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The Effects of Coal Dust Particulates on Growth Performance and Photomorphogenic Responses of Brassica Rapa

Elam, Robert J
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1511869210184817

Abstract Details

2017, MS, University of Cincinnati, Arts and Sciences: Biological Sciences.
Although coal as an energy source in US is on the decline, exports to foreign nations is on the rise and are projected to continue. A common problem with the mining, processing, and transportation of coal is the production of particulate matter pollution known as “fugitive coal dust.” This dust has been the subject of many reports on property damage and health to residents living in close proximity to coal operations. The effects of fugitive coal dust on ecosystems and vegetation have not been examined as thoroughly. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of coal dust particulates on the growth performance and photomorphogenic responses of Brassica rapa. To investigate growth performance plants were exposed to regular treatments of a light (0.25g), medium (0.5g), and a heavy (1g) dusting and were compared to a control, receiving no coal dust. To measure photomorphogenic responses, soil was treated with a light (1g), medium (2g), and heavy (4g) dusting before germination, and then treated the same as growth performance group. There were significant differences in vegetative biomass, height, and vegetative node production for those receiving the heaviest treatment. No significant differences were found in photomorphogenic responses between the treatments. The emission of fugitive coal dust is not currently regulated. Further studies examining different effected species as well as the effects of exposure levels beyond what were used in this study are needed to provide additional data to better understand the influence coal dust has on vegetation as well as to help shape policy.
Theresa Culley, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Edwin Barth, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Jodi Shann, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
68 p.
Biology
Coal Dust; Photomorpogenesis; Brassica rapa; Vegetative growth performance; Air Pollution

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Elam, R. J. (2017). The Effects of Coal Dust Particulates on Growth Performance and Photomorphogenic Responses of Brassica Rapa [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1511869210184817

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Elam, Robert. The Effects of Coal Dust Particulates on Growth Performance and Photomorphogenic Responses of Brassica Rapa. 2017. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1511869210184817.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Elam, Robert. "The Effects of Coal Dust Particulates on Growth Performance and Photomorphogenic Responses of Brassica Rapa." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1511869210184817

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1511869210184817
143
© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.