This research evaluated the extent to which forests in Virginia have either become fragmented (disconnected) and/or connected over a ten year time period. The study analyzed the accuracy of forest fragmentation analysis depending on the spatial resolution of the satellite imagery used. This analysis highlights the importance of using appropriate satellite images for forest fragmentation analysis. Secondly, this research focused on building a model to identify the significance of factors such as slope, physiographic region and forest types on Virginia's populations of Wood Thrush and Ovenbird. This assessment identified the difference in effects of variables on bird populations depending on the scale at which the analysis is carried out. Third and final analysis combined the first two assessments to determine how management policies can be used to mitigate negative effects of forest fragmentation and protect biodiversity. The research results highlight increasing forest fragmentation trends in Virginia between 2001 and 2011 and the negative impacts of this trend on Wood Thrush and Ovenbird species. The results also demonstrate the effectiveness of riparian buffers as corridors. / Doctor of Philosophy / This research evaluated the extent to which forests in Virginia have either become fragmented (disconnected) and/or connected over a ten year time period. The study analyzed the accuracy of forest fragmentation analysis depending on the spatial resolution of the satellite imagery used. This analysis highlights the importance of using appropriate satellite images for forest fragmentation analysis. Secondly, this research focused on building a model to identify the significance of factors such as slope, physiographic region and forest types on Virginia’s populations of Wood Thrush and Ovenbird. This assessment identified the difference in effects of variables on bird populations depending on the scale at which the analysis is carried out. Third and final analysis combined the first two assessments to determine how management policies can be used to mitigate negative effects of forest fragmentation and protect biodiversity. The research results highlight increasing forest fragmentation trends in Virginia between 2001 and 2011 and the negative impacts of this trend on Wood Thrush and Ovenbird species. The results also demonstrate the effectiveness of riparian buffers as corridors.

Air quality degradation is emerging to be an issue of major concern in India. Recent investigations have shown that anthropogenic aerosols have significant impact on climate as well as on health. In fourth assessment report of IPCC, it has been mentioned that radiative effects of anthropogenic aerosols constitute one of the major uncertainties in assessing aerosol-induced climate impact. In addition to climate impacts, aerosol causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, air quality degradation, acidification of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Characterization of anthropogenic aerosol fraction (defined as the fraction of anthropogenic aerosols to composite aerosols) is an appealing topic of research in current scenario. The first step towards achieving this goal is to separate natural aerosol from composite aerosols, which is a complex task. The main objective of this thesis work is the assessment of air quality and anthropogenic aerosol fraction over India using observations (ground-based as well as satellite-based) and chemistry-transport model. Specifically objectives are (a) assessment of air quality and anthropogenic aerosol fraction over Indian region (b) develop a method to derive natural aerosol properties over land and oceans using multi-satellite data analysis, which is first step towards separating natural aerosol effects from its anthropogenic counter parts and (c) evaluate performance of CHIMERE chemistry-transport model for Indian region and validate its suitability to air quality studies over India. In this thesis, different approaches have been followed such as ground-based observations, multi-satellite data analysis and CHIMERE transport model. We have used multi-year observations of particulate mass (PM) concentration, aerosol black carbon (BC) mass concentration and aerosol optical depth (AOD) from a network of observatories to make an assessment of ambient air quality over India. First, we have developed a method to estimate dust and sea-salt optical depth using multi-satellite data analysis. This enabled the determination of anthropogenic aerosol fraction over land and ocean and we have validated this method by comparing against observations. Surprisingly, even over desert locations in India and Saudi Arabia, the anthropogenic fraction were unexpectedly high (~0.3 to 0.4) and the regionally averaged anthropogenic fraction over India was 0.620.06 (for the year 2004). The CHIMERE chemistry-transport model was used to simulate PM, BC and AOD over India and are compared with measurements. Evaluation of CHIMERE output shows that diurnal and seasonal trends are captured reasonably well by the model. It was found that absolute magnitudes differ substantially during monsoon months. Model simulations are also used to estimate anthropogenic fraction over Indian region and are compared with observations. Implications of the results are discussed. Mineral dust constitutes the single largest contributor of natural aerosols over continents. The first step towards separating natural aerosol radiative impact from its anthropogenic counterparts over continents is to gather information on dust aerosols. The infrared (IR) radiance (10.5–12.5 mm) acquired from the Kalpana satellite (8-km resolution) was used to retrieve regional characteristics of dust aerosols over the Afro-Asian region during the winter of 2004, coinciding with a national aerosol campaign. Here, we used aerosol-induced IR radiance depression as an index of dust load. The regional distribution of dust over various arid and semi-arid regions of India and adjacent continents has been estimated, and these data in conjunction with regional maps of column aerosol optical depth (AOD) are used to infer anthropogenic aerosol fraction. Surprisingly, even over desert locations in India and Saudi Arabia, the anthropogenic fraction were relatively high (0.3 to 0.4) and the regionally averaged anthropogenic fraction over India was 0.62 ±0.06. Sea-salt constitutes the single largest contributor of natural aerosols over oceans. We derive sea-salt aerosol distribution using a method utilizing multi-satellite data analysis. This information was used in conjunction with dust aerosols retrieval to calculate anthropogenic fraction over land and ocean. First, we derived a relation between MODIS AOD and NCEP wind speed at the sea-surface. An exponential increase in AOD as a function of wind speed was observed from mid of southern ocean to northern Arabian Sea. Latitudinal variation of wind independent component of optical depth (τ0) and wind index (b) was used to estimate the sea-salt optical depth over Arabian Sea. The value of τ0 showed an exponential increase as we move towards north from 35°S while b showed linear increase. The derived relations for the τ0 and b have been used to derive the sea-salt AOD distribution over oceanic regions in the domain (Eq-30°N; 30°E-110°E). Then we subtract the natural aerosol contribution from composite AOD data from MISR to obtain anthropogenic aerosol fraction. Over Indian region, high anthropogenic fraction was observed over northern belt specifically Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). Annually averaged anthropogenic fraction over Indian domain (4N-29.5N; 67E-88.5E) is ~0.43. Further, we have investigated the impact of sea-surface winds on sea-salt radiative effect in visible and infrared region with the help of SBDART radiative transfer model. The SBDART simulations have shown that at 15 m s-1, sea-salt induced shortwave cooling at the sea-surface was -86 W m-2. Derivation of anthropogenic aerosol fraction over whole Indian domain has demonstrated the importance of anthropogenic aerosols. This observation motivated us to examine the air quality over Bangalore, a fast growing city in India. We have analyzed data from ground based measurements of particulate matter, observations from satellites and also model simulations. Comparison with national threshold indicates that more than 50% of observations were above the residential threshold. To represent the air quality of Bangalore we have calculated the air quality index (AQI) for air pollutants. Coarse spatial and temporal resolution of observational data is one major shortcoming in such analysis. Therefore, satellite observations are alternative to quantify the air quality over large area. We have used MODIS AOD and RSPM to develop an empirical relation between these two parameters. A reasonably good agreement was observed between measured RSPM and RSPM derived using satellite data (by applying empirical relation). The CHIMERE chemistry-transport model was used to simulate PM, BC and AOD over India and are compared with measurements. Evaluation of CHIMERE output shows that diurnal and seasonal trends are captured reasonably well by the model. It was found that absolute magnitudes differ substantially during pre-monsoon and monsoon months. Model simulations are also used to estimate anthropogenic fraction over Indian region and are compared with observations. Implications of the results and future scope are discussed. The validation of model results suggests that CHIMERE model is suitable for simulating air quality over India with reasonable accuracy. This would in turn help us to address the impacts of air pollution on regional climate and help policy makers in order to reduce the air pollution. In summary, we have developed a new method to infer natural aerosol (sea-salt and dust) properties using multi-satellite data analysis. This technique has been applied to derive anthropogenic aerosol fraction over Indian region. Surprisingly, even over desert locations in India and Saudi Arabia, the anthropogenic fraction were relatively high (0.3 to 0.4) and regionally averaged anthropogenic fraction over India was 0.62±0.06 in 2004. This study indicates that multi-satellite observations can provide a powerful tool in monitoring air quality. We have noticed that anthropogenic fraction was 0.62 in 2004 and reduced to 0.43 in 2008. Major anthropogenic aerosol over India is BC and decreasing trend in BC could be one of the reasons for the decrease in anthropogenic fraction from 2004 to 2008. The CHIMERE chemistry-transport model was used to simulate PM, BC and AOD over India and are compared with measurements. Evaluation of CHIMERE output shows that diurnal and seasonal trends are captured reasonably well by the model. It was found that absolute magnitudes differ substantially during pre-monsoon and monsoon months. Presence of elevated aerosol layers during these seasons could be one of the sources for such discrepancy. Model simulations of anthropogenic fraction over Indian region are compared with observations and found good agreement. Results from this thesis moves us one step forward to reduce the uncertainties involved in anthropogenic aerosol fraction, its spatial and temporal distributions and regional distribution of OC/BC ratio, which are most important parameters in order to assess the climate forcing by anthropogenic aerosols.

One of the most essential resources for life on our planet is water. A concern for water resource sustainability has shifted towards the sustainable development of clean water body resource (SWDF, 2009). Data for the Vaal River water chemistry is in abundance. However, research on the historic natural conditions influencing the inorganic water quality, is not as extensive. Inorganic data was obtained from the Department of Water Affairs, for the period 1972 to 2011, for identified monitoring stations along the Vaal River. Water quality was evaluated using various geochemical techniques to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that the water chemistry of the Vaal River is controlled by: 1. Chemical weathering of siliceous sediment, intrusive igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and (HCO3)-). 2. Anthropogenic influences increasing the sulphate (SO4) concentration There is no major increase in ion concentrations for the stations. However the concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO3)- and SO4 change as it progresses downstream from the first upstream station to the last downstream station. Based on the chemical characterisation, three groups have been identified. (1) Group 1 stations appear to suggest a higher influence in chemical weathering than the group 2 stations. (2) Group 2 stations appear to suggest a greater influence from SO4. (3) Group 3 stations appear to suggest an influence from both the bicarbonate and the SO4 influences. Geographically the chemical weathering is an indication of the three different groups with strong anthropogenic influences in the middle group. The water chemistry for the Vaal River is controlled by two processes, namely chemical weathering and anthropogenic influences. The prominent indication of the difference in these two influences can be seen between group 1 and group 2. A secondary conclusion indicates that a total dissolved solid (TDS) alone is not an accurate representation of anthropogenic influence (or poor water quality) on inorganic water quality of the Vaal River. The natural weathering or geological influences appears to play a more dominant role in certain sections or catchments with lower contributions from anthropogenic influences. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

One of the most essential resources for life on our planet is water. A concern for water resource sustainability has shifted towards the sustainable development of clean water body resource (SWDF, 2009). Data for the Vaal River water chemistry is in abundance. However, research on the historic natural conditions influencing the inorganic water quality, is not as extensive. Inorganic data was obtained from the Department of Water Affairs, for the period 1972 to 2011, for identified monitoring stations along the Vaal River. Water quality was evaluated using various geochemical techniques to analyse the data. The results of the study indicate that the water chemistry of the Vaal River is controlled by: 1. Chemical weathering of siliceous sediment, intrusive igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+ and (HCO3)-). 2. Anthropogenic influences increasing the sulphate (SO4) concentration There is no major increase in ion concentrations for the stations. However the concentrations of bicarbonate (HCO3)- and SO4 change as it progresses downstream from the first upstream station to the last downstream station. Based on the chemical characterisation, three groups have been identified. (1) Group 1 stations appear to suggest a higher influence in chemical weathering than the group 2 stations. (2) Group 2 stations appear to suggest a greater influence from SO4. (3) Group 3 stations appear to suggest an influence from both the bicarbonate and the SO4 influences. Geographically the chemical weathering is an indication of the three different groups with strong anthropogenic influences in the middle group. The water chemistry for the Vaal River is controlled by two processes, namely chemical weathering and anthropogenic influences. The prominent indication of the difference in these two influences can be seen between group 1 and group 2. A secondary conclusion indicates that a total dissolved solid (TDS) alone is not an accurate representation of anthropogenic influence (or poor water quality) on inorganic water quality of the Vaal River. The natural weathering or geological influences appears to play a more dominant role in certain sections or catchments with lower contributions from anthropogenic influences. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The size and trend of a population is fundamental to the assessment of its conservation status, yet cetacean abundance data are often biased and lack statistical power to detect trends. As a result, the conservation status of many species is unknown and the population-level effects of conservation pressures such as anthropogenic sound cannot be quantified. Failing to account for cetaceans that are unavailable for detection at the surface during abundance surveys will negatively bias estimates of abundance. Analysis of time-depth data revealed that pilot whale dive and surface interval durations, and availability for detection, varied with time of day, but this bias was accurately estimated using the mean dive and surface interval durations. A global analysis of cetacean density estimates compiled from multiple line-transect surveys incorporated covariates describing availability bias, and other sources of variability, to facilitate the detection of underlying temporal trends. Decadal global trends in cetacean density were detected for four species, while significant yearly ocean-scale trends were detected for six families. Exploratory analysis of data compiled from line-transect surveys found some evidence that trends in the density of minke whales and sperm whales in the northeast Atlantic varied between areas with and without seismic survey effort. However, there were insufficient data to clearly identify chronic exposure to anthropogenic sound from seismic surveys as a driver of population change. Analysis of strandings data from the UK and Ireland identified some evidence that harbour porpoise and sperm whale stranding rates were related to seismic survey effort and wind farm construction, but the results were not conclusive. Large-scale cetacean surveys provide valuable information on the density and spatial and temporal distribution of cetaceans that is vital for monitoring populations, but these surveys cannot replace dedicated studies of the population-level effects of sound on cetaceans.

Lietuvoje upių vandens kokybės tyrimai atliekami vadovaujantis Aplinkos monitoringo įstatymu, Vyriausybės pritarta valstybine aplinkos monitoringo programa, atsižvelgiama į ES direktyvas ir Helsinkio komisijos (HELCOM) rekomendacijas. Bendrosios vandenų politikos direktyvos 2000/60/EB tikslas – užtikrinti, kad iki 2015 metų visuose vandens telkiniuose būtų pasiekta gera paviršinio ir požeminio vandens ir nuo jų priklausomų sausumos ekosistemų būklė, ir apsaugoti nuo būklės blogėjimo. Darbe nagrinėjama fizinių-geografinių sąlygų įtaka Vilnios upės nuotėkiui bei vandens kokybei. Tyrimo metu pasirinkti 4 mėginių ėmimo taškai, juose nustatytos biogeninių medžiagų koncentracijos ir vandens lygiai. Nuotėkiui vertinti pagal nustatytus vandens lygius apskaičiuoti koeficientai ir perskaičiuoti vidutiniai mėnesiniai debitai 1992–2009 metų sekai. Darbą sudaro 6 dalys: įvadas, literatūros apžvalga, tyrimų objektas ir metodika, tyrimų rezultatai, išvados, literatūros sąrašas. Darbo apimtis ─ 74 p. teksto be priedų, 37 iliustr., 15 lent., 115 literatūros šaltiniai. / Ranges of rivers water quality are conducted in accordance with the Environmental Monitoring Act, the Government approved a national environmental monitoring program and will take into account the EU directives and the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) recommendations in Lithuania. General water policy directive 2000/60/EC aim - to ensure that all water bodies to achieve good surface water and groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems, and protect against deterioration by 2015. The work deals with the physical-geographical conditions on the river runoff outpatient and water quality. The study of sampling to select 4 points out the nutrient concentrations and water levels. Leakage is seen under the water levels to calculate conversion rates and average monthly flow rates the 1992–2009 series. Structure: introduction, scientific literature review, research and methodology, conclusions, references. Thesis consist of: 74 p. text without appendixes, 37 pictures, 15 tables, 115 bibliographical entries.

Ever since the development of farming humans have been implicitly linked with the landscape. Influences include the manipulation of natural environments by woodland clearance, field developments and animal husbandry. Development can also be determined by the identification and distribution of soils developed and modified by the addition of organic and inorganic components. Anthropogenic or amended soils have been identified in many forms across north west Europe that retain distinctive physical and chemical indications of historical agrarian and settlement history. This thesis researched the on-site distribution of anthropogenic and amended soils across different landuse areas and identified and quantified a range of black carbonised particles in order to investigate their role in the soils ability to retain high elemental concentrations of manuring and elements associated with domestic activity and industrial processes. Three sites in contrasting environments were chosen for analysis; in Fair Isle, the Netherlands and Ireland on the basis of an excellent agararian and settlement history and previous analysis of anthropogenic soils. The fieldwork results showed extremly deep plaggen soils in the Netherlands but considerably shallower horizons of amended arable soils on Fair Isle and in Ireland contrary to previous analysis. There was however, clear evidence of a reduction in anthropogenic and amended soils with increased distance from the farm centres as a result of less manuring. The soil pH, organic matter, particle size, magnetic susceptibility and bulk elemental analysis results showed unexpected increases in the amended soils of Fair Isle and Ireland and reflected a similar manuring process. In the Netherlands the deep plaggen soils had very low results reflecting modern arable farming. The micromorphology results illustrated distinctive characteristics associated with localised manuring techniques. On Fair Isle and in Ireland the main organic manuring material was peat and burnt peat, whereas in the Netherlands the plaggen soils were predominantly composed of meadowland and heathland turf. At all three sites there was a large number of black carbonised and black amorphous inclusions and point counting and image analysis results showed a decrease with depth and distance from settlement nucleii mirroring the fieldwork observations. The elemental analysis conducted has proved to be an extremly useful tool for the identification of various forms of black carbon and for identifying the provenance of high elemental concentrations. The oxygen:carbon ratios confirmed the origins of organic components used in the development of the amended and anthropogenic soils and the elemental analysis showed that at each site over 80% of visually unidentifiable amorphous black carbon particles were heavily decomposed carbonised inclusions. Overall the elemental concentrations within the black carbonised particles was very low but this reflected the elemental results found in the bulk soils and the inclusions contained higher concentrations of P, Ca, K, Fe and Al and considerably lower concentrations of elements associated with domestic activity or industry Zn, Cu, Ba, Cr, As and Pb.

Wastewater disposal often has deleterious impacts on the receiving environment. Low levels of dissolved oxygen are of particular concern. Here I investigate the impacts on dissolved oxygen and carbon chemistry of screened municipal wastewater in the marine waters off Victoria, B.C., Canada. I analyzed data from a series of undersea moorings, ship-based monitoring, and underwater remotely-operated vehicle video. I used these observations to construct a two-layer box model of the nearfield receiving environment. Despite the lack of more advanced treatment, dissolved oxygen levels near the outfalls are well above the commonly used 63 umol kg-1 hypoxic threshold and that the outfalls’ impact on water column oxygen is likely less than a few umol kg-1. Likewise, dissolved inorganic carbon is not elevated and pH not depressed compared to the surrounding region. Strong tidal currents and the cold, well-oxygenated waters of Victoria’s marine environment give these waters a high assimilative capacity for organic waste. / Graduate / 0595 / 0403 / 0543 / jeremykrogh@gmail.com

Although grassland bird populations have steadily declined, little research has examined the effect of oil infrastructure on abundances of grassland songbirds. Even less research has identified mechanisms that explain observed effects. To evaluate this, I sampled abundance of 5 songbird species at oil well sites with different pump mechanisms, power sources, and activity levels; I also evaluated the effects of perch and road density and exotic vegetation, all of which are associated with oil development. Both Baird’s sparrows (Ammodramus bairdii) and Sprague’s pipits (Anthus spragueii) had lower abundances at all sites that contained oil infrastructure. The other 3 species, chestnut-collared longspurs (Calcarius ornatus), western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), and Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), were relatively unaffected by oil wells, linear features, or exotic vegetation. Given that oil well sites negatively affected two species of concern, more research is needed to determine mitigation strategies. / October 2016

Disertační práce Změny zátěže ekosystému v podélném profilu antropogenně ovlivněného toku Kateřina Kohušová Changes of ecosystem load in longitudinal profile of antropogenically influenced river ABSTRACT To determine anthropogenic load of the Bílina river ecosystem we monitored concentrations of selected heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Pb, V, Zn) and specific organic substances (PAH, PCB, HCH, HCB, DDT) in three different matrices: surface water, biofilms and sediments. In the longitudinal profile of the river, four sampling profiles were determined (B1 - B4), mapping different parts of the river. The monitoring took place from 2005 to 2008. Concentrations of the substances monitored in surface water showed a decrease in load compared to the values from ten years ago. The concentrations found in surface water showed clear tendency of pollution in the longitudinal profile; the load increased downstream and profiles B3 and B4 mid- and downstream had the highest concentration. In the case of some concentrations of substances in surface water there is a trend of the majority of values being below the detection limit by the given methods of analysis. This shows a decrease of load in the river but the positive trend was invalidated by variations in maximum concentrations. Even though these variations were rare and...