Water Quality Assessment of Sager Creek Utilizing Physiochemical Parameters and a Family-Level Biotic Index

An annual rapid bioassessment and physiochemical survey of Sager Creek in Northwest Arkansas was conducted. Sager Creek is a first to second order stream that flows through the city of Siloam Springs, AR. Invertebrate collections and water samples were collected at three different reaches, with the most downstream reach being below the effluent of the Siloam Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant. Benthic arthropods were collected, identified, and counted to produce a family-level biotic index and a family-level index of diversity. Statistical analysis revealed that these indices were significantly different for the effluent- influenced reach. However, this difference could not be correlated to any measured physiochemical parameter

Persistence of Urban Stream Syndrome Effects from Point Source and Non-Point Source Pollutants

In a previous study, Sager Creek, a small 1st-3rd order stream in northwest Arkansas was shown to be negatively impacted by urban land usage within the watershed, producing a stream that exhibited several indicators of urban stream syndrome. This included (1) physical disturbances: increases in impervious surfaces in the watershed, dams built across the stream, and alteration of the natural stream flow through the construction of retaining walls, (2) chemical disturbances: increases in electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solids (TDS) as well as elevated PO4 levels (3) and biological disturbances: low populations of pollution intolerant macroinvertebrate species and high populations of pollution tolerant species. It could be hypothesized that these negative impacts could be mitigated by both biological and physiochemical remediation processes downstream from the effluent of the Siloam Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant (SSWTP), the most heavily effected of the previous study sites. A three-year investigation to test this hypothesis was completed. Utilizing physiochemical properties and biological assessments, four stream reaches, two in the previous research site and two downstream, were assessed for negative urban impact. Some acquired data supported the hypothesis that negative effects are mitigated downstream, particularly a lowering of EC and TDS levels and an increase in macroinvertebrate diversity. However, a larger amount of data, including mean water temperature, total water flow, pH, dissolved O2 and NO3 levels and mean Family-level Biotic Indices supported the null hypothesis that reaches above, at and, below the SSWTP were all equivalent in investigated physiochemical parameters and biological indicators

The distributional effects of tax and benefit reforms since 1997

Tax and benefit changes under Labour to date will have a net cost to the exchequer of around £1.1 billion in 2005–06. This is the difference between a large set of changes raising around £57.2 billion and a slightly larger set of changes costing £58.3 billion. Tax and benefit reforms implemented in Labour’s first term cost a net £4.8 billion, while those since 2001 have raised a net £3.7 billion. The average impact of the £1.1 billion tax and benefit giveaway since 1997 is to raise household disposable incomes by £0.84 a week or 0.2%. The biggest proportionate gains are in the second-poorest tenth of the population, whose disposable incomes are increased by 10.8%, while the richest tenth fare worst, with a cut in income of 5.1%. Tax and benefit reforms since 1997 have clearly been progressive, benefiting the less-well-off relative to the better-off. Reforms in the second term – while less generous on average – were more progressive than those in the first, with the poorest faring better. Increases in council tax above inflation since 1997 will raise a net £5.8 billion for local government in 2005–06, net of council tax benefit. This outweighs the £0.84 a week net giveaway per household by central government and leaves households overall £3.62 a week worse off on average. The increase in council tax is regressive, except for the poorest fifth of the population (thanks to council tax benefit). But the impact of council tax on the relative distribution of income is modest, leaving the overall progressive pattern of tax and benefit changes since 1997 intact

Tax and benefit changes: who wins and who loses?

* Tax and benefit changes implemented by Labour since 1997 will have a net cost to the exchequer of around £2.2 billion in 2005-06. The average (mean) impact of this small net giveaway is to raise household disposable incomes by £1.69 a week or 0.4%. The biggest proportionate gains are in the 2nd poorest tenth of the population, whose disposable incomes are increased by 11.4%, while the richest tenth fare worst, with a cut in income of 3.7%. * Tax and benefit reforms since 1997 have clearly been progressive, benefiting the less well-off relative to the better-off. Reforms in the second term - while less generous on average - were more progressive than those in the first, with the poorest faring better. * Increases in council tax above inflation since 1997 will raise £5.8 billion in 2005-06, net of council tax benefit. This outweighs the giveaway by central government, and leaves households overall £2.85 a week worse off on average, equivalent to 0.6% of their disposable incomes. The increase in council tax is regressive, except for the poorest fifth of the population, who are partially protected from the rises by council tax benefit

Developing an Essential Oil-Based Antibiotic: A Novel Solution to the Treatment of Mastitis in Organic Dairy Cows

Developing an Essential Oil-Based Antibiotic: A Novel Solution to the Treatment of Mastitis in Organic Dairy Cows Many essential oils are known to have antibacterial properties and are an organic product. The antibacterial properties of different essential oils range from non-existent in some to quite effective in others, usually dependent on phenolic contents. It is hypothesized here that the formulation of a blend of essential oils could have such a synergistic effect as to act as a very effective antibacterial agent to be used in the treatment of mastitis in organic dairy cows. The need for better treatment options for organic dairy farmers to utilize on cattle with mastitis is important to reducing herd loss and improving milk output and quality. A series of experiments built to determine optimal combinations of essential oils for antibacterial properties will consist of disk diffusion assays using isolated bacterial cultures of Escherichia coli grown on culture plates. The disk diffusion assays are designed to determine the extent of inhibition of bacterial growth due to the blends and concentrations of the essential oils chosen for testing. The essential oils which have shown the greatest antibacterial qualities in the previous experiments using disk diffusion assays with single essential oils in 4% solutions with alcohol include Thyme, Cinnamon, Oregano, Tea Tree and Lemongrass. These will be blended together in different formulations to compound the antibacterial properties and will be applied to the culture plates to determine their effects on the growth of E. coli. It is likely that an essential oil mixture will be found which produces better antibacterial results than any single oil tested previously. Future experiments in this study will use the essential oil mixture with the greatest antibiotic properties to formulate a colloidal suspension to be effective in an aqueous environment like that of a cow’s udder. Keywords: organic, antibacterial, essential oil, E. coli, dairy cow, mastitis, disk diffusion assay

Urban Stream Syndrome in a Small Town: A Comparative Study of Sager and Flint Creeks

Utilizing rapid bioassessment procedures and aquatic physiochemical techniques, a three-year investigation of Sager and Flint creeks was completed. Bioassessment indices and physiochemical parameters of the 2 streams were compared and the effects of urbanization on both watersheds were assessed. Correlating data concerning land usage in both watersheds and alterations of both streams\u27 geomorphology were also utilized to conclude that Sager Creek shows a higher degree of urban stream syndrome than Flint Creek

Dynamo in the Desert: Energy Development and Environmental Contestation in the San Juan Basin, 1960-1985

This thesis examines coal-energy development in the San Juan Basin, which is located in the culturally rich and environmentally diverse Four Corners region. Between 1960 and 1985 intensive coal-energy development—in the form of strip mines and power plants—took place in the western portion of the San Juan Basin. This period saw the enactment of major environmental legislation and the rise of the modern environmental movement. My thesis specifically focuses on how this development unleashed environmental damage upon the regions land, water, and air. Beyond examining environmental destruction, my thesis explores how different groups came into conflict over coal-energy development. The groups that most actively contested the development of coal-energy were Navajo tribal leaders, local Navajo communities, Navajo activists, environmental organizations, and energy and mining corporations. I make the argument that each group built a discourse around energy development, environmental legislation, and the natural environment in ways that conformed to each group\u27s particular interests. The mere specter of energy development unleashed intergroup conflict even when plans for surface mines, coal gasification, and power plant projects did not materialize. Failed energy projects still resulted in social and landscape changes, such as intergroup conflict, factionalizing of Navajo political and social structures, changes in legal control over land, and the designation of wilderness areas within coal regions

A Test to Determine the Relative Effectiveness of Different Styles, Colors, and Return Order Solicitation Methods in Sales Letters

(From the Summary) The purposes of this study were to determine the relative effectiveness of four different sales letter styles, the relative effectiveness of five different letterhead colors in sales letters, the relative effectiveness of two different order return forms, and the relative effectiveness of different colors in relation to percentage of sunlight in those areas where letters were received