By Lani O’Foran
Enterprise Hall
David King Hall
1) Interaction(s)—Describe the human-environment interaction(s) that are the topic of your map addition. (2 points)
The development of the GMU campus has caused disturbance and destruction to the natural environment. Many impervious surfaces were created, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and roads. Such surfaces increase the amount of runoff.
2) Resource characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the resource systems and/or units, e.g. the environmental side of the interaction. What aspect of the environment is involved? How? What are some of the critical ecological factors? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
The water of the environment is involved in surface runoff pollution. The systems involved are the water cycle and the cycle of road runoff. The road runoff cycle starts with cars driving on the roads. Cars can leak oil and gas. They also leave rubber from tires and dust from brake pads on the road. All of these pollutants are washed away when rain runs over streets (Muschack, 2003). Similarly, pollution from sidewalks such as litter, fertilizer, and sediment is washed away into storm drains (Rath, n.d.). This pollution gets into our waterways and harms the quality of the water and the health of wildlife that lives in it.
3) Governance/user characteristics—Describe the characteristics of the governance systems and/or users, e.g. the human side of the interaction. Who is involved? What political institutions? How are they involved? What might be some of the drivers? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
Agencies such as the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency are involved. The DOT is involved in the system of run off because they are the ones who help plan roads and give permits. The DOT is very aware of the issues with run off. They have been working with universities to study runoff and how to mitigate the effects (Grant et. al, 2003). The EPA is involved because it enforces environmental regulations by requiring permits for “stormwater runoff from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s), industrial activities, and construction activities” (Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.).
Politics around stormwater runoff is involved with the people who run municipal companies. They are the ones who decide how and when to maintain and upgrade stormwater systems. Politics also involve who the public utilities hire to inspect, monitor, and enforce pollution regulations (Karvonen, 2011). For example, a municipal company that does not upkeep or restore stormwater systems unless absolutely needed will hire people who are lax on their viewpoint of pollution. This will result in company standards to just be the minimum required by government agencies. They won’t try to implement new technologies to improve stormwater treatment performance.
4) Social/cultural/economic/political settings or related ecosystems—Do any of the following play a role? [Social context] Cultural factors, economic development, demographic trends, political stability, resource policies, market incentives, media organization; [Related ecosystems] Climate patterns, pollution patterns, ecological flows in/out of the SES. (2 points)
Economic factors play a role in why many roads and sidewalks are not permeable. The major reason is that regular asphalt is cheaper than the alternative eco-friendly option. A study done in North Carolina stated that one of the green sites built cost about 25% more than a standard asphalt parking lot (Hunt, et. al., 2012). However, some people argue that permeable surfaces have a higher upfront cost, but saves money in the long term on “maintenance and repair on storm water drainage systems and storm sewer extensions” (Permeable or Pervious, n.d.).
States are trying to incentivize people to construct permeable surfaces by allowing people to apply for up to $4,000 rebates in properties located in specific areas. This is done through the Department of Energy and Environment (Permeable surface rebate, n.d.). I am unsure if it includes businesses though. However, the savings on maintenance may be worth the cost for businesses even if they are not eligible for the rebate.
American cultural factors are related to pollution patterns. Americans are more likely to drive to work in their own car rather than use other forms of transportation. A 2013 study showed that 76.4% of workers drove alone, 5.4% used public transportation, and 3.4% biked or walked (Florida, 2015). It is safe to assume that owning a car is a basic necessity in American culture. Most of these cars are gas powered, so 76% of people driving to work in their own cars results in a lot of dripped oil and brake pad dust being washed off into waterways.
American culture is widely accepting the EV industry and is quickly switching over. Big car manufacturers such as Ford and Jeep are pushing out their own EVs. However, having the majority of the population owning EVs will take time. One of these reasons is that they are very expensive right now. Switching over to EVs will reduce the amount of road runoff pollution significantly because the brake pad wear is reduced significantly due to regenerative braking (Car maintenance, 2022) and they do not use oil in the same way traditional cars do (Cotta, 2022).
5) What can we do?—What are the implications of this interaction on humans and the environment? How could we do differently at Mason to improve them? Cite at least one academic source supporting your description (in addition to any course readings cited). (2 points)
The implications of this interaction between humans and the environment is that human development increases natural ecological processes to the point where damage can be done to the ecosystem. George Mason can add more porous pavement to the Fairfax campus. They already have one acre, but it is mostly in low-traffic areas. I think it would be beneficial to have a permeable surface design where grass grows in between pavers.
Permeable surfaces work by allowing the precipitation that falls onto it seep into a reservoir that is filled with rocks, gravel, and soil. The water is filtered through this system and then it is discharged into an underdrain (Fassman & Blackbourn, 2010). Studies have shown that permeable surfaces discharge just 37%-61% of precipitation. Non-permeable surfaces discharge about an equal amount of precipitation (Fassman & Blackbourn, 2010).
If these are also installed in high-traffic areas, it would reduce GMU’s runoff impact significantly. In areas with steep hills where only pedestrians are, gravel could be placed and permeable surfaces can be installed at the bottom of the hill. I also think that more trees should be planted on campus, particularly near where the giant painted mural stones are. This would add a more natural look to our campus, help absorb runoff, and create shade.
6) If relevant—Is the university acting on this issue? State any actions that are already underway or have been taken by the university. (1 point)
George Mason is aware of this issue and has taken action. Gravel paths, such as the ones next to Enterprise Hall and David King Hall, have been placed on steep hills. Mason has also encouraged students to implement their ideas by giving funding through The Patriot Green Fund. Such projects include the creations of rain gardens. Rain gardens help absorb runoff in urban settings. As stated in question number 5, permeable surfaces have been constructed as well.
Citations
Car maintenance. Tesla. (2022, February 17). Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.tesla.com/support/car-maintenance#:~:text=Unlike%20gasoline%20cars%2C%20Tesla%20cars,significantly%20reducing%20wear%20on%20brakes.
Cotta, R. (2022, January 30). Do electric vehicles use oil?: News. Cars.com. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.cars.com/articles/do-electric-vehicles-use-oil-446268/
Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Urbanization and Stormwater Runoff. EPA. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.epa.gov/sourcewaterprotection/urbanization-and-stormwater-runoff
Fassman, E., & Blackbourn, S. (2010, March 12). Urban runoff mitigation by a permeable pavement system over impermeable soils: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering: Vol 15, no 6. Journal of Hydrologic Engineering. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://ascelibrary.org/doi/full/10.1061/%28ASCE%29HE.1943-5584.0000238?casa_token=9ia_fOyEXLEAAAAA%3AeeN-dggQgGJYV-gnPxnkdaYMQ_hbeEMBq8DjqPOkfFXjudRCu9ymjP9mHMOjb_A2Zk2Zximuvw
Grant, S. (2003, August). A review of the contaminants and toxicity associated with … Retrieved April 5, 2022, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stanley-Grant/publication/266583458_A_REVIEW_OF_THE_CONTAMINANTS_AND_TOXICITY_ASSOCIATED_WITH_PARTICLES_IN_STORMWATER_RUNOFF_By/links/54d462960cf25013d02965e0/A-REVIEW-OF-THE-CONTAMINANTS-AND-TOXICITY-ASSOCIATED-WITH-PARTICLES-IN-STORMWATER-RUNOFF-By.pdf
Hunt, B., Stevens, S., & Mayes, D. (2012, April 26). Permeable pavement use and research at two sites in eastern North Carolina: Global Solutions for Urban Drainage. Proceedings. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/40644(2002)39
Karvonen, A. (2011). Politics of urban runoff nature, technology, and the sustainable city. MIT Press. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=8tPxCwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=politics+and+stormwater+runoff&ots=Y-3sTlUtGl&sig=qOvXIeEWBXdba95Pyky6Jq7G7dw#v=onepage&q=politics%20and%20stormwater%20runoff&f=false.
Muschack, W. (2003, June 26). Pollution of street run-off by traffic and local conditions. Science of The Total Environment. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/004896979090133F?via%3Dihub
Permeable or pervious pavers cost comparison. Permeable or Pervious Pavers Costs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.paversearch.com/permeable-pavers-costs.htm
Permeable surface rebate program. 2022 Permeable Surface Rebate Program. (n.d.). Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://doee.dc.gov/service/permeablesurfacerebate
Rath, M. (n.d.). Stormwater runoff. Chesapeake Bay Program. Retrieved April 4, 2022, from https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/stormwater_runoff#:~:text=As%20stormwater%20flows%20across%20streets,sediment%2C%20chemical%20contaminants%20and%20litter.