Master of Science / Department of Chemical Engineering / Larry E. Erickson / Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is a promising and emerging technique in controlling indoor air contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It has broad air cleaning and deodorization applications in indoor environments ranging from residential and office buildings to healthcare and nursing facilities as well as spacecrafts, aircraft cabins and clean rooms in the agricultural and food industry. Numerous studies have been conducted to improve the effectiveness and performance of this technology. These include development of new configurations, energy-efficient catalysts and other parameters to control the process. However, only limited research has been conducted under realistic indoor environmental conditions. One of the most recent developments in photocatalysis is the synthesis of 2% C- and V-doped TiO[subscript]2, which is active under both dark and visible light conditions. However, like most research conducted in photocatalysis, the study on the reactivity of this catalyst has been performed only under laboratory conditions. This study investigated the possible application of the novel C and V co-doped TiO[subscript]2 in cleaning indoor air. Mathematical modeling and simulation techniques were employed to assess the potential use of some of the promising systems that utilize the catalyst (i.e., packed bed and thin films) as well as the effect of mass transfer limitations in the degradation of acetaldehyde, one of the VOCs that can be found in offices, residential buildings and other facilities.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering / Ronaldo Maghirang / Emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2), from open beef cattle feedlots is becoming an environmental concern; however, scientific information on emissions and abatement measures for feedlots is limited. This research was conducted to quantify GHG emissions from feedlots and evaluate abatement measures for mitigating emissions. Specific objectives were to: (1) measure N2O emissions from the pens in a commercial cattle feedlot; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of surface amendments in mitigating GHG emissions from feedlot manure; (3) evaluate the effects of water application on GHG emissions from feedlot manure; and (4) compare the photo-acoustic infrared multi-gas analyzer (PIMA) and gas chromatograph (GC) in measuring concentrations of N2O and CO2 emitted from feedlot manure. Field measurements on a commercial beef cattle feedlot using static flux chambers combined with GC indicated that N2O emission fluxes varied significantly with pen surface condition. The moist/muddy surface had the largest median emission flux; the dry and compacted, dry and loose, and flooded surfaces had significantly lower median emission fluxes. Pen surface amendments (i.e., organic residues, biochar, and activated carbon) were applied on feedlot manure samples in glass containers and evaluated for their effectiveness in mitigating GHG emissions. Emission fluxes were measured with the PIMA. For dry manure, all amendments showed significant reduction in N2O and CO2 emission fluxes compared with the control (i.e., no amendment). For moist manure, biochar significantly reduced GHG emissions at days 10 and 15 after application; the other amendments had limited effects on GHG emissions. The effect of water application on GHG emissions from feedlot manure was evaluated. Manure samples (with and without water application) were placed in glass containers and analyzed for GHG emission using a PIMA. For the dry manure, GHG emissions were negligible. Application of water on the manure samples resulted in short-term peaks of GHG emissions a few minutes after water application. Comparison of the GC and PIMA showed that they were significantly correlated but differed in measured concentrations of N2O and CO2. The PIMA showed generally lower N2O concentrations and higher CO2 concentrations than the GC.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with a high prevalence in Western countries, including Canada, and increased exacerbations have been associated with ambient air pollution. The maintenance of airways tone is critically dependent on the endogenous bronchodilator, nitric oxide (NO). The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoenzymes produce NO from the amino acid, L-arginine, and competition for substrate with the arginase isoenzymes can limit NO production. Imbalances between these pathways have been implicated in the airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR) of asthma. The overall objective of this work was to determine whether arginase and downstream polyamine metabolites are functionally involved in airways responsiveness in animal models of asthma and the adverse responses of allergic animals to air pollution. To this purpose, the expression profiles of proteins involved in L-arginine metabolism were determined in lung tissues from human asthmatics and murine models of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airways inflammation. Expression of arginase 1 was increased in human asthma and animal models. Competitive inhibition of arginase attenuated AHR in vivo. The roles of the downstream metabolites of arginase, the polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) were examined by administering them via inhalation to anaesthetized mice. It was demonstrated that spermine increases methacholine responsiveness in normal and allergic mice. Additionally, inhibition of polyamine synthesis improved AHR in a murine model. Thus, arginase and downstream polyamine metabolites contribute to AHR in asthma. Finally, the potential role of arginase in the exacerbation of asthma by air pollution was investigated. For this purpose, murine sub-acute and chronic murine models of allergic airways inflammation were employed, which exhibit inflammatory cell influx and remodeling/AHR, respectively, to determine the role of arginase in the response to concentrated ambient fine particles plus ozone. Allergic mice that were exposed to air pollution exhibited increased arginase activity and expression, compared to filtered air-exposed controls. Furthermore, inhibition of arginase attenuated the air pollution-induced AHR. Thus, the studies of the arginase pathway and downstream metabolites described in this thesis indicate that arginase inhibition may be a therapeutic target in asthma and may also protect susceptible populations against the adverse health effects of air pollution.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease with a high prevalence in Western countries, including Canada, and increased exacerbations have been associated with ambient air pollution. The maintenance of airways tone is critically dependent on the endogenous bronchodilator, nitric oxide (NO). The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoenzymes produce NO from the amino acid, L-arginine, and competition for substrate with the arginase isoenzymes can limit NO production. Imbalances between these pathways have been implicated in the airways hyperresponsiveness (AHR) of asthma. The overall objective of this work was to determine whether arginase and downstream polyamine metabolites are functionally involved in airways responsiveness in animal models of asthma and the adverse responses of allergic animals to air pollution. To this purpose, the expression profiles of proteins involved in L-arginine metabolism were determined in lung tissues from human asthmatics and murine models of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced airways inflammation. Expression of arginase 1 was increased in human asthma and animal models. Competitive inhibition of arginase attenuated AHR in vivo. The roles of the downstream metabolites of arginase, the polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) were examined by administering them via inhalation to anaesthetized mice. It was demonstrated that spermine increases methacholine responsiveness in normal and allergic mice. Additionally, inhibition of polyamine synthesis improved AHR in a murine model. Thus, arginase and downstream polyamine metabolites contribute to AHR in asthma. Finally, the potential role of arginase in the exacerbation of asthma by air pollution was investigated. For this purpose, murine sub-acute and chronic murine models of allergic airways inflammation were employed, which exhibit inflammatory cell influx and remodeling/AHR, respectively, to determine the role of arginase in the response to concentrated ambient fine particles plus ozone. Allergic mice that were exposed to air pollution exhibited increased arginase activity and expression, compared to filtered air-exposed controls. Furthermore, inhibition of arginase attenuated the air pollution-induced AHR. Thus, the studies of the arginase pathway and downstream metabolites described in this thesis indicate that arginase inhibition may be a therapeutic target in asthma and may also protect susceptible populations against the adverse health effects of air pollution.

This arts-informed, phenomenological, and heuristic inquiry focuses on what it means to immerse deeply into experiences within the natural world. Through attention and reflection on emotional and somatic aspects of my own ocean SCUBA diving experiences, and those of beginner and practiced divers, a method and the significance of learning through personal experiences and others’ shared stories is illuminated. Readers are invited to imagine or revisit what it is like to be enveloped by ocean life through an artful narrative account of the ocean diving experience. Crafted in meandering ways, through the aesthetics of photographic images, divers’ evocative descriptions and poetic text, and interspersed with remembrances and imaginations and contemplations of self and world, the narrative reflects the diversity, richness and resonance of divers’ shared stories, and the reverberating and nurturing beauty and mystery of the ocean world. Through five narrative sections that embody a sense of movement deeper into the experience – into relations with the natural world, (‘Immersing’ ‘Opening Pathways of Exploration’, ‘Widening Circles of Compassion’, ‘Nature Reveals Her Open Secret’ and ‘Surfacing’), I encourage readers to wander amongst ocean life to expand ways of experiencing the natural world. It is important to look for new, creative ways that allow space for explorations of self and world, to uncover new ways to reconcile both the mind-body connection as well as the human-nature connection. This inquiry brings the notion of connectedness with nature to the forefront as humans’ alienation from the natural world is recognized as a significant contributor to the present ecological crisis. The exploration of ocean experiences was also a search for ways to encourage and sustain a lifelong inquiry into the relations with the non-human world as a way to continually build and reinforce a strong bond with the natural world for psychological, social and ecological wellbeing. The immersive nature of research methods and representation illuminated how ocean life and artful expressions of remembrances and imaginations build lasting impressions, further adding vitality to what is perceived in both aquatic and terrestrial worlds – enhancing a sense of connectedness with the natural world.

This arts-informed, phenomenological, and heuristic inquiry focuses on what it means to immerse deeply into experiences within the natural world. Through attention and reflection on emotional and somatic aspects of my own ocean SCUBA diving experiences, and those of beginner and practiced divers, a method and the significance of learning through personal experiences and others’ shared stories is illuminated. Readers are invited to imagine or revisit what it is like to be enveloped by ocean life through an artful narrative account of the ocean diving experience. Crafted in meandering ways, through the aesthetics of photographic images, divers’ evocative descriptions and poetic text, and interspersed with remembrances and imaginations and contemplations of self and world, the narrative reflects the diversity, richness and resonance of divers’ shared stories, and the reverberating and nurturing beauty and mystery of the ocean world. Through five narrative sections that embody a sense of movement deeper into the experience – into relations with the natural world, (‘Immersing’ ‘Opening Pathways of Exploration’, ‘Widening Circles of Compassion’, ‘Nature Reveals Her Open Secret’ and ‘Surfacing’), I encourage readers to wander amongst ocean life to expand ways of experiencing the natural world. It is important to look for new, creative ways that allow space for explorations of self and world, to uncover new ways to reconcile both the mind-body connection as well as the human-nature connection. This inquiry brings the notion of connectedness with nature to the forefront as humans’ alienation from the natural world is recognized as a significant contributor to the present ecological crisis. The exploration of ocean experiences was also a search for ways to encourage and sustain a lifelong inquiry into the relations with the non-human world as a way to continually build and reinforce a strong bond with the natural world for psychological, social and ecological wellbeing. The immersive nature of research methods and representation illuminated how ocean life and artful expressions of remembrances and imaginations build lasting impressions, further adding vitality to what is perceived in both aquatic and terrestrial worlds – enhancing a sense of connectedness with the natural world.

This research aims to integrate mathematical water quality models with Bayesian inference techniques for obtaining effective model calibration and rigorous assessment of the uncertainty underlying model predictions. The first part of my work combines a Bayesian calibration framework with a complex biogeochemical model to reproduce oligo-, meso- and eutrophic lake conditions. The model accurately describes the observed patterns and also provides realistic estimates of predictive uncertainty for water quality variables. The Bayesian estimations are also used for appraising the exceedance frequency and confidence of compliance of different water quality criteria. The second part introduces a Bayesian hierarchical framework (BHF) for calibrating eutrophication models at multiple systems (or sites of the same system). The models calibrated under the BHF provided accurate system representations for all the scenarios examined. The BHF allows overcoming problems of insufficient local data by “borrowing strength” from well-studied sites. Both frameworks can facilitate environmental management decisions.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Craig Paukert / We investigated spatial variation in fish assemblage and food web structure in the Kansas River, USA in relation to habitat changes. Fishes were collected at ten sites throughout the Kansas River for assessing assemblage structure in summer 2007 using fish community metrics and at 3 sites in 2006 for food web structure using stable isotope analysis. Satellite imagery indicated riparian habitat on the Kansas River was dominated by agriculture in the upper reaches (>35%) and tended to increase in urban land use in the lower reaches (>58%). Instream habitat complexity also decreased with increased urban area (<25%) becoming more channelized. Jaccard's similarity and percent similarity indices suggested that large-bodied fishes show changes in species presence and composition longitudinally within the river. Also, reaches directly above Bowersock Dam in Lawrence, Kansas and below the Johnson County Weir, near Kansas City, Kansas had low percent similarity compared to other reaches, suggesting the dam and the weir affect community composition. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that species that prefer high velocity flows and sandy substrate (blue sucker and shovelnose sturgeon) are associated with the upper river reaches. Also, there was a higher abundance of omnivorous and planktivorous fish species in the lower more channelized river. The lower reaches contain more tolerant, macrohabitat generalist species and the upper river contained more intolerant, fluvial specialist species. Fish, macroinvertebrates, and detritus were collected at three river reaches classified as the heterogeneous instream habitat (>40% grass islands and sand bars) intermediate (22% grass islands and sand bars), and homogeneous (6% grass islands and sand bars) instream habitat reaches in June 2006. Riparian land use (proportion as agricultural and urban) was related to instream habitat with homogeneous areas having more urban riparian area compared to the heterogeneous and intermediate reaches. The heterogeneous habitat reach had higher variability in [Delta][superscript]13C for fish classified as piscivores/invertivores (P=0.029) and macroinvertebrates (P=0.004) suggesting the complex habitat in the heterogeneous habitat reach provided more variable food sources. The [Delta}15N values also indicated that ten of the twelve fish species tended to consume prey at higher trophic levels in the heterogeneous habitat reach suggesting a more complex food web. Land use practices are leading to homogenization of instream habitat and this homogenization of habitats may be related to food web diversity and trophic position of fishes. Conserving intolerant, native species in the Kansas River may require maintaining suitable habitat for these species and restoration of impacted areas of the river.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering / Ronaldo G. Maghirang / Nanostructured particles possess unique chemical and physical properties, making them excellent candidates for air purification, smoke clearing, and obscuration. This research was conducted to investigate the aerodynamic, charging, and infrared (IR) extinction properties of nanostructured particles. Specific objectives were to: (1) measure the size distribution and concentration of aerosolized nanostructured particles; (2) evaluate their IR extinction properties; (3) determine their relative chargeability; and (4) numerically model their transport in enclosed rooms. The size distribution and concentration of two nanostructured particles (NanoActive® MgO and MgO plus) were measured in an enclosed room. The particles differed in size distribution and concentration; for example, the geometric mean diameters of NanoActive® MgO and MgO plus were 3.12 and 11.1 [Mu]m, respectively. The potential of nanostructured particles as IR obscurants was determined and compared with other particles. Four groups of particles were considered: nanostructured particles (NanoActive® MgO plus, MgO, TiO[subscript2]); nanorods (MgO, TiO[subscript2]); conventional particles (NaHCO[subscript3] and ISO fine test dust); and common obscurants (brass, graphite, carbon black). The extinction coefficients of the nanostructured particles were generally significantly smaller than those of the other particles. Graphite flakes had the greatest mass extinction coefficient (3.22 m[superscript2]/g), followed by carbon black (1.72 m[superscript2]/g), and brass flakes (1.57 m[superscript2]/g). Brass flakes had the greatest volume extinction coefficient (1.64 m[superscript2]/cc), followed by NaHCO[subscript3] (0.93 m[superscript2]/cc), and ISO fine test dust (0.91 m[superscript2]/cc). The relative chargeability of nanostructured particles was also investigated. Selected particles were passed through a Teflon tribocharger and their net charge-to-mass ratios were measured. Tribocharging was able to charge the particles; however, the resulting charge was generally small. NanoActive® TiO[subscript2] gained the highest net charge-to-mass ratio (1.21 mC/kg) followed by NanoActive® MgO (0.81 mC/kg) and ISO fine test dust (0.66 mC/kg). The transport of NanoActive® MgO plus and hollow glass spheres in an enclosed room was simulated by implementing the discrete phase model of FLUENT. In terms of mass concentrations, there was reasonable agreement between predicted and measured values for hollow glass spheres but not for NanoActive® MgO plus. In terms of number concentration, there was large discrepancy between predicted and measured values for both particles.