SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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Chemistry and Implications of a Previously-Unknown Intermediate in the Atmospheric Mercury Oxidation
Get PDFGlobal models previously identified BrHgONO to be a major Hg(II) compound formed in the gaseous oxidation of Hg(0). Computations further affirms that BrHgONO dissociates under sunlight to form BrHgO• and NO. Despite the absence of evidence on its existence, BrHgO• intramolecular bonds were found to be strong, and the radical can react with trace gases in the atmosphere. The present work uses quantum chemistry to explore the various BrHgO• reactions with CH4, C2H6, C2H4, HCHO, NO, and NO2, demonstrating its ability to abstract hydrogen atoms from sp3 -hybridized carbons and add to sp2 -hybridized carbons and to nitrogen oxides. Additionally, analysis using trace gas concentrations under various atmospheric conditions reveals that BrHgOH formation via hydrogen abstraction most likely dominates the fate of BrHgO• in all air masses. My research provides guidance to field scientists in identifying relevant undetected Hg(II) species in the atmosphere
Effect of Temperature and pH for Batch Fermentation of (R)-3-Hydroxybutyric Acid with Burkholderia cepacia
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A Study of Cellulase and Hemicellulase Production by Microbulbifer Hydrolyticus with Paulownia Elongata Hot-Water Wood Extract as Feedstock
Get PDFWith the depleting petroleum reservation and the rapid growth of energy demand, people are eager for new renewable and environmentally friendly energy resource [1]. The biotransformation of biomass is one of the most efficient methods for an alternative resource [2]. In this study, Paulownia elongata hot-water wood extract was utilized as a carbon resource and induced Microbulbifer hydrolyticus to produce enzyme for cellulose and hemicellulose hydrolysis. The effect of temperature, starting time of feedstock (Paulownia elongata hot water wood extract) and feedstock flow rate were investigated. Based on the maximum cell concentration and protein concentration at stationary phase, bioreactor at 40°C had a higher productivity. For fed-batch, cell with Paulownia elongata hot-water wood extract had a higher productivity when the feedstock flow rate was 5 ml/h started 10 hours after inoculation. Enzymes produced by Microbulbifer hydrolyticus were also studied, cellulase and hemicellulase at pH 6, 40°C had a higher enzyme activity
USING BIOMASS TO DUAL FUEL A 4.5 KW DIESEL GENSET TO INVESTIGATE REDUCING WASTE DISPOSAL COSTS FOR A SMALL U.S. MUNICIPALITY
Get PDFThis study explores dual fueling a diesel genset with producer gas made from biosolids , wastepaper and woodchips generated at or brought into the Minoa (a village in New York) Wastewater Treatment Plant (MWTP) and the possibility of a dual fueled genset and gasifier reducing the MWTP operating costs. The producer gas resulted from gasifying the biomass in a downdraft Imbert style gasifier. Gasification of woodchips was first studied in the gasifier using two different sizes and types of woodchips. It was found that the denser hardwood chips 2 cm x 2 cm x 0.6 cm gave better performance than less dense willow chips 1 cm x 1 cm x 0.15 cm. The smaller, less dense chips restricted air flow and reduced temperatures in the gasifier oxidation and reduction zones. Particle size distribution from samples taken vertically through the gasifier also indicated restriction of air and fuel flow through these zones with the smaller, lighter chips. Dual fueling of the genset with the larger, denser woodchips reduced diesel consumption by approximately 75%.
Wastepaper, primarily newspaper, was then studied as gasifier fuel. It was first pulped, then the wet pulp was formed into 60 cm3 chunks, then dried and gasified. The wastepaper fuel was generally difficult to gasify because of its low density and tendency to hang up in the gasifier. Dual fueling the genset with producer gas from wastepaper only reduced diesel consumption by approximately 30%. Since wastepaper can be recycled by Minoa at no cost, gasifying its wastepaper was not recommended. Biosolids were then studied as gasifier fuel. Copious ashes were removed from the gasifier oxidation and reduction zones. Dual fueling the gasifier with producer gas from biosolids reduced diesel consumption by 70% - 90%.
Biosolids first processed through a filter press then pressed into roughly 15 cm3 chunks and dried gasified easily as long as the grate was continuously agitated. By generating electricity and the potentially valuable soil amendment biochar dual fueling a diesel powered genset with producer gas generated from biomass could save Minoa more than $14580 annually
Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on foliar nutrient concentrations of six northern hardwood species
Get PDFUnderstanding how trees respond to nutrient availability and allocate nutrients is important in addressing nutrient status and limitation in various ecosystems. While nutrient limitation status is well documented in some ecosystems, it is not consistent in northeastern temperate forests. And few studies have compared responses of multiple species to nutrient availability. In this study, we examined the effects of nitrogen and phosphorus addition on foliar N and P across ten forest stands in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Unsurprisingly, foliar N and P, overall, increased when the respective nutrient was added; the percent increase in foliar P was much higher than that of foliar N. However, they exhibited decreases when the other nutrient was added. Pin cherry had higher foliar N and P concentrations than American beech, red maple, sugar maple, white birch, and yellow birch. With this information on foliar N and P, we hope to improve upon thresholds of N:P ratios previously reported to indicate N versus P limitation
FOREST GODS AND FOREST CONSERVATION: EVOLVING PERCEPTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH THEIR SACRED FORESTS IN WESTERN INDIA
No full textSacred forests or sacred groves are patches of forest vegetation which are traditionally protected by local communities in parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe, because of their religious or cultural significance. Though sacred forests are a cultural phenomenon, in the last few decades most of the scholarly discourse has focused on their ecological significance. In this dissertation, I explore the local people’s perception of, and their relationship with, their sacred forests. I examine the values and beliefs associated with sacred forests by the local people who protect them, and how these values and beliefs have changed across generations. Additionally, I seek to ascertain what drives sacred forests’ continued protection. I conducted in-depth interviews and group meetings in five villages located in and around the Bhimashankar Wildlife sanctuary in the Western Ghats region of Maharashtra state in India. Here, each village had at least one sacred forest.
The sacred forests in the Bhimashankar region are dedicated to local gods or deities; in most cases they are dedicated to the deity Vandev (Forest God). Rules and taboos are in place against tree cutting, hunting, and extraction of forest produce. The interviews revealed that beliefs and values surrounding sacred forests are a complex interaction of traditional religion and evolving modern views of conservation. The elder generation associated mostly cultural and religious values with the sacred forests, while the younger generation also associated environmental and conservation values with the sacred forests. Trees are primarily viewed as god’s shelter, abode, and as entities which add beauty to the space. They are also considered important for rain, water and environment. Rules and taboos are followed because they are traditional, and people are in awe of the deity. Findings also indicate that along with perception change, changes have occurred in the rules, practices, festivals, and rituals. And, people expect further developmental changes in the sacred forest space. I argue that sacred forests are spaces created by humans that change and evolve with the changing socio-cultural and political background. They are an integral component of, the daily lives of the locals, and the surrounding landscape. For the continued protection of these sacred forests, conservation policies need to adapt to the changing local understandings of these sacred forests
Conservation Insights for Endemic Alpine Plants (Nabalus spp.) Facing Global Environmental Change
Get PDFAmid the current global biodiversity crisis spurred by anthropogenic environmental changes, determining conservation priorities and the extinction vulnerability of rare taxa are tasks of critical importance. Organisms can avoid environmental change-induced extinction through three possible response modes: evolutionary adaptation, migration (range shift), and tolerance through phenotypic plasticity. In this dissertation, I leveraged transplant experiments and population genomics to assess the ability of rare alpine rattlesnake-roots (Nabalus spp.) to adapt, migrate, and/or tolerate environmental change. I also employed these same techniques to define conservation units and priorities within two endemic alpine taxa (Nabalus boottii and Nabalus trifoliolatus var. nanus) and widespread non-alpine Nabalus trifoliolatus. Finally, I used
this study system to investigate more fundamental ecological questions: (1) the niche breadth- range size hypothesis; and (2) the factors contributing to historical persistence of Nabalus taxa in
small, isolated mountaintop populations. Overall, my results supported probable resilience to environmental change in alpine Nabalus taxa, which harbor moderate to high levels of genetic diversity (especially N. boottii), show evidence of historic and recent migration among summits, and are highly plastic for several functional traits linked to climate change response. However, alpine Nabalus taxa may suffer from reduced seed recruitment under ongoing climate change, and I therefore recommend
continued population monitoring. My results further indicated that both N. boottii and broad- sense N. trifoliolatus should be managed at the species level. I did not find evidence for multiple
evolutionary significant units or highly distinct individual populations within N. boottii, and morphological and genomic evidence suggested that alpine N. trifoliolatus var. nanus is not distinct from widespread non-alpine N. trifoliolatus. Regarding the more fundamental ecological questions, I found tentative support for the niche breadth-range size hypothesis in the focal Nabalus spp., but not for phenotypic plasticity as the driving mechanism. Finally, the ability of small populations of Nabalus taxa to maintain genetic diversity (likely via tetraploidy for N. boottii) and migrate between summits helps explain their historical persistence on isolated mountaintops of the northeastern United States
Understanding Habitat Effects on Pollinator Guild Composition in New York State and the Importance of Community Science Involvement in Understanding Species Distributions
Get PDFConcerns regarding pollinator declines have grown recently, yet detection of changes in species richness, abundance, and guild composition are inhibited by a lack of data over space and time. New York State initiated surveys for pollinators in multiple ecoregions and habitat types across NYS to assess current distributions as rarity measures. Sampling took place from May–Aug 2018 with contributions by community scientists. Pollinator richness was influenced by habitat (meadow, roadside, wetland, forest), floral presence and abundance, and interactions between floral abundance and month, but not ecoregion. Research to date on data collection quality by community science volunteers has provided mixed results, thus, data collected by volunteers was evaluated relative to paid field biologists. Results suggest volunteers added valuable data to that collected by paid biologists. Volunteers (both via field collection and digital submissions) increased quantified species richness, of both common and species of conservation interest, and informed where species occurred. This research informs development and implementation of conservation practices
Managing The National Landscape: Opportunities And Challenges
Get PDFThis plenary presentation summarized the principal landscape challenges and opportunities that accompany the human need for energy. Drawing from 50 years’ examining what I call “energy landscapes,” this presentation focused on land use conflicts resulting during the development of four types of renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, hydro), fossil fuels (mainly coal), and nuclear power (particularly siting of waste repositories and the decommissioning of generating stations). Many of the challenges derive from inherent resource characteristics, some from differences to cultural mores and histories, varying public perceptions of risk and fairness, demographic patterns, as well as jurisdictional and political differences. Many of the opportunities to better manage landscapes will result from more meaningful and calibrated public involvement, the growth of demand in developing world and totalitarian countries, rising worries about personal and national security, competition for water resources, and climate change. Recommendations are offered as to how to move forward, given these challenges, to simultaneously meet our resource needs while serving as caretakers of landscape quality. This paper is more of a reflective piece and does not include all of the original plenary content