Reflecting upon and making decisions about how today’s actions will manifest in tomorrow’s environmental outcomes involves social and psychological processes. The goal of this session is to integrate theories, methods, and perspectives from the social sciences in the study of the health of aquatic ecosystems. For example, data are collected, analyzed, and interpreted through lenses that are shaped by social and psychological processes, which also influence decision making. This session aims to include but is not limited to studies about how assessments and decision making related to past, present, or future states of aquatic ecosystems are shaped by implicit theories and biases, perceptions, beliefs, values, attitudes, personality, group behavior, social and personal norms, behavioral intentions, environmental history perspectives, environmental sociology and justice theories, media, ethics, or aesthetics. We welcome all innovative, interdisciplinary studies that integrate natural and social science perspectives in taking the pulse of our aquatic ecosystems. Considering broader, interdisciplinary assessments of aquatic ecosystems can improve understanding of these complex systems and facilitate decision making that raises the overall health of our lakes, rivers, estuaries, and oceans.

Lead Organizer: Kurt Wurthmann, Nova Southeastern University (kurtwurthmann@yahoo.com)

Co-organizers:

Susanne Menden-Deuer, University of Rhode Island (president@aslo.org)

Presentations

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06:00 PM

Relationships between moral philosophies and perceptions of the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business (8975)

Primary Presenter: Baiyun Gong, Nova Southeastern University (baiyun_gong@yahoo.com)

This study integrates perspectives from the literature in social psychology and business ethics to develop and test hypotheses about positive associations between moral philosophies and perceptions of the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business.  There is a large body of research in social psychology that links attitudes and perceptions to intentions and then ultimately to behaviors. Accordingly, if individual employees perceive that socially responsible behavior is important for business success, they will develop intentions and ultimately make decisions that are consistent with these perceptions. This study seeks to improve understanding of the antecedents of perceptions that socially responsible behavior is important for business success. Specifically, this study explores the relationships between deontological versus teleological moral philosophies and perceptions of the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business. Measures of formalist versus utilitarian moral philosophies and perceptions of the importance of ethics and social responsibility in business were collected from a large sample of adults in the USA and analyzed to assess the nature of any relationships. Understanding these relationships could assist with developing training and interventions to adjust philosophical approaches, perceptions, and decision making so they are more consistent with improving future environmental outcomes.

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06:00 PM

ASSESSING HEAVY METAL/METALLOID CONTAMINATION IN VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO, WITH HANDHELD X-RAY FLUORESCENCE TECHNOLOGY (9251)

Primary Presenter: Emily Zlevor, University of Massachusetts Boston (emily.zlevor001@umb.edu)

From 1941 to 2003, Vieques, Puerto Rico, was a site of extensive military testing, during which artillery was detonated across various parts of the island. Over time, concerns about public health escalated due to increasing evidence of contamination. Our study focuses on heavy metals and metalloids commonly associated with military activity such as lead, uranium, antimony, tungsten, copper, as well as arsenic, nickel, and cadmium. Using a handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, we aim to estimate contamination levels in residential areas of the island. The portability and rapid analysis provided by XRF should allow for efficient identification of areas of concern which will be spatially mapped. Further quantitative analysis will be conducted by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to provide ground truthing and more precise measurements. This analysis will determine both total concentrations and speciation of key contaminants, providing some insights into the bioavailability and mobility of the metals/metalloids, and their potential sources. Throughout the entire process, we will engage community members through workshops, selection of sampling sites, soil sampling, and data reporting, to ensure that our research addresses local concerns and is community driven. Through this collaboration, we aim to offer a clearer understanding of the environmental risks faced by Vieques residents and inform strategies for potential remediation efforts.

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06:00 PM

From Water to Worry: Identifying Risk Perception of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in U.S. Coastal Communities. (9261)

Primary Presenter: Sarah Kopczynski, Texas A&M University at Galveston (sndavis1@tamu.edu)

Contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are increasingly detected in aquatic ecosystems and pose a global challenge due to their potential threats to both environmental and human health. While human risk perception is crucial for effective risk communication and assessment, public awareness, understanding, and perceived risk of CECs remain largely unknown. To address this gap, we deployed an original survey targeting coastal shoreline counties along the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts in June to July 2023. Using the data collected (n = 1,063), we assessed individual level of worry and perceived danger associated with CECs. Though fewer than half of respondents (40.6%) had heard of CECs before the survey, the vast majority view CECs as dangerous (82.1%) and express worry about the harm CECs could pose to themselves (80%), others (78.8%), and the environment (84%). Ordered logistic regression revealed two key factors significantly influencing individuals’ perception of greater danger and increased worry (p < 0.05): (i) heightened exposure to CECs and (ii) a higher interest in environmental pollution. These factors remained strong independent predictors across all risk perception questions, even when controlling for demographics and attitudes that typically shape public perception of other pollutants (e.g., air pollution) and environmental hazards (e.g., climate change). This suggests that public risk perception of CECs differs from other environmental hazards, highlighting key opportunities for targeted interventions to raise awareness and concern around these emerging threats.

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06:00 PM

BEYOND WATER QUALITY: EXPLORING SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS IN LAKE MANAGEMENT- A CASE STUDY OF MUSEUM LAKE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM INDIA. (9636)

Primary Presenter: ANILA AJAYAN, UNIVERSITY OF KERALA (anila.dehradun@gmail.com)

Lakes forms a significant source of precious water. It provides valuable habitats to a variety of flora and fauna, control the extreme hydrological events such as drought and floods, influence the microclimate, improve the aesthetic beauty of the landscape and extend many recreational opportunities. A lake in an urban ecosystem forms an integral part of it by performing significant environmental, social and economic functions ranging from being a source of drinking water, recharging groundwater, and acting as sponges to control flooding, supporting biodiversity and providing livelihoods. While cities are facing challenges of unplanned rapid urbanization, these water bodies play an important role in maintaining environmental sustainability irrespective of whether they are natural or artificial wetlands. Eutrophication along with subsequent invasive aquatic weeds infestation is a major factor responsible for rapid degradation of water bodies. The restoration, conservation and management of lakes require a thorough understanding of all the components of that ecosystem. Ecological monitoring and assessment provide baseline information about the condition of the aquatic systems. In the present study, the Museum Lake in Thiruvananthapuram has been taken into consideration. The lake was unexplored in terms of water quality or biodiversity assessment. Our study involved the analysis of hydro-biological parameters, considering phytoplankton as bioindicators, ecological survey of the riparian flora and fauna associated with the lake. In this way we tried to highlight the importance of this unexplored urban lake ecosystem, suggesting recommendations for the better conservation and management of the aquatic ecosystem as a whole. We also included an ecosystem-based approach in conservation and management of the lake by installing Artificial Floating Islands (AFIs) using Chrysopogon zizanioides, commonly known as vetiver is a perennial bunchgrass of the family Poaceae. Our preliminary results reveals that there was a major variation in controlling phosphate concentration in water after the AFIs. AFIs also helps to improve converting the Museum Lake as conservation breeding centres of indigenous and endangered bird varieties and allowing macrophytes to improve aesthetic beauty. The three primary aims of zoos are Conservation Breeding, Scientific Research and Education. For creating awareness of the value of Lake Ecosystem among students, self-explanatory aquatic ecosystem models and kiosks are placed along the lake showing the importance of conservation of our natural ecosystems. We also arrange classes to college and school students, engage them in involving the conservation of our natural resources by conducting quiz programs, painting competitions, debates etc. In these ways we promote education and awareness, enable the visitors to have communion with nature and get motivated for living in harmony with nature through this urban lake.

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