Theses and Dissertations from UMD

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2

New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM

More information is available at Theses and Dissertations at University of Maryland Libraries.

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Anacostia River

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    FAREWELL, RFK. HELLO AFFORDABILITY AND PLACE.
    (2020) Ramirez, Christopher Rudy; Bell, Matthew; Architecture; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The RFK Stadium is a 50-year-old building that is planned to be demolished by 2021. The building is deteriorating more over time. The cost of maintenance and utilities is 3.5 million dollars per year without creating revenue. But, once the stadium is gone, the entire RFK Campus (190 acres) becomes available. Currently, 167 acres are covered to asphalt. But, despite current plans that propose sport facilities, this thesis explores the dedication of the RFK campus for housing. First, it examines past and present planning efforts in order to draw principles of design. Second, it provides an analysis of the site with its benefits and constraints. Third, it studies successful cases as precedents. Finally, it proposes a master plan for the RFK Campus covering housing, institutional buildings, monuments, and parks.
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    Survival and biochemical health indicators of Elliptio complanata deployed in Anacostia River tributaries for monitoring of persistent organic contaminants
    (2019) Harrison, Rachel Marie; Yonkos, Lance T; Environmental Science and Technology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The Anacostia River is one of three regions-of-concern in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and organochlorine pesticides are known to accumulate in sediment and biota within portions of the Anacostia system, but on-going contaminant sources are poorly understood. The current study investigates relative contaminant burdens in the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata deployed in six non-tidal Anacostia tributaries and an out-of-system reference site. Mussels acquire contaminants during feeding and are a useful tool for monitoring POPs transporting through the system. Mussels were effective at identifying sites with high contaminant loads. The study also investigates the suitability of Anacostia tributaries for reintroduction of E. complanata to increase benthic community diversity and potentially improve water quality. Survival and growth during deployment was very good for both sampling seasons. Biochemical health parameters of deployed mussels suggest that conditions may be suitable for mussel reintroduction.
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    An Assessment of Exposure to Pollution by Recreational Users of The Anacostia Watershed: Project Recreate
    (2013) Murray, Rianna Teresa; Wilson, Sacoby; Maryland Institute for Applied Environmental Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The Anacostia River, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, is highly contaminated with raw sewage, heavy metals, oil and grease, trash, pathogens, excessive sediments and organic chemicals. Many people use this river on a regular basis for recreational purposes, including kayaking, canoeing, rowing and sport fishing. The contaminants in the river potentially pose threats to human health for recreational users. While there has been some study of the exposure to subsistence fishers in this region there is currently little information available on the risks faced by recreational users. This work gathered pilot data on recreational users with the purpose of assessing any associated exposure risks to contaminants. The high levels of contamination in the Anacostia River and the popularity of recreation makes this an important public health issue. This study is the first to combine an evaluation of risk and risk perception for the recreational population of the Anacostia River.
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    Impact of Reconstructed Wetlands on the Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
    (2006-06-04) Lohnes, Karen Lynn; Ottinger, Mary Ann; Animal Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) nestlings were used as a sentinel species to evaluate the bioavailability and effect of contaminants to terrestrial life at reconstructed wetlands, Kingman Lake and Kenilworth Marsh, on the Anacostia River. Nesting success, survival, growth and developmental parameters were recorded and compared to an established reference location. Metals, metalloids and organic contaminant concentrations in the eggs and nestlings were examined. In addition, biomarkers of exposure for some organic contaminants (cytochrome P450), some pesticides (cholinesterase activity), and lead (delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase) were measured. Only subtle differences between sites were observed for reproductive and growth parameters of the nestlings. Chemical analysis showed significant differences (p<0.05) between sites of relatively few contaminants. Of the biomarkers examined, only cytochrome P450 activity was found to be significantly different between sites (p=0.04). Contaminant concentrations and biomarker data from the tree swallows suggest no serious impacts to insectivorous birds residing in these wetlands.