Date of Award

2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

Second Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Jiang, Lin

Area of Concentration

Chemistry

Abstract

Citizen science is a volunteer framework that has proven itself to be a powerful guide for environmental research, but has often limited volunteer participation to data collection. This thesis explores the potential of developing the citizen science framework in conducting water quality treatment. Chemically, the aim was to determine whether dye sensitization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles could increase their photocatalytic pollutant degradation efficiency. In this, a citizen science initiative was created around this tool and introduced to the Meadows Community Association in Sarasota, Florida, where we partnered to develop the methodology of and collect data for the project to speak to the interests of the community. In the laboratory experiments, dye sensitization was able to increase the degradation efficiency of two common pharmaceuticals. In the field study, it was found that the identified compound of interest, p-hydroxybenzophenone was not observed in subsequent months, which was not identified until after the field experiment. Survey responses revealed minimal changes in participant's beliefs and attitudes with respect to citizen science and environmental stewardship before and after participating in this study. However, through an analysis of pre and post-survey results and reflexive journal notes, three major themes regarding environmental stewardship and volunteer relations in citizen science initiatives emerged: collaborative knowledge making and response to change, communication, and responsibility and reciprocity.

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