Kent State University’s Environmental Science and Design Research Initiative highlights our work in environmental sustainability, including from perspectives of science, art, and design. For the 2019/2020 academic year, we chose Biodesign as the theme of much of our programming because it spans these diverse fields and highlights an innovative approach to solving environmental problems.
Biodesign combines the approach of design thinking with knowledge and tools of biological systems. However, biodesign also goes further than this, advocating for integration of life into the technology that humanity relies on day-to-day. Living organisms are envisioned as incorporated into fabrication processes, products, and built and urban systems.
Browse the Environmental Science and Design Research Initiative 2020 Collections
Aboveground Biomass Plant Tissue Chemistry in Old Woman Creek Estuary (Huron, OH)04/15/2020Runoff containing excess nutrients from agricultural land use causes eutrophic conditions in freshwater systems, including harmful algal blooms. The nutrient storage capacity of wetlands may help mitigate recurring annual harmful algal blooms that the Western Basin of Lake Erie experiences due to excess phosphorus (P) loads. Wetlands are hot spots of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and P cycling, and wetland plants temporarily store C, N, and P. We investigate how plant tissue chemistry (total P, total organic C, and total organic N) varies by plant taxa and tissue type (leaf vs. stem) within a well preserved Lake Erie coastal wetland. In the summer of 2019, we sampled aboveground plant tissues of two plant types in the Old Woman Creek estuary wetland: emergent plants (Phragmites and Typha), and floating leaf plants (Nelumbo and Nymphaea) to measure total C, N, and P concentrations of plant biomass as an index of plant nutrient storage. We predict that the emergent plant types (Phragmites, Typha) will have higher C and N concentrations than the floating leaf plant types (Nelumbo, Nymphaea) due to their higher allocation to structural tissues like rigid stems. We also predict that there will be higher P concentrations in the leaf tissues than in the stem tissues of all plant types. Plant tissue chemistry improves understanding of nutrient storage capacity of different plant types, thus informing wetlands preservation and management decisions. |
An Earthworm-Inspired Approach to Underground Sensing04/15/2020Earthworms move through soil by a peristaltic wave of muscle contraction through a series of fluid-filled body segments. Sequential contraction and expansion of these segments results in the worm’s locomotion both above ground and within soil. Here, an earthworm-inspired soft robot is prototyped. The prototype consists of three polyethylene segments, which are inflated and deflated in a sequence that mimics the earthworm’s peristalsis. The current prototype is able to move through tubes of varied dimensions, and is an early step toward developing a soft robot that can explore buried environments. This may be especially applicable to archaeology, which often strives to explore such settings with minimal damage to a site. An earthworm-inspired robotic probe could provide information where currently used methods (such as geophysical sensing, excavation, and rigid soil probes) are ineffective. |
Assessing Biofilm Diatom Community Response to Nutrients04/15/2020
Anthropogenic changes to the environment impact aquatic ecosystems by modifying resource availability, which could influence community composition and function. Studies suggest a positive relationship between diversity and ecosystem functioning, with more diverse systems being more resilient. Some individuals are particularly sensitive to nutrient shifts in the environment. Organisms that indicate change in the environment are valuable because they shed light on humans’ impact on the ecosystem. Diatoms are useful bioindicators of water quality, as they respond to environmental conditions like nutrient inputs.To test the effect of nutrient availability on diatom community composition, we deployed nutrient diffusing substrate at four stream sites before and after nutrient rich tributaries. We used seven nutrient treatments including macronutrients phosphorus and nitrogen, along with micronutrients molybdenum and zinc with a control at each of the four sites. We expect the phosphorus treatments to select for fast growing taxa, and for the magnitude of this effect to be less at sites with higher background nutrient concentrations. Preliminary results indicate that tributaries upstream and downstream of nutrient rich tributaries have unique algal communities. Results from this experiment will provide insight into how stream communities respond to anthropogenic influences.
|
Bending Active Woven Systems and Hydroponic Textile Potentials04/15/2020The purpose of this comprehensive chart was to compile the possible categories, relationships, and qualities of ancient basket weaving techniques as they relate to bending active structures and textile weaving. Bending-active structures are structural systems that include curved beam or shell elements that base their geometry on the elastic deformation from an initially straight or planar configuration. These weaving attributes are then studied for their viability for the application of coconut coir fiber textile growing systems. The chart begins with an ancient weaving pattern either from Japanese or Native American descent and creates connections to current day projects that use similar techniques. From these ancient practices, we discovered new ways of deploying geometry, form, surface, and connection for possible coconut coir hydroponic growing textiles. The chart summarizes the similarities and attributes for the projects within each category or typology. The chart concludes with the hybridization of material assemblies and effects found within the outstanding basket weaving and joinery system potentials. The investigation of this study evolved from the involvement in a research project, BeTA Pavilion, that explored the formal opportunities of biotensegrity using bent fiber reinforced plastic rods and CNC knit textiles in a bending-active system. The global geometry of the structure was inspired by human anatomy and animal vertebrae typologies to reach structural equilibrium with a bandwidth of dynamic motion. The characteristics of pre-stressed and self-stabilizing modules prompted the investigation of basket-weaving techniques and their possible applications in architectural tectonics and hydroponic textile creation. The CNC knit textile for this project led to the next step in the study of creating a hydroponic textile to span between the tetrahedron vertebrae to deploy a lightweight growing system. |
Beyond Sedum: Green Roofs as a Capsule for Biodiversity04/15/2020As green roofs gain popularity in North America, innovation is making roofs more ecologically productive and biologically diverse. One way to increase biodiversity is through selecting and planting local and regional native plant species in the roofs. Many native plants have been shown to survive and grow on green roofs. The question then becomes, what native plants can best establish and survive on green roofs? To answer this question, this study focuses on the native green roof plant establishment in the Great Lakes region. Through three separate studies: 1) creation of a native plant database for the Great Lakes green region; 2) analyzing native plant reseeding data, and 3) recording plant establishment methods. We hope to better understand how to design a biodiverse green roof that thrives in Northeast Ohio. |
Beyond the Ground: Effects of Mycorrhizal Inoculation on Substrate Type in Liatris apera04/15/2020Green roofs are an innovative method of revitalizing urbanized areas and capturing stormwater. However, the conditions of a green roof ecosystem pose unique difficulties that can limit the success of plant growth. To help maximize the benefits of green roofs, we performed research examining the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on the vitality of green roofs. The eventual goal is to use this information to create an optimum green roof, reflecting natural ecosystems by utilizing symbiotic organisms. This study aims to determine the most important factors that impact mycorrhizal colonization. We examined the effect of a commercial mycorrhizal fungal inoculum, and three substrate types, on mycorrhizal colonization of the plant species Liatris apera over the span of a year. The controlled experiment was set up using 36 plots at the Cleveland Industrial Innovation Center (CIIC). The substrate types included “Movable Meadow” (MM) with sandy loam soil, “Conventional Green Roof” (CGR) of engineered clay and shale media, and “Quasi-Traditional Green Roof” (QTR) which utilized worm castings. Half of the plots were inoculated with mycorrhizae and the other half uninoculated. Root samples of Liatris apera were collected, stained, and examined under the microscope to quantify mycorrhizal colonization. Preliminary results indicate that mycorrhizal colonization on average was lower in the inoculated treatment. However, it appears that this difference leveled out over time. These results suggest that mycorrhizal inoculation may not be necessary to promote colonization on green roofs. Additional research is being conducted to examine the effects of mycorrhizal inoculation on other plant species. |
Bioengineering: Design and Running of a Novel Hydroponic System04/15/2020
Hydroponic system is a method to grow plants in water-based solution instead of soil, a branch of hydroculture. Due to the growth of the human population and air/soil pollution, the hydroponic system attracted more and more attention. Interestingly, the industry, instead of academic research is the leading force in the hydroponic system. It is important to investigate some fundamental aspects of the hydroponic system to improve the design, reduce the cost and increase productivity. In this study we report a new design of a home-based hydroponic system with multiple components: algae, fish and plants. The change of water hardiness, the concentration of ions, and pH value, the amount of water evaporation, and the growth of plants, algae, and fishes were measured. Preliminary data indicated that multiple components in a hydroponic system have built an efficient ecosystem, significantly reduced the cost of water, energy, and maintenance with high productivity.
|
Built by Nature: Community and Function in Natural and Structurally Analogous Urban Systems04/15/2020Human-managed and occupied ecosystems may mimic naturally occurring habitats, either spontaneously or by design. Understanding how communities of organisms assemble and use these novel spaces provides a key opportunity to understand, and potentially shape, the ecosystem functions and services delivered in human-dominated landscapes. For example, green roofs are a type of living architecture in which plants are intentionally grown on top of a human-built structure. Structurally analogous natural ecosystems are relatively rare, but some thin-soil environments can be found here in the Great Lakes Basin. As the natural habitats provide vital ecosystem functions, green roofs have the potential to provide urban areas with many services. Insects are the ideal focal taxa to examine for this project: in addition to their ubiquity, facilitating large scale data collection, insects play a variety of critical roles in ecosystem function and service, making them ideal sentinel organisms. The project focuses on characterizing insect communities and vegetation in green roof and natural thin soil environments to examine and quantify the services those insects provide (i.e. pollination, pest control, and decomposition). Characterizing the function and worth of insect services in natural and urban ecosystems is critical to supporting conservation decision-making in these human-managed ecosystems. |
Characterization of Conditioning Films on Microplastics04/15/2020Microplastics (plastic debris with diameter <5mm) are of particular concern to the environment. However, there is a scarcity of information concerning the effects of conditioning films on bacterial colonization of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems. The formation of conditioning films on substrate surfaces is a critical step in the priming of substrates for bacterial colonization in aquatic systems. Conditioning films are comprised of dissolved organic solutes that are deposited on to surfaces of substrates, which attract bacterial colonizers. Moreover, the thicknesses of conditioning films are influenced by the physicochemical properties of substrate surfaces. This study aimed to understand the effects of different conditioning films on bacterial colonization of microplastic surfaces in freshwater. Five types of conditioning films were analyzed: Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), sodium alginate (medium and very low viscosity), humic and fulvic acid; all are components of biofilms on four types of microplastic disks (diameter <5mm): polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The disks were analyzed for conditioning film thicknesses using AFM (atomic force microscopy) and 16S rRNA sequencing to determine compositions of bacterial communities in the presence of different conditioning films. Understanding these questions will provide insights on fates of microplastic debris in freshwater. |
Classification of Wetland Vegetation Based on NDVI Time Series Generated From HLS Dataset04/15/2020Natural wetlands intrinsically heterogeneous, and are typically composed of a mosaic of ecosystem patches with different plant types. The adaptation of these plants communities to water-dominated environment is the basis for their use in improving the water quality in constructed wetlands. The understanding of wetland vegetation effects on the environment is the key to determine which plant to grow in a constructed wetland in term of nutrients removal. Wetland vegetation can influence water movement. The plant density and life form affect the drag and thus controls the residence time of water in different parts of the wetlands, as well as the rate of deposition of suspended solids. Furthermore, emergent plants with high transpiration rates can lower the water level. Accurately identifying the vegetation patches is important to understanding their hydrological effects and further effects on nutrients removal. Compared to labor consuming field survey, remote sensing is an efficient way to monitor plant communities in wetlands. However, wetlands are typically small and vegetation patches within wetland vary at an even smaller scale, such that moderate resolution will not be able to discern the different vegetation. Alternatively, the NASA’s Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS) makes it possible to acquire moderate-high spatial resolution imagery at high temporal resolution, which creates the opportunity to build time series of wetland vegetation characteristics at sufficient spatial and temporal resolutions. This study aims to use NDVI time series generated from NASA’s HLS dataset to classify vegetation patches at an estuarine wetland. We collected HLS data for the year of 2019 and generated the NDVI time series for each pixel of the wetland. Unsupervised classification was then applied on these pixels using the time series. And results will be evaluated with ground truth points. |
Converting Sludge to Lightweight Aggregate: A Beneficial use of Dredged Material in Built Environment04/15/2020
Dredging sediments from rivers around the world is a standard practice to open waterways for naval transportation. In Ohio, 1.5 million cubic yards of sediment is being dredged annually from rivers streaming into lake Erie. Dredged material (DM) is highly nutritious and may be partly contaminated and has contributed to the endemic algae bloom. Following the passage of bill 1 by the US Senate and accordingly as of July 2020 and in an attempt to improve the water quality of the region the dredging process will not be allowed to be dumped in the open waters as historically exercised. The DM is hence stored in facilities to later be taken advantage of in various other ways. Studies have been carried out on utilizing dredged material in built environments namely in the manufacturing of bricks, blocks, and concrete. This study focuses on the manufacturing of economical high-quality lightweight aggregate (LWA) using dredged material collected from the harbor of Toledo. The result from this study showed that DM collected for this study from Toledo within the range of 4 years was consistent chemically; furthermore, high quality expanded LWA could be manufactured purely from DM under specific firing conditions.
|
Development of Photogrammetry Technique to Facilitate Biomimicry Process of Root Abstractions for Coastal Infrastructure Applications04/15/2020
Rootwads, defined as the full trunk of a tree with root base, are often locally acquired on site and used in river and stream restoration projects for bank stabilization, hydrodynamic reduction, and habitat creation. Increasingly, coastal restoration projects also use locally available rootwads or crowns to attenuate waves, stabilize shorelines, promote sediment deposition and provide habitat. In built environments, local access to large trees and rootwads is unlikely and heavily armored shorelines do not easily facilitate the use of large wood structures. This work shows the development of an in-situ field application of a new digital technology, structure from motion (SfM) photogrammetry, to generate 3D models of coarse root architecture of native riparian tree species. Availability of realistic 3D models allows for 3D printing and other manufacturing possibilities to create engineered rootwad like structures for coastal resilience. Using an iterative biomimetic design process, root morphology parameters will be quantified and characterized using Rhino & Grasshopper to assist in the determination of the parameters most significant in water – structure and sediment-structure interactions. The results from these two laboratory interaction experiments will inform abstracted design concepts, in addition to continued model refinement and testing. An initial coastal infrastructure design translation for Lake Erie, shown in comparison to an existing seawall prototype modeled after mangrove roots, is presented.
|
Eastern Red Cedar Range Expansion: The Role of Seed Dispersal by Avian and Mammal Species04/15/2020During the past 50 years, Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), native to the Eastern United States, has been encroaching into grassland/prairie ecosystems in the US. Eastern red cedar (ERC) outcompetes native species, forming dense monocultures and lowering biodiversity. The process of encroachment occurs through seed dispersal by birds and mammals. The outer covering of seeds provides nutrients when other food is scarce, and foraging increases due to the lack of other resources in winter. In avian species, seed dispersal depends on distance traveled based on whether birds are resident, nomadic, or migratory. Mammals and resident birds typically disperse seeds short distances while nomadic or migratory birds tend to move seeds longer distances. We focus on seed dispersal of the ERC using wildlife cameras to monitor bird and mammal foraging behavior in two grassland habitats. Cameras were placed at the crown and base of five trees at each site to observe foraging. We focus on the seasonality of foraging behavior by birds and mammals and how it influences seed dispersal and encroachment of ERC. Mammal species observed include white-tailed deer, Virginia opossum, Eastern cottontail rabbit, and rodents. Birds using ERC include robins, cedar waxwings, bluebirds, and blue jays. Mammalian foraging was very consistent over time, while birds were more episodic in their use of ERC. Overall, mammals and resident bird species were most consistently observed and likely to be important for short-distance seed dispersal, while nomadic and migratory birds have a greater potential for longer-distance dispersal of Eastern red cedar. |
Effect of Bioturbation by Freshwater Invertebrates on Nutrient Fluxes and Sediment Bacterial Community Composition04/15/2020Bioturbation is a process by which certain animals, including, burrowing invertebrates alter sediment nutrient (only N is considered here) dynamics as well as bacterial community composition. In this study, two burrowing bioturbators (Hexagenia bilineata and Lumbriculus variegatus) with distinct modes of burrows formation were used. Sieved wetland sediment from Observatory Wetlands at Kent State University campus was used since pilot studies revealed it to be conducive for burrowing by the bioturbators of choice. The experiment was for 7 days and microcosms (transparent PVC pipes of 20 cm height and 5 cm inner diameter) were set up in triplicates for respective bioturbators and control treatments. Microcosms were filled with sediment (10cm) and topped with site water (5cm). Surface and interstitial water samples were taken every alternate day for nitrate and ammonium analysis. Sediment cores of all the microcosms were sliced at different depths at the end of the experiment and subsamples were used for potential denitrification rate (using acetylene inhibition technique) assessment, bacterial enumeration and DNA extraction (to examine bacterial community composition). Surface water nitrate data shows that H. bilineata facilitates nitrate uptake while L.variegatus releases nitrate in respect to controls, and nitrate concentrations varied significantly over dates (P<0.01) and burrower species (P<0.001). Sediment potential denitrification rate was highest for H. bilineata followed by L.variegatus and control. Presence of bioturbators increased denitrification rates and bacterial counts at greater depths. Ongoing work is focusing on assessing bacterial community composition. In conclusion, we can state that bioturbation impacts nutrient fluxes and bacterial communities. |
Effect of Seasonal Variation on Hydrologic Variables04/15/2020The effect of projected 21st Century climate change on hydrological variables in Old Woman Creek estuary was evaluated using 20 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) precipitation and temperature projections as input to the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Model calibration and validation was done using the Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm and Pareto Optimization. PRISM climate data for the period 1985 -2014 compared with the average of the 20 CMIP5 models show good agreement in both precipitation and temperature with CMIP5 exhibiting low variability across models. Flow, sediment, and organic nitrogen analyzed from simulations run with PRISM show good correlation with the average of 20 CMIP5 simulations. The performance of each of the 20 CMIP5 inputs to the SWAT model was tested using Euclidean distance relative to their average. The three best CMIP5 models (GFDL-ESM2M, MPI-ESM-MR, EC-EARTH) were used for seasonal analysis. The analysis was done in one past and three future climate windows (1985 -2014, 2018 -2045, 2046 -2075 and 2076 -2100). For the historical period, the result shows an over-estimation of flow, sediment and organic nitrogen from January to March in the SWAT model runs with CMIP5 inputs, relative to runs with the PRISM input. Peak flow, sediment and organic nitrogen were observed changing from winter to spring across the time periods. The expected seasonal and annual changes in each variable over the 21st century have implications for algae growth and general health of the Old Woman Creek estuary. |
Effective Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring in Diverse Waters04/15/2020There are many approaches to detecting in-water constituents, like color producing agents, in the field of remote sensing. Previously, harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring practices via satellite imagery analysis have held a similar goal of identifying a single constituent associated with HAB’s, particularly chlorophyll. Recently, the Kent State University Spectral Decomposition Method has been developed to better distinguish multiple water constituents, such as phylum level Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta, and Ochrophyta, as well as constituents of HAB’s, color dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and sediment within large water bodies. Using this technique, we can more effectively monitor HAB’s by separating mixed water signals using a varimax-rotated principal component analysis to remotely detect in-water constituents including HAB-causing cyanobacteria. The KSU Spectral Decomposition Method has been successful using sensors such as the Malvern Panalytical Fieldspec HH2, the NASA Glenn second-generation hyperspectral imagery (HSI2), MODIS, Landsat 8 OLI, and Sentinel 3A/B OLCI. It is apparent that better monitoring practices make better management practices possible, and our goal is to provide a method that will trailblaze the path to better water management practices globally. Case studies in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Lake Okeechobee, Florida are presented to document the success of the KSU Spectral Decomposition Method. |
Effects of an Aeration System on the Water Quality of an Urban Pond04/15/2020Lily Pond is a man-made urban pond located within Mill Creek Park in Youngstown, OH. The park is surrounded by suburban residential neighborhoods with Lily Pond having residential homes situated atop steep inclines to the north and the west. This year, park staff installed an aeration system within the pond in an attempt to reduce occurrences of fish die offs that happen once every few years. It is hypothesized that the addition of the aeration system will improve dissolved oxygen and overall quality of the pond for wildlife. Field readings from May to October were sampled at four location, three in the pond and one at the small creek outflow. Water quality parameters were measured using standard methods including dissolved oxygen at various depths, temperature, pH, solids, phosphorus, and E. Coli. The first three sampling times were prior to installation of the aeration system which showed a trend of decrease dissolved oxygen (DO) levels. After the aeration system was installed, DO levels increased and were maintain to greater than 6 mg/L for most of the summer. Soluble phosphorus as well as total volatile solid levels spiked in late July. The cause behind this spike is still being investigated. Preserved samples were analyzed for diatoms in December. Further sampling and analysis will aid park officials in management practices for future pond activities. |
Effects of Road Salt Cations on Dissolved Metals in a Constructed Stormwater Control Measure04/15/2020
Considerable amounts money and resources are spent managing urban stormwater runoff. Stormwater control measures (SCMs), like water retention ponds and basins, are typically constructed to manage stormwater runoff in urban settings. These SCMs have historically been designed for short term water retention to prevent flooding. Generally, SCMs are also relied on to “treat” stormwater and remove contaminants. A new generation of SCMs (NGSCMs) are being constructed to look and act like natural wetlands so natural biological processes improve water quality. In many cases these NGSCMs are not evaluated on how well they improve water quality. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of a recently completed NGSCM on road salt and metals in runoff. We hypothesize that increased road salts cause dissolution of Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe, Ni, and Mn from suspended sediments and into surface water. Preliminary results demonstrate the NGSCM receives high salt loads that are attenuated along the system’s flow path. This suggests that the wetland is retaining salt, preventing discharge to downstream systems. Our results will contribute to broader understanding of the efficacy of NGSCMs for water quality improvement.
|
Flying Insect Communities Respond to EcosystemTtype, but not to Trees or Soil04/15/2020Transitional areas between ecosystems, called ecotones, are areas of biotic and abiotic change leading to differences in plant communities and soil conditions. Insect communities using surrounding plants and soil are likely to be structured by these resources. However, flying insects have unique advantages for avoiding obstacles giving them a large potential range to gather resources. As a result, flying insect communities should not be structured by surrounding plant communities or abiotic factors. We conducted a survey of the flying insect communities to compare with existing tree and soil surveys. This study was conducted in Jennings Woods, a temperate hardwood forest in Northeast Ohio comprised of riparian, upland, and bottomland forests separated by elevational gradients and soil parameters. We used baited traps to collect flying insects during 4 separate collection time periods and sight-identified to lowest practical taxonomic level. As expected, the flying insect community was not structured by the tree community nor the soil. However, community structure was significantly related to ecosystem type. We found that Shannon’s diversity and taxonomic richness were significantly different between ecosystems and dates. Taxonomic richness was highest in fall sampling dates while diversity was highest in spring and summer sampling dates. In addition, we did not find a significant change in community structure near the ecotones specifically. This suggests that edge effects do not play a critical role in structuring flying insect communities and that ecosystem and time differences structure flying insect communities, but communities are not limited by the surrounding soil or tree communities. |
Harvest Village Attached Housing Community04/15/2020Harvest Village, in Oxford, Ohio, is a Net-Zero energy ecological community located adjacent to the former Maude Marshall elementary school which has been redeveloped into the new Sowing Seeds Academy. The master plan for our project envisions a synergistic relationship between our proposed housing community and the school as an integrative and holistic experience for students, faculty and residents alike. This unique connection is strengthened by an innovative pollinator prairie, planted with a diverse mix of native flowers and grasses, enriching the greater ecosystem of the surrounding community by inviting the appearance of native birds, a bee population essential to food production, and a dynamic butterfly habitat. This also provides a unique opportunity for outdoor education and passive enjoyment with walking trails and informational signage that extend to connect the school to the Harvest Village community. Our project works to build off of recent efforts to make Oxford a Pollinator City, which is being developed by students in the Department of Architecture and the Institute for Environment and Sustainability at Miami University. Our attached housing community also aspires to be energy efficient, reduce embodied carbon and promote effective and efficient water use. We have designed a variety of housing sizes to encourage a diverse mix of community members interested in experiencing engaged community living in a regenerative landscape environment. Students focusing on architecture, engineering and sustainability have come together to propose this collaborative design focusing on ten distinct disciplines including energy performance, engineering, financial feasibility and affordability, resilience, architecture, operations, market potential, comfort and environmental quality, and innovation. |
How Literate Responses to Technical Communication Can Promote Practical Responses to Environmental Change04/15/2020The latest scientific reports published by the United Nations and the U.S. Global Change Research Program show evidence that environmental change is occurring. Gaining political momentum to deal with the problem is one issue, but beyond this hurdle is the need to communicate complex scientific information to the public so that they may help make informed decisions about responses to environmental change through the public decision-making process. Communicating this need to the public is challenged by the constraints of transcultural communication (Flower, 2008; Frost, 2013; Ding, 2014) and ideological conceptions of environmental collapse (Latour, 2018). In addition, people must be able to read and write in increasingly technical genres in order to make their voices heard regarding scientific issues surrounding environmental change (Brandt, 2001, 2015). The bar has been set higher for civic participation (Grabill, 2007; Simmons 2008), which precipitates a need for advanced literacies that support transcultural empathy, cooperative decision-making, critical analysis of scientific data, and organizational prototyping for future-oriented planning (Sauer, 2003; Potts, 2013; Gross, 2016). My dissertation research project is studying public communication surrounding development of one of the first freshwater offshore wind farms in North America, on Lake Erie. Methods for the study are mixed and include surveys, interviews, focus groups, and document analysis. Through this study, I will synthesize information surrounding contemporary environmental communication that will help push the next iteration of policy to better address environmental problems in ways that attend to the concrete manifestations of environmental change. |
Influence of Vegetation on Phosphorus Sorption and Redox Status in a Great Lakes Coastal Wetland04/15/2020
Old Woman Creek estuary (OWCE, Huron, OH) has been found to be an effective sink for phosphorus (P), which may contribute to eutrophication in Lake Erie. However, the mechanisms of P retention in wetlands are spatially and temporally variable, making predictions challenging. The quantity and mineralogy of iron (oxyhydr)oxides are key drivers of P sorption in mineral-rich wetlands such as OWCE. Wetland plants create oxidized microsites in reduced sediments due to leakage of oxygen from their roots, thereby potentially enhancing P retention. We assessed sediment Fe:P ratios, which have been found to negatively correlate with pore and surface water phosphate concentrations, and metal oxide quantity and mineralogy among four different plant types in OWCE that varied in hydrologic conditions and dominant plant type (Typha, Floating-leaf, Mudflat, and Open Water). I predicted that sediments in zones with plants that have a high-gas transport capacity (Typha) would contain higher Fe:P ratios and higher concentrations of metal oxides due to the bulk effect of oxidized microsites. Preliminary results from 2018 support my predictions and show that sediments dominated by Typha had higher Fe:P. Higher fractions of poorly-crystalline iron oxides provide further support that Typha-dominated sediments had higher P retention capacity.
|
Inhibition of Biofilm Formation by Cranberry Extract04/15/2020Bacteria attach to surfaces in aqueous environments and form biofilms; mixtures of cells embedded in a matrix of extracellular material. Biofilms are important to ecosystem function but have harmful effects in undesirable settings. One issue is persistence of pathogenic bacteria in biofilms, including Listeria. Listeria can survive in protected, multi-species biofilms and some strains are resistant to stress. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate antimicrobial activity of cranberry extract (CE) against Listeria innocua. To examine survivorship, L. innocua was suspended in serial dilutions of CE neutralized to pH 7.0. Samples were collected and plated on BHI agar. Subsequently, L. innocua was grown on glass beads submerged in BHI broth or 12.5% CE in BHI. L. innocua was inoculated and incubated for 48 hours. Samples were filtered, Live-Dead stained, and enumerated. In suspension, a 4 log reduction in L. innocua was observed after 18 hours in 12.5% and 25% CE. In the biofilm experiment, there was a > 1 log reduction in live and dead cells in biofilms in 12.5% CE. The formation of live microcells in the presence of CE was evidence of a stress response; poorly defined dead cells and debris were apparent with the dead stain. This study demonstrated inhibition of L. innocua by CE in suspension and biofilms. It did not distinguish between physiological stress and other mechanisms of biofilm inhibition. Future studies will examine mechanisms of biofilm inhibition and impact of CE on L. innocua in multispecies biofilms. |
Investigating the Bioavailability of Phosphorus in the Presence of Iron Under Fluctuating Redox Conditions in Arctic Soils04/15/2020Northern latitudes are rapidly warming. As permafrost thaws, soil carbon (C) stocks are at risk of being released into the atmosphere, transitioning arctic systems from C sinks to sources. Soil microbial C metabolism is constrained by temperature, water and nutrients. Nutrients such as phosphate (PO43-), are in turn regulated by iron (Fe) geochemistry, but these interactions vary across redox conditions in arctic soils. Where present, poorly crystalline Fe (oxyhydr)oxides sorb PO43-, limiting its bioavailability. To assess microbial PO43- acquisition in the presence of Fe, we examined phosphorus (P) uptake by the microbial community in arctic soils in Abisko, Sweden. Mesh bags were filled with Fe-rich soil that was either saturated with PO43- or not saturated. Bags were incubated for one week along a thaw gradient representing different redox conditions. Preliminary results show that PO43- concentrations in microbial biomass are low, suggesting that microbes are acclimated to low P conditions and/or may be limited by nutrients other than P in arctic soils resulting in limited uptake of P molecules. Alternatively, PO43- liberated from microbial biomass by chloroform fumigation may have re-sorbed to soil Fe oxides, resisting detection. Continued analysis of soil Fe and P will further elucidate P storage pools. |
Iron (oxyhydr)oxide Crystallinity and Redox Conditions as a Function of Permafrost Thaw in Abisko, Sweden04/15/2020Increasing temperatures in the arctic can cause permafrost thaw that radically changes hydrological and redox conditions in the soil. Redox sensitive minerals like iron (Fe) oxides can precipitate or dissolve in response to redox changes. Fe oxides control the cycling of nutrients such as phosphorus (P), a limiting nutrient in arctic soils, by adsorption. The effects of progressing permafrost thaw and resulting changing hydrology on redox conditions and Fe oxide crystallinity in arctic environments are still unknown. To investigate these complex interactions, an in situ incubation experiment was conducted along a permafrost gradient in arctic soils in Abisko, Sweden. Permafrost thaw in Abisko results in ground collapse and surface ponding. Mesh bags were filled with Fe rich sediments and buried in the top soil along a permafrost gradient for either one or eight weeks. Redox conditions were measured continuously along the gradient and incubated materials were analyzed with x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAFS) for changes in Fe oxide crystallinity. Changes in total Fe and P concentration were determined by sequential extractions of the incubated material. Preliminary results show a change from oxic to anoxic conditions as permafrost thaw progresses and surface ponding occurs. XAFS show a shift toward ferrihydrite, a poorly crystalline Fe oxide, in the soils with surface ponding after eight weeks. Ferrihydrite has a high capacity for P sorption and might limit the bioavailability of this critical nutrient in thawing arctic soils and potentially limit plant growth and microbial activity. |
Lead (Pb) Spatial Distribution and Speciation in Akron, Ohio.04/15/2020Throughout the history of the United States Lead (Pb) has been used in a wide range of domestic and industrial products such as gasoline, paint, smelting, glass making, and tire vulcanization. Although new inputs of Pb to soils ceased in the 1990s, legacy Pb continues to be a risk to human health, particularly children, through ingestion and/or inhalation of Pb-bearing particles. Current practices regarding the risk of exposure to soil Pb do not address and remediate high Pb exposure areas until exposure has occurred. This work aims to determine how Pb speciation and distribution relate to each other at the neighborhood-level in an urban environment. A total of 82 soil samples were collected in Akron, OH; 30 from the Summit Lake neighborhood (Fall 2018), and 52 from Akron Public School students residences (Summer 2019). Total Pb was measured by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and potential bioaccessible Pb was determined using two methods: (1) a nitric acid solution and (2) a simulated gastric fluid. Extracted Pb was measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). Solid phase characterization will also be performed on samples to determine soil particle mineralogy and morphology through X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Total Pb values ranged from 34.6 mg/kg to 1969.6 mg/kg +/- 335.1, with an average value of 227 +/- 335.1 mg/kg. Bioaccessible Pb values for the nitric acid solution ranged from below the detectable limit (BDL) to 24.79 +/- 3.93 ppm, with an average of 2.50 +/- 3.93 ppm per sample. For Bioaccessible Pb from the simulated gastric fluid values ranged from BDL to 15.86 +/- 2.46 ppm, with an average value of 1.38 +/- 2.46 ppm. Total and Bioaccessible Pb values will be used to create, the first of its kind, neighborhood-level Pb speciation and distribution map for Akron, OH., which could aid in determining focus areas for remediation efforts. |
Liposomal Formulations of a Cholesterol-Tethered Pt(IV) Prodrug with Prolonged Circulation Time in Blood and Reduced Toxicity In vivo04/15/2020
Platinum based drugs play a crucial role as anticancer agents which are currently being used in clinic. Efficacy of this anticancer drugs are restricted by several side effects and drug resistance. Different drug targeting and delivery strategies have been applied to overcome these drawbacks over years. One of them is utilizing EPR (Enhanced Permeability and Retention) effect for targeting tumor cells including nanoparticles, liposome, macromolecules, micelles etc. Current work describes a strategy for loading the liposomal formulation with newly designed Platinum (IV) pro-drug and studies related to its therapeutic efficacy. The formulation being biodegradable and biocompatible, is efficient in cytotoxicity against various cell line was tested for its stability through human plasma, toxicity in-vivo, preferred accumulation in tumor cells at a higher ratio compared to cisplatin and finally activation to cisplatin initiating DNA damage and apoptosis in cancer cells.
|
Macro and Micronutrient Regulation of Stream Biofilm Composition and Function04/15/2020The composition, growth and metabolic processes of the autotrophic portion of stream biofilm communities is governed by resource availability. Bioavailable nitrogen (NO3-, NH4-) and phosphorus (PO43-) fuel primary production, while micronutrients play a lesser-understood role in the enzymes that facilitate specific physiological processes such as organic nutrient uptake and assimilation. Without micronutrients, cycling and assimilation of organic macronutrients, photosynthesis and respiration within biofilms would not be possible. Nutrient availability also shapes algal community composition by selecting for particular taxa. Using nutrient diffusing substrate, we assessed the role of macro (N, P) and micronutrients (Zn, Mo) on stream biofilm primary producer diversity, growth, metabolism and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) across four sites upstream and downstream of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and nutrient rich tributary. Results indicate that APA, which facilitates organic P acquisition, increased for N treatments across all sites, while algal diversity had greater inter-site variation than variation elicited by nutrient treatment. Phosphorus enrichment increased growth prior to input from the WWTP, while growth had a negative response to N treatment directly after the WWTP inflow. Upstream of a nutrient rich tributary, N+P and N+Zn treatments stimulated the most growth, suggesting co-limitation of N and P and alleviation of P limitation by Zn through increased APA. These results indicate that macro and micronutrients co-limit specific processes within biofilms, and that micronutrients may regulate organic nutrient cycling in stream biofilms. |
Measuring the Effects of Sedimentation on a Constructed Wetland Using Sensor-Collected Turbidity Data as a Proxy for Total Suspended Solids: Preliminary Results04/15/2020With roughly three fourths of the planet’s wetlands disturbed by humans, constructed urban wetlands are becoming increasingly prevalent. These wetlands help manage urban wastewater and provide many ecosystem services, including water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, and flood control. Suspended sediments are a common pollutant in urban wastewater that can degrade a wetland’s natural filtering capabilities and can potentially bury the wetland if not managed correctly. Luckily, advances in sensor-monitoring technology may give scientists and engineers the tools they need to create wetlands that allow sediments to flow through the wetland without compromising the filtering processes. The Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center, located in northeast Ohio, wished to assess the flow of sediment through a series of on-site constructed wetlands in response to a nearby landfill. To measure how effectively sediment was passing through the wetlands, two popular sampling methods were employed: manually collected total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity data collected via sensors. Using the sensor data and volunteer-collected TSS data, we assessed the relationship between the two sampling methods to develop a sensor-collected proxy for suspended sediments measurements. We found an average turbidity reading of 1,012 NTU (standard deviation, N=27,971), while TSS averaged 85+/- 104 mg/L (standard deviation, N=10). Combining high-temporal resolution sensor-detected proxy measurements with more labor intensive, but more coarsely resolved direct measurements is an effective strategy for monitoring the water quality function of constructed wetlands. This will be critical to ensuring usable freshwater for future generations as the human species continues to spread across the earth. |
Micro-Ecosystem Species Richness in Patchy Urban Habitats04/15/2020Built infrastructure coupled with impervious surfaces characterizes urbanization which dramatically changes both biotic and abiotic attributes of an ecosystem from prior patterns. Vegetation in urban systems provides a vast array of ecosystem services, including biodiversity conservation, absorption of air pollutants, and oxygen generation. In this study, we examine natural habitats in natural areas now in urban land use to identify parallels in ecosystem function and biodiversity. Our research consists of three main steps: Identifying structurally analogous habitats in urban and nearby natural and spontaneous unmanaged habitats; characterizing the communities associated with these habitats and their functions to generate hypotheses about their potential applicability to urban systems. Herein, we present data from a preliminary study examining bryophyte communities growing in urban and natural thin soil environments in the Cuyahoga River watershed. At 23 sites within the study area, we characterized bryophyte communities and recorded physical attributes of their habitats. Bryophytes (mosses) were observed across all the sampled habitats. Providing patches of habitat in cities is the key to fostering biodiversity, however, many projects fostering urban biodiversity focus on larger infrastructure. Yet, small, ruderal patches of vegetation may offer functional habitat patches in areas where larger infrastructure elements cannot be accommodated. |
Modeling Emerging Pollutant Concentrations from Human Population Density04/15/2020From 1999-2000 the USGS undertook a large survey of organic contaminates across US waterways to gain a general understanding of the range of contamination in the US. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) contaminating natural waters remain an area of concern today, with the issue not only being the presence of these PPCPs but also their concentrations. As the source of these contaminants are products utilized by human populations, this research seeks to examine relationships that may allow for the prediction of PPCP concentrations based upon human population density data. This research project will instead attempt to harness existing the data from the aforementioned USGS survey combined with US census data in a GIS to determine if any predictive trends are present. Analysis of the data will take place at multiple spatial scales and may also consider additional factors such as land use and income levels. Preliminary results have found limited relationships between some of the concentrations of the 30 measured PPCPs with human populations at the lowest calculated scale, a 5 km radius. The majority of the PPCPs displayed a positive relationship between increased concentration and population size at multiple scales, and a correlation analysis is currently ongoing to determine the significance of these relationships. Further analysis will verify the findings that the 5 km radius samples appear to be the most reliable predictor of PPCP concentration, while an increase to a 10 km radius up to the county level seems to decrease the predictive capabilities. These findings would seem to indicate that population size alone does not influence the concentration of PPCPs, however the addition of more recent data from other studies may be necessary for a more definitive conclusion. |
Monitoring Freshwater Salinization in an Urban Watershed04/15/2020Salt pollution from road de-icers and building material weathering change the major ion composition and increase salinity of freshwaters. These alterations are pronounced in urban watersheds due to drainage of impervious surfaces. Wetlands in urban areas receive pulses of high salt concentrations and may retain dissolved salts, reaching toxic levels for aquatic biota and possibly altering biogeochemical processes. To characterize freshwater salinization in an urban wetland, we monitored water quality in a mitigation wetland complex and an adjacent first order stream at the Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center in Parma, Ohio. We analyzed surface water samples for major ion concentrations (n=359) and collected high temporal resolution (5 min) specific conductance data from July, 2018 to November, 2019. Specific conductance remained elevated above typical freshwater levels throughout most of the year. Observations of high specific conductance (>2,000 µS/cm) corresponded with periods of snowmelt and during the summer and early fall low water periods, suggesting evaporative concentration of salt ions. Declines in specific conductance along hydrologic flow paths within the wetland complex sub-sites suggest that salts are removed by the system, either through soil or groundwater retention. |
Ohio University Green Roof Project04/15/2020
The Schoonover Center, home of the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University’s main campus in Athens, Ohio, will be upgraded with the addition of a green roof in the Spring of 2020. The vegetated roof will promote an increase in energy efficiency, slower precipitation run-off rates, an increase in biodiversity, and a higher quality of air surrounding the Schoonover Center in uptown Athens and provide a unique learning and research environment. The roof will further Ohio University’s commitment to sustainability and take a great leap forward in achieving the institutional goals of education, outreach, and research. This project will offer various ecosystem services and the opportunity for students from a wide range of programs, both graduate and undergraduate, a hands-on learning experience. Once installed, the roof will offer a strong example of green infrastructure and promote the university community and the public’s understanding of the ecosystem services offered by implementing green infrastructure projects.
|
Phosphorus Sorption Capacity of Sediments in Constructed Urban Wetlands of Northeast Ohio04/15/2020
Excess phosphorus (P) can lead to eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems and dead zones as recently seen in Lake Erie and the Gulf of Mexico. The potential for wetlands to remove phosphorus from the water column varies based on the mineral composition of the sediments, herbaceous cover, age of the wetland, surrounding land usage, as well as many other variables. Total iron concentration has been found to be a good predictor of P sorption capacity in best management practice urbanized wetlands. In the summer of 2019, I collected sediment samples from open water areas, Typha stands, and mud-flats in three constructed, urbanized wetlands on Kent State University’s campus. To better understand P sorption capacity in the three wetlands, I assessed the phosphate sorption, or “stickiness” of the sediment, with a phosphate sorption index assay. To determine the primary mechanisms of phosphorus retention in each wetland, I measured percent organic matter, total iron oxides, and the proportion of poorly-crystalline iron oxides. Preliminary analysis of PSI results shows the mud-flats and the Typha stands of the youngest wetland sorb the least amount of phosphate. Upon further analysis, I expect to find lower concentrations of total iron oxides and/or a lower proportion of poorly-crystalline iron oxides in these sediments. This information could help guide future construction of wetlands in urbanized areas to maximize phosphorus retention to prevent downstream pollution events.
|
Preparing a Numerical Model for Simulating Stormwater Management Scenarios: West Creek Case Study04/15/2020Numerical modeling is a powerful tool for studying the effects of stormwater management in urban catchments, but numerical modeling requires high quality meteorological input data and a well-calibrated hydrological model. The main hypothesis of this research is that consideration of spatial variability in meteorological data and careful selection of calibration method and parameters will result in good performance of an urban hydrological model. The 20.63 km2, 30.3% impervious West Creek watershed in the Cleveland metropolitan area is modeled in the Personal Computer Storm Water Management Model (PCSWMM), based on an existing model provided by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD). 5-minute rainfall data from 4 rain gauges was also obtained from NEORSD. All other meteorological parameters are from the Cleveland airport, after comparison with a station within West Creek watershed. Missing data were filled using linear regression. Identification of sensitive parameters for calibration was done with the help of existing literature and the PCSWMM SRTC tool. Snowpack parameters were manually calibrated based on available data from the Cleveland airport. Uncertainty-based automatic calibration for streamflow using Differential Evolution Markov Chain Algorithm (DREAM) is underway. The percentage of missing data of all meteorological variables varies from 0.21% – 0.61%, a substantial improvement over the single station previously used. Manual calibration of snowpack and addition of an aquifer leads to a Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.764 for 2017-2018, which will be further improved by using the DREAM algorithm. The final, well-calibrated model will be used to simulate different stormwater management scenarios. |
Quantifying Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Source and Drinking Waters of Northeastern Ohio04/15/2020Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are unintentionally discharged into the environment from domestic, agricultural, and industrial sources and end up in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). However, very little is known about the effectiveness of these plants in PPCP removal. The purpose of this study was to compare PPCP concentrations in the source and finished water in four DWTPs of Northeastern Ohio. Source and drinking water samples were obtained from the plants monthly from May until September in 2018 and 2019. PPCPs were quantified after solid-phase extraction using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS). Three PPCPs – (caffeine, estrone, and estradiol) were detected in all four DWTPs each month, but there was a 55-60% reduction from the source to the finished waters. Triclosan and DEET were detected in the source but not in the finished waters of three DWTPs (average concentrations of 29 and 9.5 ng/L, respectively,) suggesting they were removed during the DWTP process. The antibiotic sulfamethoxazole was detected in two of the four DWTPs at concentrations of 18.35 ng/L and 22.19 ng/L, respectively, and had 63% reduction in finished waters From this study; we concluded that the selected DWTPs were effective in reducing and in some cases removing the PPCPs from the finished water samples. Further studies are required to see if the chronic presence of these compounds in nanograms per liter in the drinking water can impact human health. |
Ready Set Grow: Developing Farm to School Programs in Portage County04/15/2020Ready Set Grow aims to produce healthier communities by educating children and their families to promote healthy lifestyles and environments. RSG works with the community to develop best practices for growing sustainable gardens and reducing waste. In the fall of 2019, we implemented a garden club at Walls elementary in Kent, Ohio. Our garden club included 44 students, three teachers and two interns. The club held nine meetings covering topics such as nature, growing, composting, and more. Studies have shown gardening improves mental and physical health, along with developing bonds among community members. We are continuing to garden this spring and intend to expand into other schools to further promote healthy lifestyles with the hopes the students will develop healthy eating and environmental behaviors. |
Reducing Waste in Portage County: Educating students about the importance of Reducing Waste04/15/2020Currently over 40% of all food in the United States ends up in a landfill where it will sit and rot for years and contribute to the vast amount of unnecessary pollution in this country. If done properly, this food can turn into a soil conditioner and benefit agriculture, environmental conditions, and overall health. As a group of public health students at Kent State University we would like to reduce food waste in our own community by piloting a composting program at Walls Elementary School and then implementing that program into all Kent City Schools. Ensuring a sustainable way to reduce waste cannot be done without an extreme emphasis on education regarding food waste and insecurity. We will implement this program in partnership with Rubber City Reuse which will promote healthy alternatives of waste and provide a great fertilizer to be used in the community garden at Walls Elementary School. This program will make the district healthier and more environmentally friendly. By the end of the school year we would like to reduce the waste coming out of Walls Elementary School by 10%. |
Spatial Variability of Stormwater Control Measures in Northeast Ohio: Preliminary Analysis and Additional Data Required04/15/2020In urban areas, impervious surfaces and pipe networks rapidly deliver high volumes of stormwater to streams and sewer networks. Stormwater runoff causes flooding, erosion, pollution and degradation of aquatic ecosystems, and the discharge of raw sewage into the environment when combined sewers overflow. These impacts, especially in the context of increased urbanization and climate change have provoked intense interest in mitigating stormwater runoff. Yet, the impact of stormwater management practices on urban hydrology is poorly understood at the watershed scale as well as at the scale of a metropolitan area. Increased urbanization and imperviousness in urban watersheds throughout the world necessitate informed decision-making practices when implementing stormwater control measures. This study seeks to quantify how stormwater management actions modulate the influence of urbanization on flow regimes at the watershed scale. We analyze impervious surface cover and road density as measures of urbanization intensity. Based on data provided by the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District for 22 municipalities, the density of SCMs in USGS gauged watersheds is 0.31 SCMs/km2. Incomplete data means that this number is likely and underestimate of the true SCM density in the Cleveland area and we are actively seeking additional sources of SCM data from municipalities and other organizations. Using the current SCM dataset, we analyze the variability in SCM types, year of construction, and spatial distribution and compare these results to urbanization intensity. Once the SCM database is complete in the >12 USGS gaged watersheds in the Cleveland area, the next step will be to analyze the hydrologic response to precipitation with respect to urbanization intensity and stormwater management and their change over time. This research has the potential to inform municipal and watershed-scale efforts to optimize investments in stormwater infrastructure. |
The Potential of the Fusion of Autonomous Vehicles and Architecture for Environmental Welfare04/15/2020From primitive wheels to a contemporary autonomous vehicle, modes of transportation played a pivotal role to create the artery of town and cities. Once the streets were for pedestrians are now for the cars and the city is for parking infrastructure. Regardless of the user and context, the space for people inside a city has been and is being marginalized. Autonomous technology has created a new window to re-think the built environment to recreate humane habitat that is sensitive to the environment for both present and future cities by taking the advantage of the technology but not being dominated by the technology. The thesis explores the mutual feedback between the built environment and autonomous vehicles that will promote community and environmental welfare inside a city. The thesis presents a design proposition based on ‘unconventional shared autonomous vehicles’ that responds to user-specific needs and a new typology of urban planning and architecture addressing these autonomous vehicles. At the same time, a new typology of shared autonomous vehicles and supporting infrastructure is proposed that incorporates the basic packaging of the vehicles and range of services. The Google Transit Village at San Jose in California will serve as a case study to explore the fusion of AV technology that eliminates the needs for dedicated traffic and parking infrastructure but promotes more greenery and a new typology for a sustainable office environment. The proposition can be adapted or extended in macro and micro scale. |
Transcriptomic Profiles of Microbial Communities and Their Ecophysiological Implications During Cyanobacterial Bloom Succession04/15/2020Harsha Lake, like many other freshwater systems that serve as important recreation and drinking water sources, is suffering from frequent cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs). CyanoHABs in Lake Harsha start with Anabaena and Nostoc (N2-fixers) in early Summer and later transit into Microcystis (non-N2 fixers) when N supply is at low levels. To investigate the mechanisms that govern this cyanobacterial community succession, cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacterial communities were collected from Harsha Lake weekly from June to September 2015 and examined for their metatranscriptomic profiles. Gene transcripts confirmed the dominance of Anabaena and Nostoc and their active N2-fixation in June (N-fixing stage). Meanwhile, heterotrophic bacteria, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, were most abundant and mainly expressed genes involved in ATP synthesis. Microcystis and Planktothrix became dominating in July and early August (non-N2 fixing stage) and mainly expressed genes for organic N and P metabolism, DNA repair and secondary metabolites (cyanotoxins) productions. During this non-N fixing stage, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria significantly increased their relative abundance and expressed more genes for iron and P transport. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were still dominant heterotrophic bacteria during CyanoHAB senescence, and they mainly upregulated genes for organic carbon degradation. Further analyses, including weighted gene co-expression network and protein-protein interaction network, will be performed to examine potential interaction between cyanobacteria and heterotrophic bacteria and its role in CyanoHAB succession. |
Using Crowdsourced Data to Analyze Patterns in Odonate Phenology04/15/2020In a changing world, it is essential to understand how species ranges and phenologies are altered in order to plan for future conservation efforts. Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) have become popular study organisms for such insect-based climate studies, partly because of an extensive link between their life history and their environment, and partly because their charismatic nature has resulted in a large hobbyist following. While formal scientific records of this taxa may be limited, hobbyist participation offers unprecedented coverage over time and space, making dynamic monitoring more feasible. While citizen science databases, like iNaturalist, can be quite extensive, concerns regarding the accuracy and thoroughness of these public endeavors have arisen. Certain anomalies in the public data, most noticeably a large data gap centered around the central Appalachians, imply that public datasets may be misrepresentative of the ‘true’ presence in that area. To test the accuracy and representativeness of these citizen endeavors, we did extensive ground-truthing across four states in the 2019 summer season. Our results found that citizen records were largely consistent with Odonate patterns recorded in citizen science databases, suggesting these databases were indeed capturing real biological questions, and raising further questions about the observed data gaps. |
Using VPCA Spectral Decomposition to Analyze Optical Components Off the USVI With Sentinel – 3A/B OLCI04/15/2020The oceans are a diverse soup of organic life and are major regulators of the earth's many systems. Tracking ocean systems is necessary for the regulation of healthy habitats, maintaining clean recreational environments, and monitoring pollutants. Using satellite sensors, we have access to tons of real-time public data of the world's surface, which can be used to do all these things. In this project, a statistical approach to remote sensing called varimax--rotated, principal component analysis (VPCA) was utilized to identify the suspended matter in the water. This approach takes the derivative of the reflectance spectra and unmixes it to give us a more accurate reading of materials that influence the reflected light. Mainly we are looking for any color-producing agents (CPAs) suspended in the water i.e., phytoplankton, detritus, and dinoflagellates or sediment or sediment minerals. By comparing the values to an existing spectral library, we can identify the components. In 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the US Virgin Islands leaving behind a wake of destruction. By comparing images before and after the hurricane, we can track how pigment distribution changed after the event. We observe that all the same components were identified between both dates, but that their distributions vary. Possible further applications to this project include creating seasonal time series to understand distributions year-round and validating our data with samples collected in the USVI from around these dates. |
Wetland Roofs for Ecosystem Services04/15/2020Conventional green roof systems provide many ecological services and are an effective solution for reintroducing green space into urban centers. However, wetland roofs are a new type of green roof with hydric ecology aimed to provide a greater amount of ecosystem services to humans while delivering diverse community of species. As cities demand further environmental infrastructure, wetland roofs may have the potential to become an effective green roof type. To begin, three studies explore to understand if wetlands are a viable ecosystem to emulate in green roofs. First, common criteria between wetlands and roof environments must be explored for translation into design guidelines and construction parameters. Second, local wet novel ecosystem can be studied for informing guidelines in wetland roof design. Finally, a field experiment testing a blue-green roof’s hydrologic and nutrient behavior will assess for additional and unique ecosystem services. Results of the research will aid in the definition, design, and construction of wetland roofs. Understanding the performance of wetland roofs will allow them to be used in urban areas for decentralized water management, conservation efforts, and additional ecosystem services in built environments. |
Working Backwards: Enhancing Forest Restoration by Reversing Effects of Reclamation on Soil Bulk Density04/15/2020Cuyahoga Valley National Park is readily accessible and located only 15 miles from Kent State University. My study focuses on one of more than 40 legacy mines in the park. Before the 1970’s, these mines were used for gravel to build nearby highways. After mining, reclamation efforts were minimal. Industrial rollers were used to compress the soil in an effort to stop nutrient runoff and prevent further pollution. Although this brought life back to the sites, the compaction made it nearly impossible to grow woody plants due to inability to spread roots. Recently the National Park Service and Kent State has become interested in reintroducing hardwood trees to return these sites to their natural form. The national park adopted a soil ripping method to reduce the soil bulk density to allow roots to expand and grow. Large shanks were dug into the ground and “ripped” through the soil in a 2x2 meter grid pattern throughout the field site. To determine its effectiveness, we dug pits and took soil bulk densities at varying depths to 60cm. The bulk density of the soil was generally lower in the rips than in the non-rips at depths deeper than 20cm. This helped to reverse the previous compaction resulting from land remediation. The lower bulk densities lead us to believe that the roots of hardwood trees will penetrate soils easier in the rips than in the non-rips. We hope that this soil ripping technique will have a lasting positive effect on the root penetration of our trees. |