Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Open Access Articles

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report (Non‐Residential Parcels – Indoor Dust) – Silver Bow Montessori (Dated April 25, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

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Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou), Draft Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report (Non-Residential Parcels – Indoor Dust) – Kennedy Elementary (Dated April 17, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

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Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou), Draft Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report (Non-Residential Parcels - Indoor Dust) – Small World Daycare (Dated April 17, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

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Changes To Tropical Cyclone Trajectories In Southeast Asia Under A Warming Climate, Andra J. Garner, Dhrubajyoti Samanta, Mackenzie M. Weaver, Benjamin P. Horton

School of Earth & Environment Departmental Research

The impacts of tropical cyclones (TCs) on Southeast Asia’s coastlines are acute due to high population densities in low-lying coastal environments. However, the trajectories of TCs are uncertain in a warming climate. Here, we assess >64,000 simulated TCs from the nineteenth century to the end of the twenty-first century for both moderate- and high-emissions scenarios. Results suggest changes to TC trajectories in Southeast Asia, including: (1) poleward shifts in both genesis and peak intensification rates; (2) TC formation and fastest intensification closer to many coastlines; (3) increased likelihoods of TCs moving most slowly over mainland Southeast Asia; and (4) TC …

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Integrity Roofing Nw Sustainability Officer, Sam Woodman

College of the Environment Internship Reports

My internship as the Sustainability Officer at Integrity Roofing NW has been an invaluable learning experience that has enhanced my understanding of sustainable roofing practices and provided me with practical skills and insights into the roofing industry. Over the past few months, I focused on several key objectives, including mastering the ins and outs of sustainable roofing, identifying and promoting cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials, understanding the economic and environmental benefits of sustainable practices, and applying knowledge from my Environmental Science (ENVS) and Economics (ECON) classes to real-world scenarios. Additionally, I sought to develop my proficiency in Excel and gain …

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Deception Pass State Park Intern, Chloe Lindstrom

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Most of my background science work and most of what guided me towards Environmental Science was marine science and marine biology. I have an abundance of experience collecting oceanography data, and working in aquatic environments, but one of my learning goals was to branch out and away from marine science. Not only is it a popular destination for guests hoping to go outside and enjoy nature, but Deception Pass is also home to much wildlife. I regularly encountered chipmunks, bunnies, squirrels, bald eagles, red-tail hawks, deer, orcas, and other birds and mammals during my internship. All these organisms rely on …

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Wwu Iws Internship, Andrew Aguilar

College of the Environment Internship Reports

For my internship I worked as a research assistant at the Institute for Watershed Studies (IWS). IWS is a research institute affiliated with the College of the Environment at Western Washington University (WWU) that conducts research on freshwater lakes, streams, and wetlands. The main project that IWS works on is the Lake Whatcom Monitoring Project. This project has been monitoring Lake Whatcom since 1988 with the goal of providing a long-term record of data on a variety of water quality parameters. The monitoring program was initiated because Lake Whatcom is the primary drinking water source for the City of Bellingham …

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Washington Conservation Corps Crew Member, Eric Newell

College of the Environment Internship Reports

During my time at WCC, I have learned about state government structure and have gotten a closer look at how it works from the inside. Previously I associated DNR with wildland 1 firefighting, which is one of the things they do, but now I understand that DNR has many, many divisions and a very complicated structure. The department is made up of fire experts, geologists, recreation managers, foresters, mappers, conservation experts, and much more. DNR has six regions and each of them operates largely separated from the others. This is advantageous because rules and regulations can be specific to a …

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Birch Bay State Park Intern, Kylee Wright

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This past summer I worked at Birch Bay State Park in Birch Bay, Washington as a park aide. I spent the summer working with Park Rangers to keep this protected piece of land along the Strait of Georgia a space where people and nature can mingle. I wanted to work here because it seemed like the perfect way to start down the path towards working in the outdoors in a context where I am doing what I can to keep natural spaces wild and protected, while also making it possible for people to see them in all their splendor so …

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Pacmam Intern, Natalia Debardeleben

College of the Environment Internship Reports

For my Summer internship, I assisted PacMam (Pacific Mammal Research) in Anacortes, WA and remotely. PacMam is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to better understanding more about marine mammal populations in the Salish Sea. During my time interning for PacMam, the main marine mammals that they were focusing on were harbor seals and porpoises. The work that I conducted for PacMam was primarily in assisting with harbor seal identifications where I identified new seals, even naming a few, but also reidentified seals that had already been confirmed and added to the Seal Codex. With harbor seal research, there …

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Wwu Marine Chemistry Lab And Field Assistant, Elsa (Christopher Adam) Lindenmeyr

College of the Environment Internship Reports

During this internship, I gained both laboratory and field experience through numerous things. I first learned how to assemble mold for the gels that would be used for the experiment. This was done by sandwiching a rubber tube and spacers between two pieces of glass and then pouring the liquid gels with a pipette. The pouring of the gels took preciseness to pour quickly enough that it doesn’t set half-way through and create stripes, and not pour so quickly that you get bubbles. I learned to make agarose and acrylamide solutions and how long and the conditions they need to …

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Washington Conservation Corps Crew Member, Naomi A. Ellis

College of the Environment Internship Reports

One of my primary objectives going into this summer was to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the realities of physical labor, an essential aspect of applied science in the field, especially in conservation work. Although I have always enjoyed working with my hands and challenging myself with outdoor activities, my professional experience in this area was limited. The job met this objective right away, starting with a backcountry overnight trip, or spike. Our task involved camping out for four days while assisting in a grid search through a conserved natural area for lost DNR materials. It was important to …

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Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission Intern, Luke Joi Duvall

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This summer, I spent ten weeks working as a fisheries technician for the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission. My primary position duties involved taking genetic and health samples for sockeye and chinook salmon. Throughout this summer I developed knowledge in the anatomy, ecology, management, and sampling techniques associated with salmon along with gaining insight and experience in other fields while collaborating with organizations outside my own. Furthermore, I gained valuable insight into the multiple organizations and attitudes involved in the management of natural resources throughout Alaska. Coming out of this experience, I feel prepared to progress further into research and conservation …

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Community Boating Center Bioluminescence Intern, Eddie Joi Nosal

College of the Environment Internship Reports

2024 is the third year of the bioluminescence internship position at the Community Boating Center. In the last two years, the Community Boating Center has partnered with Western Washington University to assist in research on bioluminescence and education through guided night kayak tours. Previous research was done by now-WWU alumni Lucy Greeley and Carrley Smith with the goal of identifying bioluminescent dinoflagellate species, planktonic community composition during bioluminescent events, and the effects of environmental factors on brightness of dinoflagellates. The work done by previous interns has gained recognition from the Bellingham Herald, presented at conferences, and has had a video …

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Shannon Point Marine Center Research Intern, Sam Joi Clement

College of the Environment Internship Reports

For the past two quarters, I have worked with Professor Morgan Eisenlord on two experiments involving eelgrass wasting disease. In both experiments, samples were collected from Padilla Bay. One, which dates back to the Summer of 2023, analyzes how the protist Labyrinthula zostera (which causes eelgrass wasting disease) presents itself in eelgrass when compared to algae. Another, primarily worked on by two students at the Shannon Point Marine Center during the Summer of 2024, analyzed differences in eelgrass wasting disease between two different species of eelgrass in Padilla Bay: Zostera marina and Zostera Japonica.

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Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehab Intern, Bella Joi Moore

College of the Environment Internship Reports

For my internship through Western, I decided to go with Whatcom’s Humane Socierty’s Wildlife rehabilitation center. This particular place is part of Whatcom’s few different centers for animals but this one in particular deals with wildlife animals and sometimes (temporarily) marine mammals. I’ve always known I wanted to work with animals so this experience was one in a million. It was very hands on and right in the middle of the field which was very cool.

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Roni Lifeworks Intern, Anthony Ortiz

College of the Environment Internship Reports

During this internship, I was under the guidance of Dr. Jocelyn Enabulele (Roni Lifeworks) and Seth Schromen-Wawrin (Seattle Department of Health). I am deeply passionate about environmental science, and I have always been intrigued by the relationship between humans and the natural environment, therefore this internship was naturally appealing and likely contributed to my ability to secure such an awe-inspiring opportunity to play a significant role in this research project. It has offered me the unique opportunity to dive into and apply some of the knowledge and critical thinking skills I have attained directly in the field. Participating in this …

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Wild Bird Wildlife Rehab Intern, Maggy Herman

College of the Environment Internship Reports

During my internship at Barnswallow, I worked three days a week and was responsible for a variety of tasks each day. Every week followed a similar schedule such as one day a week being reserved for cleaning and another for preparing food, among other tasks. My main objective was to support the rehabilitation center by completing assigned tasks ensuring that the center ran smoothly. Overall, my role as an intern was to help maintain a good quality of life for all residents at Barnswallow.

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Landmark Environmental Intern, Meredith Czoschke

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Landmark Environmental specializes in assessing and remediating chemically contaminated sites, often involving construction or redevelopment projects. Their work is divided into several key aspects: Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), Phase II ESAs, and additional remediation activities. This report aims to provide a detailed account of my responsibilities, the skills I acquired, and how these align with my academic background and career goals.

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Deception Pass State Park Beach Naturalist Intern, Mikaela Silva

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Deception Pass State Park in Oak Harbor, Washington, spans over 4,000 acres on two islands – Fidalgo to the north and Whidbey to the south (Deception Pass State Park, 2024). Originally, in 1866 the land around the pass was set aside to be a military reservation by the United States government (Deception Pass State Park, 2024). In 1922 the property was then designated by a Congressional Act for public recreation, creating Deception Pass State Park (Deception Pass State Park, 2024). The bridge that connects the two islands is a major tourist attraction along with the rugged cliffs, old-growth forest, historical …

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Silfab Solar Processing Intern, Abigail A. Marshall

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The knowledge I gained about Lean manufacturing concepts also deepened my understanding of manufacturing and sustainability. A large part of Lean manufacturing includes a focus on reducing different types of waste. These wastes include transportation, excess production, excess inventory, defects, time, human talent, motion, and unneeded processing. Although the focus of Lean manufacturing is on maximizing production efficiency and improving customer value, many of these wastes are also deeply related to environmental sustainability. Unnecessary transportation, production, processing and materials are all direct contributors to carbon emissions. In this way, Lean manufacturing can be another valuable tool for both increasing profit …

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Effects Of Simulated Climate Change On Native Southeastern Grassland Vegetation Using Open Top Chambers, Makaila Carpenter

Theses

The southeastern United States is a critical biodiversity hotspot once covered in prairie grassland ecosystems and now facing significant threats due to urbanization, habitat destruction, over-exploitation, biological invasions, pollution, and climate change. This study analyzes the response of Alabama’s native prairie ecosystem to climate change. We used open top chambers (OTCs) to simulate climate change-induced warming. We assessed the response of ecosystem function and structure to higher temperatures (1-3^oC). The indicators of ecosystem function included phenology, leaf surface area (LSA), specific leaf area (SLA), and aboveground and below net primary productivity (ANPP and BNPP respectively). Ecosystem structure was …

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Deception Pass State Park Beach Naturalist Intern, Joey Decaro

College of the Environment Internship Reports

The first day of my internship with the Deception Pass State Park was June 20th, 2024; the last was September 5th, 2024, where I had the privilege of being a Beach Naturalist at Rosario Beach. Deception Pass spans two different islands, Fidalgo and Whidbey, and has a plethora of attractions: the Deception Pass Bridge is the connection between the two islands; Cranberry Lake is a popular area to fish; the Rosario tide pools allow visitors to understand the ecosystem while protecting it; and many more. Due to all these attractions and the beautiful scenery, Deception Pass State Park is one …

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Uplifting The Critical Value Of The Lgbtq+ Climate Workforce, Brenda Castruita, Nicole Fassina

San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the need for a robust and diverse environmental workforce has never been more critical. Historically, marginalized communities are at the forefront of these challenges and often bear the brunt of impacts from our changing climate. It is vital that the climate workforce reflects the diversity of our communities and is inclusive of individuals with lived experiences that can inform equitable and effective solutions. Among these marginalized communities, the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and others) community is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.¹ Research underscores how LGBTQ+ individuals …

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Deception Pass State Park Beach Naturalist Intern, Cherise Russo

College of the Environment Internship Reports

This summer, I dedicated much of my time to supporting education and restoration at the tide pools of Deception Pass State Park. My internship at Deception Pass State Park has been an important learning experience. While working there, I have learned to work with people of diverse cultures, gained knowledge of the tide pool ecosystems of the park, and experienced working in a state park setting as part of a team and individually.

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Hybridization Between The Rare Gray-Headed Chickadee And The Abundant Boreal Chickadee In The Midst Of Shifting Climate, Matthew R. Armstrong

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

As species respond to changing climate, distributions and abundances may shift and alter species interactions. Hybridization, a relatively widespread phenomenon becoming more common with climate change, can have beneficial and detrimental effects on population growth rates and genetic integrity. Beneficial effects due to the introduction of advantageous alleles and increased genetic diversity may result from hybridization. Species may also accrue fitness costs associated with changing climates if mismatches occur between environmental variables and phenotypes. The gray-headed chickadee, Poecile cinctus lathami, is an extremely rare songbird that has experienced marked declines in recent decades within its restricted distribution in Alaska …

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Population Demography, Occupancy, And Connectivity Of Invasive Bigheaded Carp In The Platte River, Nebraska And Its Tributaries, Blake W. Logan

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Bighead Carp H. nobilis, collectively referred to as bigheaded carp, are invasive species in the United States of America that have expanded their range throughout the Missouri River basin in the last three decades. It may be desirable to develop management plans directed at the monitoring, control, or removal of bigheaded carp within the Missouri River basin. However, a knowledge gap exists regarding bigheaded carp ecology in Missouri River tributaries, which may be important for the development of management plans. As such, this study characterized bigheaded carp population demographics, occupancy, and connectivity in …

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Virtual Fencing In Livestock Management: Effects On Beef Cattle Stress And Enhancing Wildlife Conservation, Kaitlyn E. Dozler

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

I examined the effects of virtual fencing on beef cattle stress and how implementing the technology can aid wildlife habitat conservation at the University of Nebraska Gudmundsen Sandhills laboratory (GSL) near Whitman, NE. First, I examined how virtual fencing influences acute heart rate changes in beef cattle fitted with the virtual fencing collars. No significant difference in the average heart rate of a cow (P > 0.05) was observed between the 30 min control and virtual fenced periods for both trial dates. Second, I examined the influence of topography on wildlife species richness and presence at GSL using wildlife camera …

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Spatial Ecology Of Mountain Lions Throughout Their Distribution In California, Kyle D. Dougherty

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Mountain lions (Puma concolor) have been studied extensively throughout their wide geographic distribution in the Western Hemisphere, but most research has been conducted at relatively small spatial scales. We used GPS telemetry data contributed by researchers in 16 study areas throughout California to advance understanding of mountain lion spatial ecology. First, we investigated multi-scale resource selection of mountain lions relative to spatially varying risk of intentional human-caused mortality associated with livestock depredation management. We show that individuals that proactively avoided mortality risk when selecting home ranges were able to relax their avoidance of risk when making resource selection …

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Enhancing Water Sustainability In North Africa: Literature Review And Synthesis Of Current Knowledge Gaps In Sudan, Osman M. A. Adam, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Derek M. Heeren, Troy E. Gilmore

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers

This study delves into the critical role of groundwater in addressing global water challenges, with a focus on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) in North Africa. Groundwater constitutes a source of potable water, irrigation, and industrial use, especially in arid regions where surface water is limited. We analyzed the status of water quantity, withdrawals, recharge, and geological characteristics in the NSAS, specifically in Sudan, Egypt, Libya, and Chad. Though the NSAS is largely an untapped resource, we evaluated various scenarios to determine the quantity of cropland that can be sustainably irrigated. The NSAS is located in an arid region, …

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou) Draft Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report (Non‐Residential Parcels – Indoor Dust) – Silver Bow Montessori (Dated April 25, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou), Draft Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report (Non-Residential Parcels – Indoor Dust) – Kennedy Elementary (Dated April 17, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

Re: Approval Letter For The Butte Priority Soils Operable Unit (Bpsou), Draft Residential Metals Abatement Program Construction Completion Report (Non-Residential Parcels - Indoor Dust) – Small World Daycare (Dated April 17, 2024), Molly Roby

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

Changes To Tropical Cyclone Trajectories In Southeast Asia Under A Warming Climate, Andra J. Garner, Dhrubajyoti Samanta, Mackenzie M. Weaver, Benjamin P. Horton

School of Earth & Environment Departmental Research

Integrity Roofing Nw Sustainability Officer, Sam Woodman

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Deception Pass State Park Intern, Chloe Lindstrom

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Wwu Iws Internship, Andrew Aguilar

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Washington Conservation Corps Crew Member, Eric Newell

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Birch Bay State Park Intern, Kylee Wright

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Pacmam Intern, Natalia Debardeleben

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Wwu Marine Chemistry Lab And Field Assistant, Elsa (Christopher Adam) Lindenmeyr

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Washington Conservation Corps Crew Member, Naomi A. Ellis

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission Intern, Luke Joi Duvall

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Community Boating Center Bioluminescence Intern, Eddie Joi Nosal

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Shannon Point Marine Center Research Intern, Sam Joi Clement

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehab Intern, Bella Joi Moore

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Roni Lifeworks Intern, Anthony Ortiz

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Wild Bird Wildlife Rehab Intern, Maggy Herman

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Landmark Environmental Intern, Meredith Czoschke

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Deception Pass State Park Beach Naturalist Intern, Mikaela Silva

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Silfab Solar Processing Intern, Abigail A. Marshall

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Effects Of Simulated Climate Change On Native Southeastern Grassland Vegetation Using Open Top Chambers, Makaila Carpenter

Theses

Deception Pass State Park Beach Naturalist Intern, Joey Decaro

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Uplifting The Critical Value Of The Lgbtq+ Climate Workforce, Brenda Castruita, Nicole Fassina

San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative

Deception Pass State Park Beach Naturalist Intern, Cherise Russo

College of the Environment Internship Reports

Hybridization Between The Rare Gray-Headed Chickadee And The Abundant Boreal Chickadee In The Midst Of Shifting Climate, Matthew R. Armstrong

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Population Demography, Occupancy, And Connectivity Of Invasive Bigheaded Carp In The Platte River, Nebraska And Its Tributaries, Blake W. Logan

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Virtual Fencing In Livestock Management: Effects On Beef Cattle Stress And Enhancing Wildlife Conservation, Kaitlyn E. Dozler

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Spatial Ecology Of Mountain Lions Throughout Their Distribution In California, Kyle D. Dougherty

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Enhancing Water Sustainability In North Africa: Literature Review And Synthesis Of Current Knowledge Gaps In Sudan, Osman M. A. Adam, Aaron R. Mittelstet, Derek M. Heeren, Troy E. Gilmore

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Conference Presentations and White Papers