O presente estudo desenvolveu uma metodologia para mapeamento de potencial de instabilização de taludes rodoviários. Utilizou-se, para tanto, SIG (Sistema de Informações Geográficas) e seções geológico-geotécnicas de detalhe obtidas em levantamentos de superfície. Esta metodologia foi utilizada em trecho da Rodovia Washington Luís (SP-310), sob duas condições distintas. Inicialmente, foi aplicada à totalidade da área estudada a ponderação dos atributos de percentual de declividade, materiais inconsolidados, curvatura de encostas e direção de vertentes, obtendo-se o mapa de potencial de instabilização. Na faixa da ADA (área diretamente afetada da rodovia - com 50 m de largura), esta metodologia deu especial ênfase às seções geológico-geotécnicas, que permitiram uma melhor compreensão da geometria dos taludes de corte e aterro e disposição dos materiais inconsolidados e foram utilizadas como critérios para a compartimentação destes taludes resultando no mapa de potencial de acidente. Outros produtos cartográficos deste estudo são os mapas hipsométrico, de declividade, de curvatura de encostas, de direção de vertentes e de materiais inconsolidados que serviram de base para a realização dos mapas de potencial de instabilização e de acidente, todos elaborados na escala de 1:10.000. / The present study developed a methodology for mapping of instability potential of road slopes. It was used, for in such a way, GIS (Geographic Information System) and obtained geologic-geotechnical of detail sections in surface surveys. This methodology was used in a section of Road Washington Luís (SP-310), under two different conditions. First, it was applied to the totality of the studied area the weight of the attributes of declivity percentage, unconsolidated materials, hillsides curvature and slopes direction, obtaining itself the map of potential of instability. In the ADA band (area directly affected of the highway - with 50 m of wide), this methodology gave special emphasis to the sections geologic-geotechnical that had allowed one better understanding of the unconsolidated materials disposal and had been used as criteria for the fill and cut slopes compartimentation, resulting in the map of potential of accident. Final products of this study are map of slope, derive slope, curvature, derive aspect and unconsolidated materials maps that had served as base for the accomplishment of the map subject of this work, the potential of instability and accident map. The main scale adopted for these cartographic documents was 1:10.000.

This research project is a report of cost findings and rearrest rates from a program evaluation of a pre-trial diversion program. In 1978 Cascade Research Center (CRC) contracted with Clark County, Washington, to determine the cost-effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the Pre-Habilitation agency, which implements the Prosecuting Attorney's Pre-Trial Diversion Program.

Ambient high-volume (hi-vol) air samples were collected between March 15th and May 30th 2002, at Cheeka Peak Observatory (CPO), located on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington State. This sampling campaign was in conjunction with the 2002 Inter-Continental Transport and Chemical Transformation (ITCT 2K2) Campaign and the Photochemical Ozone Budget of the Eastern North Pacific Atmosphere (PHOEBA2) experiment, both of which studied the effect of Trans-Pacific transport on the U.S. West Coast. The anthropogenic semi-volatile organic compounds (SOCs) measured during this time period included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and various U.S. current-use and historical-use pesticides. The total PAH concentration ranged from 0.480-4.49 ng/m³, which is comparable to other remote sites throughout the globe. Ten pesticides (hexachlorobenzene, dacthal, chlorothalonil, heptachlor, trans-nonachlor, cis-nonachlor, endosulfan I, triallate, trifluralin, and mirex) were also measured and their concentrations (0.104-57.0 pg/m³) were comparable to other remote sites and less than agricultural areas. Gas-phase/particle-phase partitioning of SOCs was explored, with a significant correlation with temperature found for endosulfan I and retene. A possible relationship at CPO of low total suspended particulate (TSP) concentration with the concentration of non-exchangeable SOCs in the particle phase was found. Principal Component Analysis, as well as a t-test, showed there were elevated concentrations and a unique pattern of anthropogenic SOCs measured during possible Trans-Pacific events on March 15th-16th March 27th-28th and April 22nd-23rd, 2002. These Trans-Pacific events were identified using the GEOS-CHEM model and 10-day back air trajectories. The potential sources of these compounds at CPO were determined using diagnostic ratios of their concentrations, back trajectories calculated using HYSPLIT4, local meteorological conditions, and U.S. pesticide use data. / Graduation date: 2004

Beetle diversity and habitat associations of five prevalent riparian plant communities were examined along the lower reaches of Big Beaver Creek Research Natural Area, North Cascades National Park, Washington. These communities were defined by dominant tree species, and included Alder Swamps, Cedar-Hemlock Forests, Douglas-fir Forests, Gravel Bars, and Willow-Sedge Swamps. Monthly samples were taken with pitfall traps from 10 randomly selected patches per habitat during the snow-free periods (mid-June through mid-October) of 1995 and 1996. A total of 8,179 non-necrophagous beetles was collected, comprising 4 families and 290 species. Four families - Staphylinidae (43%), Carabidae (31%), Elateridae (12%), and Anthicidae (6%) accounted for 92% of all individuals. Four families encompassed 65% of all species Staphylinidae (31%), Carabidae (19%), Elateridae (8%), arid Leiodidae (7%) A few species accounted for the majority of individuals. Almost 51% of individuals were found among just 20 species. The five most abundant species in each habitat accounted for 33% (Alder Swamps) to 71% (Gravel Bars) of individuals. Beetle abundance and species composition differed among habitats. Abundance ranged from 1,530 (Cedar-Hemlock Forests) to 2,071 (Alder Swamps) . Abundance per trap per month varied from 16 (Willow-sedge Swamps) to 27 (Alder Swamps). Species richness was lowest in Douglas-fir Forests (76) and highest in Alder Swamps (119) Simpson's 1-D index ranged from 0.74 (Douglas-fir Forests) to 0.96 (Alder Swamps). Species were categorized as detritivores, fungivores, herbivores, omnivores, predators, and unknowns. Individuals and species of predators and fungivores were generally numerically dominant. Herbivores and omnivores contributed few species and individuals. Gravel Bars virtually lacked fungivores and were the only community with many (more than 30%) detrivorous individuals. Two patterns of seasonal abundance were evident. Abundance was highest in June in the two open habitats, Gravel Bars and Willow-Sedge Swamps, thereafter sharply and continuously declining into October. Abundance peaked during September in the forested habitats. Baseline data was acquired about the North Cascades National Park beetle faunas, furthering Park goals to perpetuate habitat and community assemblage integrity. In a larger context, this information has also enriched the understanding of the arthropod faunas of the Pacific Northwest. / Graduation date: 2002

This study presented an in-depth exploration of international student perceptions of a coordinated studies program (CSP) at Seattle Central Community College. In conducting this research project, a phenomenological research methodology was used. Qualitative data were collected through participant observations, focus group, document review and individual in-depth interviews with nine students. The data were analyzed systematically and categorized into the following four themes: (1) program integration. (2) program content, (3) program structure, and (4) program faculty. Data within each theme were then grouped under subcategories and themes were presented with examples of student's statements to illustrate each theme. International students found that the coordinated studies program provided a unique and positive educational experience. Of great importance, students found that the experience was beneficial in addressing both social and academic areas in their lives. For most of the international students in the study, the sense of supportiveness and relationship development opportunities were the most important features of the experience. International students were able to build relationships with both American students and other international students through prolonged cross-cultural interaction in and out of class. The international students valued the cross cultural learning and the introduction to American culture the CSP context provided. The interdisciplinary nature of the CSP was, in general, viewed positively, though, for many students it was a big stretch since these types of learning strategies may not have been experienced in the past. Of the various activities in the CSP, international students regarded the small group work as the most rewarding of the in-class activities, and also enjoyed the out-of-class group projects and social activities. / Graduation date: 2001

Accurate taxonomy is essential to preservation and management of native grasses. Four problems in fescue taxonomy were investigated: the identity of the native fescue that dominates western Oregon and Washington prairies, the relationship of native Festuca roemeri to closely related grasses, the status of F. howellii and F. washingtonica, and fescue identification. The cespitose fine-leaved fescue that dominates prairies in western Oregon and Washington had previously been identified as F. rubra. Two fescues were found to dominate these habitats, one introduced F. rubra var. commutata, and the other native F. roemeri. The two differed in isozymes and subtle morphological traits. Isozymes, flow cytometry of DNA, and leaf anatomy clarified relationships among F. idahoensis, F. roemeri. and the northwest California fescue that shares characters with both of them. Isozyme band patterns divided them into two groups; F. roemeri and a mixture of populations of F. idahoensis and the northwest California fescue. All three fescues were tetraploid. All three fescues were distinguished using leaf anatomy. Festuca roemeri and the northwest California fescue shared leaves elliptic to obovate in cross section and usually having three sclerenchyma bands, at margins and midrib; F. idahoensis had leaves round to hexagonal in cross section, with five or more sclerenchyma bands, Festuca idahoensis and the northwest California fescue had numerous long adaxial leaf hairs; F. roemeri had few and short adaxial hairs. Leaf shape was phenotypically plastic in F. roemeri and the northwest California fescue, but constant in F. idahoensis. Leaf sclerenchyma development was greater in the field than greenhouse for all three fescues. The northwest California fescue was recognized as F. roemeri var. klamathensis B. L. Wilson fined. Morphometric analysis of F. howellii and F. washingtonica revealed that the two are distinct taxa. Festuca washingtonica appeared to be a rare species endemic to lightly grazed and ungrazed areas of eastern Washington. The F. howellii holotype was conspecific with F. elmeri, not F. viridula as previously thought. Because F. howellii is an earlier synonym, F. elineri must now be called F. howellii. Identification keys were provided for identifying fertile or sterile fescues and ryegrasses of the Pacific coast states. / Graduation date: 1999

Effect of a sudangrass green manure in two soil types on the activity, populations and community structure of soil microorganisms, populations of Verticillium dahliae in soil and on potato roots, and potato early dying, were evaluated in a field microplot experiment in the Columbia Basin. Potato cv. Russet Burbank was grown in identical green manure and fallow soil treatments transported from Idaho and Washington where sudangrass previously suppressed or enhanced early dying of potatoes, respectively. Incorporation of sudangrass increased total microbial activity (TMA) by 46.2 and 30.1% in the Idaho soil in 1996 and 1997, and by 43.0% in the Washington soil in 1996 only. Neither green manure or soil type, however, affected soil populations of Fusarium, total bacteria, or actinomycetes. Across soil type, fluorescent pseudomonad populations were unaffected or increased by 107% in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Although not repeated across years, Fusarium root populations were 19.7 and 28.3% higher in sudangrass treated soil from Washington in 1996 and Idaho in 1997, respectively, but the proportion of Fusarium species were similar across soil types. Bacterial rhizosphere communities, based on sole-carbon-source utilization patterns on Biolog GN microplates, did not differ among the soil types or green manure treatments. Across soil type, V. dahliae soil and root populations were unaffected in 1996, but were lower by 20.4 and 41.2% in Idaho sudangrass soil treatments in 1997. Apical stem populations of V. dahliae and disease severity, however, did not differ among the treatments. Although tuber yield in Washington soil was 31.5% higher than Idaho soil in 1996, yield was not affected by a sudangrass green manure. Because suppression of early dying of potato observed in Idaho was not replicated in transported soil in the Columbia Basin, the macroenvironment may interact with the sudangrass green manure to regulate the effect, or lack of effect on disease. TMA is not an indicator of disease suppressive ability of a soil following sudangrass as activity increased despite a lack of effect on disease. Based on this study, there is no evidence for differences in microbial populations or communities between the Idaho and Washington soils that could explain the suppression or enhancement of early dying of potato by a sudangrass green manure. / Graduation date: 1998

The Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state was initially created during World War II for the production of plutonium to be used in atomic bombs. A perceived need for a large increase in the number of nuclear weapons spurred expansions in production facilities at Hanford through the 1960's, and production was continued through the mid 1980's. The production process included irradiation of uranium fuel in reactors followed by chemical separation of the plutonium from the other fuel constituents, and finally transformation of plutonium nitrate to plutonium metal. The various steps in the process produced large amounts of radioactive as well as chemical hazardous waste. Some of this waste was released to the environment either through deliberate disposal methods or by leaks in transfer and storage systems. As a result, the soil at many areas of Hanford is contaminated to a point at which it would be unsafe for human contact for more than a short period of time. The current focus of efforts at Hanford is cleanup of the environment as well as decommissioning of the facilities. As part of the cleanup process, future land use must be determined which will then affect the scale of the remediation effort. The proposed land use will determine the residual contamination which will be left after all remediation is complete and access is allowed to the site. This document details the process for determining the residual contamination levels associated with various land use options. Some possible land use options are explained in the form of exposure scenarios. These scenarios give data in the form of exposure factors which describe the possible exposure level of an individual to contaminated media. Once the exposure factors are determined, they can be used in the equations outlined in the Hanford Site Risk Assessment Methodology to calculate preliminary remediation goals. These goals are presented as contaminant concentrations in environmental media which are the maximum allowable in order to meet regulatory limits. The limits are expressed either as a risk for carcinogens, or as a hazard quotient for non-carcinogens. / Graduation date: 1997

Concentration ratios are used to determine the transfer of nuclides from soil to biota to fauna. Some nuclides have limited associated data though, this has not prevented predictions from being performed at sites without associated data. These ratios are site specific and are not fully applicable when applied to other locations. A recent literature review for a waste repository performance assessment determined that a significant portion of the environmental data was based on recursively published material. To address this deficiency neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to determine concentration ratios of certain biota. Three sites, two riparian and one shrub steppe, were sampled in the eastern Washington Columbia basin, near the Hanford site. Two hundred and fifty eight samples of opportunity were collected. This included 15 soil samples, 10 water and sediment samples, 40 different species of biota, and 2 terrestrial animal species and 3 aquatic animal species. These samples were prepared for NAA by drying, weighing, and in certain cases ashing to improve detection efficiency. After activation, the samples were placed in a HPGe detector to perform spectral analysis. The concentration results of 26 elements of interest are presented, along with newly established concentration ratios for all of the species sampled. / Graduation date: 2013

As ecologists are being called upon to predict the consequences of human perturbations to natural communities, an important goal is to understand what factors drive variability or consistency in nature. In the rocky intertidal of San Juan Island, Washington, a comparative experimental approach was used to investigate spatial and temporal variation in community organization. The effect of predation on B. glandula varied dramatically over small spatial scales between microhabitats but was remarkably consistent over time withing a given microhabitat. The effects of predation on S. cariosus varied over time within the same microhabitat. By repeating previous landmark experiments at our study site, and replicating these experiments across microhabitats, the domain of applicability of previous experimental information was greatly expanded. In an early successional assemblage on the Oregon coast, I tested the hypothesis that, when the direct effect of one species on another increases in relative strength, its total effect (direct + indirect) is less variable or conditional than if the link between those species is weak. The effect of strong predation by whelks was less sensitive to the presence of additional species and more consistently dampened natural variation between experimental starting dates and between individual replicates within a given experiment. In contrast, the outcome of weak predation was more spatially and temporally variable in sign, and whether it magnified or dampened differences between individual replicates varied between experiments. Consequently the mean total effect of weak predation generally did not differ significantly from zero. However, in some cases, the range of variation (both within and between experiments) in the effect of weak predation exceeded the magnitude of the strongest total effect observed. Longer term results of the experiments on the Oregon coast examined the role of historic factors in influencing the degree to which successional paths are canalized and repeatable or contingent and variable. Succession in mid-intertidal patches in the mussel bed displayed complex patterns of historic effects that varied between species and between different stages of succession. Despite its potential complexity, this system exhibited some consistent and repeatable patterns of succession. Some important canalizing, or noise-dampening forces in this system included: 1) physiological and life-history constraints, 2) compensatory responses of functionally redundant species, and 3) strong interactions between species. / Graduation date: 1996