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Physical and geophysical data collected at the Fractured Rock Research Site in Floyd County, Virginia indicate that recharge rates to the subsurface are controlled by a small scale thrust fault associated with regional thrust faulting within the Blue Ridge Province. Recharge rates appear to be correlated to spatial variation in the hydraulic conductivity of the regolith, which has been influenced by weathering rates and the metamorphic and structural history of the underlying parent material. Previous studies conducted at the Fractured Rock Research Site suggest that recharge potential can be separated into two regions: one over a vertically oriented shear zone associated with the small scale thrust fault, and the other overlying a thrust fault hanging wall. The angle of dip of the thrust fault shear zone and the fracturing within the crystalline rock adjacent to the fault plane appear to serve as geologic controls that preferentially direct infiltrated meteoric water to a deeper confined aquifer. The structural competence of the granulite gneiss thrust fault hanging wall appears to act as a barrier to deeper groundwater recharge, causing the formation of a shallow semi-confined aquifer within the overlying regolith. In-situ analysis of matric potential and moisture content shows two distinctly different recharge processes that are spatially correlated with the structure of the shallow subsurface (regolith overlying the vertically oriented shear zone and regolith overlying the thrust fault hanging wall), and have been shown to have strong temporal correlations with the dynamics of the underlying saturated conditions. Recharge flux estimates within the regolith overlying the thrust fault hanging wall are uncharacteristically high, and appear to be offset within the monitored region by the upward hydraulic gradient associated with the potentiometric surface of the underlying semi-confined aquifer. Because of the influence exerted by the upward hydraulic gradient on matric potential within the unsaturated regolith overlying the semi-confined aquifer, accurate recharge estimates could not be obtained from the matric potential data recorded by the tensiometers along this portion of the transect. Recharge flux within the regolith overlying the vertically oriented shear zone is strongly controlled by the orientation and aerial extent of the thrust fault shear zone, and highlights the importance of accurate delineation of recharge areas in crystalline rock aquifer systems. / Master of Science

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3 pp.

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The study draws on experience in coastal management globally, and in particular in Europe where the recent demonstration programme in integrated coastal zone management has promoted coastal management initiatives at the local scale, to examine the applicability of different coastal management evaluation techniques for assessing the role of coastal management as a tool for achieving sustainable development; and for determining the success of European pilot projects in coastal management; identify and assess factors which influence “successful” ICM in the European context; and determine whether international guidance relating to good practice in coastal management is relevant in the European context. An analysis of different approaches to evaluation showed that these are based on largely untested assumptions of validity - in particular of internal validity (causality) in the case of outcome based evaluation and of external validity (generalisability) in the case of process evaluations. In view of their early stage of development and differing goals but common institutional challenges, a process based evaluation is most appropriate for the demonstration project. In this study, a triangulation approach is used to test the assumption of external validity which underlies process based evaluations in ICM. Using independently derived results from the European demonstration projects, the study examines the applicability in the European context of international experience relating to good practice in co-ordination and in ensuring viability of ICM projects. The results are particularly relevant in the light of new European legislation which is designed to move coastal management in Europe from the current project-by-project approach to a more strategic approach by the promotion of a better enabling environment at national level.

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The primary goal of this study was to analyze the characteristics of current registered sex offenders in Collin County, Texas, as well as to compare age and gender of the victims of these offenders in order to know who sex offenders primarily target in these crimes. The study also sought to discover geographic patterns of where the registered sex offenders reside for the purpose of keeping communities aware. Participants consisted of 175 registered sex offenders (N = 175) in Collin County, Texas, found on Collin County's and the Texas Department of Public Safety's online public registries. The findings demonstrate that there were significant trends among the sex offenders, their victims, location of residence, and housing complications as a result of progressing sex offender laws. Treatment programs and the reintegration of offenders in the community were also addressed. The meaning of the results in this study can aid in the development of safety and prevention strategies, provide an understanding about the utilization of sex offender registries, and can benefit law enforcement to predict the movement of current sex offenders, along with knowing where to find other potential offenders.