Department of Earth and Environmental Science
The mission of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science is to bring the time perspective of the Earth scientist/historian to bear on contemporary problems of natural-resource conservation and environmental quality.
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Publication Rural Resistance to Renewable Energy: A Case Study of Cumberland Valley Township, PA(2025-05-18) Elijah CookThe United States’ energy transition is dependent on Rural America to shoulder the infrastructure of renewable development, but residents feel this threatens their identity, leading to opposition to renewable energy projects. This thesis employs a case study of the community's perspectives on a 7MW solar development in Cumberland Valley, Pennsylvania. Renewable energy is critical for addressing the climate crisis, yet place-based, historical, and procedural factors influence rural communities to view these developments with opposition and skepticism. This study includes original survey data and interviews with key residents, finding that opposition stems from concerns about land use, aesthetics, lack of transparency, and community engagement. Residents' place attachments and historical relationships to the land play a crucial role in shaping their perceptions. These findings illustrate the need for inclusive, transparent planning when putting renewable infrastructure in rural communities. Rural America needs to be a partner, not an obstacle, in the country’s energy transition. For renewable developments to be successful, they must observe local values, history, and priorities in the communities they are situated in.Publication Video Presentation: Are Greenland Ice Sheet meltwaters a significant source of manganese?Leah HopfThe Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is the second largest ice mass on Earth, covering approximately 20% of Arctic land surface area. As rising global temperatures increase annual melting of the GrIS, it is increasingly important to determine the ability of ice melt to transport nutrients and contaminants to nearby oceans where they can impact marine ecosystems. Manganese (Mn) is a trace element and essential micronutrient that can limit phytoplankton growth, and it therefore plays an important role for ecosystem health. Despite its biological importance, observational data on Mn concentrations and reactivity in the cryosphere is limited, and the role of the GrIS in the Mn biogeochemical cycle remains largely unknown. Here, I compare spatial Mn trends in GrIS meltwaters to assess the hypothesis that glacially derived Mn is a critical micronutrient source for coastal marine ecosystems. Suspended sediments were collected daily between early June-late July from the Watson River (southwestern Greenland) in 2023 and the Kiattuut Sermiat meltwater river (southern Greenland) in 2024. Mn was extracted from the sediments using sequential extractions, and Mn concentrations were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Concentrations of total Mn in glacial meltwater rivers are several orders of magnitude higher than in a nearby precipitation-fed stream, indicating that glacially derived sediment may be the dominant source of particulate Mn exported from GrIS catchments. To my knowledge, this study provides the first dataset of particulate Mn in GrIS meltwaters, addressing a significant gap in current understandings of Mn inputs from glacial environments.Publication Highly Reactive Particulate Manganese in Greenland Ice Sheet Meltwaters(2025-04-25) Leah HopfThe Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is the second largest ice mass on Earth, covering approximately 20% of Arctic land surface area. As rising global temperatures increase annual melting of the GrIS, it is increasingly important to determine the ability of ice melt to transport nutrients and contaminants to nearby oceans where they can impact marine ecosystems. Manganese (Mn) is a trace element and essential micronutrient that can limit phytoplankton growth, and it therefore plays an important role for ecosystem health. Despite its biological importance, observational data on Mn concentrations and reactivity in the cryosphere is limited, and the role of the GrIS in the Mn biogeochemical cycle remains largely unknown. Here, I compare spatial and temporal Mn trends in GrIS meltwaters to assess the hypothesis that glacially derived Mn is a critical micronutrient source for coastal marine ecosystems. Suspended sediments were collected daily between early June-late July from the Watson River (southwestern Greenland) in 2023 and the Kiattuut Sermiat meltwater river (southern Greenland) in 2024. Mn was extracted from the sediments using sequential extractions, and Mn concentrations were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Concentrations of total Mn in glacial meltwater rivers are several orders of magnitude higher than in a nearby precipitation-fed stream, indicating that glacially derived sediment may be the dominant source of particulate Mn exported from GrIS catchments. The dominant pool of Mn is highly reactive across the entire melt season in both sampled meltwater rivers, but the specific composition of particulate Mn varies between different glacial catchments. I conclude that GrIS meltwaters overall may be a significant source of highly reactive Mn to coastal environments, but that local geological and hydrological characteristics cause variation in Mn composition between catchments. To my knowledge, this study provides the first dataset of particulate Mn in GrIS meltwaters, addressing a significant gap in current understandings of Mn inputs from glacial environments.Publication Coprophilous Fungi Spores as Proxy of Herbivore Presence near Vijayanagara-era Reservoir in Karnataka, India(2025-05) Pan, ConnieThis thesis quantifies concentrations of coprophilous fungal spores in a sediment core from Kamalapuram Reservoir in South India, near the Vijayanagara Empire’s previous capital city. Analysis of the core, which captured depositional history dating from the 14th century to the present, aims to quantify dung fungal spore concentrations around the reservoir, assessing trends in spore concentrations in order to draw conclusions about herbivory, and comparing with pollen and charcoal records to identify correlation with human activity. As the first application of dung fungi analysis on sedimentary records from South Asia, this study also validates the taxa Sporormiella and Sordaria as indicators of herbivore presence in historical sediments from this region. Results reveal three major sections of the core. The deepest layers, dated to the height of the Vijayanagara empire, contain the highest dung fungi concentrations, suggesting dense local herbivore populations. Spore concentrations then decline, aligning with large-scale depopulation following the abandonment of the capital in the 17th century. Lastly, a resurgence of coprophilous fungi in recent layers, dated to the 18th-20th centuries, correlated with renewed settlement and agriculture in the Colonial and post-Independence eras. This study offers the first application of analysis of preserved dung fungi spores in South Indian sediments, as well as adding the new element of herbivore presence to previous analyses of land use around Kamalapuram Reservoir.Publication Exploring Grassland Bird Occupancy On Farm Fields in Pennsylvania’s Chester County(2024) Liam HartIn North America, roughly three-quarters of grassland bird species have experienced population declines since 1970. These declines have a variety of causes, but the degradation, fragmentation, and outright loss of natural habitat stand out among them. As a result of this habitat loss, many grassland birds now rely on farm fields for nesting territory. This often results in the destruction of nests and young birds by combines or mowers, as many crops are harvested during peak breeding season for birds. Combating this crisis requires conservationists to work closely with farmers and landowners to find solutions that work for them as well as the birds that depend on their land. Understanding how birds respond to different crops and management regimes can inform conservation decisions on a regional level. Pennsylvania’s Chester County is an ideal area to study these dynamics as it has historically had an agricultural economic base but has seen losses in overall farmland resulting from population growth and economic diversification. This study used point count bird surveys, conducted from May 9 to July 16, 2022, across 21 fields in Chester County to assess nesting habitat suitability for three ground nesting grassland birds: Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna), and Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum). Fields were categorized into four groups: hayfields mowed before June 1, hayfields mowed after July 1, wheatfields, and row crop fields (corn or soybeans). The data collected in this study show that Bobolinks had a strong preference for hayfields mowed after the end of June, while Grasshopper Sparrows preferred hayfields that were mowed before June. Eastern Meadowlarks occurred in both early cut and late cut hayfields in roughly equal numbers. All three species showed a strong preference for hayfields over the other crops surveyed, although more data may be needed to further assess whether there may be underappreciated value amongst the non-hay crops. Additionally, all three species exhibited edge avoidance, favoring field interiors.Publication Helping Environmental Groups Build Environmental Capacity with DEIJ(2024-12) Kaila Beatriz CantensTraditional environmental organizations have historically overlooked or inadequately addressed environmental justice (EJ) issues that disproportionately affect people of color. An example that illustrates this problem can be seen in the history of the "Not In My Backyard" (NIMBY) movement, where environmental concerns were often centered around white, affluent communities, leading to the marginalization of communities of color in the environmental discourse. In recent years, environmental groups have implemented departments, programs, or frameworks to address environmental justice issues that disproportionately affect people of color but struggle to acquire the appropriate staff, tools, or knowledge to address these issues appropriately. The history and philosophy of the traditional environmental movement juxtaposed with that of the environmental justice movement will show the persistent racial divide between the two separate movements. This study suggests that a diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice program can arm environmental organizations with the tools, knowledge, and staff recruitment and retention to execute environmental justice programs and initiatives more effectively and appropriately. The history and concepts of DEIJ are intertwined with those of EJ, including connections between the movement leaders, how many EJ activists and groups define justice, and how DEIJ implements that conception of justice. To this extent, DEIJ can align the organization’s internal values with their external ones concerning EJ. Many DEIJ programs are not successful due to their short training session, their inability to follow up with their participants, the lack of trust or credence they are given, and other challenges. Although there are many considerations on the efficacy of DEIJ programs, studies show evidence of positive changes in organizational output and positive staff experience after implementing a mature DEI program. The Cream City Conservation DEIJ program, founded by August Ball, is a case study that will show a mature program's intricacies and how such a program can implement sustainable DEIJ practices and structures rooted in anti-racism. The field of DEIJ is operated by individual practitioners and academics without any group consensus on the most effective type of program, thus not benefitting from an agreed-upon standard of practice. In the future, this topic would benefit from further dialogue in the DEIJ community about setting a standard that can prevent organizations from investing in unsuccessful programs.Publication Environmental impact assessment of fabric samples: defining a low impact design standard for the textile industry(2024-05-18) Molly FlanaganPreconsumer textile waste refers to the waste generated by textile production and manufacturing processes, the quantities of which are highly undocumented and unavailable as a result of the industry’s utilization of private waste haulers. FABSCRAP, a preconsumer textile collection and recycling service, estimates the preconsumer textile waste stream to be around forty times larger than the postconsumer textile waste stream. Throughout their operations, FABSCRAP has identified fabric samples and their headers, which are the informational labels that fabric samples are affixed to, as the single largest contributor to preconsumer waste within the fashion industry. Fabric samples and headers make up 75% of the waste FABSCRAP receives from over 800 client brands. In addition to brands requesting samples during the garment design and production processes, textile mills send new samples to brands as marketing tools each season. Most of these samples are too small and lack incentive to be reused, so they end up landfilled. Variations in attachment mechanisms (i.e. stapled, sewn, glued) of the samples to their headers require different steps of disassembly, which directly impedes recycling potential. As such, there is ample opportunity for industry-level environmental impact savings in defining a low-impact design standard for fabric samples and headers that seeks to reduce waste and maximize reuse and recycling of materials and attachments. This project conducts an audit by surveying 7,987 pounds of fabric samples and headers from a striated random sample of FABSCRAP’s client base and identifies the ten most common header formats. Environmental impact analysis uncovers the raw material and end-of-life impacts of the most common headers for comparison. Raw material impacts are calculated using a streamlined Life Cycle Analysis approach with information from the IDEMAT database. End-of-life impacts are evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively based on the percentage of header materials by weight that are landfilled, recycled and reused and the extent of disassembly required for disposal. The headers are ranked in order of magnitude based on a combined score of raw material and end-of-life impacts. A final recommended design standard is developed for use in the textile and fashion industries at large - and compared to the most common headers, illustrating the potential impact savings of adoption at the singular header level, and when scaled to the project’s sample size. The design standard is based on circular economy principles, utilizing the waste hierarchy to conclude that the lowest impact design is based on: reducing the total amount of materials by type and weight, maximizing reuse potential and ease of disassembly for attachment mechanisms, and preferring paper fiber-based header materials with high recycling recovery and efficiency rates. The wide adoption of a low-impact standard header across the textile industry could be an impetus for broader transformational change within the textile and fashion industries.Publication Waste and Scope 3 Emissions: Assessment of Value Chain Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the U.S. Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Industry(2025) Higa, EricaIn calendar year 2022, five of the 45 largest waste companies in the United States (“US”) contributed over 106 billion pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions into the atmosphere. Meanwhile, as the global climate crisis nears irreversible tipping points, society at large must reduce anthropogenic, or human-caused, GHG emissions by 45 percent from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach a net-zero emission rate by 2050. Achieving these reductions requires standard measurement and reporting methodologies. As of 2023, most US solid waste and resource recovery companies accurately and transparently report Scope 1 (direct and controllable) and Scope 2 (indirect from purchased utilities) emissions. However, only five of the 45 largest waste companies in the US reported on Scope 3, or indirect value chain emissions, in the 2023 reporting cycle. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of 2023 waste industry reporting and identifies areas of (dis)consensus regarding material emission sources. As of said reporting, Scope 1 accounts for on average 87 percent of companies’ combined Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, while Scope 3 accounts on average for 12 percent. Thus, it is recommended that waste companies immediately prioritize Scope 1 emission reductions, while simultaneously implementing Scope 3 monitoring programs that focus on the industry’s material Scope 3 sources: purchased goods and assets, fuel-related lifecycle emissions, and third-party transportation services. By accounting for Scope 3 alongside Scope 1 and 2 emissions, companies will be poised to meet and exceed sustainability goals and explore new business development opportunities while maintaining resiliency against climate, financial, and legal risk. Deeper emissions literacy among sustainability professionals and leadership will be key to redesigning a more efficient global value chain. Ultimately, a collaborative business sector will play a major role in solving the 21st Century’s most pressing issue: the global climate crisis.Publication ALTERNATIVE METHODS TO SYNTHETIC-BASED DYEING ON COTTON: A COMPARATIVE SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS(2024) Rajesh, AninditaThe fashion industry is currently one of the largest consumers and polluters of water. The most commonly used method of textile dyeing, using synthetic dyes, is extremely water- intensive, and the chemicals used in the production and application of these dyes leach into freshwater sources, posing a threat to both public and environmental health. This research aims to assess and compare two alternative dyeing techniques – plant-based and microbial dyes – by examining their color intensity and their impact on water consumption, waste and the environment. Each method was tested on both non-mordanted and mordanted cotton strips over periods of 24 hours and 72 hours. Photographs were taken of each cotton sample following each dyeing process, and the water remaining after the dye creation and application process was measured. It was found that microbial dyes, extracted from Serratia marcescens cultures, had stronger colorfastness than the plant-dyes obtained from onion peels, beet scraps, and avocado pits. The microbial dye yielded a bright pink color, that did not fade after sterilization, sunlight exposure, and washing, while the plant-based dye yielded a yellow-brown color that exhibited some fading. There was no difference seen between the mordanted and non-mordanted fabrics, so it is therefore recommended that a mordant not be used, to further reduce water and chemical usage within the dyeing process. While plant-based dyes are currently used by several fashion brands, microbial dyes have not been produced on a large scale. With sufficient upfront monetary investments and dedication towards research, companies with varying degrees of sustainability commitments can adopt the use of microbial dyes, using much of the same machinery and techniques currently employed in dyeing facilities. As clothing manufacturers begin to face increasing pressure to evaluate and improve sustainability throughout their supply chain, introducing microbial dyes can help reduce and eventually eliminate the need for synthetic dyes, allowing for a large reduction in a company’s water-consumption and overall environmental footprint. Making this switch will therefore allow for improved water quality and availability for communities surrounding clothing manufacturers.Publication NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION: STANDARDIZING ESG REPORTING FOR SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT DECISIONS(2024) Maxie Marie JohnsonOver the past few years, the corporate world has been facing a needed transition – a shift from the linear to that of a sustainable economy. Due to heightened awareness from stakeholders regarding the impacts of climate change, companies have been forced to reevaluate their business strategy. In order to satisfy the demands of their stakeholders, companies have had no choice but to report on their commitment to bettering our volatile, and efforts to sustain our human populations on the planet. Their business framework has had to be dynamic in order to meet these demands and has segmented into three discrete avenues: social, environmental, and governance reporting (ESG). From 2011 to 2018, the number of S&P 500 companies reporting on their sustainability efforts, corporate social responsibility activities, and ESG performance increased from just below 20% to 86% (Gillan et al., 2021). While this notable increase signals a stronger awareness of the need to change and be more sustainable from the richest companies on Earth, the existing framework for reporting is not sufficient to standardize their outputs, so this shift has been less consequential than it otherwise could have been. There is a gap between what is being reported, and what stakeholders are asking for, specifically for their most concerned report readers: their investors. Without standardization in how companies are reporting on their ESG related performance, companies can include whatever they want in these reports and, likewise, omit information. Furthermore, there is no requirement regarding data collection, or reporting format. As a result, investors question the validity of the reports. ESG reports have become integral to investors for their investment strategies. Right now, the material produced in the reports is questionable, and the range in style of reporting prevents the reports from being comparable. By conducting interviews and surveys with representatives from investment firms and the Nasdaq, this project aims to elucidate the role of ESG factors in the investment process, identify the constraints posed by the absence of standardized reporting, and uncover what investors seek from said reports. Specifically, this study will focus on impact investors, providing insight into their decision-making processes in selecting portfolio assets, building a sustainable business, and creating self-benefiting results through capital. The data collected in this project will allow companies to assume the role of responsible stewards of sustainability, enhancing their appeal to impact investors and ensuring their compliance with environmental standards.