https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/5920 2026-04-12T22:45:54Z 2026-04-12T22:45:54Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6026 2017-09-28T10:14:45Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Performance quantification of extensive green roof substrate blend : expanded shale and biochar Abstract: Urban stormwater management practices often involve the redirection of runoff to local waterbodies. As such, the quality of runoff directly affects the condition of these receiving waters. Green roofs offer many benefits to the urban environment including attractive aesthetics, thermal insulation for buildings and stormwater runoff reduction. Unfortunately, in order to promote the spread of vegetation, fertilization is often practiced that can lead to elevated nutrient concentrations in runoff and, ultimately, nearby streams, rivers and bays. Different amounts of biochar, pyrolyzed biomass, were added to model green roof trays to test for the ability of this charcoal-like substance to prevent nitrate and phosphate leaching. Analysis of leachate from natural and simulated rain events showed statistically significant differences of average nitrate concentrations for two out of four rain events, though none for phosphate. Samples from the natural rain event exhibited a clear inverse relationship between nitrate concentration and biochar quantity. The second simulated rain event, however, produced nitrate concentrations that rose and subsequently fell as biochar quantity increased. Further research is needed on the method by which biochar attracts anions though different experimental designs and equipment may more conclusively reveal that biochar can play a role in green roofs as a soil amendment. More noteworthy, though, may be the consistently high nutrient concentrations in leachate originating from the fertilized model trays. The fertilizer application rate of 5 g N/m2 may not be suitable for the substrate and vegetation used in this study but nonetheless it is strongly recommended that controlled-release fertilizer types are used. Description: M.SC.SUS.ENV.RES.MANGT.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6019 2018-07-17T09:41:32Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Efficacy according to viewing length and video content of promotional videos for sustainability graduate education Abstract: Sustainability communication opens up a range of perspectives on the definition and theory associated with concepts of sustainability and communication. An overview of the literature dealing with sustainability communication and its measure is presented with a dialogic perspective in mind. Practical matters of the video length, production methods and design are described. The Project is evaluated with the sustainability testing rubric advanced by Polk, Reilly, Servaes, Shi and Yakupitijage. The study compares three videos of different length and environmental images through an online survey. It is hypothesized that related environmental images and a three minute video will prompt more positive affect and cognitive retention of Maltese sustainability issues than a one minute video with similar images and a one minute video with no such images and a group that views no video. Description: M.SC.SUS.ENV.RES.MANGT.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6018 2018-07-17T09:48:54Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: An analysis of U.S./Canadian fisheries policy in regards to Pacific salmon and the preservation of indigeneity in the Pacific Northwest Abstract: For more than 160 years, the Pacific salmon has been an important resource for the United States and Canada. However, it has been overexploited. Proper management of the species is essential not only for maintaining healthy populations but also maintaining the interests of diverse stakeholders. One set of stakeholders consists of the indigenous peoples of North America because the Pacific salmon are crucial to their food, social, and ceremonial traditions. This thesis explores the impacts of Canadian and U.S. public policies on the cultural integrity of native peoples in the Pacific Northwest, specifically as those peoples rely on wild Pacific salmon for key cultural attributes. Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest have historically depended on the salmon resource as a source of sustenance, trade, and spirituality. A “desk study” was conducted for this thesis using literature resources. A “matched pairs case study” was utilized to compare and contrast United States and Canadian fisheries policy impacts on their respective indigenous cultures. It analyzes nine indigenous tribes throughout the region and assesses the impacts based on seven cultural traits. Each relevant cultural trait was evaluated on its current state and the degree of impact caused by policy. The findings suggest that Canada has better accommodated the rights of its indigenous peoples because it actively incorporated these rights into federal legislation, wild salmon policies and strategies, and modern-day treaty-making. However, both Canada and the United States have unique policy issues that include how to create effective co-management schemes and equally distribute fish catch between indigenous and non-indigenous fishing interests. The hope is that policy makers will use this information to better understand the impacts of fisheries management on indigenous peoples and make policy decisions that better accommodate their needs. Description: M.SC.SUS.ENV.RES.MANGT.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/6016 2017-09-29T08:48:48Z 2014-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Polyculture bioremediation: an analysis of potential nitrogen assimilation and removal by Mya arenaria, Gracilaria tikvahiae and Ulva lactuca harvests in the Corsica river, MD Abstract: An analysis of nitrogen bioremediation in a tidal tributary of the Chesapeake Bay by the use of a hypothetical bivalve and macroalgae polyculture covering 1%, 3% and 5% of the Corsica River bottom area. This study was performed to illustrate the role ecosystem services play in managing diffuse watershed pollution, particularly nitrogen, resulting in water quality and living resource degradation. Excess concentrations of nitrogen in the Corsica River estuary lead to seasonal eutrophication and subsequent hypoxic events. Mya arenaria L. and Gracilaria tikvahiae (McLachlan, 1979) were chosen for this theoretical study due to their high assimilative capacities for nitrogen and established commercial value, whereas Ulva lactuca L. was analyzed as a biofouling harvest to increase the harvest nitrogen sink. M. arenaria nitrogen assimilation was calculated from literature values of nitrogen content in tissue, whereas G. tikvahiae was simulated from an existing macroalgae submodel. M. arenaria nitrogen removal ranged from 1000 kg N to 7000 kg of nitrogen per year and did not reflect M. arenaria mortality or nitrogen remineralization from biodeposits. Simulation of the model indicates that G. tikvahiae can remove between 51-255 kg of nitrogen per year and U. lactuca only removes 35-103 kg of nitrogen per year. Results indicate that the polyculture of M. arenaria and G. tikvahiae in the Corsica River can adequately reduce net nitrogen levels and demonstrate the use of bioremediation as a possible nutrient management tool for estuary restoration. Description: M.SC.SUS.ENV.RES.MANGT.

2014-01-01T00:00:00Z