Brandon Karcher

Many small streams in Pennsylvania have become incised due to human activity. This channel deepening has led to a myriad of issues including stream bank erosion and increased discharge during storm events. Headwater streams serve as a critical link between terrestrial and downstream ecosystems in transporting organic material. Both dissolved (DOC) and particulate organic carbon (POC) play a role in the global carbon cycle and serve as an energy source for aquatic heterotrophic bacteria. In the Allegheny National Forest, we are implementing adaptive management strategies on Little Arnot Creek to document changes in organic material. These improvements include the placement of whole trees (with canopy and rootwad), as well as logs in the stream and floodplain. Restoration work is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2021. The goals of the project are to slow the movement of water, raise the water table, disperse more water onto the floodplain, and to increase the storage capacity of organic material within the watershed. We have collected replicate water samples monthly since September 2019 to assess baseline conditions of DOC and POC concentration and DOC quality (absorbance and fluorescence). Water samples are collected by hand at six permanent stations on Little Arnot Creek. We also collect water from a two stations within Cherry Run (control stream). Preliminary data suggests the DOC concentration and quality vary seasonally and that POC concentrations are low.

Leveraging the Bucknell Green Fund for a more Sustainable Kinney Natatorium
Stephen P. Durfee
Campus Energy Manager/MSUS ‘21
2020 Susquehanna River Symposium
Bucknell University

Abstract

The Bucknell Green Fund is a revolving loan fund that pays for campus sustainability projects that have economic, environmental and social benefit. The annual cost savings associated with the reduction in resource consumption, revolve back into the Green Fund each year for 10 years, thus making the fund a self-sustaining mechanism to drive sustainability on campus.

Kinney Natatorium is a top rated, high quality, olympic size swimming and diving facility for NCAA division 1 athletes and regional high school competitions. Natatorium operations create a significant environmental footprint as they are intense consumers of energy, used to maintain water and air quality and clarity, 24/7. Additionally, precious, potable water must be continuously consumed and chemically treated and discharged to the municipal wastewater plant for treatment and eventual discharge into the Susquehanna river.

The intent of this abstract is to highlight a demonstration of three Green Fund projects that support triple bottom line facilities management, advancing sustainability at Bucknell University:

Activated glass pool filter media project: superior to sand as a water filtering media, resulting in premium water quality and clarity, lower chloramine levels for swimmers, 50% reduction in chlorine usage and 300,000 gal/yr water savings due to less filter backwashing required.
Sump pump project: a portable pump was regularly used to draw groundwater from beneath the pool floor and sent to the sewer (reducing hydraulic pressure). A permanent pumping system was installed and piped to fill the pool, thus reducing potable water usage by 230,000 gal/yr.
Air quality controls system upgrade: three very large air handlers that heat, cool, ventilate and dehumidify Kinney Natatorium were retrofitted with fan motor VSD’s and a new digital controls system allowing for a synchronous and optimal energy efficient equipment operation, ensuring better, proper pool water evaporation rates, extension of equipment life and an overall better air quality for occupants.