Theses/Dissertations - Ecological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
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Browsing Theses/Dissertations - Ecological, Earth, and Environmental Sciences by Author "Baylor University. Dept. of Environmental Science."
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Item Influence of pH and total dissolve solids on harmful algal blooms of Prymnesium parvum.(2013-05-15) Prosser, Krista Noel.; Brooks, Bryan W.; Environmental Science.; Baylor University. Dept. of Environmental Science.Harmful blooms of Prymnesium parvum in inland waters continue to expand, in part, due to anthropogenic influences and climate change. This thesis examines influences of pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) on P. parvum blooms, growth, and toxicity to aquatic life. Chapter 1 evaluated pH effects on P. parvum bloom development and toxicity by manipulating in situ limnocorrals during 21 d pre-bloom and bloom development experiments. Though neutral pH levels preempted P. parvum bloom development, higher pH resulted in bloom formation and ambient toxicity. Chapter 2 examined whether TDS with major ionic composition associated with hydraulic fracturing influenced P. parvum growth and toxicity across nutrient conditions. Though no growth was observed at 130 mg/L, higher treatment levels of TDS stimulated P. parvum growth and increased acute toxicity to fish. Such novel observations provide pH and TDS thresholds for potentially supporting management of P. parvum growth and acute toxicity in inland waters.Item Qualitative and quantitative assessment of UCM in PM2.5 of Bakersfield, CA.(2014-01-28) Nallathamby, Punith Dev.; Sheesley, Rebecca Jacobs.; Environmental Science.; Baylor University. Dept. of Environmental Science.Fine particulate matter (PM ₂.₅ ) was collected in Bakersfield, CA during the CalNex 2010 field experiment and was analyzed for primary organics using a gas chromatograph – mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Substantial presence of unresolved complex mixture (UCM) was observed in the collected PM ₂.₅ . To quantify the overlapping UCM peaks, a method was developed for the deconvolution (peak separation) of the UCM. This enabled unique quantification of each UCM peak. The developed method was tested on several runs of a standard reference material for urban dust, which yielded consistent values with a standard deviation of ~16%. The UCMs in the Bakersfield sample were quantified separately and qualitatively assessed for possible emission sources. The average spectrum from the UCM suggested the presence of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes in the low-molecular weight UCM; and the presence of linear, branched, and cyclic alkanes in the high-molecular weight UCM. The method developed in the current study has the potential for application to a variety of environmental media.Item Using multiple parameters to compare effluent quality of eight wastewater treatment systems.(2013-05-15) Price, Amy E.; Yelderman, Joe C.; Baylor University. Dept. of Environmental Science.; Texas Onsite Wastewater Treatment Research Council.; C. Gus Glasscock, Jr. Endowed Fund for Excellence in Environmental Sciences.; Baylor University. Dept. of Environmental Science.Wastewater effluent qualities from two study sites in central Texas were compared using whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests and chemical indicator parameters. Three of the effluents were collected from the City of Whitney Wastewater Treatment Facility in Whitney, TX; the remaining five effluents were collected at the Waco Metropolitan Area Regional Sewerage System (WMARSS) and the Baylor Wastewater Research Program site near Waco, TX. The first hypothesis examined at the City of Whitney Wastewater Treatment Facility was that effluent water quality improves through a pond and wetland treatment system. The second hypothesis examined was that there is no difference of effluent water qualities between two seasons. The first hypothesis examined for the Waco effluents was that effluent qualities of the four on-site systems are comparable to a centralized municipal wastewater treatment effluent: WMARSS. The second hypothesis examined was that there is no difference of effluent water qualities between two seasons.