Undergraduate Research Day 2023
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Browsing Undergraduate Research Day 2023 by Issue Date
Now showing 1 - 20 of 36
Results Per Page
Sort Options
Item Are SNHU Waterways Impaired by Excess Chloride Due to Road Salt Application?(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-02) McCoy, Katy; Collins, AaronThe chloride ion found in road salt accumulates in water bodies and has negative impacts on aquatic life and ecosystems. Amphibians experience developmental and behavioral changes at high chloride concentrations. Ecosystems can also be impacted – too much salt can cause water density changes, soil contamination, harm to algae, and harm to mammals. The road salt that is applied in colder climates is effective at ensuring the safety of drivers, but little attention is focused on the consequences of applying large amounts of road salt. To understand how much road salt is present in water bodies in southern New Hampshire, and to understand the relationship between urbanization and salinization, the conductivity of water samples was measured in an area immediately adjacent to the campus roadways and another remote location. The results are compared to meteorological data and impairment threshold values.Item Spotted Lanternflies in Eastern Pennsylvania(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Naska, Makenzie; Collins, AaronThe Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive species. SLF are planthoppers, an insect that jumps from one location to another. SLF are native to China but have spread to other parts of the world, including the United States. The species was first spotted in Eastern Pennsylvania in 2014. Since then, the SLF has spread to surrounding states. The insects feed on the sap in tree leaves and then secrete the extra sap through Honeydew, which is damaging to plants. In addition, SLF numbers increase at high rates, which can overwhelm the environment. SLF are hitchhiking insects. They will lay their eggs on any hard surface. These surfaces include trees, shipping containers, and vehicles. When the eggs are laid on a moving surface, this helps to increase the spread of the species. Preventing the spread of SLF is the issue this paper aims to address. By researching SLF habits, new prevention methods are found. Although there are prevention procedures in place, no strategy is fully effective. There are methods currently used to decrease the spread of the species. Next, problem-solving must occur at the root of the issue. If the population numbers are minimized, then there will be fewer eggs laid, which means a decreased spread. A new method needs to be explored to discover if there are ways to lessen the population numbers. This research will provide a viable solution to the issue at hand, while also educating other people about the species.Item Review of Renewable Energy, Work Labor, Costs, and Food Quality and Production to Evaluate the Potential of Vertical Farming in New Hampshire(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Reczko, Mallory; Collins, AaronVertical farming provides a different way to produce crops. The research focuses on indoor vertical farming and the use of renewable energy sources and efficient light sources. The goal of the study is to understand the differences between vertical farming and basic agriculture, and which one is more efficient for the environment and growing population of New Hampshire. Could vertical farming be the future of cleaner, faster, and more reliable agriculture? The research provides a comparison of categories of collected data between vertical farms and basic agriculture. Categories include land use, water use, pesticides, work labor and robots, production rate, energy used, light sources, and quality of food. Wheat yield in vertical farming is projected to be 70 kg m−2 y−1 and lettuce is over 200 kg m−2 y−1, compared to the current world average; 0.3 kg m−2 y−1 for wheat yields and 2.2 kg m−2 y−1 for lettuce yields (all negative numbers here are superscripts). If land used for basic agriculture is used for vertical farming, more land than provided is expected to be required for wind energy and PV energy. However, in vertical farming the control of pests is expected to be much more attainable than in basic agriculture. Potential limitations include possible false projections due to climate change. Further research is required to better understand the role climate change plays in vertical farming, expenses for vertical farming, crops viable from vertical farming, and if it’s possible for vertical farming practices to be implemented worldwide.Item Are the Warming Temperatures of the Gulf of Maine Affecting Local Shark Populations?(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Lavoie, Kelley; Collins, AaronThe Gulf of Maine is one of the fastest warming waters in the world. The temperature of these waters plays a large role in the survival of all the species that live there, from influencing their behavior, to how the find food and what kinds of food they can find. The primary objective of this study was to understand and describe the effects the warming of the Gulf of Maine has on local shark populations in regard to their feeding habits, migratory patterns, and interactions with humans. This study was primarily done through the use of previous studies which used methods of tagging and looking at past information to both track shark movement through the areas, as well as look at past warming trends in the Gulf of Maine and to predict future warming trends and how the warming affects species commonly used as prey by sharks. By looking back at temperatures in the Gulf of Maine, primarily between the years 1976 and 2005, an average change in temperature can be recorded and is predicted to increase by 1.1° C to 2.4° C by the year 2050. Since many of these are species that are often preyed upon by sharks in the area, it is expected that shark populations migration patterns, and feeding habits will be affected.Item Climate Change and its Effects on Jellyfish Populations(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Goettel, Connor; Collins, AaronClimate change is an expanding and widely discussed issue, that is at the forefront of many movements. However, there are many issues that are not widely researched or understood. In this thesis we will delve into the effects climate change has on jellyfish populations in the northern east coast of the USA. Works of literature and academic journals have been written about how climate change is affecting reproduction and migration but not enough to be considered “well researched”. Through academic research we produce more combined and focused information. With the current information climate change seems to have effects on jellyfish population but in both growth and decline. We aim to know more about their projected population and how that could affect global food webs, human recreation, and fisheries.Item Pollinators, the Importance of the Declining Monarch Butterfly and What We Can Do(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Martis, Roman; Collins, AaronPollinators are a crucial part of Earth’s ecosystem and play a major role in the existence of life on this planet. In recent years, the Monarch butterfly population has taken a significant hit along with their host plant where they lay their eggs, milkweed. Another plant, the sacred fir, which is native to Mexico, has also been on the decline due to climate change. This recent decrease is due to many factors including extreme weather events, insecticides, pesticides, and habitat loss/fragmentation. Recent studies have pointed out that a protection zone around milkweed plants has been shown to alleviate the pressure presented by these chemicals which decrease egg laying efficiency. This study aims to highlight the importance of pollinators, increase monarch and milkweed populations by tracking and rearing them.Item How Does Particulate Matter and Ozone Levels Affect Manchester, NH Public Health?(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Wilson, Deanne; Collins, AaronThe aim of this research project is to examine the effects of particulate matter and ozone levels on public health in Manchester, NH. Air pollution is a significant environmental problem in Manchester, with particulate matter and ozone being two of the most concerning pollutants. Exposure to high levels of particulate matter and ozone can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, including asthma, bronchitis, and heart attacks, among others. Long-term exposure to particulate matter has also been linked to premature death. This study will analyze air quality data and public health records to assess the impact of particulate matter and ozone levels on the health of Manchester residents. The findings of this study will be useful in guiding policies and interventions aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting public health in Manchester, NH.Item SNHU's Red-tailed Hawks(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Naska, Makenzie; Salyards, Emily; Morse, Jonathan; York, KatharineRed-tailed hawks are birds of prey. Red-tailed hawks are native to North and Central America. These hawks are common in the state of New Hampshire and are spotted frequently. There have been two Red-tailed hawks observed on Southern New Hampshire University's (SNHU’s) campus. The hawks use the campus' surrounding wood and open fields for their home. SNHU’s campus provides an ideal location for the hawks to reside at or near. SNHU is a rapidly growing school. With this growth comes campus expansion. As the school grows, the surrounding wooded landscape will decrease, causing habitat loss for local wildlife. If the hawks reside on the campus, habitat loss could disrupt their natural patterns. This research project aims to study the habits of the Red-tailed hawks to ensure their safety on SNHU’s campus. This will be done by observing the interactions between the Red-tailed hawks and SNHU’s campus. Understanding how the hawks interact with the environment will influence future decisions to guarantee their safety. The campus does not have any formal recognition of the hawks nor any education available to the public about them. Further research must be conducted on the Red-tailed hawks in order to create a solution that ensures their safety, as well as the safety of SNHU’s campus.Item Green Burials and the Ecology of New Hampshire(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Blood, Isabella; Collins, AaronThe ideas and practices of green burials have recently been acquainted with the non-exhaustive list of mitigation strategies for climate change. Green burials, which are alternatives to traditional postmortem services, have a positive impact on the environment, as opposed to harmful practices used in most services currently. New Hampshire’s ecological systems, like others’ can benefit from these types of green services and cemeteries. How exactly these services can improve or sustain natural life in the New Hampshire ecosystems is unknown. While green cemeteries vary in types all around the world, it is clear they are affective. Understanding the relationship of green burials and the environment is crucial to advancement in common sustainable practices.Item Zoos Effects on Animal Conservation(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Hammond, Gwyn; Collins, AaronZoos are a multi purpose facilities that house animals and help educate the public on many species, while controversial with some ethical dimemias there are many zoos that contribute to animal conservation efforts. With habitat destruction and more animals becoming endangered there is a stronger need for zoos to become a stronger part of animal conservation efforts to help restore animal populations. There has been focus on how zoos have increased their efforts but not a spotlight on zoo sizes and how that can contribute to conservation efforts. There are many zoos that put time and effort into the translocation of animals but there are not enough across the board to fully make an impact. This problem will be addressed by analyzing what types and sizes of zoos are the most beneficial and how the smaller zoos can improve how they approach the issue of conservation. The research will compare multiple types of zoos and look at their beneficial tactics and implementation of practices that will benefit animals. By looking at the reproductions and translocation rates of these certain zoos I will be able to see what specific practices are most beneficial. The key impact of this study is to see how zoos can further their rehabilitation efforts for animals. With better efforts from zoos, there will be a better chance for the repopulation of endangered animal species.Item Acid Deposition and Brook Trout(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Bartlett, Brooke; Collins, AaronNew Hampshire is being negatively affected by acid deposition. The average pH of waters in New Hampshire are very acidic, which causes issues with the environment of brook trout. This is an issue that is mainly caused by the geographic make up of New Hampshire that hasn’t been addressed in this state by ecologists. In order to address this problem, I propose we integrate a liming program in the rivers of New Hampshire. In order to integrate this program, I will do research on the water and effects of acid deposition on brook trout in New Hampshire, and I will consult with people who are knowledgeable about the water and geology of New Hampshire. This research is impactful because brook trout are an indicator species, so it is important to keep their habitat safe and healthy.Item How Habitat Loss Affects Animals In New England(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Salyards, Emily; Collins, AaronIn New England, and the country in general, habitat loss is a large problem. Forests are being cleared daily to make room for new developments. Forests have been cleared to create things like highways and apartment complexes, and it seems as if this is a never ending process. The loss of forests does not only hurt the trees that are getting cut down, it hurts the animals and other plants that depended on those trees for habitats and food. Animals are forced to move into new areas after their homes are destroyed. This may cause them to move into areas such as residential areas which may be unsafe. Here we show the effects of habitat loss on animals and the ecosystem and some ways that people may be able to make a difference; like going paperless or shopping responsibly for wood.Item The Water Quality of the Merrimack and to Know How This River is Being Monitored Since This River is One of the Most Important Sources of Drinking Water in New England.(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Quintana, Alberto; Collins, AaronEveryone has managed to hear the famous phrase "Drinking water is essential for life", since this liquid is used and consumed daily by all living beings. Water contamination is a problem that is increasing every time, which is why it is urgent to care for drinking water in order to prevent diseases from reaching humans, animals or agriculture in general. In an article by National Geographic, it explains that, of all the water that exists on the planet, only 3% is drinking water, unfortunately only about 0.3% of drinking water is found in lakes and rivers, which is accessible to humans, the remaining percentage find it very difficult to get access to water since they are on the ice caps or in underground ways. The Merrimack River is one of New England's major tributaries, with nearly 500,000 people using it as a source of drinking water in their daily lives. However, water sources such as the Merrimack River and water wells have been exposed to chemicals that can harm those who consume these waters. The presence of substances that do not belong in the water, and which in turn can create an imbalance in aquatic ecosystems, is commonly known as pollution. Demonstrate the level of water quality provided by the river, to which the people of the different communities of New Hampshire and Massachusetts Collecting water samples at sites along the Merrimack River from Manchester, NH to Salisbury, MA, and some water wells in Merrimack NH. verified monitoring for the collection of data such as pH, total dissolved solids, temperature and levels of presence of fecal bacteria and other chemicals dissolved in the effluent. This project will focus on measuring the levels of presence of two types of Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Enterococcus bacteria, which can indicate if the river is contaminated with fecal bacteria. The presence of feces specifically in the tributaries presents a serious threat both to humans and to different ecosystems, these bacteria may have the power to make people sick, if they are exposed. Recreational activities like swimming, diving, and others would become unsafe. That is why constant monitoring of water quality has played a very important role for the health of the different communities surrounding the river. However, there are many other ways to contaminate drinking water sources, the Saint-Gobain plastics company located in Merrimack, is responsible for the contamination of several public drinking water wells that have been contaminated by different types of chemicals such as PFAS, this being a risk for those who consume the water. of these contaminated wells. As a consequence of consuming water contaminated with chemicals, the risk of people suffering from cancer increases.Item The Impact of Habitat Fragmentation on Native Species in New Hampshire(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Igoe, Kelly; Collins, AaronHabitat fragmentation is the act of splitting up habitats due to human activity, such as building roads, neighborhoods, or other forms of human development. This impacts local species negatively because it disforms or removes their habitats which can leave lasting impacts on their health and safety. In New Hampshire, there is very little discussion or focus on the impact of habitat fragmentation on native or migratory species. This paper will discuss the ways in which we can protect these species through different adaption strategies. The results show that with these strategies we can effectively support these species with ease.Item Habitat Fragmentation and Herpetofauna(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Zucowska, Carolyn; Collins, AaronSouthern New Hampshire has become heavily urbanized in recent decades which impacts native wildlife’s habitat area. Reptiles and especially amphibians are indicator species, therefore, studying their population changes due to this habitat alteration can display the true effects. This research project’s goal is to collect information on how habitat fragmentation, or the separation of habitats due to roads and other transportation routes, affects herpetofauna in Southern New Hampshire. While the topic of habitat fragmentation’s effect on amphibians and reptiles has been studied, there hasn’t been any studies in this geographic region. Most reptiles and amphibians in this area have been researched minimally and therefore it is difficult to determine the best conservation methods. The most well researched way of connecting fragmented land for conservation is wildlife corridors. Many herpetofauna avoid crossing paved roads or suffer road mortality. Therefore, it would be valuable to complete further research on local reptiles and amphibians' behaviors around paved roads and implement wildlife underpasses to connect their fragmented land. This research would form a better understanding of possible conservation methods of native New Hampshire wildlife to avoid possible extinction of these sensitive indicator species.Item Fast Fashion(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Jimenez, Gabriela; Collins, AaronFast fashion– an industry titan that has been dominating textile markets since the 90s has rarely had its ethicality and environmental footprint looked into until recently. Fast fashion is an economically effective business model that adopts a “take, make, dispose” system by profiting off of the constant overproduction and overconsumption of cheap clothing globally, at the expense of exploited textile workers. Each step in the creation of a garment takes place in mainly unregulated developing nations where ample pollution and CO2 emissions along with textile, water, and energy waste gets omitted until the finished product reaches its ideal end goal: the hands of the trendy American or European impulse-buyer. From there, the fast fashion cycle repeats itself as the clothes are only worn a few times before they’re subsequently thrown away and added to the millions of tons of textiles that are currently sitting in landfills unable to decompose. The continuous output and disposal of textiles in this industry now makes up ~10% of greenhouse gasses per unit of material, making it the second largest polluter in the world that contributes to ~10% of pollution globally, amongst other things. While it’s nearly impossible to make change from the root of the problem, there are small steps that this modern society of consumers can make to pressure industry decision-makers to be more sustainable, humane, and environmentally conscious in the production of clothes. To get a scope of how much people understand this issue, local trends will be surveyed and analyzed, sustainable lifestyle changes will be promoted, and opportunities for others to do their part and feel like a part of something bigger through various programs will be utilized. It’s of the utmost importance to identify the exact pressures that are being put on the planet on a smaller scale in order to comprehend the bigger picture before the industry pushes the Earth and its resources past a point of no return.Item How Does Warming Temperatures Impact the Snowpack in Alpine Catchments?(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Bunch, Nicholas; Collins, AaronAs the Earth warms up a plethora of environmental issues arise in the alpine region. Various models are now showing that in the future there could be an increase in rain as winter precipitation due to a consistent rise in temperatures in the alpine region. This rain can cause a variety of problems in alpine ecosystems and water basins. Snowpack in these regions is expected to decrease which in turn can have major reductions on spring/summer runoff flows because of the decrease in frozen precipitation during the winter months that can result in flash flooding, droughts, and decrease in ground water storage. Not only does the decrease in snowpack in the alpine region affect the abiotic factors like water, they also impact biotic organisms such as various lichen that rely on the insulation properties of snow during the winter. Snowpack in these regions is expected to decrease which in turn can have major reductions on spring/summer runoff flows. The models shown here are important to see how dangerous uniform global warming is on alpine regions due to the decrease in snowpack and the timing of melting in alpine regions that can be applied to the White Mountains in New Hampshire.Item Stormwater Runoff Threatens the Merrimack River(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-03) Cooledge, Morgan; Collins, AaronStormwater runoff and its effects on water quality can negatively impact the environment. For example, combined sewer overflow, also known as CSO, is a major source of contaminants. The sewer systems collect rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial waste. However, when wastewater treatments become overwhelmed and can not be treated as needed, the untreated polluted water is pushed into waterways. Green infrastructure is a low-cost, adaptable method that helps prevent flooding and erosion. Trees, green roofs, and rain gardens help absorb excess rainfall before it hits the ground and runs down sidewalks, picking up pollutants. Several techniques are described in the literature to measure the reduction of stormwater runoff. This work investigates a new stormwater drainage technique called Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) to help contain the water flow. Other methods include water diversion, sewage interception, and sediment dredging. A series of studies addresses point sources that lead to water pollution, like combined sewer flow (CSO), infrastructure debris, motor oil, and more. By identifying these sources here in New Hampshire, a new approach can be drawn up to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff without influencing the water quality and environment of the New Hampshire wildlife.Item Fastest Warming Body of Water in the World(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-04) Reyes, Ethan; Collins, AaronFrom the mid-1980s to the present day the Gulf of Maine has been closely monitored due to the ever-warming body of water. The Gulf of Maine is the fastest-warming body of water in the world and the main reason scientists think that is because of various studies performed from the 1980s to the present day. What they found was that it was due to global warming. Cold currents coming from the north are not inputting enough of the cold water and inputting warmer water coming in from other currents. Researchers found out that since 2012 the Gulf of Maine has been warming up by 0.03 Celsius per year (Shelley). The warming body of water is causing a big environmental effect on the marine life that lives there. Migration patterns are also being affected because of the warming body of water making some species less abundant in the area like the write whale that is only really found in Maine. The warming of not only the Gulf of Maine but other bodies of water is concerning, but with the right global laws put into place some of these problems could easily be fixed.Item How Does Music Preference Relate to Personality and Memory?(Southern New Hampshire University, 2023-03-28) Chan, Kah May; Pang, Xin Xian Annabelle; Frost, PeterHow do the Big 5 Personality traits relate to preference for different music genres? Our research investigates how the different music genres would affect the students’ memory and reveal their personality traits. There are some associations among Big Five Personality Traits, different genre of music and a person’s memory. According to the resources, the research indicated that two personality traits such as neuroticism and openness correlated significantly with the music preferences. A 34 question online survey made on Qualtrics was administered. The survey consisted of 12 pages. The questions are consist of multiple choices, text entry and slider. The participants followed the online link for the survey to complete some demographic questions. Then, an experiment to memorize different sets of words under three music conditions was conducted, which are no music condition, soft music condition and loud music condition, then participants are required to fill in the words that they have memorized. The whole survey took approximately five to ten minutes to complete.