Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2022, Chemical Engineering (Engineering and Technology)

Methane, the second largest greenhouse gas, is often released as a fugitive emission from natural gas drilling sites commonly located in rural, sparsely populated areas. At this level satellites lack the necessary spatial resolution to identify methane emissions, and site by site ground-based monitoring is economically unsustainable. To reconcile these issues, implementing aerial remote sensing platforms have recently been investigated. In this study a low altitude aircraft retrofitted with a shortwave infrared (SWIR), non-imaging spectrometer was used to locate methane leaks and estimate methane concentrations from active natural gas producing regions and natural gas infrastructures in Eastern Ohio. Three separate monitoring flights were completed on July 3rd, 2018, October 18th, 2018 and May 8th, 2019. Pairing flight data with MODTRAN6 radiative modeling, multiple concentration heat maps displaying flight path and estimated methane concentration were constructed. From these maps there was shown to be elevated methane concentrations in multiple regions: Proctor and Wheeling, West Virginia, Piedmont Lake, Ohio and an area of Eastern Ohio densely populated with actively producing horizontally drilled natural gas wells. There was also shown to be elevated methane concentrations at several specific locations: the Athens-Hocking Reclamation Center, a natural gas compressor station, a natural gas processing facility, and a surface mining site.

Committee: Kevin Crist (Advisor); Geoffrey Dabelko (Committee Member); Douglas Goetz (Committee Member); Valerie Young (Committee Member) Subjects: Atmosphere; Atmospheric Sciences; Chemical Engineering; Remote Sensing

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2007, Environmental Science

A model was constructed to simulate emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the electricity generation and transportation sectors in the US. The model was then used to develop 30-year projections of CO2 emissions from the two sectors in the US and from electricity generation in Ohio. The projections were evaluated to determine the ability of various CO2 reduction strategies to achieve desired emission levels. The study concluded that under “business as usual” (BaU) conditions, electricity generation and transportation in the US will add approximately 43 gigatons of carbon to the atmosphere over the next 30 years. In the case of electricity generation, the Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) adopted by 23 States will decrease emissions by only 5.5 %, short of a 52% reduction obtained by imposing a 1990-level cap on emissions. Applying the Energy Efficiency Standards proposed by the Ohio Consumers Council (OCC) to the entire US would achieve a reduction of approximately 39% from the BaU case, as would applying the California Standards nationally. Capping emissions at the 2000 level would result in a reduction of 38%. If CO2 sequestration and/or control were the sole methods of reducing emissions, their combined control efficiency would need to reach 47% by the end of the 30-year period to maintain emissions at the 2005 levels. For automobiles and light-duty trucks, capping emissions at the 2000 level would reduce the BaU, 30-year emissions by 50%. Applying the California rules at the national level would result in a 30% decrease. This would have substantially the same effect as capping emissions at the 2005 level. In Ohio, the electricity generation BaU case would add 1,155 million tons of carbon to the atmosphere over 30 years. Implementing the RPS proposed by the OCC would reduce that amount by 17%, to 954 million tons over 30 years. Capping emissions at the 2005 level could be accomplished by immediately reducing the coal percentage in the Ohio fuel mix from 89% to (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Douglas Southgate (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, University of Toledo, 2013, Industrial Engineering

The purpose of this research was to investigate the feasibility of a food waste collection and anaerobic treatment program in Toledo, Ohio, USA given both current and theoretical levels of relevant parameters. In the United States, more than 30 million tons of food is disposed of in landfills every year. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a technology that can transform organic matter into clean energy and useful products while diverting waste from landfills. While AD has been proven on a large scale in Europe, it has not seen similar levels of development in the United States. This study evaluates the present economic prospects for the curbside collection and AD of food waste in Toledo, Ohio. It then explores the effects of modifying the values of single and multiple variables that currently act as barriers to the technology in the United States. Changes in Tipping Fees, Feed-in Tariffs, capital grants, production of compressed natural gas (CNG), and volatile solids destruction efficiency were explored. In all cases, two potential scenarios are assessed: collection of both household and commercial waste, and collection of only commercial waste. Included in the work is a novel method for estimating initial and annual waste collection costs as well as a brief assessment of projected environmental benefits. Findings indicated that current economic prospects for a food waste collection and AD program are poor, with anticipated losses of $15 million and $8 million for combined and commercial-only collection programs, respectively, over a 15-year project life. In all cases, the higher-cost, higher-volume combined collection program was found to be superior to the low-cost, low-volume scheme due to economies of scale. The variables that had the most effect on expected profitability were local Tipping Fees, Feed- in Tariffs, and higher utilization of biogas to produce CNG. Additionally, an AD program was found to result in expected reductions of between 3,400 to 14,700 tons CO2/y (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Matthew Franchetti Ph.D, P.E. (Advisor); Ashok Kumar Ph.D, BCEE (Committee Member); Timothy Stansfield P.E., Ph.D (Committee Member) Subjects: Alternative Energy; Engineering; Environmental Economics; Environmental Engineering; Industrial Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2024, Management

In a world grappling with energy poverty, Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa, faces profound challenges marked by extreme disparities in energy access. Study 1 advocates for the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles as a linchpin for alleviating energy poverty by enhancing reliability and affordability and catalyzing low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It emphasizes the urgent need for a shared language among diverse stakeholders to pursue sustainable energy solutions. Study 2 introduces "coopetition" as a groundbreaking strategy across 54 African nations, combining cooperation and competition to drive energy access while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Challenging prevailing assumptions about the direct influence of financial development through official development assistance and foreign direct investment, the study highlights the pivotal role of transparent regulations and risk mitigation in fostering sustainable energy solutions. Study 3 further explores the interplay of coopetition and climate policy, introducing a model encompassing the Sustainable Development Index, GDP Growth Rate, and Corruption Perception Index. Coopetition emerges as an independent variable, moderated by climate policy, revealing a nuanced understanding of collaborative efforts' impact on energy poverty and emissions. The tripartite exploration underscores the call for a harmonious symphony of ESG principles, coopetition strategies, and tailored collaborations to illuminate the path toward a sustainable and equitable energy future for Africa.

Committee: Christopher Laszlo (Advisor) Subjects: Climate Change; Energy; Environmental Justice; Environmental Law; Environmental Management; Management

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2023, Environmental Studies (Voinovich)

In the United States, a majority of the nutrients applied to crops come from unsustainable sources that have human and environmental health consequences. Alternative sources of nutrients that are more sustainable with fewer negative impacts are needed to improve current food systems. Hydrothermal carbonization is a technology that could be used to transform organic wastes into agriculturally useful materials. Hydrochar, the end product of hydrothermal carbonization, is a nutrient rich product that has the potential to be a slow-release fertilizer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of septage derived hydrochar fertilization on soil responses, plant responses, and soil GHG responses and to evaluate the potential nutrient availability in wastes for Ohio. A pot study was completed to evaluate the response of kale to hydrochar fertilization at two different application rates (10g N-eq hydrochar m-2 (H10), 20 g N-eq hydrochar m-2 (H20)) compared to synthetic fertilizer with N and P (dosage equivalent to the 10g N-eq hydrochar m-2 group) sourced from urea and triple super phosphate in two different soil types. Soil responses were evaluated at the end of the growing period. A soil incubation experiment was done over six months to evaluate the changes in soil GHG responses over time after hydrochar additions (10g N-eq of hydrochar applied) in three soil types. Kale biomass significantly increased with increasing hydrochar doses, with the highest percent differences being 96% and 84% in the H10 and H20 groups respectively of the field soil type. All plant and soil responses were positively impacted by hydrochar or hydrochar had no significant effect. Soil GHG responses were not different from the control by month three of the incubation, and only CO2 emissions were ever significantly different from the control. The nutrients in waste inventory revealed that 17% of Ohio's agricultural N demand and 24% of Ohio's agricultural P demand c (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sarah Davis (Advisor); Damilola Daramola (Committee Member); Jared DeForest (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Environmental Science

A growing body of scientific literature has identified the potential that conservation agricultural practices can play in improving agroecosystem services, including sequestering carbon and lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while simultaneously making croplands more productive and resilient to the changing climate. To facilitate the adoption of conservation agricultural practices, farmers need incentives beyond yield. While agriculture companies have recently entered the carbon credit markets, there are a lot of uncertainties regarding the ability to measure and monitor site-specific carbon sequestration and GHG emissions, as well as the potential of agricultural practices to impact soil organic carbon (SOC), crop yield, and GHG emissions due to high degree of spatial and temporal variation that exist in agriculture production systems. Thus, the main objective of this research was to assess the extent to which row-crop production can sequester SOC and reduce GHG emissions while improving crop productivity under current and conservation agricultural practices. To meet the objective, a process-based biogeochemical Denitrification Decomposition (DNDC) model was developed at the HUC-12 subwatershed scale for the Maumee River Watershed (MRW). The model was calibrated, validated, and run from 2000 to 2020 to simulate SOC and GHG emissions under current practices. The model was then run under conservation agricultural practices, including no-tillage, reduced tillage, increased corn residue on field after harvest, and cover crops, and the effectiveness of these practices to improve SOC and corn and soybean yields were compared to the current agricultural practices. The average annual CO2 emissions ranging from 1,945 to 2,357 kg C/ha dominated the Southern and Northwest parts of the watershed while the pocket of areas with high average annual N2O emissions ranging from 3.31 to 11.63 kg N/ha was mostly located in the middle part, Northeast, and Northwest parts of the wa (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sami Khanal (Advisor); Brent Sohngen (Committee Member); Bhavik Bakshi (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Environmental Science

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Horticulture and Crop Science

One of humanity's biggest challenges in the 21st century involves mitigating and reducing anthropogenic impacts on the global environment. Biochar, a biomass-derived black C produced from the anoxic thermochemical conversion of biomass through a pyrolytic process, is gaining popularity as a potential soil amendment in agricultural soils. The application of biochar as a soil amendment and N management practices are some of the best agricultural practices (BAPs) that farmers could implement to reduce GHG emissions, improve soil health, and increase crop growth and yield. The effect of a commercial-grade softwood biochar (10 Mg ha-1) derived from pine was evaluated on growth, yield, and GHG emissions on corn (Zea mays L.) in three field sites in the U.S. Midwest, two in Ohio and one in Michigan. Additionally, greenhouse studies were conducted on the effects of biochar rates (0, 10, 20, and 40 Mg ha-1) and soil types (clay-loam, silt-loam, and sandy-loam) on corn seedlings. The objectives of the field studies were to understand the effects of a biochar application (B) and N management treatment (N), on (1) growth and yield of corn and (2) the GHG emissions mitigation potential in three soil types. The objectives of the greenhouse studies were to (1) measure how different rates of biochar would affect corn seedling emergence, height, and biomass, and (2) quantify an optimum biochar application rate. Both studies were set up as randomized complete block designs with four replications. In the field study, the biochar and N (B + N) treatment reduced CH4 and N2O emissions compared to the N treatment alone, while retaining the same yields when compared to the control. In the greenhouse study, the lower biochar rates (10 and 20 Mg ha-1) resulted in positive effects on corn seedling emergence and height. These studies are timely as there is a growing interest of farmers and growers in carbon farming and carbon trading, thereby, reducing their carbon footprint.

Committee: Laura Lindsey (Advisor); Kristin Mercer (Committee Member); Marília Chiavegato (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture; Agronomy; Climate Change; Horticulture; Soil Sciences

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Environmental Science

Permafrost thaw in northern latitudinal peatlands is likely to create a positive feedback to climate change, as previously frozen soil carbon (C) becomes bioavailable and is released to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (CO2) or methane (CH4). The loss is the result of microbially mediated transformations of “old” permafrost C, “new” C from plant inputs, and intermediate-age C in the seasonally thawed active layer. The microbiome, and its encoded carbon-processing potential, changes with thaw, but the realized effect on substrate utilization and gas emissions has not been characterized. We, therefore, examined how microbial C cycling changed in two sequential thaw stages (a Sphagnum-dominated bog and a sedge-dominated fen) in Stordalen Mire (68.35°N, 19.05°E), in northern Sweden, using two incubation-based methods. We characterized the diversity and extent of microbial C substrate utilization across a wide range of substrates by Biolog EcoplatesTM, under dilute aerobic conditions. To test specific substrate hypotheses under more field-relevant conditions, with parallel quantification of microbiome shifts and C gas emissions, we amended anaerobic microcosms with selected substrates (glucose, acetate, butyrate, galacturonic acid, and p-hydroxybenzoic acid). The initial and final microbiomes were characterized via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Biolog incubations revealed a higher diversity and faster rate of overall substrate utilization in the fully thawed fen than in the bog, especially in amine, carbohydrate, and carboxylic acid substrate groups. Anaerobic incubations indicated habitat differences in microbial use of key substrates, higher CH4 and CO2 production in the fen compared to the bog, and lower CO2:CH4 ratios in the fen reflecting the greater role of methanogenesis. Changes in the CO2:CH4 ratio with depth were larger in the bog, paralleling its greater microbiome shifts with depth. The substrates that induced the greatest shifts in both gas production and (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Virginia Rich Dr. (Advisor); Gil Bohrer Dr. (Committee Member); Matt Davies Dr. (Committee Member); Jessica Ernakovich Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Climate Change; Environmental Science

BA, Oberlin College, 2018, Environmental Studies

Plastic straws are one of the most abundant items found in oceans and coastal cleanups around the United States and internationally. Plastic does not decompose over time, so all the plastic we have ever made is still around, affecting every ecosystem on the planet. Drinking straws are made of 100% recyclable material, but because of their small size most recycling plants are not able to process them so they are sent to landfills. Petroleum-based plastic production is also a large source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, making up 1-3% of the United States' carbon emissions alone. By considering green alternatives to PP drinking straws, we can see if there actually are affordable alternatives that can help reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions. This case study focuses on the Feve, a restaurant in the City of Oberlin, and aims to understand the cultural significance of drinking straws in town, and uses that information to suggest ways of changing straw distribution behavior and minimize plastic waste. This study also compares the environmental and financial costs of the Feve using petroleum-based polypropylene (PP) drinking straws versus “greener” alternatives by constructing a modified life cycle analysis to determine if switching to biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) plastic drinking straws decreases the Feve's carbon and plastic waste footprint. By tracing GHG emissions created in the production of plastic resins, transportation of materials and products, and disposal of plastic straws, I compare the carbon footprint of three products to see if one is better for the environment than the others. I hope this study can be used as a model to help other restaurants make plans to reduce their plastic waste and carbon footprint at an affordable cost.

Committee: Cynthia McPherson Frantz (Committee Co-Chair); Roger H. Laushman (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Business Costs; Climate Change; Comparative; Conservation; Energy; Environmental Economics; Environmental Education; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Gases; History; Management; Marketing; Petroleum Production; Plastics; Polymers; Psychology; Sanitation; Social Psychology; Social Research; Sustainability; Transportation

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2017, Environmental Science

Carbon dioxide concentration is increasing in the atmosphere. This has encouraged the world community to change its energy usages from a fossil resource-based that currently dominates to a renewable bio-based in the future. This opened the door for “solutions from the land” which has led to exploration of land used in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with mixed prairie plant genomes. CRP, a massive public-private partnership program was instituted in 1985 and has reached a total enrolment of about ~10 million hectares that has not been harvested during the past 30 years. Much of the CRP land has degraded, resulting in reduced land cover and a net loss of primary productivity. This research is based on the premise that CRP lands can be harvested for to supply biofuel feedstocks or forage for livestock without long term harmful effects on the plant community and soil environment and without compromising wildlife habitats. This may lead to a Win-Win situation where lignocellulosic materials can be harvested from the CRP lands while at the same time protecting wildlife habitat. In 2009, CRP land located near Piketon, OH was selected for this study. The site was planted in 1999 with nine different warm-season perennials in a prairie mix that had not been harvested for ten years. The site was burned once in 2009 to get rid of weeds and brambles. Treatments imposed on this land in 2009 were designed to test the effect of N fertilization and harvest timing and frequency on the response of CRP land. Five levels of N (0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 kg N ha-1) and three management strategies (A: Harvest in March or April; B: 1st harvest in May, and 2nd harvest in March or April; and C: Multiple harvests during May through October) with four replications in a factorial randomized complete block design with a strip-block restriction on treatment randomization. Energy yields (GJ ha-1 yr-1) increased from 96.0 in 2009 to 287.0 in 2014 with Management-A, 83.0 in 2009 to 202 in 2014 (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: R. Mark Sulc Ph.D. (Advisor); Warren Dick Ph.D. (Committee Co-Chair); Richard Moore Ph.D. (Committee Member); Norman Fausey Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Science; Natural Resource Management; Soil Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Studies and Public Affairs, Cleveland State University, 2016, Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs

Climate change is one of the most daunting problems of our time requiring innovative responses to its causes and consequences. In the United States, the long absence of strong federal leadership along with growing public awareness of the problem created a fertile ground for state-level climate action planning. To date, 34 states have adopted Climate Action Plans (CAPs). The question that this study addresses is: Does state-level climate action have the potential to reduce carbon emissions significantly? This question was examined by assessing the relationships between CAPs, emissions reduction targets, plan implementation and emissions mitigation. My hypothesis was that CAPs result in emissions mitigation beyond the trend. This study compares states with and without CAPs, before and after adoption and implementation of plans. The first phase of the research, a content analysis of state-level CAPs, involves four components: 1) CAP development procedures; 2) goal setting, policy coverage and regional coordination; 3) implementation provisions and conditions; and 4) implementation mechanisms and monitoring results. The analysis reveals six types of CAPs, categorized based on the rigor of their targets and implementation. The second phase of the research analyzes the relationships between CAP types and changes in emissions using panel emissions data from 1990 to 2013. The regression model controls for social, political and climatic context, industrial mix and change over time, urban form and energy prices. The research shows that CAPs do result in reductions in emissions, although they are modest. Only a few CAPs set enforceable targets and provide strong evidence of implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Overall, progress towards goals is slow and near-term targets are low. The findings also suggest a role for planners in two key areas: transportation and land use. The analysis demonstrates that state-level CAPs call for low emissions reductions from trans (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: William Bowen Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Stephanie Ryberg Ph.D. (Committee Member); Michael Boswell Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Studies; Public Policy; Sustainability; Transportation Planning; Urban Planning

MCP, University of Cincinnati, 2015, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Community Planning

Are U.S. city climate action plans planning to reduce vehicle miles traveled? Reducing the need to drive (fewer miles and fewer trips) specifically and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The urban planning profession identifies a broad portfolio of policies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. What land use or planning policies have the most significant impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change? Thirty U.S. climate action plans are selected for this analysis. A majority of the plans in this analysis integrate public transit accessibility, distance to transit, street network and intersection design, parking or congestion management, transit-oriented or mixed-use development, destination or job accessibility, or job-housing balance planning strategies. However, most achieve only fair to poor levels of success at explicitly linking these strategies to reduced vehicle miles and emissions. Climate action plans might serve their most virtuous purpose not by becoming yet another set of policies, actions, and strategies, but by synthesizing and precisely repacking existing or future initiatives. Planners need to harness strategies that cut through the clutter. Until more climate action plans drill down on specific and significant land use choices explicitly linked to reducing vehicle miles driven, these plans are largely just codifying things that were likely to happen anyways.

Committee: Carla Chifos Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Leah Hollstein Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Urban Planning

Master of Science, University of Toledo, 2014, Civil Engineering

All man-made structures and materials have a design life. Across the United States there is a common theme for our water and wastewater treatment facilities and infrastructure. The design life of many of our mid 20th century water and wastewater infrastructures in the United States have reached or are reaching life expectancy limits (ASCE, 2010). To compound the financial crisis of keeping up with the degradation, meeting and exceeding quality standards has never been more important in order to protect local fresh water supplies. This thesis analyzes the energy consumption of a municipal water and wastewater treatment system from a Lake Erie intake through potable treatment and back through wastewater treatment then discharge. The system boundary for this thesis includes onsite energy consumed by the treatment system and distribution/reclamation system as well as the energy consumed by the manufacturing of treatment chemicals applied during the study periods. By analyzing energy consumption, subsequent implications from greenhouse gas emissions and financial expenditures were quantified. Through the segregation of treatment and distribution processes from non-process energy consumption, such as heating, lighting, and air handling, this study identified that the potable water treatment system consumed an annual average of 2.42E+08 kBtu, spent $5,812,144 for treatment and distribution, and emitted 28,793 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. Likewise, the wastewater treatment system consumed an annual average of 2.45E+08 kBtu, spent $3,331,961 for reclamation and treatment, and emitted 43,780 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions. The area with the highest energy usage, financial expenditure, and greenhouse gas emissions for the potable treatment facility and distribution system was from the manufacturing of the treatment chemicals, 1.10E+08 kBtu, $3.7 million, and 17,844 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, respectively. Of the onsite energy (1.4E-03 kWh (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Defne Apul PhD, PE (Committee Chair); Gruden Cyndee PhD, PE (Committee Member); Moyer Kevin (Committee Member) Subjects: Area Planning and Development; Civil Engineering; Climate Change; Engineering; Environmental Economics; Environmental Engineering; Environmental Management; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies; Land Use Planning; Sustainability; Urban Planning; Water Resource Management

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2010, Engineering and Applied Science: Environmental Science

The main objective of this study is to create a baseline emission for University of Cincinnati which will be directly usable information for campus sustainability planning as well as to other research and campus administration professionals implementing sustainability as part of their own planning efforts. Clean Air Cool Planet (CA-CP) Campus Carbon Calculator version 5.0 is the model used for calculating the carbon footprint for the university as a part of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). Various other carbon footprint accounting tools, techniques, and guidelines competitive to CA-CP Campus Carbon Calculator are also used to calculate the carbon footprint of university to ensure credibility of the results from CA-CP Campus Carbon Calculator. Comparisons and evaluations are also done, to know how different techniques impact the final results. The study also helps us determine important parameters which effect the emissions. It also provides a sensitivity analysis on the various data inputs to estimate the impact of the data quality on the results using University of Cincinnati as a test case. It was estimated that on annual basis, University of Cincinnati emits an average of approximately 315,000 MTCO2e. Annually there is an approximate increase of 3 percent since 2004. Overall, University of Cincinnati's carbon footprint has increased by 16.5 percent from 288,723 MTCO2e for fiscal year 2004 to 336,273 MTCO2e for fiscal year 2008. Purchased electricity and on-campus stationary sources are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions and comprise 90 percent of the total carbon footprint for fiscal year 2008. A significant difference of 13 percent was observed between the highest and lowest estimating tools.

Committee: Timothy Keener PhD (Committee Chair); Mingming Lu PhD (Committee Member); Joseph Harrell PE, CEM (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2012, Architecture

This study arose from an idea that air pollutants and greenhouse gases from vehicles could be reduced by changes in urban form. Analyzing the results of related prior investigations showed that the researchers mainly argued that adjustment of typical urban form characteristics (e.g., degree of population density or sprawl) can reduce the amount of vehicle emissions. The policies considering typical urban form change cannot be easily realized, however, because changing population density and stopping urban sprawl are both very difficult and require a long time. In view of that limitation, this study tried to uncover more effective urban form factors to reduce vehicle emissions within the mid- or short-term. This research also attempted to examine vehicle emission reduction by changing both absolute and relative locations of urban functions (i.e. population, employment, and commercial facilities). To observe the relationship, some spatial-related variables from the location of urban functions are developed. To determine the relative location among urban functions, certain measurements are built. Based on the location concepts, key variables are constructed. Average daily vehicle miles traveled (ADVMT) is estimated to measure the amount of vehicle emissions, and then statistically tested its relationship with eight urban form factors. Based on the analysis results, when we have urban areas with similar population densities, an area with clustered populations and closely concentrated clusters produces fewer ADVMT and emissions. In addition, a short average distance between residences and the commercial areas they use frequently generates fewer emissions, too. The results also show that high population density, employment centrality, and longer commuting time also reduce vehicle emissions. This study additionally simulates the change in vehicle emissions based on residential development scenarios. The results show that residential development in suburbs considerably incr (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Philip Viton (Committee Chair); Jean-Michel Guldmann (Committee Member); Gulsah Akar (Committee Member) Subjects: Regional Studies

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2011, Environmental Science

No-tillage (NT) management in conjunction with crop residue retention on soil has been promoted as a practice capable of enhancing the soil quality as well as offsetting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because of its ability to sequester carbon in soils. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the long term effects of application wheat (Triticum aestivum) residue mulch under NT and conventional tillage (CT) on GHG emissions, soil physical and chemical properties in an ongoing experiment in Central Ohio. Treatments included three rates of mulch at 0 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (M0), 8 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (M8) and 16 Mg ha-1 yr-1 (M16) without crop cultivation. All treatments were replicated thrice and laid out according to a completely randomized design. The data presented showed that application of straw mulch under NT can reduce GHG emissions compared to CT. The average diurnal CO2 fluxes were lower under NT (8.58g CO2-C m-2 d-1) compared to CT (9.69g CO2-C m-2 d-1). The effects of plowing on N2O flux, although not significant, indicated a trend of higher N2O fluxes under NT (0.27 mg m-2 d-1) than CT (0.21 mg m-2 d-1). Similarly, there was no definite trend among tillage treatments with regards to CH4 flux. However, NT was more of a sink for CH4 while CT treatments were sources. CO2 and N2O fluxes were significantly affected by mulch treatments, but mulching did not significantly affect CH4 flux. Furthermore, the application of mulch directly influences chemical and physical properties of the soil. The current study shows that the application of mulch conserves soil moisture, reduces bulk density, moderates soil temperature, reduces soil salinity and enhances soil aggregation. Results suggest that mulching in conjunction with NT has positive effects on temperate agricultural soils, yet further research needs to be conducted to provide additional insight on the over-all impact and interactions between management regimes and GHG emissions, especially in relation to soil prop (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. Rattan Lal PhD (Advisor); Dr. Craig Davis PhD (Committee Member); Dr. Martin Shipitalo PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Agriculture

BA, Oberlin College, 2009, Environmental Studies

The City of Oberlin joined the International Council for Leadership in Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) in 2007, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through ICLEI's five-milestone process. As the first official step in this process, I conducted greenhouse gas inventories for the years 2001 and 2007 for community-wide and municipal operations emissions. I found that the community emitted 174,400 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2007, more than half of which was associated with the consumption of coal-intensive electricity. This amounts to 20.9 tons CO2e per resident annually. Of the community's overall emissions, the commercial sector, including all Oberlin College properties, was responsible for approximately 65%, with the College contributing about 20%. The residential and transportation sectors were each responsible for about 15%. Quantifying emissions in this manner is crucial to evaluating the effect of various emissions reductions measures and subsequent climate action strategy. Oberlin's next step is to institutionalize climate action within the municipal and community structure in order to sustain a formal effort to reduce emissions. Based on interviews I conducted with officials from eight ICLEI cities, there appear to be a variety of options for Oberlin to consider. Other cities have assigned the responsibility of completing the ICLEI milestones to one or more of four main entities: a City Sustainability Coordinator or small group of City employees, an existing City committee (e.g. a Recycling Committee), a newly established "Energy Task Force" of local businesspeople, City employees, experts, and other community members, and/or a nonprofit organization closely partnered with the municipal government. Oberlin should consider these and other strategies for establishing a framework for continued progress through the ICLEI process. If successful at reducing emissions over the next several years, the community of Oberlin could emerge as a bona fi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Petersen (Advisor); Rumi Shammin (Advisor); Harlan Wilson (Committee Chair) Subjects: Energy; Environmental Science; Public Administration

Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2005, Environmental Sciences

From February 2002 to the first of November 2002, I worked at Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District as a student intern in order to fulfill the requirements of my Master's degree. I assisted the manager of the district, Jeffrey Aluotto, on numerous projects related to solid waste and the various areas of recycling. The larger projects I either managed or worked on were two Household Hazardous Materials projects (cost/benefit analysis and funding), a solid waste facilities map, and a regional planning report. Along with those, I assisted on several smaller projects: presentation, environmentally preferable purchasing, attainment goals, legislation summaries, and greenhouse gas reductions from recycling. I was also fortunate to be able to participate in several extracurricular activities. I attended seminars, expos, and conferences, and worked a computer collection event sponsored by the District.

Committee: Gene Willeke (Advisor) Subjects: Environmental Sciences

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2011, Leadership and Change

This dissertation encompasses a case study and a Participatory Action Research project. The case study focuses on climate change mitigation activities within King County, Washington and its 39 cities and towns and discusses progress and challenges related to transportation issues, efficiency measures, and sustainability planning. The findings indicate there is a high level of activity in waste reduction, environmental outreach and education, bicycle and pedestrian promotion, tree canopy protection, sustainability policies, and green building. Other categories, such as energy efficiency, electric vehicle infrastructure, and greenhouse gas emission inventories and goal setting are on the rise. Twelve of the cities were found to be highly active with several more initiating new sustainability related policies and programs. The two overall biggest challenges to implementing climate change mitigation efforts in this area are the lack of financial and technical resources and the lower prioritization of these activities. The Participatory Action Research project was developed and conducted in collaboration with King County and nine of its cities in support of regional climate change and sustainability solutions, with the intent to increase climate change mitigation within King County. As a result of the project, the King County Cities Climate Collaboration was created to formalize a working partnership between the cities and the County, encourage and support region-wide emission reduction strategies, and increase efficiency and effectiveness of efforts through bottom-up collaboration and systemic operational integration. The electronic version of this Dissertation is at OhioLink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd.

Committee: Alan Guskin PhD (Committee Chair); Philomena Essed PhD (Committee Member); David Fluharty PhD (Committee Member); Michele Betsill PhD (Other) Subjects: Area Planning and Development; Climate Change; Earth; Energy; Environmental Management; Environmental Philosophy; Environmental Studies; International Law; Land Use Planning; Natural Resource Management; Organization Theory; Organizational Behavior; Public Administra