A gas-permeable-membrane-supported (GPMS) biofilm consisting
of methylotrophic bacteria was effective in degrading chlorinated
methanes, ethanes, and ethenes. The biofilm was developed on a
gas-permeable fabric (Goretex, W.L.Gore & Associates, Elkton,
Maryland) that divided a reactor vessel into a liquid compartment
and a gas compartment. Goretex is a nylon-backed teflon mesh...
Hibiscus and lilacs (Syringa spp.) are economically important nursery crops in the US that accounted for 4.5 million units ($30 million) and 2 million units ($20 million), respectively (USDA, 2016). To maintain and expand the market share of ornamental plants such as lilacs and Hibiscus, novel performance, floral ornamental value,...
Hemp is a dioecious, annual, flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family. It has been used for thousands of years to produce textiles, essential oils, and medicines. The overall purpose of these experiments was to propagate the cannabinoid-free cultivar, ‘I3’, and follow up by inducing polyploidy in the ‘I3’ hemp via...
Although the concept of breeding crops for organic agricultural systems has been around for decades, few studies have been reported for vegetable crops to quantify and compare how conventional and organic systems differ in their selection pressures on genotypes advancing through the breeding cycle; especially research utilizing modern sequencing capabilities....
Many stakeholders involved with stream restoration in the Pacific Northwest have discussed the potential benefits of using beaver dam construction activities (Castor canadensis) as a management tool to improve degraded stream habitat for anadromous salmon species. In addition, there has been growing interest in using nuisance beavers, primarily controlled by...
Lilacs are a group of ornamental trees and shrubs in the Oleaceae family consisting of 22 to 30 species. There are six series within genus Syringa: Pubescentes, Villosae, Ligustrae, Ligustrina, Pinnatifoliae, and Syringa. Fertility and cross-compatibility among cultivars, species, and series have yet to be formally investigated. Over three years,...
Immobilized proteins are integral components of a number of important technologies, including the principal component of many biosensors, as functional coatings in various implants, as catalysts is industrial biosynthesis, and as the building blocks of next-generation nanotechnologies. Despite their ubiquity, relatively little is known about the processes that shape immobilized...
The European hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is a diploid (2n = 2x = 22) tree crop important to the economy of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where 99% of hazelnut production in the United States is located. Corylus avellana exhibits sporophytic self-incompatibility (SSI), controlled by a single S-locus with at least 33...
This study examines the interactions between explosive environmental contaminants and marine seaweeds. The scope of this thesis includes studies done on the explosive RDX with tissue cultures of marine seaweeds, as well as studies on the explosive TNT with seaweed extracts.
The ability of two different marine species of macroalgae...
This thesis consists of three studies to better understand the environmental sustainability potential for algal-based biofuels. Initially, a comparison of recent life cycle assessments (LCA) of theoretical full-scale algal biofuel facilities was developed. These studies include varying boundaries and scope, functional units, and technology maturity assumptions. The comparison converted results...