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Student Research
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1. 1993 PUBLIC OPINION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN REGION VI OF THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Scope: This research adds another link in the chain of public opinion surveys continuously monitoring public attitudes on environmetal issues. This research covers public opinion in the five states that comprise Region VI (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and addresses only those environmental issues that are the subject of USEPA jurisdiction. In this survey, the relationships between environmental concern and six demographic characteristics are studied. In particular, verification of the relationships found in prior surveys is examined to identify patterns of relationships between demographic influences and environmental attitudes. A Chi-squared test was utlized to measure the significance of individual independent variables against survey questions in dependent variable groups. A Logistical Regression was utilized to measure the significance of two-way and three-way interactions of the independent variables against survey questions in dependent variable groups. Findings: In general, the simple response percentages are encouraging and support the conclusion that the Region VI states have an increasing pro-enviornment concern. Evidence from this research is consistent with the earlier 1990s trends discussed in the Literature Review. Also, the results of the Chi-squared analysis indicate consistency with earlier studeies of the demographic associations that may have environmental concern. This study confirms that females, ages 35 to 44, who work in Education or Technical/Administrative occupations earning $20,000 to $39,999 a year are more likely to be environmentally concerned. The results of the Logistical Regression analysis indicate consistency with earlier studies that examined the various two-way demographic variable interactions and environmental concern. Though there are others, the two strongest interactions are age and children, and age and educational level. First, the relationship between environmental concern, and age class and children in the home are significant, as age increases in individuals with children in the home, then the probability of a pro-environment response increases until the age of 55 and above. Second, the relationship between environmental concern, and age class and educational level are significant, as age increases and educational level increases in individuals, then the proability of a pro-environment response increases until the age of 55 and above. Pages in Study: 182 Student: Cox, Bradley |
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2. A CASE STUDY OF THE CAPITOL TOWNSITE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT BETWEEN 1980-86, GUTHRIE, OKLAHOMA Scope: This study evaluates impacts of historic preservation activities on the Capitol Townsite Downtown Historic District of Guthrie, Oklahoma. The primary objective of the study was to measure the physical changes, and economic and social activities in the district between 1980-86. The second objective was to conduct an expost evaluation of the improvement made in the district. Findings: Historic preservation dominated the physical, economic, and social life of Guthrie during the study period, 1980-86. Changes which occurred during the study period were preceded by organizational and planning efforts in the 1970s and further refinement of these efforts were made in the early 1980s. Two forces converged on Guthrie at the beginning of the 1980 decade. The state's oil boom of the late 1970s created capital investment credit for renovation of historic properties. These tax investment opportunities remained in effect until the tax laws were changed in 1987. The physical appearance of the district was enhanced through individual building and block faηade renovations, brick sidewalks, pedestrian period street lights, landscaped spaces, street trees, attractive color schemes and awnings for downtown buildings. Five renovation projects were planned and four were executed by the end of 1986 for an investment of over twelve million dollars. Additional millions of dollars were spent on private historic preservation activities, thus bringing Guthrie to the forefront as a leading community in the preservation movement in the southwestern United States. Communities contemplating historic preservation activites should select interested and or knowledgeable persons with proven community leadership qualities for board appointments. The local board should develop an overall master plan for the study area based on a market study with a strong public involvement process. Pages in Study: 164 Student: Leider, Charles |
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3. A COMPARATIVE CASE STUDY OF U.S. AND U.S.S.R. ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND HOW THEY RELATE TO TRANS-BOUNDARY POLLUTION ISSUES FACING THE CONFEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT STATES Scope: This study is limited to the policies and environmental problems of the U.S. and the former Soviet Union. No effort was made to distinguish between low and high-sulfur coal consumption. Nor was there any attempt to compare the findings to other industrial nations, however both aeas are suggested for future research. Periodicals and statistical abstracts are the primary source of research materials. Findings: Sulfur-dioxide emissions declined in both the U.S. and the former Soviet Union following 1970. This unexpected result can be attributed in part in the U.S. to the enactment of the Clean Air Act of 1970 which represented an increase of Federal participation of pollution control. The reduction of sulfur-dioxide emissions in the former Soviet Union, however resulted from reduced consumption, an inefficient decentralization of taxing authority and an overall lack of effective enviornmental policy. The reduction of pollutant emissions in this area is not the result of any long-term effective policy and is therefore a temporary phenomenon. This problem is frustrated further by the break-up of the former Soviet Union into indepent Republics without any central control. This study concludes that in order to deal with a disastrous environmental problems currently facing this region, many of which are transboundary in nature, that central control is a necessary political tool to fund and coordinate environmental clean-up and management. Pages in Study: 104 Student: Merchant, Paul |
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4. A COMPARISON OF THE APPLIED BIOLOGY/CHEMISTRY CURRICULUM TO THE TRADITIONAL BIOLOGY CURRICULUM Scope: The purpose of this study was to compare the Applied Biology/Chemistry (ABC) curriculum with the traditional biology curriculum. This study was designed to determine if students learn biology concepts and/or environmental concepts and develop a better attitude toward science and/or the environment better using the ABC curriculum as compared to students who were taught with a traditional biology curriculum. This study was a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group design. A population of students was drawn from a suburban school district within Central Oklahoma and consisted of 276 students located at two different high schools. T-tests and analysis of covariance were used to test the null hypotheses. Findings: The major conclusions of this research study indicated 1) T-tests showed that students scored significantly higher on biology concepts after completing the ABC curriculum; however, the analysis of covariance suggested that this difference may be contributed to multiple variants; 2) Students taught using the traditional biology curriculum had a larger positive mean gain regarding attitude towards science; 3) Students taught with the ABC curriculum had a larger positive mean gain regarding attitude towards the environment; 4) Students using the ABC curriculum had a larger positive mean gain in the ability to understand the nature of science, i.e. science process and inquiry skills; 5) Students taught using the ABC curriculum had a larger positive mean gain regarding environmental knowledge; 6) Students who perceive information concretely, process information actively, integrate experience and application, and believe in self discovery who used the ABC curriculum had a significantly greater positive mean gain regarding the knowledge of biological conepts; 7) Students taught using the ABC curriculum in a suburban school district did not score significantly different as compared to students in a rural school district. Pages in Study: 182 Student: Wilson, Kimberly Kay |
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5. A GIS-BASED MODELING APPROACH FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE FARM MANAGEMENT PRACTICES: APPLICATION TO FIELD LEVEL NITROGEN MODELING Scope: GIS-based modeling is mostly restricted to the research communities and agencies of the federal and state governments. Although agricultural management practices geared towards conservation and productivity are initiated at the field level, few agricultural producers utilize the true analytical power of GIS and simulation models, partly because the loose linkages developed to-date between GIS and most public-domain models are extremely cumbersome to use, or are esoteric. The goal of this study was to create and implement a single, seamless interactive system that fully integrates a hydrologic-crop management model with ArcView (Version 2.1), a desktop GIS to function as a planning tool aimed at implementing sustainable farm management practices. Findings: The modeling system developed in this study, allowed the integration of a comprehensive hydrologic-crop management model (EPIC) that can aid in selecting sustainable farm management practices. The inclusion of a pull-down menu (EPIC-View) served as the link between the user and the system. This facilitated the execution of different Avenue and Visual Basic programs in an intuitive and user-friendly environment; thus, enabling users to operate the system without an in-depth understanding of its individual components. The integrated modeling system enhanced the understanding of the spatial variability of N transformation occurring within a crop field. As such, decision-making regarding spatially dependent activities such as nitrogen nutrient management would be facilitated. Similarly, other components of a sustainable agricultural system including irrigation management, crop management, soil management, and pest management, would be efficiently managed, thus making farms more economically viable and ecologically sound. Additionally, the intergrated system developed in this study could be a convenient tool for researchers interested in testing model performance, as datasets could be assembled in a short period of time. Thus, efficiency is improved as greater time could be spent evaluating the effect of estimated parameters on model output. The integrated system could also be an excellent teaching tool for explaining and illustrating different concepts of farm management, soil and water conservation, and systems applications in natural resources management and conservation. Pages in Study: 224 Student: Rao, Mahesh |
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6. A HEURISTIC POLITICAL INQUIRY INTO NIMBY CONFLICT: EXPLORING SOLUTIONS TO GRIDLOCK Scope: This study is designed to examine NIMBY (not in my backyard) conflict as a political phenomenon. NIMBY is a pattern of intense local opposition to the siting of hazardous technologies in a community. Stakeholders in seven communities in Oklahoma were personally interviewed to ascertain their perspectives on hazardous waste management facility siting. Three of these communities had recently rejected proposals to build new hazardous waste facilities in their midst, two others were engaged in controversies concerning toxic releases that had already occurred from existing facilities, and two are "greenfield" communities that had not experienced such controversies. In addition, employees from an Oklahoma environmetnal agency were interviewed. Data gathering techniques included open ended discussions, structured questionaires, and Q sorting exercises. Data analysis was accomplished using Q factor analysis. The research approach adopted was heuristic, that is, it was designed to abductively discover potential solutions to NIMGY gridlock by hermeneutically obtaining subject's perspectives with minimum researcher interference and bias. Findings: Two findings are paramount. The first is that based upon the results of the empirical data obtained in Oklahoma, four major perspectives on NIMBY exist. Three of these are ideology-based, including technocratic supporters, skeptics, and parochial communitarians. The fourth is a non-ideologic pragmatic guardian who is process-oriented. The second major result, based on these empirical findings and a comprehensive review of theoretical perspectives on NIMBY and social constructions of risk published in other studies, is the development of a synoptic perscriptive theoretical framework designed to guide the selection of decision making and communication strategies to reduce the chances of locational conflict. The underlying premise of the model is that NIMBY, at its core, is due to citizens' perceived political illegitimacy of decision making institutions. What constitutes legitimate decision processes depends on the decision context. Ten decision contexts, and associated legitimated decision and communication strategies, are identified based on the intersection of three dimensions of factual certainty and value saliency, social controversy, and systemic trust. Pages in Study: 489 Student: Focht, Will |
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7. A LECO SCREENING PROCEDURE FOR SURVEYORS Scope: The purpose of this study was to develop a screening procedure for surveyors evaluating Lighting Energy Conservation Opportunities (LECOs). The LECO Screening Tree was developed to help surveyors eliminate economically infeasible LECOs on-site, and reduce the amount of data collection necessary with typical survey procedures. The tree incorporates multi-disciplinary factors that influence LECO cost-effectiveness. The LECO Screening Tree was tested during a lighting survey at Oklahoma State University (OSU). Findings: An analysis of the data collected at OSU verified that important factors were located and prioritized in the early stages of the tree. Therefore, the LECO Screening Tree's structure was logical, allowing elimination of economically infeasible LECOs with minimal effort. The LECO Screening Tree also helped the surveyors become more involved in the evaluation process, thereby improving their survey skills. Pages in Study: 119 Student: Woodroof, Eric |
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8. A METHOD FOR PREDICTING FRACTURE-ENHANCED PERMEABILITY IN REGIONS OF "FLAT-LYING" STRATA Scope: The ability to predict relative fracture density in the subsurface is important to hydrologic investigations and to other endeavors involving earth resources and the environment. Six remote sensing mapping techniques were compared with detailed oil and gas production maps of a fracture controlled reservoir in the Sooner trend of Oklahoma to ascertain if a statistically significant correlation exists between the remote sensing phenomena tested and fracture density in the deep subsurface. Where applicable, linear correlation coefficients between surface and subsurface data were calculated and tested for validity using ANOVA and t-test of correlation. Findings: Five of the six sets of maps tested did not show any general correlation. However, a map of lineament-intersections derived from drainage lineaments did show a statistically significant correlation with fracture controlled Meramec-Osage oil and gas production. The relationship has a linear correlation coefficient in excess of .8 with ANOVA and t-test of correlation alpha-limit-of-error less than .01. This demonstrates a statistically significant correlation exists between surface drainage lineaments and relative fracture density at depths up to 2,500 meters. This correlation exists despite the presence of unconformities and "shale seals" between the surface and the target formation. All six sets of maps showed some relationship with subsurface structure and isopachous features. These relationships were not uniform, and no simple statistical correlation appeared feasible. Pages in Study: 199 Student: Bruce, Lyle |
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9. A MODEL OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NATURE CONSERVANCY PRESERVES IN OKLAHOMA Scope: The purpose of this study was to: (1) analyze the process of creating an environmental education supplement for the middle grades, (2) create a middle school curriculum supplement based on Oklahoma's Nature Conservancy Preserves, and (3) evaluate by survey and anecdotal data from participating teachers how successful the curriculum is in expanding learning and awareness of individual students. Particpating teachers were those who enrolled in a 16-hour workshop at Oklahoma State University. The workshop was designed to review background concepts covered in the supplement and to provide an opportunity for teachers to participate in at least ten of the twenty activities included in the materials. Anecdotal data were obtained from assignments which these teachers completed after accomplishing two of the activities with a class of students. Findings: Curriculum development follows certain logical steps, based on the purpose of the materials and the philosophies of the sponsoring agency. These steps should include the formulation of a timeline and also a budget, if the project is being funded. An advisory panel of experts in the area of focus should be formed to provide guidanced during the formatting of the teachers' guide and while fleshing out the content of each individual unit. Evaluation of the materials, after completion, requires use of the supplement in its entirely with both pre- and post-testing of the students completed by the teacher. This type of evaluation is not possible after a training session with teachers, or after the use of only one or two of the topic units with a class of students. Pages in Study: 191 Student: McIntyre, Mary |
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10. A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF OZONE FORECASTING IN THE U.S. EPA REGION 6 STATES Scope: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the differences in, and effectiveness of, various ozone prediciton strategies in the states included in Region 6 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The environmental programs included were those in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas. New Mexico does not currently have an Ozone Action program. Each area was statistically evaluated using U.S. EPA recommended statistical methods for the specific categories of Accuracy, Bias Ratio, False Alarm Rates, Critical Success Index and Probability of Detection. The areas were then compared based upon their statistical outcomes. Findings: Based upon the statistical methods used, the U.S. EPA Region 6 states' ozone forecasting programs are, in general, over-predicting episodic events. Therefore, the majority of these areas exhibit high False Alarm Rates, high Bias Ratios, and low Cricitical Success and Accuracy rate. However, the consistency of high False Alarm Rates, high Bias Ratios, and low Critical Success values observed throughout the study area for the 2000 ozone season indicates that, because the U.S. EPA Region 6 states are geographically located in a highly variable meterological area, it is very difficult to perform predictions based on weather forecasts. Also, the statistical method used for False Alarm Rates do not account for instances in which ozone levels may be affected by the episoidc program itself. This study highlighted possible problem areas in the U.S. EPA Region 6 states. Pages in Study: 62 Student: Roberts, Roxanne |
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11. A STOCHASTIC FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING FOREST MANAGEMENT IMPACTS ON WATER QUALITY FROM WATERSHEDS IN THE OUACHITA MOUNTAINS Scope: The purpose of this project was to develop a framework to quantify nonpoint source pollution (NPS) loading as a result of forest management on large watersheds in the Ouachita Mountains. The framework characterizes the variability in NPS loading due to natural weather sequences. Monte Carlo simulation techniques are used to account for the stochastic influence of weather and to generate samples of daily TSS, PHOS, and NO3N loading from alternative forest management schemes. Descriptive statistics and relative frequency plots are computed to quantify daily TSS, PHOS, and NO3N loading. Frequency analysis are employed to examine the probability of NPS loading exceeding levels of interest. One potential use of this framework is during the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads for water-quality limited waterbodies. The framework was applied to examine potential daily TSS, PHOS, and NO3N loading from four clearcutting management scenarios on Clayton Lake Watershed in S.E. Oklahoma. Findings: The framework proposed in this study is a viable procedure for quantifying daily TSS, PHOS, and NO3N loading from large clear cut watersheds in the Ouachita Mountains. The framework allows estimation of the parameters and probability distributions describing the populations of daily TSS, PHOS, and NO3N loading from large clear cut watersheds. The stochastic framework developed in this study is dependent upon predictions from a water quality model. If an appropriate model is selected and model parameters are estimated correctly, the framework output will be of value for TMDL development efforts. The stochastic framework will not be complet until a method of accounting for loading from forest road networks is incorporated. Pages in Study: 214 Student: Tate, Kenneth |
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12. A SURVEY OF NURSERY WATER QUALITY BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN OKLAHOMA Scope: A statewide nursery practices survey was designed to assess high risk areas with respect to environmental contamination, specifically how it relates to water quality. Oklahoma growers of all economic levels, retail and/or wholesale, were queried at their place of business for their current state of implementing best management practices (BMPs) and other strategic actions that could potentially affect current and future water quality standards. Findings: This survey revealed that nursery personnel in Oklahoma were interested in remaining proactive in regard to maintaining water quality standards while still producing high quality nursery stock. Their motivation was twofold; first to be environmentally responsible and secondly to mitigate public concern about careless use of fertilizers and/or pesticides. This environmental balance was not only feasible but was revealed as being realized by leading Oklahoma growers. The compiled data show that although many nurseries were proactive in their approach to environmental issues, a larger number of nurseries with lower gross annual income generally did not consider the possibility of changing part of their operation for environmental purposes. This illustrates that maintaining profitability is a major consideration, and if a nursery must choose between installing voluntary water conserving devices and risking financial losses, the less costly route will be taken. Overall, survey respondents had a positive attitude about BMP's and the potential for adopting more pro-active strategies in the future. With the proper education on money-saving BMP's that are also ecologically sound, nursery operators could greatly improve their water quality and the overall efficiency of their nursery operation. Pages in Study: 42 Student: White, Cody |
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13. A WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER IN OSAGE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA UTILIZED TO FORMULATE POLICY GUIDELINES FOR WATER RIGHTS AND RESOURCES PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT FOR INDIAN LANDS Scope: Used existing literature and data to define and characterize the major and minor aquifers in Osage County for areal extent, depth to fresh water and yield in order to develop a preliminary water resources management strategy. A determination was done on water quantity and quality for surface water and groundwater as well as hydroelectric generation, oil and gas production and agricultural pursuits, and impacts on those quantities and qualities. Water definitions, water law, as well as federal and state agencies which regulate water quality are considered in relation to the nature and extent of Indian water rights. The quantification of the Native American claims is to be supported by soil irrigability or land capability to demonstrate feasibility of proposed land uses. Remote sensing and a GIS program developed visual aids to assist creating resource and constraint maps to incorporate into Bureau of Indian Affairs guidelines for Indian water rights protection and resouce management. Findings: The study pointed out that a significant surface water and groundwater resource exists in Osage County in excess of 30 million acre feet and that the current and foreseeable needs could not exceed 10 million acre feet. A second point is that there is more than 500,000 to 604,000 acres of land which could be cropped as alfalfa or hay grasses to use the water resources and benefit the Osage Nation based on moderately to readily irrigable soils or land capability. The Osage Nation is entitled to a large portion of the waters in Osage County under the Winters Doctrine federal reserved water rights. Finally, the GIS program IDRISI is not a particularly effective research tool as a result of numerous limitations, but is adequate for teaching. Pages in Study: 160 Student: Shields, Jr., Richard |
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14. ADOPTION OF PEANUT INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM) PRACTICES IN ATOKA/BRYAN COUNTIES AND CADDO COUNTY OF OKLAHOMA Scope: A telephone survey and personal interviews were used to estimate the adoption of IPM in Atoka/Bryan, and Caddo counties of Oklahoma. Ninety usable responses were obtained from the telephone survey, 30 from Atoka/Bryan, and 60 from Caddo counties. Personal interviews with six growers in Atoka/Bryan, and with nine produceers in Caddo counties were conducted to complement the telephone survey. Findings: SAS (1989) statistical package ws used for frequency tables and for measuring some aspects of levels of differences between peanut growers in Atoka/Bryan, and Caddo counties in, for example, IPM awareness and soil testing frequency. The study concluded that IPM was adopted very well in both sites, but it was adopted to a greater extent in Atoka/Bryan counties than in Caddo country. Pages in Study: 104 Student: Seyum, Desalegn |
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15. AEOLIAN MODIFICATION OF PLEISTOCENE TERRACES ALONG THE CIMARRON RIVER IN MAJOR COUNTY, OKLAHOMA Scope: The processes and chronology of landscape formation in an area subject to alternating fluvial and aeolian processes were assessed. Pleistocene terraces on the north side of the Cimarron River in Major County are fluvial landforms, but aeolian forms are present on them. Soil-stratigraphic, photointerpretative, and radiometric dating studies were undertaken to assess the chronology of the landscape development and timing of the geomorphic processes. Detailed studies were made at two sites where the T2 terrace has been engulfed by dunes and sand sheets. Soils were described and sampled at twenty-two locations. Geomorphic surfaces were mapped in the region to develop a chronology of landscape formation. Aerial photos were interpreted to compare relative ages of sand deposits, and delineate the most recent aeolian deposits. Findings: Geomorphic mapping shows that the surfaces of the terrace system have been extensively modified by aeolian processes. Each of the eight fluvial terrace levles has a belt of sandhills, which masks the terrace escarpments. Scattered sand sheets are also present on these terrace surfaces. The initial deposition of the aeolian sand occurred along the river banks during arid periods. As the river lowered the valley, the floodplains became terraces with associated sand hills. Radiocarbon dating of soil humates established the dates that delimit when each process was dominant. Fluvial and aeolian activity on the T2 terrace began sometime after 12,800 years BP. Late Holocene aeolian activity is bracketed by stability at 1,730 and 1,250 years BP. These dates correspond with similar events reported for other locations in the Great Plains. Sand dunes and sand sheets on the terraces record changes in the climate and the resulting geomorphic processes. Most of the soils profiles on dunes record at least two periods of aeolian deposition. Buried, truncated soil profiles within the sand dunes are evidence of erosion at the start of arid episodes. When the rate of sand supply exceeded the rate of fluvial erosion, the channels of streams on the backswamp of the terraces were buried by sand. Pages in Study: 140 Student: Scott, Gregory |
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16. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA: A CASE STUDY Scope: The following provides a descriptive case study of Tulsa, Oklahoma's Ozone Alert! Program and related air pollution control efforts. A comparative analysis is performed to measure the local air quality programs with similar programs in cities throughout the United States. Based on this anaysis, recommendations are given as to how to improve Tulsa's air quality programs. Findings: The Ozone Alert! Program is designed to help control Tulsa's air pollution on an "as needed" basis. The program relies on voluntary measures by corporations, governmental agencies, and the public to reduce ozone-forming emissions when weather conditions are conducive to forming high levels of the pollutant. Even with the Ozone Alert! Program, Tulsa and other cities with similar pollution prevention programs continue to exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's health-based limits for ozone. Therefore, a long range plan is needed to ensure continued compliance with federal ozone standards. Measures such as expanded public transportation systems, the use of alternative vehicular fuels, and zoning practices designed to avoid urban sprawl can reduce the ever increasing use of the automobile. While automobile emissions standards are continually tightened, the air quality benefits realized from stricter standards are weakened since Americans are driving more miles each year. Therefore, long-term strategies to reduce the use of automobiles should be developed to permanently reduce local air pollution. Pages in Study: 100 Student: Turner, Heather |
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17. ALGAL RESPONSE TO NUTRIENTS IN A TURBID STREAM MESOCOSM Scope: The two most prevalent forms of surface water non-point source pollution in North America are nutrients and sediment. The study site is a concrete flume stream mesocosm using water from Lake Carl Blackwell near Stillwater, Oklahoma. Experiments were conducted the summer of 1995. This study was conducted to explore how light attenuation caused by suspended sediments affect a biomonitoring system of nutrient-diffusing periphytometers. Algal response to nutrients was measured as biomass (chlorophyll a) and as c:a ratio. Various conditions were employed to explore the possible use of these measurements to evaluate water quality in terms of nutrient and sediment loading. Findings: Conclusions were drawn after ANOVAs were conducted on chlorophyll data with a 95% confidence level. The main effect shown by these experiments is that light attenuation, whether caused by shade cloth, sediment, or depth in turbid water, reduces algal biomass when measured as chlorophyll a. It often significantly affects algal biomass responses to different nutrients. When extreme light limitation is present, biomass is reduced over all nutrients. Algae respond increasingly to micronutrients as light is reduced, even in a stream co-limited by nitrogen and phosphorus. Essentially no significant differences were revealed in chlorophyll c:a ratios, presumably due to taxonomically similar propagules. Pages in Study: 75 Student: Ratzlaff, Joan |
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18. ALLOCATING FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY UNDER CERCLA: AN EMPIRICLA MODEL Scope: The purpose of this study is to examine the Superfund process and the methods used for allocating financial responsibility among potentially responsible parties (PRPs). This investigation focuses on developing an empirical model for the efficient and equitable allocation of response costs among multiple PRPs. Participants in the study were involved in a multi-party negotiation settlement at the Hardage-Crimer Superfund Site in Criner, Oklahoma. The cost figures used in this study were provided by the final settlement agreement between the disputing parties. The allocation method presented in this study relies on the formation of cooperative coalitions among multiple PRPs. The decision to participate in a coalition is based on the comparison of alternative solutions and their expected cost or cost savings. For the purposes of this study, such a decision is made using a set of cost criteria commonly found in cooperative game theory problems. Using linear programming solutions, the upper and lower cost bounds are identified for each coalition member. Using the minimum cost remaining savings (MCRS) solution procedure, the optimal or least-cost solution is calculated for each coalition member as well as the coalition as a whole. Finally, based on this information a party or group of parties can identify it's most feasible solution and proceed with the site cleanup. Findings: Total cost savings varied among the three-party coalition structures, but remained somewhat consistent among the two-party and four-party coalition strucutres. However, the individual cost savings varied among the two-party and four-party coalition structures, but remained very consistent among the members of the three-party colation structures. Overall, the cost savings were significant enough to justify participating in a joint cleanup effort, rather than going at it alone. Although this study presents a specific cost allocation method, it does not address every possible case. It is important to realize that every case presents it's own unique set of circumstances. Therefore, it is important that every available alternative be considered and that an appropriate allocation method be developed for each case. Pages in Study: 100 Student: Readnour, Kevin |
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19. AN ANALYSIS OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE RECYCLING PROGRAM OF OWASSO, OKLAHOMA Scope: The Owasso Recycling Center (ORC), in operation since May, 1988, is the first city owned and operated recycling facility of its kind in Oklahoma. The city of Owasso has been a model for communities in Oklahoma which want to provide a recycling facility. The ORC is subsidized by the city. The lack of educational and information program promoting recycling and the ORC is a handicap to improving the financial stability of the ORC. This thesis identifies what the citizens know about recycling and the ORC, examines the incentives citizens believe motivates them to carry out recycling activities, discovers the barriers which keep citizens from performing recycling activies, and determines what differences exist between Owasso recyclers and nonrecyclers. A telephone survey was conducted to gather the information necessary for this thesis. Findings: This thesis shows the majority of residents are recyclers, who conduct recycling activities on a frequent basis, plan to maintain or increase their recycling in the future, and know of the ORC and its location. Knowledge of what recyclable materials are accepted at the Center is generally low, with the majority of residents feeling unsure about what is recycled. Motivational factors which most likely influence residents to recycle are intrinsic incentives, such as environmental concerns and a feeling of doing the right thing. None of the barriers are strong enough to keep the majority of residents from performing recycling activities. Two of the strongest barriers are availability of recycling facilities and/or pick up services and simply forgetting to recycle. Differences between recyclers and nonrecyclers include future intentions to recycle, the knowledge of who had heard of the ORC, the location of the ORC, utilization of the ORC, and the recyclable materials collected at the ORC. There are no demographic differences found between the two groups. The findings concluded that the majority of Owasso citizens, whether recyclers or nonrecyclers, are wiling to recycle in the future. To motivate the citizens to rcycle, Owasso should address the relationship recycling has with the environment through education programs, provide general information about how, when, and where to recycle, and promote the ORC by using a widespread campaign to encourage long-term participation and utilization of the ORC. Pages in Study: 100 Student: Heinrichs, Shelly |
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20. AN ASSESSMENT OF ACCURACY OF THE 1992 NATIONAL RESOURCES INVENTORY AS PERFORMED BY THE SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE IN OKLAHOMA Scope: The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of the Soil Conservation Service 1992 National resources Inventory in regard to "cover/use" data collected through remote sensing techniques and determine if a two percent or less reference check is adequate instead of the five percent reference check being used at the present time. During this research, an attempt was made to identify land cover/use types for which remote sensing techniques may be deficient and identify techniques and procedures that might improve the accuracy of future inventories. An accuracy assessment was made on a four country area with the data obtaind analyzed using the Fisher's Exact Test. Findings: Fisher's exact test showed a high probability that the reference data collected at a five percent level is equal to the reference data collected at the two and one percent level of sampling of the selected four landuse cover/use classes. This research indicates that the aerial photo interpretation techniques utilized in the 1992 NRI were relatively accurate with only 3 points found misclassified out of the 65 points referenced. The misclassifications were spread relatively evenly across all of the four land cover/use classes studied. Further studies, with regard to landcover/use reference checks, are recommended to identify reference levels at which the USDA SCS feels comfortable with the remote sensing techniques in place. Pages in Study: 63 Student: Phillippi, Jeffrey |
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