and an important consequence of riparian vegetation alteration is increased channel migration. The first three manuscripts of this dissertation focus on development and application of processes for delineating and detecting riparian vegetation and channel boundaries, including quantifying accuracy of each component. The first manuscript focused on developing a novel method to detect and delineate spatio-temporal changes in river channel boundaries and riparian vegetation extent and coverage using freely available imagery and geospatial applications. Results from applying the method demonstrated channel boundary variation impacts on riparian vegetation delineation and quantified land use impact on riparian vegetation extent and fraction. The method developed allows stakeholders to process remotely sensed imagery with reduced costs in processing and data storage. The second manuscript focused on development of a new framework to holistically quantify riparian vegetation delineation by considering accuracy in channel boundary delineation and vegetation classification, which enabled identification of factors that influence accuracy of each element. The accuracy framework developed in this study enables the holistic quantification of riparian vegetation delineation accuracy for both channel boundary delineation and vegetation classification. The third manuscript focused on detecting and monitoring spatio-temporal patterns of tree growth in planted riparian buffers. The study results quantified spatial and temporal impacts on buffer tree cover delineation accuracy and detectability. Broad application of the utilized process can help reveal critical difference in buffer tree cover trends to inform local riparian buffer management practices. The fourth manuscript in this dissertation aimed to address a critical knowledge gap in channel migration studies by exploring differences in channel migration rate across rivers in the northeastern and western US. This study revealed substantial differences in drivers of changes between the two representative rivers and highlights the need for localized characterization of processes to support riparian management efforts. Through using remote sensing and geospatial analysis techniques, this dissertation provides a foundation to address the lack of quantitative knowledge in both riparian vegetation and channel migration
Nutrient Removal in Willow Biomass Crops is Impacted Over Multiple Rotations, Timing of Harvest, and Harvesting System
Full text linkThe pressing need to mitigate climate change and find alternative uses for marginal agricultural land have stimulated the establishment of short rotation woody crops (SRWC), like shrub willow, in both North America and Europe. There is limited research on the dynamics of nutrient removal over several rotations in these systems and little is known about the long-term impacts of repeated whole-plant harvesting on soil nutrient concentrations. This study compared nutrient removals among 18 cultivars of willow harvested across three three-year rotations at two sites and changes in the soil nutrient concentrations. Nutrient removal was statistically different among rotations for all studied elements in the following order 2011 ≤ 2017 \u3c 2014. For example, K removal was 7 kg ha-1 year-1 in 2011, 14 kg ha-1 year-1 in 2017, and 20 kg ha-1 year-1 in 2014 at the Belleville site. Additionally, significant effects of site (for N and Ca) and cultivar (all elements) were observed. A significant decrease in soil concentrations among years was observed for total N (1,986 g kg-1 in 2008 and 1,633 g kg-1 in 2017) and P (6.9 g kg-1 in 2008 and 3.4 g kg-1 in 2017) at one site (Belleville) while a significant increase was observed for K (44 g kg-1 in 2008 and 57 g kg-1 in 2017) at the other site (Tully). These results show that shrub willow crops are not negatively impacting extractable nutrient reserves and are capable of recycling nutrients effectively over a 10-year period. Adequate nutrient management guidelines for commercial willow sites should be site specific, consider the selection of cultivars deployed given the high variation in nutrient removal among cultivars, and the soil nutritional status