CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2013
| Author | Steen, Amanda Leigh |
|---|---|
| Title | The Current System of Estrogenic Compounds and its Transformation towards a Future Vision of Wastewater Management in the City of New York |
| Summary | Natural and synthetic estrogenic hormones as well as nonylphenol have been found to contribute to the estrogenicity of water and cause endocrine disruption in fish and other aquatic species. Concentrations of these contaminants have been measured in the sediments of New York City. Using system dynamics modeling, this thesis characterizes the collective dynamics of the current estrogenic system, from synthesis to degradation, by modeling the system's flows, actors and feedback mechanisms. In addition, a positive vision is created for the future by describing the details of a sustainable estrogenic system that can be shared by everyone. Using this vision as a goal, a transformation model is created by altering the system at intervention points, which can move the current system from its present basin of attraction to a new sustainable one. The main findings that resulted from these models show that in order to achieve the future vision, chemical and pharmaceutical regulations need to be reformed and incentives need to be created to explore sustainable wastewater management practices. Ecological sanitation is a well studied practice that can solve the problems associated with aquatic pollution such as endocrine disruption. However, more research is needed to design the specific details of the action plan necessary to transform the estrogenic system. |
| Supervisor | Steger, Tamara; Corliss, John |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2013/steen_amanda.pdf |
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