71 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 71
Item Relationship between Visual Obstruction Reading and Herbage Production for Ecological Sites in a Semi-Arid Climate of the Northern Plains(North Dakota State University, 2010) Woehl, Derek DevonneCarbon nanotubes have been the main focus in science and engineering fields lately for their extraordinary properties. But carbon nanotube fabrication process is very expensive, particularly for reinforcements and structural composite applications. Instead of working towards developing lower cost nanotubes, an alternate solution to resolve the problem is to formulate a cost effective reinforcement referred to as graphene nanoplatelets. These nanoplatelets have excellent mechanical as well as electronic properties opening up for several applications in various fields. Their structure with carboncarbon bonds make them stronger and stiffer. Single nanotubes can be used as reinforcements in one direction, while the graphite nanoplatelets are effective in two directions yielding a higher degree of stiffness and strength in a matrix. In this thesis, a molecular dynamic computer simulation technique was used to explore the atomic scale and dynamics of graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes embedded in polyethylene matrix. The mechanical properties of the carbon nanotubes and nanoplatelets polymer composite models were studied individually along with a comparison between composite models. The overall system was modeled using material studio software with the implementation of periodic boundary conditions to determine the properties. The stress strain curves revealed that the length and the volume fraction of the nanotube/nanoplatelets had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the composite. The stiffness of the composite with long reinforcement length increased relative to the polymer in the longitudinal direction and shows an anisotropic behavior. Significant enhancement was observed in the Young's modulus with the increase in the volume fraction of the nanotubes/nanoplatelets because of the well known effect of the increase in the load transfer between the polymer and the reinforcements. Also increasing the volume fraction of the short nanotubes/nanoplatclets provided very little improvement in stiffness compared to the longer length nanotubes/nanoplatelets. Results also showed that the graphene nanoplatelet reinforced composite properties were very comparable to the nanotubes reinforced composites even under weak vander Waal interactions.Item Improving Data and Understanding of Public Water Supply in North Dakota Through Municipal and Industrial Water-Use Information Specifically Focusing on the Bakken Region 2000-2018(North Dakota State University, 2021) Cleys, Joseph ConnorThe Bakken oil boom 2005–2015 has dominated conversations on North Dakota’s water use in the past two decades. This study focused on municipal and industrial water use across 83 different use categories for the Bakken and non-Bakken areas of the state. A phone survey was conducted to determine how industrial permit holders use their water. Additionally, water use databases from the North Dakota State Water Commission and Southwest Water Authority were analyzed to determine correlations between the oil boom and water use in municipal and industrial categories, and determine differences and similarities between water use in the Bakken and the rest of the state. Results show many industrial permit holders use their water for its intended purpose and sell the remaining water to other industries, such as oil, which made commercial water sales increase drastically. Information from this project is useful for future water projections and planning.Item Effects of Sediment Removal on Vegetation Communities in Prairie Pothole Wetlands in North Dakota(North Dakota State University, 2011) Smith, Caitlin LangworthyThe goal of this study was to assess effects of sediment removal on vegetation communities in Prairie Pothole wetlands in North Dakota to determine if this management technique is providing desired results to create conditions for ideal vegetation communities in wetlands that will benefit wildlife. This project consists of vegetation surveys from seasonal wetlands located in Benson, Eddy. Towner. and Wells counties in North Dakota. Three types of wetlands were surveyed: natural (reference), excavated (treatment), and converted cropland. Vegetation surveys were completed in the shallow marsh and wet meadow zones of seasonal wetlands. Sites were sampled using a modified Daubenmire method. Aerial photos were assessed to determine the occurrence of drawdown cycles in wetland sites. Plant communities were analyzed using non-metric multidimensional scaling and multi-response permutation procedure was used to make comparisons between sites. The wet meadow zones and shallow marsh zones of the three types of wetlands were all significantly different (p<0.016) from one another. In general, restored wetlands show vegetation trends that liken natural wetlands while those that have been allowed to recover without restoration tend to be cattail choked. When examining hybrid cattail specifically visual obstruction scores were approximately four times greater in converted cropland sites versus treatment or reference sites. Vegetation composition indicates hydrologic conditions (fresh to brackish conditions) of specific sites and regional distribution are likely influential factors in wetland plant establishment.Item Climate Change throughout the Dakotas(North Dakota State University, 2016) Uecker, Benjamin RobertHow is the climate changing on a county level throughout North Dakota (ND) and South Dakota (SD)? To determine this answer, 13 different climate variables were analyzed: temperature minimums and maximums, precipitation, growing degree days (GDD), season length, first and last frost dates, standardized precipitation index (SPI), Palmer drought severity index (PDSI), evapotranspiration (ET), solar radiation, dew point and wind speed. Annual and monthly climatic trends, per decade, were developed and analyzed by county. These climatic variables show various changes throughout North Dakota and South Dakota by either increasing, decreasing or staying the same.Item Assessment of Prairie Pothole Conditions and Plant Community Composition on FWS Fee-Title Lands(North Dakota State University, 2021) Jones, SethConditions of wetlands in the Prairie Pothole Region have been severely degraded due to anthropogenic disturbances, such as cultivation and climate change. To maintain or restore the diversity and integrity of these ecosystems we must first understand what condition they are in and what current factors are driving wetland conditions on a region-wide scale. This study aimed to assess wetland conditions and determine what the major plant community drivers were on FWS fee-title lands. Assessments showed wetlands in native grassland are in better condition than those in reseeded grasslands and seasonal wetlands are in better condition than temporary wetlands. It was clear plant communities are being largely driven by the cover of invasive species within each given wetland zone. Differences in wetland conditions and invasive versus native species cover are likely the result of past and present disturbance on FWS fee-title lands.Item Wetland Restoration Techniques and Associated Costs in Southeastern North Dakota(North Dakota State University, 2015) Strehlow, Travis GeneDegraded wetlands are a common occurrence throughout the Prairie Pothole Region of the United States. Many restoration attempts have been conducted to restore these unique ecosystems to their previous conditions. However, many restored wetlands fail to regain the appearance and functions of natural wetlands. Two studies were completed in southeastern North Dakota to determine if restoration of these areas is possible. Research objectives were to; (1) determine if one year of glyphosate application is enough to impact a soil seedbank of a previously cultivated wetland, and (2) estimate costs of three different vegetation restoration methods to better understand cost/benefit ratios of restoration methods. Seedbank analysis showed significant differences with one year of glyphosate application, and restoration costs were determined for the different techniques. These results will be utilized to help aid restoration efforts in the future to make them more time and cost effective.Item The Evaluation of Soil Carbon Levels on Post-contract Conservation Reserve Program Lands in Southwestern North Dakota using Multiple Agricultural Use Practices(North Dakota State University, 2010) Sebesta, Eva LynnThe Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) removes highly erodible lands from production for a contract period of 10 to 15 years. During the contract period permanent vegetation cover is established, allowing biological, chemical, and physical soil properties to stabilize and potentially improve. As CRP contracts expire, these idle lands may return to agricultural use. Understanding the influence of various agricultural practices on post-contract CRP lands will enable landowners to make the best management choices. This four-year study focused on the potential impacts of livestock grazing, cropping systems, and vegetative cover on soil carbon levels and species composition on post-contract CRP lands in a semi-arid climate. A randomized complete block design (n = 2) was developed using four treatments, including season-long grazing (SL), a one-cut haying system (HAY), barley: com rotational cropping system (CROP), and non-use simulating idle CRP (CTRL). Moderate grazing targeting 50% herbage disappearance occurred on the SL treatment from mid-June through early January. Barley was harvested as hay in mid-July. Com was left as standing stockpiled forage. Cattle grazed the barley stubble and standing com from early January through mid-April. Four 100-meter transects were established in each treatment and were used to collect vegetation and soil data. Soil samples were analyzed for inorganic, organic, and total carbon. Results indicate that grazing, haying, and cropping systems do not adversely affect soil carbon levels after 4 years of agricultural use when compared to idle CRP. Species composition on grasslands also did not change during the study due to grazing, haying, or non-use. The findings of this study support the use of no-till cropping, one-cut haying, and moderate grazing for maintaining soil carbon levels and species composition on post-contract CRP lands.Item Groundwater Quality Vulnerability Assessment in North Dakota(North Dakota State University, 2017) Sultana, SharminIn North Dakota, arsenic and nitrate are two major groundwater contaminants. These contaminants originate from either natural geologic or anthropogenic sources. Differences in geology, hydrology, geochemistry, and chemical use explain how and why concentrations of these groundwater contaminants vary across the regions. Based on these properties, a research was carried out to identify the potential groundwater quality vulnerable regions. For vulnerability assessment, modified DRASTIC-G and Susceptibility Index model were used for arsenic and nitrate, respectively. Our research showed that approximately 21 and 28 % of the study area fall within high arsenic and nitrate vulnerable areas, respectively. Our study also identified 33 out of the 84 high risk arsenic and 16 out of 28 high risk nitrate observation wells fall within the high arsenic and nitrate vulnerability areas, respectively. These developed maps can be used as a starting point for identifying probable groundwater vulnerable areas and future decision making.Item Assessment of Ecotourism on Community Development: Case of Ecotourism and the Ely Community(North Dakota State University, 2010) Oumarou, Boubacar HassaneThis study evaluated ecotourism in Ely, Minnesota, gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the International Wolf Center. The study used Flora and Flora's (2008) community capitals framework to assess ecotourism effects on the community's capitals namely, natural, cultural, financial, built, human, social, and political capitals. For each of these capitals; postal and email correspondences, phone calls, and internet searches were used to collect government surveys, statistics, and documentary and photographic data. These data were presented in tables and analyzed using a descriptive method. The analyses revealed a positive effect of ecotourism on all the capitals and suggested that the community capital framework is a suitable model for ecotourism assessment and that ecotourism is contributing to the development of the community of Ely. Suggestions for further research were also offered.Item Environmental Socialization: A Case Study on Formative Influences(North Dakota State University, 2018) Herbst, JosephTwenty-first century social-ecologic systems are in the midst of a complex adaptive cycle. There is growing evidence to suggest the existence of a psycho-social developmental process whereby a person becomes situated in an environmental worldview. This process of environmental socialization has received attention in peer-reviewed journals. A case study was developed to see if qualitative methods could yield deeper insight. Depth interviewing and grounded theory analysis were used to explore student’s thoughts on formative influences deemed significant in the development of their own environmental perspective. The qualitative method used in the study was useful in probing the nuance, complexity, and significance of the student’s environmental socialization. Natural resource managers, educators, philanthropists, moral leaders, and concerned citizens can benefit when social constructs of environmental sustainability are better understood.