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One strategy to manage pig slurry is centrifugation and composting of the solids fraction to produce a value added product to distribute manure nutrients further from productions sites. This study determined turned windrow composting was suitable for processing slurry solids throughout winter. It was also the first attempt at combining automated chambers and a Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy analyzer to measure multiple gases during the composting process; the system proved capable but captured fluxes better if conducted in an area sheltered from wind. Straw and woodshavings were shown suitable as bulking materials for composting slurry solids, however, the lack of porosity provided by woodshavings created anaerobic conditions that doubled the greenhouse gas emissions compared to those of straw, 1,126 kg CO2-equivalent Mg-1 compared to 526 kg CO2-equivalent Mg-1. Either bulking material produced compost of quality for use in agricultural or soil blending applications and was free of manure pathogens. / May 2016

Land-use change is prevalent across the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) because of widespread agricultural expansion over the last century. Different land-use histories will affect the distributions of native vegetation and soil biogeochemistry of PPR wetlands. Furthermore, because native vegetation is partially required for wetland classification, supplementary methods are needed for proper wetland delineation. Accurate estimates of GHG emissions are required for correct climate change models; therefore proper investigation of contrasting land-use histories on GHG emissions is essential. This study focused on determining the effect that different land-use histories had on the expression of soil hydric features and magnetic susceptibility as well as examining interacting effects among contrasting land-use histories and biogeochemical controls of GHG emissions of PPR wetlands. To determine the differing effects of land-use histories on hydric soil indicators and magnetic susceptibility, fifteen ephemeral wetlands under differing land-uses (annually cultivated, restored grassland, seeded pasture and native grassland) were sampled to a depth of 1 m with samples collected every 10 cm. An upland pit was correspondingly sampled for each wetland. Soils were then analyzed for organic C, inorganic C, dithionite extractable Fe, particle size distributions, wet stable aggregate distributions and magnetic susceptibility at four different temperature treatments (room temperature, 100 °C, 300 °C and 500 °C). While some variables had observable difference among the land-uses (i.e. organic C, dithionite extractable Fe and magnetic susceptibility), the most pronounced differences were between the different pit positions (i.e. wetland pits vs. upland pits). The data was holistically analyzed through non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and position based differences were easily identified through this approach; however, only slight differences were present with respect to contrasting land-use histories. The controls of GHG emissions and their interactions were evaluated through two laboratory incubations (i.e. CH4 incubation and N2O incubation), with a factorial design using land-use history treatments as well as biogeochemical controls specific to each GHG (i.e. CH4: SO4- additions; N2O: water filled pore space [WFPS] treatments and NO3 - additions). Both incubations had the presence of interacting factors among the differing land-use histories. During the CH4 incubation, each land-use history responded oppositely to sulfate additions. During the N2O incubations, both WFPS treatments and NO3 - additions had additive effects on the emissions of N2O. Moreover, the presence of the interactions satisfied the objective of the incubation study. Overall it was determined that while land-use history significantly altered the response of GHG controls with respect to GHG emissions, it did not have strong effects in influencing hydric soil indicators and magnetic susceptibility values.

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effects of a campaign that Uppsalahem implemented in February 2013, in order to make their tenants consume less water. The result of the campaign is evaluated in terms of reduced water usage and reduced emissions of greenhouse gas related to the heating of the water through district heating. Four different residential areas in urban Uppsala, where Uppsalahem implemented their water saving campaign have been studied. All calculations are done in MATLAB. The results regarding water usage is presented in cubic meters and the greenhouse gas emissions are presented in terms of carbon dioxide equivalents. A sensitivity analysis of the data is performed in order to study natural occurring variances of water consumption over time. In order to determine which parameter has the greatest impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, a sensitivity analysis of the fuel mix used at the district heating power plant is made. The results show that there has been a reduction of water usage since after the campaign was implemented and the sensitivity analysis of the data indicates that there has been an especially large decrease in water consumption between the years 2012 and 2013. Further though, the results contain monthly irregularities in water usage in the different areas. This shows that the reduction of water consumption has not been temporally associated to the campaign, which indicates that the reduction might not be an effect of the campaign. Regarding carbon dioxide emissions, the sensitivity analysis indicates that the kind of fuel mix Vattenfall use at their district heating plant has a much greater impact than the individual water usage behaviors of the tenants.

The purpose of this dissertation is to assess the current state of climate policy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends in the state Florida and its local governments. The research is guided by three research questions 1) What has been the policy response from state and local governments to the threat of climate change; 2) What were the GHG emission trends from 2000 to 2010 in Florida and its local governments and what were the drivers of change?; and, 3) what were the issues related to the data and methodologies to quantify GHG emissions at the local government level? Policymakers need accurate data and a framework by which to measure progress towards reduction targets and mitigation strategies aimed at reducing GHG emissions. To date, there has not been a comprehensive assessment in Florida despite the proliferation of reduction targets and action planning in state and local governments. Research was conducted to systematically catalogue climate policy at the state and specific actions at the local government level. Actions taken at the local government level included participation in one or more of eight climate networks and completion of a GHG inventory and/or climate action plan. A comprehensive GHG inventory was completed for the state (2000 through 2010) and for all 477 local governments (2000 and 2010). GHG emissions were summarized for total GHG emissions, per capita GHG emissions, per land area GHG emissions, and by sector (i.e., energy, transportation, industrial processes, agriculture, waste, carbon sequestration, and miscellaneous other categories). The ambitious 2007 policies of Governor Crist to curb state GHG emissions floundered once he left office and was replace by the new Governor Rick Scott. It was then left to local governments to respond to the threat of global warming with 117 of 477 local governments pledging to take action (as evidenced through participation in climate action networks). However, only a small minority actually tried to go beyond to complete a GHG inventory and develop a climate action plan. Of these, only two have conducted a follow-up GHG inventory with resultant increases of over 30 percent which falls far short of county-wide reduction targets of 20 percent. GHG emissions from the 39 local governments who undertook GHG inventories found increases in GHG emissions of 10 percent. GHG emissions in the state have increased by 14 percent from 2000 to 2010. In both 2000 and 2010, transportation and electricity consumption were the largest contributors of GHG emissions in both the state and its local governments. Industrial and agricultural emissions were also contributors but these emissions not equally distributed throughout local governments in Florida due to the location of these industries across the state. The rates of change from 2000 to 2010 were not equal in all categories. GHG emission increases were observed in the majority of categories but at different rates; however, reductions were observed in industrial sources and livestock and other agricultural sources. The research identifies drivers of GHG emission change in the state to include population size, Florida gross domestic product (FGDP), land use change, and national energy policies (i.e., natural gas over coal and increased fuel efficiency standards). When assessing methodologies for states and local governments, nine separate GHG methodologies were identified all of which used different approaches and categorical coverage. In addition, the procedures that are used may not be appropriate for the scale of a local jurisdiction due to problems associated with generalizing or averaging emissions data. Data availability at the state level is robust; however, readily-available data at the local government level for certain categories were deemed to be insufficient to avoid highly uncertain assumptions. Review of the completed GHG inventories indicates the use of different approaches makes comparisons between the published GHG emissions impossible. It is recommended that a standardized methodology and data collection framework be used for all local governments for more accurate comparisons and to assess the impacts of policy at a local government scale. While the local government GHG inventory required the use of some uncertain assumptions due to data limitations, such a framework was developed for this dissertation. The framework could be refined with more accurate data for future inventories and could also be adapted for other states.

The production of food is responsible for large share of the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. There is a wide range of emissions associated with different food-groups. In particular the production of meat from ruminants causes higher emissions compared to plant-based food. This study compared two different types of meat-free diets (ovo-lacto-vegetarian and vegan) in Sweden and the emission of greenhouse gases that are connected to the aliment and beverages that are consumed in these diets. Dietary records were used to obtain real data on what food is consumed on a weekly basis. On average the food consumed by the vegan sample caused lower emissions that the food consumed by the vegetarian sample. The average vegan diet caused 591 kg CO2e per year whereas the average vegetarian diet caused 761 kg CO2e. The annual difference is thus 170 kg. These findings are in line with existing research although recent studies often used hypothetical diets instead of real data.

Global warming, associated with elevated levels of greenhouse gases is expected to alter hydrologic regimes, permafrost extent and vegetation composition in the Hudson Bay Lowlands (HBL). Greenhouse gas (respiration, CH4 and N2O; GHG) emissions and soil gas concentrations were determined over the growing seasons of 2005 and 2006 from numerous habitats within three dominate ecosystems within the HBL, a polygonized-peat plateau, northern fringe boreal forest and palsa fen, near Churchill, Manitoba. Nitrous oxide emissions and soil concentrations were near zero however, a trend for very slight production of N2O was observed at dry aerobic sample positions while very slight consumption occurred at very wet sample locations. “Hot-spots” of intense CH4 emissions and soil concentrations occurred in the sedge-dominated areas of high moisture and plant productivity, whereas areas of low moisture and plant productivity resulted in slight CH4 consumption. Of all the ecosystems studied, the palsa fen had the greatest CH4 production, with carbon losses from CH4 occurring at rates of approximately 50 g C m-2 during the growing season. A peat plateau ecosystem site was also used to compare GHG emissions using a similar vegetation type (Cladina stellaris) and under differing soil conditions. Based on the results, slight gradients in soil conditions such as moisture content, peat accumulation and active layer depths altered respiration emissions but did not significantly affect CH4 and N2O fluxes. The differences in GHG emissions were not as great as those between different plant community types, which suggest plant community types could be used to predict GHG emissions in similar environments. / October 2007

The world faces two major energy-related challenges: reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and improving energy security. Wind-electricity, a clean and environmentally sustainable energy source, appears promising. However, its intermittency is problematic when used as a supply for on-demand electricity. Wind-electricity can be used for space heating when combined with thermal-storage systems; although its intermittency can result in periods of excess electricity. To reduce the excess, this thesis proposes using wind-electricity for thermal-storage and electric-vehicles. Four charging procedures are designed and developed. Data from an eastern Canadian wind-farm is used to demonstrate the procedures. The results are compared and discussed in terms of the supply of wind-electricity and its ability to meet the energy requirements of these services. Depending on the procedure, wind-electricity displaced between 20 and 26 GWh of energy previously required for space-heating and transportation, demonstrating that wind-electricity, with intermittently-chargeable loads using storage, is a solution to the intermittency problem.

This thesis considers perspectives on municipal greenhouse gas emission reductions. It is timely study as it is one point of entry to analyzing emissions and contemplates the degree of local responsibility, as well as the barriers and possible solutions to creating action. By using a case study approach, Strathcona County was examined in its real-life context to determine the outlook at the local scale. Attention to varying government action plans, as well as scientific research was examined to verify relevance of municipal action. Using survey and interview methods, perspectives from key decision makers were compared and contrasted. The results indicated that there is a concentration at the municipal level on actions that will directly or indirectly benefit climate change. A multi-governance angle, as well as institutionalizing the concept into the organization and community will create progress. Solutions focusing on land use planning, transportation and community energy are emerging. This study demonstrates the value of municipal action as an essential element to achieving long term, cost effective and successful reductions, and recognizes that it is a supplement rather than an alternative to provincial and national plans.

In response to growing environmental concerns, policy makers in Canada have been developing climate change mitigation strategies that will enable Canada to meet medium and long-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. The water industry is energy- and carbon-intensive, thus the magnitude and long-term uncertainty of proposed carbon mitigation policies could have implications for water distribution system capital planning decisions that are made today. The intent of this thesis was to examine the implications of discount rate and carbon price uncertainty on cost, energy use and GHG emissions in the design/optimization of the Amherstview water distribution system in Loyalist Township, Ontario, Canada. A non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is coupled with the hydraulic solver EPANET2 in a single-objective optimization approach to identify network expansion designs that minimize total cost as the sum of: i) capital cost of installing new and parallel pipes and of cleaning and lining existing pipes; ii) operation cost of electricity for pumping water; and iii) carbon cost levied on electricity used for pumping water. The Amherstview system was optimized for a range of discount rates and carbon prices reflective of possible climate change mitigation strategies in Canada over the next 50 years. The problem formulation framework was developed according to a “real-world” municipal approach to water distribution system design and expansion. Decision variables such as pipe sizes are restricted to “real-world” commercially-available pipe diameters and parameter values are chosen according to engineering judgment and best-estimates. Parameter uncertainty is characterized by sensitivity analysis rather than the more computationally-demanding and data-intensive Monte Carlo simulation method. The impact of pipe material selection on energy use and GHG emissions was investigated for polyvinyl chloride and cement-mortar lined ductile iron pipes. Results from this first-ever study indicate that the discount rate and carbon prices investigated had no significant influence on energy use and GHG emissions in the Amherstview system. Pipe material selection was also found to minimally affect the amount of GHG emitted in the Amherstview system. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-08-26 15:01:27.174