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Item Rethinking water conflict and cooperation: a re-analysis of interviews in Montana and an example study from the Big Hole River watershed(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2024) Bjorklund, Erin Nicole; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sarah P. Church; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.Climate change heightens the supply and demand imbalance for freshwater, increasing the potential for conflict between water users. However, conflict is not the only outcome, as water demands can also create space for cooperation. The Basins at Risk (BAR) scale is one of the most prominent numerical measurements for analyzing the level of conflict or cooperation in freshwater-related events reported in public news sources. However, few studies in the U.S. West and none within Montana have utilized this method and little has been done to investigate alternative applications of the BAR scale beyond news event analysis. Therefore, this study examines 1) water conflict and cooperation trends in Montana and 2) how interview data can contribute to nuanced understandings of water conflict and cooperation. The intensity and type of issue for water events in Montana were cataloged and analyzed in a re-analysis of 63 interviews conducted for the Montana Drought Vulnerability Assessment. Results revealed that from the perspective of Montanan water stakeholders, cooperation over water resources outweighs conflict, and low-intensity conflictive and cooperative events are more prominent. The re-analysis results informed the selection of an example study utilizing the BAR scale to analyze event data (n=314) and primary interviews (n=11) collected in the Big Hole Watershed, Montana. Event data was sampled from 7 Montana news sources between the years 2007 and 2023. Primary interviews were conducted in February, March, and April 2024 with a variety of stakeholders in the Big Hole River Watershed (e.g., anglers, ranchers, fishing guides, Big Hole Watershed Committee board members, Fish, Wildlife and Parks). These data show the value of including primary interviews in a study utilizing the BAR scale. Moreover, results from this study can help researchers and resource managers monitor and identify water conflict and cooperation, by showing a nuanced understanding of conflict and cooperation.Item Unusual isomerization behavior of organic solutes at the aqueous-silica interface(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Purnell, Grace Elizabeth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Robert Walker; Robert A. Walker was a co-author of the article, 'Hindered isomerization at the silica/aqueous interface: surface polarity or restricted solvation?' in the journal 'Langmuir' which is contained within this dissertation.; Robert A. Walker was a co-author of the article, 'Surface solvation and hindered isomerization at the water/silica interface explored with second harmonic generation' in the journal 'The journal of chemical physics' which is contained within this dissertation.; Marshall T. McNally, Patrik R. Callis and Robert A. Walker were co-authors of the article, 'Buried liquid interfaces as a form of chemistry in confinement: the case of 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile at the silica-aqueous interface' submitted to the journal 'The journal of the American Chemical Society' which is contained within this dissertation.; Marshall T. McNally, and Robert A. Walker were co-authors of the article, 'Isomerization at aqueous-silica interfaces and the role of solute structure' submitted to the journal 'Chemical physics letters' which is contained within this dissertation.Experiments described in this thesis address the question of how strong association between water molecules and the silica surface alter the solvation and isomerization behavior of adsorbed organic molecules from bulk solution limits. The work was motivated by the hypothesis that the ice-like structure induced by strong hydrogen bonding with the surface silanol groups would restrict solute isomerization. This hypothesis was tested using 2 surface-specific spectroscopic techniques: second harmonic generation (SHG) and time-correlated single photon counting in a total internal reflection geometry (TIR-TCSPC). This work examined two different 7-aminocoumarin dyes (Coumarin 151 and Coumarin 152) and dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN). Coumarin 152 and DMABN both isomerize to form a twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state upon photoexcitation, whereas Coumarin 151 forms a simple (planar) intramolecular charge transfer state. SHG studies characterized the local solvation environment surrounding adsorbed molecules by providing electronic excitation energies that were compared to bulk excitation energies in different representative solvents. TIR-TCSPC measured the time-resolved emission of adsorbed molecules and quantified a solute's tendency to form TICT (or ICT) isomers at the aqueous-silica interface. Together, SHG and TIR-TCSPC provide a cohesive description of the local polarity across an aqueous-silica interface and how restricted solvent dynamics change a solute's photophysical chemistry. TIR-TCSPC studies reported that both C152 and DMABN are unable to isomerize to TICT states at the aqueous-silica interface, acting as if they were solvated in a nonpolar solvent or in a confined geometry. SHG studies confirm that the aqueous-silica interface is, in fact, more polar than the bulk aqueous limit, strongly implying that the observed effects are dynamic in origin rather than polarity driven. In contrast, studies of C151 show that this solute is largely insensitive to anisotropic, restrictive surface effects. Together results from these three molecules lead us to conclude that adsorption to the strongly associating aqueous-silica interface restricts large amplitude isomerization in organic molecules. Adsorption to less strongly associating interfaces does not cause this restriction. In the event that photo-induced isomerization does not require large amplitude motion, interfacial solvation has little effect on adsorbed solute behavior.Item Impact of nitrogen and water management to grain yield, yield components and traits, and grain quality of two contrasting wheat classes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Bicego Vieitez de Almeida, Breno; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Luther E. Talbert and Jessica Torrion (co-chair); Anish Sapkota and Jessica A. Torrion were co-authors of the article, 'Differential nitrogen and water impacts on yield and quality of wheat classes' which is contained within this thesis.; Jessica A. Torrion was a co-author of the article, 'Nitrogen and water impacts on grain yield and components of different wheat classes' which is contained within this thesis.Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeders and physiologists must consider not only grain yield but also its quality. Physiological selection may be an important tool to aid breeders achieve improvements more rapidly. However, different genotypes may have distinct responses to agronomic management and environments. The relationship between those traits also may vary according to wheat class. In the present study we characterized the grain yield, yield components and traits, and quality parameters response of four hard red and four soft white spring wheat cultivars subjected to various nitrogen (N) levels and moisture regimes (stressed vs non-stressed environment) over two years. About one-third grain yield reduction from 2016 to 2017 could be attributed to heat stress. Overall, soft whites had higher grain yield than hard reds, but a stronger negative grain yield-grain protein content relationship. Considering a given year, increments in grain yield also resulted in higher grain protein in hard reds except when N was very low. The cultivar with Gpc-B1 gene for higher grain protein, had similar grain yield to its parent material and to other well adapted hard red cultivar. Vida, characterized by extended green leaf duration after heading (stay-green trait), was better adapted to water and heat stress than the rest of hard reds. Grain fill duration was an important trait especially under heat and drought stress for both wheat classes. We found that, across moisture regime environments and year, productive tiller number had consistently a direct relation with kernel number per area, which was strongly related to grain yield. During the heat and drought stressed year, kernel weight was an important yield component and had neutral relation with kernel number. Nitrogen fertilization had effect on grain yield only during the hot and dry year with irrigation, but no effect was observed under rainfed conditions for this year. Based on the lower grain protein requirement as well the lack of N effect on grain yield for the tested conditions, soft whites may be grown with lower N input than hard reds.Item The application of mass spectrometry in environmental chemistry: investigating biological cycling of arsenic, mercury and glycine betaine in aquatic ecosystems(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2019) Alowaifeer, Abdullah Mohammed; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Timothy R. McDermott; Brian Bothner (co-chair); Masafumi Yoshinaga, Patricia E. Bigelow, Brian Bothner and Timothy R. McDermott were co-authors of the article, 'Biological cycling of arsenic and mercury in Yellowstone Lake' which is contained within this thesis.; Qian Wang, Brian Bothner and Timothy R. McDermott were co-authors of the article, 'Examining the role of photoautotrophs contributing to glycine betaine, methylated amines and methane in oxic waters' which is contained within this thesis.Elemental cycling is a complex process that occurs abiotically and biotically. While abiotic cycling is well defined, biological cycling is more complex as it involves different microbes, animals and enzymes that govern its form and fate. In my project, I investigated the biological cycling of two of the most toxic elements known, arsenic and mercury. I examine their bioavailability, bioaccumulation and biomagnification in freshwater aquatic systems using Yellowstone Lake as a study model. In addtion, the sources and sinks of glycine betaine, an important aquatic metabolite that contributes to the carbon and nitrogen cycle, is investigated in Yellowstone Lake and three rivers located around the state of Montana. This research presented in this dissertation offers new insight on how arsenic and mercury cycle in aquatic systems and introduces a new hypothesis of the possible source of glycine betaine in freshwater ecosystem. Additionally, this project highlights a new and promising methodology to detect and quatify methylated amines in water samples.Item Exploring the role of water in tree growth and what trees can tell us about the hydroclimate of the past(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Martin, Justin T.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David Roberts; Jia Hu (co-chair); Nathaniel Looker, Zachary Hoylman, Kelsey Jencso and Jia Hu were co-authors of the article, 'Hydrometeorology organizes intra-annual patterns of tree growth across time, space, and species in a montane watershed' in the journal 'New phytologist' which is contained within this thesis.; Nathaniel Looker, Zachary Hoylman, Kelsey Jencso and Jia Hu were co-authors of the article, 'Differences in the use of winter precipitation by conifers along an elevation gradient in the northern Rockies' submitted to the journal 'Global change biology' which is contained within this thesis.; Gregory Pederson, Connie Woodhouse, Edward Cook, Gregory McCabe and Kevin Anchukaitis were co-authors of the article, 'Unprecedented drought intensity tracks recent warming in the headwaters of the United States' largest river basin' submitted to the journal 'Nature climate change' which is contained within this thesis.Here, we revisit the role of water potential in tree growth control using a field-based approach to exploring the role of soil moisture supply and atmospheric moisture demand on tree water potential and subsequently, growth. We explore how limitation in tree radial growth can be well predicted by local hydrometeorlogical conditions and associated tree water potentials, and observe that such limitation occurs under conditions that are considerably more mesic than those associated with the onset of photosynthetic limitation resulting from stomatal regulation (Martin et al., 2017). While direct observation of tree xylem growth and growth limitation remains a very challenging problem, our findings provide strong evidence for the role of Psi x in the regulation of tree radial growth in dry environments...Because one of the most prominent features of observed climate change in the American West has been an advancement in the timing of spring conditions (Cayan et al., 2001; Stewart et al., 2005), developing a better understanding of how the timing of moisture delivery and tree growth relate is an important research goal. Using a field-based study carried out over three years in western Montana, we quantified the timing and magnitude of moisture delivery to a forest ecosystem, and coupled this to isotope-based observations of where in the soil profile trees sourced water from as well as the seasonal evolution of radial growth. This allowed us to estimate the importance of winter precipitation relative to summer rains for growth in trees over the growing season. This work establishes a baseline understanding of how temporal dynamics of moisture delivery to forests and tree growth relate in time and can help guide our understanding of how ongoing changes to climate conditions may affect tree growth in the future...In order to better understand the hydroclimatic dynamics of the Missouri river, we developed a network of tree ring based reconstructions of streamflow spanning 1200 years for every major tributary across the mountain headwaters of the Missouri river. We examined the history of basin-wide drought events evident in the tree ring record in the context of reconstructed temperature and explored how the relationship between temperature and streamflow has changed over time. As a result, it is evident that rising temperatures create new challenges for water managers and users in the Upper Missouri River Basin that are likely to increase as temperatures warm in the future.Item Water conservation: transforming information and attitudes into action(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Sigler, Valerie Danielle; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jamie McEvoyScientists face the daunting challenge of communicating information to policy makers and the public. The challenge becomes even more difficult when that information suggests that behavioral, social, or structural changes are necessary. While an educated audience may be more informed, the increased level of information does not necessarily motivate behavioral changes. Education and outreach are valuable tools, but unless additional barriers which hinder the transformation of information into behavioral changes are also addressed, the impact is reduced. My research goal is to discover the barriers which hinder people's willingness to engage in water conservation. Additionally, I analyze narratives that are used in educational brochures to understand the narrative strategies that are used to motivate people to conserve water. The narratives are analyzed using insights from social marketing, community based social marketing (CBSM) and Narrative Policy Framework (NPF). My thesis also draws on critical social theory to examine the concepts of constrained choices and hegemony. Twenty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with randomly selected water users in single family households who use municipal water supplies in Bozeman, Montana. Participants included low, medium and high water users. All but one participant (a high water user) was concerned about their water use and interested in engaging in conservation behaviors. My research found that barriers to water conservation include: information deficits, inconvenience, lack of trust, social norms, constrained choices and hegemonic relationships. My analysis of the City of Bozeman's water conservation brochures reveals the use of hero language that focuses on what individuals can do to conserve water for the entire community. Future research should test narratives using social marketing, CBSM, or NPF with citizens to understand how they would respond to the strategies outlined in this thesis.Item Effects of triclosan exposure on nitrification in activated sludge, biofilms, and pure cultures of nitrifying bacteria(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2016) Bodle, Kylie Brigitta; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Ellen LauchnorEmerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals or personal care products, have the potential to impact many wastewater treatment processes due to their antimicrobial properties. Nitrifying bacteria initiate the nitrogen removal process in wastewater treatment, and are particularly sensitive to inhibition by these and other contaminants. The impacts of the emerging contaminant triclosan (TCS) on two common nitrifying bacteria were evaluated under multiple growth conditions. The resilience of biofilms and suspended cell cultures of the ammonia oxidizing bacterium (AOB) Nitrosomonas europaea was compared during TCS exposure. Impacts of TCS on Nitrobacter winogradskyi, a common nitrite oxidizing bacterium (NOB), were also considered. Lastly, activated sludge biofilms and suspended cells were also exposed to TCS to further evaluate impacts on nitrification. Triclosan at part per million levels was found to reduce respiration in nitrifying biofilms, and NOB were much more impacted by TCS than AOB. Interestingly, biofilms of N. europaea were just as impacted by TCS as suspended cells. Triclosan adsorbed strongly to cellular material and degradation was only observed in activated sludge at low concentrations. Altogether, TCS was found to reduce nitrification by AOB and NOB, and the results suggest that its presence at high levels in wastewater treatment is likely to have negative consequences.Item A recreational park for the community of Three Forks, Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1987) Kotan, KevinItem Water and architecture(Montana State University - Bozeman, 1959) Johnson, R. TerryItem Community based risk assessment of exposure to waterborne contaminants on the Crow Reservation, Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2014) Eggers, Margaret Joy Slack; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Anne Camper; Tim Ford (co-chair); Crescentia Cummins, John Doyle, Larry Kindness, Myra J. Lefthand, Urban J. Bear Don't Walk, Ada Bends, Susan C. Broadaway, Anne K. Camper, Roberta Fitch, Timothy E. Ford, Steve Hamner, Athalia R. Morrison, Crystal L. Richards and Sara L. Young were co-authors of the article, 'Community-based participatory research in Indian country: improving health through water quality research and awareness' in the journal 'Family and Community Health' which is contained within this thesis.; John T. Doyle and Margaret Hiza Redsteer were co-authors of the article, 'Exploring effects of climate change on Northern Plains American Indian health' in the journal 'Climatic change' which is contained within this thesis.The goal of this collaborative research project undertaken by the Crow Reservation community, Little Big Horn College and Montana State University Bozeman has been to improve the health of Crow community members by assessing, communicating and mitigating the risks from local waterborne contaminants. The Reservation's surface waters have always been greatly respected by the Crow people, valued as a source of life and health and relied upon for drinking water. About fifty years ago, rural families switched to home well water instead of hauling water from the rivers. Many families went from having an unlimited supply of free, good quality river water, to unpalatable well water dependent upon an expensive-to-maintain plumbing system. Tribal members questioned the health of the rivers and well water due to visible water quality deterioration and potential connections to illnesses and initiated this research project. We share what we have learned as tribal members and researchers about conducting community-based risk assessment and using our data to improve Tribal and river health. Initial research on river water quality revealed significant microbial contamination. Collaborations with several microbiologists revealed substantial E. coli and Cryptosporidium river contamination as well as Helicobacter pylori in home water supplies. We found that about 55% of home wells are unsafe to drink due to either mineral and/or microbial contamination. Depending on the river valley, 11% to 58% of home wells exceed the cumulative risk level of concern for mineral contaminants. Exposure to contaminated well water exacerbates the community's existing health disparities due to the confluence of the area's geology, extensive agriculture, lack of public environmental health education, jurisdictional complexities of reservations, already vulnerable health status and families' limited financial resources for mitigating poor quality well water. Limited resources as well as the links among ecosystems, cultural practices and public health will increase the already existing impacts of climate change on reservation communities. Flood frequency, late summer water shortage and fire severity are increasing while water quality is declining. Risk communication and risk mitigation, not just risk assessment, have been and continue to be central to our project and pursued through numerous venues and collaborations.