Masters Theses

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Browsing Masters Theses by Author "Aber, Jeremy"
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    APPLICATION OF GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR IN THE SUBSURFACE INVESTIGATION OF SILVER LAKE PLAYA IN NORTHWEST NEVADA
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2022) Gibson, Andrew Wright ; Momm, Henrique ; Harris, Clay ; Aber, Jeremy
    The focus of this study is the subsurface characterization of Silver Lake Playa in northwest Nevada, USA, by application of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The nondestructive nature of GPR analysis is able to keep intact the geomorphological and potential cultural setting of the study area while supporting the selection of appropriate sites for further, more destructive investigations. GPR surveys revealed four distinct radar facies used to describe the subsurface within the study area. GPR datasets correlate with soil samples from auger holes (A1, A3, A5). GPR datasets reveal radar signatures that correlate to other studies of fan delta environments. GPR data from the playa-lunette at the southeastern margin of the playa is consistent with other studies of playa-lunette morphology. GPR appears to be an effective means of collecting data in low salinity playa environments.
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    Assessment and Modeling of Hurricane Impacts on Water Quality and its Spatiotemporal Distribution
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2020) Osborne, Andrew Dylan ; El Kadiri, Racha ; Momm, Henrique ; Aber, Jeremy
    Hurricanes have affected the waters of the east coast of the United States throughout the region’s history. These storms cause changes in water quality through mechanisms such as damage to infrastructure, excessive precipitation, and storm surges. We attempt to conduct a regional assessment of these changes in water quality through the study of 14 hurricanes. To reach our goal we collected water quality datasets for 815 stations from the USGS’s Water-Quality Data for the Nation database, extracted a various range of contributing variables for each investigated station, and constructed and employed a machine learning based procedure to determine which contributing factors have the highest impact on water quality as well as the magnitude of the response. This technique yields a better understanding of the relationship between hurricanes and their impact on water quality and also provides a predictive capability where the impact of future hurricanes can be modeled and estimated.
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    INTEGRATING GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR, FIELD DATA, AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS FOR PALEOFLOOD STUDIES ALONG LYTLE CREEK, MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2021) Obe, Oluwatosin ; Collins, Joe ; Momm, Henrique ; Aber, Jeremy
    A geophysical investigation involving ground-penetrating radar (GPR) with soil probing was carried out on the floodplain of Lytle Creek, Murfreesboro, to understand the flood depositions and their subsurface lithology. Information was used to determine the watershed boundaries. A 350 MHz and 900 MHz Geophysical Survey Systems Inc. (GSSI) equipment was used for GPR data acquisition, and major interpretation procedures involving dewowing, filtering, and applying automatic gain were carried out. The GPR surveys in this study revealed significant sub-surface stratigraphy of depositional materials along the river channel. Three main characteristic radar facies were identified through the floodplain and bank exposure investigation. The majority of the profiles were noted to have horizontal, wavy, and hyperbolic reflections. The resulting floodplain structure was delineated and found to extend throughout the river channel and having fine-grained deposits (silty loam and silty clay). GPR proved to be a reliable tool in delineating subsurface stratigraphy non-invasively for this study.
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    SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ASSESSMENT OF POINT SOURCE RESPIRABLE ALPHA QUARTZ IN NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS, U.S.A.
    (Middle Tennessee State University, 2022) Jones, Hannah Victoria ; Momm, Henrique ; Hass, Alisa ; Aber, Jeremy
    Respirable α-quartz fugitive aerosols produced from aggregate production operations (APOs) within limestone bedrock strata have been associated with increased adverse health effects in workers and surrounding populations. Efforts to monitor silicate mineral constituents sourced from these lithologic units have increased to better characterize the significant amount of α-quartz dust present. This study aims to speciate and relatively quantify the α-quartz content present in 36 ambient dust samples collected within the perimeter of a major APO in New Braunfels, Texas, using Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX). While FTIR and SEM-EDX have been used to estimate quantities of emissions from a single potential point source, few studies compare results between the methods. Understanding the chemical properties of the observed species is essential to understanding the effect on air quality across the region and the potential effects it has on population health. While both methods contained uncertainties, concentrations for multiple samples were on average 2.5 times higher than permissible exposure limits. Further action should be taken to capture fugitive dust to prevent these high levels from affecting the health of workers and citizens.