A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science. 2014. / The aim of this dissertation was to determine the likely impacts that planting woodlands would have on the storage, transport and discharge of mine water and contaminants, over a plume originating from the West Complex tailings storage facility within the Vaal River mine lease. The hydrological model MIKE SHE was run on a grid comprising of 120m square cells, for a pre-woodland period from 2001 to 2010. Sulphate was used as an indicator of the contaminant plume concentrations and transport across the study area. Six future woodland planting scenarios (2025 to 2034) were then simulated to determine the effects of mature Searsia lancea, Eucalyptus dunnii and Tamarix usneoides, and different planting scenarios on the contaminant plume. Results indicated that planting these deep-rooted species will be effective in decreasing the groundwater levels, groundwater flux and the quantity of contaminants reaching the river. Before tree water and contaminant uptake can be further modelled with improved accuracy within MIKE SHE, the limitations of the use of only one contaminant uptake value for the vegetation needs to be overcome, so that different uptake rates among different tree species can be shown.

Dissimilatory sulphate reduction, brought about by the action of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) was used in the treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) in a fluidised bed bioreactor. Biologically produced hydrogen sulphide and bicarbonate ions, by SRB, facilitated the precipitation of heavy metals and the generation of alkalinity in the synthetic acid mine water, respectively. The SRB that had been selected were able to utilize acetate as the sole carbon source and were capable of growing in the bioreactors at low pHs, facilitating an increase in the influent pH from 2.75-7.0 to 5.4-7.8, after a 24-hour hydraulic retention time (HRT). The precipitation efficiencies for Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr and Al after a HRT of 24 h as metal sulphides ranged between 84- 99% for influent pH values of between 4 and 7, and above 54% for influent pH values between 2.75 and 4. Microbial metabolic activity decreased with decreasing influent pH. This was inferred from the decreasing differences in chemical oxygen demand (COD) depletion rate over a 24 h HRT, as influent acidity levels approached pH 2.75. Molecular studies, using PCR-DGGE analysis on the microbial consortium in the bioreactor, revealed the presence of at least 8 different bacterial species in the consortium. Attempts at sequencing these bands yielded inconclusive results, with the bands showing sequence homology to a large number of previously uncultured and undescribed bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of bacteria of different morphology, as well as the presence of biofilms, which account for the heavy metal and low pH tolerances that the bacteria sustained.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg, 2016. / Mining and associated anthropogenic activities have improved the livelihoods and economy of many countries but negatively impacted the environment and caused detrimental effects on fresh and ground water systems through the generation of acid mine drainage (AMD). The study evaluated three macrophyte species of P. communis, S.corymbosus and T. capensis for uptake of Mg, P, S, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, and Pb in acid mine drainage polluted water. The concentration of elements was also determined in sediments and water so as to calculate the bioconcentration and translocation factors in various parts of the macrophtes. The homogenised plant samples were milled using a Fritsch Pulverisette 6 Mill into pulverized powder and element analysis was done using Spectroscout Geo+ XRF Analyzer Pro. Sediment samples were digested with microwave assisted extraction and analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Water samples were analysed directly using ICP-OES after filteration with ICP-OES. The concentration levels of these elements in water were compared in all the sites to determine which section of the site (inflow, midflow and outflow) have high amount of the selected elements. The results indicated that elements distribution varied in all the points where the water samples were collected. The concentration level of sediment was compared to the concentration levels of elements in the roots, rhizomes and leaves to determine the translocation and bio concentration factor (TC and BCF). Drinking water quality standards by international organisations were also used as a guideline to compare the concentration levels of elements found in water. Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) to determine whether their concentrations in the water were above or below the acceptable levels. the concentrations of Fe, Ni, Mn and Cu were found to be above the international water quality standards for drinking water and their average concentrations was 2230, 282, 5950 and 14080 μg/l respectively. The study found out that in autumn, Mg, S, P, and Mo were highly accumulated by leaves of T. capensis, S. Corymbosus leaves and rhizomes as well as the P. communis leaves and the highest concentrations were 6.61, 72900, 2.00 μg/g respectively. In autumn, Co was the only element highly accumulated by the roots of T. capensis with the highest concentration of 342.80 μg/g. On the other hand, Cr and Fe, was highly accumulated by S. corymbosus roots with the highest concentration of 279.20 and 10.03 μg/g in summer. In summer, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb were highly accumulated by the roots of P. communis and the concentrations were 279.20, 39390, 204.10, 299.50, 813.80 and 47.5 μg/g respectively. The results show that although the plant species accumulated the elements in various concentrations, there was no plant species that accumulated all the selected elements in higher concentrations than the other plant species. They all accumulated a variety of elements in varying amounts and stored them in their different parts. Finally, in all the three plant species analysed, the leaves were the best accumulator of Mg, S, and Mo, whilst the roots were the best accumulators of Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb. Since the translocation and bioconcentration factors showed that the macrophyte species accumulated higher concentrations of elements than water and sediments, they can be regarded as hyperaccumulators. Macrophytes species can uptake and accumulate in their different parts various elements and they have the potential to clean the heavy metal polluted sites due to their phytostabilisation and phytoextraction abilities. / LG2017

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science, 2017 / The tailoring of zeolites surface properties using organic functionalising agents displaying higher binding affinity for metal ions is a widely explored approach for water treatment. In this study, amine functionalised zeolites and phosphate functionalised zeolites were separately synthesised from similar natural zeolite precursors using reflux methods. The surface composition and morphological elucidations were achieved by characterising the adsorbents using Fourier Transform Infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Zeta potential, Point of zero charge (pHPZC), and the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller analysis (BET). In case study 5.1, the sorption mechanisms of the uranyl ion onto amine functionalised zeolites (AMZ), activated carbon (AC) and natural zeolite (NZ) were studied as function of various environmental batch parameters. There was effective adsorption when uranium existed as uranyl ions: UO22+ and UO2OH+. The data fitted numerous kinetic and isotherm models suggesting that the equilibrium mechanisms were characteristic of a combination of chemisorption and physisorption for these three adsorbents. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) model did not fit the data and therefore the energy values derived from it were not used to predict the mechanisms involved. However, the thermodynamic evaluations of parameters ∆H, ΔG and ∆S° showed that equilibrium mechanisms were exothermically, randomly and spontaneously favoured for all adsorbents at temperatures ranging between 22 and 40oC. The adsorption capacity of 0.452 mg g-1 was achieved at pH 3 by 500 mg AC dosage using 20 mL volume of 10 mg L-1 uranyl ion solution after equilibrating for 6 h within the temperature ranges of 22 to 30oC. Under the same conditions of sorbent dosage of 500 mg, uranyl solution volume of 20 mL and 10 mg L-1 U(VI) solution concentration, the maximum adsorption capacity of 0.506 mg g-1 for NZ and 0.480 mg g-1 for AMZ were both achieved at pH 4 after equilibration time of 21 h and 6 h with the optimum temperature range of 22 to 30oC, respectively. The model results predict that intraparticle diffusion thorough pores decreased in the order AC ˃ NZ ˃ AMZ while estimating that chemisorption occurred in a reverse order. On the basis of the modelled data, it was deduced that amine functionalisation of natural zeolites improves their chemisorption capability for uranyl ion and can therefore be used as a cost efficient adsorbent for small-scale remediation of contaminated aquatic systems. In another case study 5.2, the surface properties of successfully prepared aminomethyl phosphonic acid functionalised natural zeolite (APZ) were compared to those of commercial silica polyamine composites (SPC) for uranium uptake in batch aqueous solutions. The FTIR spectrum revealed that (3-aminotrimethyl) phosphonic acid functional groups were successfully grafted onto natural zeolite. The TGA analysis showed that the APZ had higher thermal stability and fewer active sites compared to SPC. The optimum adsorption capacity (qe) of 49 mg g-1 and 44 mg g-1 uranium was achieved using 25 mg SPC and 100 mg APZ, respectively at pH 4, 25oC after 1 and 6 h equilibrating time. The data best fitted the pseudo second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model. The thermodynamic studies showed that adsorption occurred chemically and exothermically for both APZ and SPC. The overall selectivity order for APZ was; Na ˃ Mn ≥ U ˃ Ca ˃ Fe and for SPC was; Fe ˃ Mn ≥ Ca ˃ U˃ Na. The findings showed that phosphate- and amine-functionalised zeolite bind strongly to uranium compared to the unmodified natural zeolite and other conventional adsorbents such as activated carbon. Their selectivity for this element was commendable. With further improvements in the synthetic protocols e.g. by using microwave-based methods, it should be possible to obtain functionalised zeolite that has superior properties to SPC. / XL2017

As obras de Ampliação da Calha do Rio Tietê fazem parte de medidas estruturais que visaram ao aumento da capacidade de vazão para o controle das enchentes na RMSP. A regularidade da capacidade de vazão dependerá, dentre outras ações, de dragagens de manutenção e retirada do material dragado, cuja destinação é bastante problemática. O objetivo deste trabalho é a elaboração de um estudo sobre o processo de dragagem, transporte e disposição final de material de leito de rio por meio da apresentação do processo adotado no estudo de caso: Ampliação da Calha do Rio Tietê Fase II. Para esse fim, são abordados os principais aspectos técnicos, ambientais, sociais e econômicos relativos às obras do estudo de caso, dando ênfase à gestão do sedimento dragado, que busca estar em consonância com as normas e diretrizes legais vigentes. São finalmente enunciadas as principais recomendações e conclusões que devem ser aplicadas na gestão do sedimento dragado do Rio Tietê. / The works of Enlargement of Rio Tietê\'s Gutter (Waterway) are part of structural measures that objective increase the flow capacity for inundation control in RMSP (Metropolitan Region of São Paulo). The regularity of the flow capacity will depend, among other actions, of maintenance dredgings and retreating of dredged material, whose destination is plenty of problem. The aim of this work is the elaboration of a study about the dredging process, transport and final disposition of the river bed sediment through the presentation of the process adopted in the case study: Enlargement of Rio Tietê\'s Gutter Phase II. For that purpose, the main technical, environmental, social and economical aspects related to the works of the case study are discussed, giving emphasis in the administration of the dredged sediment, that seek fitting to the in course norms and legal guidelines. Finally, the main recommendations and conclusions that should be applied in the administration of Rio Tietê\'s dredged sediment are examined.

A análise sobre o comportamento e o desempenho de elementos para drenar que compõem galerias pluviais pode contribuir para identificar informação, métodos e técnicas que orientem decisões sobre ações preventivas e corretivas para controle de processos de erosão e inundações, uma contribuição à orientação sobre diretrizes para melhoria da qualidade de vida. Esta dissertação de mestrado relata e discute resultados obtidos ao mostrar que a simulação de movimento de água em sarjetas, bocas de lobo e galerias pluviais pode contribuir para comparar as conseqüências de alteração de especificações e processos de projeto, escolha de equipamentos e controle de obras de drenagem. O conhecimento de índices de comportamento de características de fluxo de água pode contribuir para identificar conseqüências do funcionamento de equipamentos para drenar vias urbanas. O método adotado foi um processo de simulação decorrente de uma escolha de variáveis e índices de desempenho de equipamentos de drenagem, hipóteses e critérios para estimar características de movimento de água. Para estudo de caso foram usados dados obtidos na cidade de Franca, estado de São Paulo. O principal processo adotado foi o manuseio de resultados de estimativas sobre características de fluxo e vazões em obras existentes, produtos de observação sobre dados obtidos ao refazer projetos de redes de galerias pluviais em operação / The analysis on the behavior and the acting of elements to drain that composes pluvial galleries can contribute to identify information, methods and techniques that guide decisions about preventive and corrective actions for control of erosion processes and floods, a contribution to the orientation on guidelines for improvement of the life quality. This work tells and it discusses results obtained when showing that the simulation of movement of water in gutters and pluvial galleries can contribute to compare the consequences of alteration of specifications and project processes, choice of equipments and control of drainage works. The knowledge of indexes of behavior of characteristics of flow of water can contribute to identify consequences of the operation of equipments to drain urban roads. The adopted method was a simulation process due to a choice of variables and indexes of acting of drainage equipments, hypotheses and criteria to esteem characteristics of movement of water. For case study were used data obtained in the city of Franca, state of São Paulo, Brazil. The main work process was the handling of results of estimates on flow characteristics and flows of existent works, observed from new data obtained when redoing the projects of pluvial galleries in operation

Mine-impacted water bodies are considered to be one of the most serious threats to the environment. These can be highly acidic and often contain elevated concentrations of sulfate and soluble metals. The microbial generation of H2S by reduction of more oxidized sulfur species, and consequent precipitation of metal sulfides, known as biosulfidogenesis, is a promising technology for remediating acid mine drainage (AMD). The objective of this work was to develop an integrated system for remediating a target AMD at an operating mine in northern Brazil using a single low pH anaerobic sulfidogenic bioreactor (aSRBR) and an aerobic manganese-oxidizing bioreactor. A synthetic version of the mine water, which contained 7.5 mM copper and lower concentrations (< 0.25 mM) of other transition metals (Zn, Ni, Co and Mn) was used in the experimental work. In the first stage, H2S generated in the aSRBR was delivered to an off-line vessel containing synthetic AMD, which removed > 99% copper (as CuS) while no co-precipitation of other metals was apparent. The partly-processed AMD was then dosed with glycerol and fed into the aSRBR where zinc, nickel and cobalt were precipitated. The effect of varying the pH and temperature of the bioreactor was examined, and > 99% of Ni, Zn and Co were precipitated in the aSRBR when it was maintained at pH 5.0 and 35ºC. The bacterial communities, which were included 4 species of acidophilic sulfate-reducing bacteria, varied in composition depending on how the bioreactor was operated, but were both robust and adaptable, and changes in temperature or pH had only short-term impact on its performance. Manganese was subsequently removed from the partly-remediated synthetic AMD using upflow bioreactors packed with Mn(IV)-coated pebbles from a freshwater stream which contained Mn(II)-oxidizers, such as the bacterium Leptothrix discosphora and a fungal isolate belonging to the order Pleosporales. This caused soluble Mn (II) to be oxidised to Mn (IV) and the precipitation of solid-phase Mn (IV) oxides. Under optimised conditions, over 99% manganese in the processed AMD was removed. Metal sulfides (ZnS, CoS and NiS) that had accumulated in the aSRBR over 2 years of operation were solubilised by oxidative (bio)leaching at low pH. With this, ~ 99% Zn, ~ 98% Ni and ~ 92% Co were re-solubilised, generating a concentrated lixiviant from which metals could be selectively recovered in further downstream processes. The use of methanol and ethanol either alone or in combination with glycerol were evaluated as alternative electron donors for biosulfidogenesis. Methanol was not consumed in the bioreactor, though sulfate reduction was not inhibited in the presence of up to 12 mM methanol. In contrast, ethanol was readily metabolised by the bacterial community and sulfate reduction rates were relatively high compared to glycerol. Two acidophilic algae were characterised and their potential to act as providers of electron donors for biosulfidogenesis was also evaluated. Although algal biomass was able to fuel sulfate reduction in pure cultures of aSRB and in the aSRBR, rates were much lower than when either glycerol or ethanol were used.

<p>Daily nitrate-N, soluble reactive phosphorus and total phosphorus loads in subsurface drainage were quantified in an agricultural farm field in eastern Indiana (Davis Purdue Agricultural Center).</p> <p><b>Site description:</b> The data was collected from the field W at Davis Purdue Agricultural Center (DPAC) located in eastern Indiana. Field W is relatively flat (slope < 1%), with 0.16 km2 total area, divided into four plots, northwest (NW), southwest (SW), northeast (NE), and southeast (SE) with areas ranging from 3.5 ha to 3.7 ha. The four soil series at the site range from very poorly to somewhat poorly drained, with a small portion of moderately well drained series. The subsurface drainage system was installed in 2004, with 10-cm laterals having an approximate depth of 1 m and spacing of 14 m, resulting in a drainage intensity of 1.1 cm day-1 and drainage coefficient of 1 cm day-1. Drainage in the SE and NW plots was controlled at two different levels during some periods depending on the season, while the SW and NE were allowed to drain freely. This field has been in a corn-soybean rotation since 2011 and in continuous corn before that, and was managed using chisel-plow tillage in the fall and field cultivator tillage in the spring during the study period. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers were applied at different rates prior to and after planting corn. Phosphorus was also applied prior to soybean planting in two of the three soybean years. The rate and timing of fertilizer applications were uniform for all plots and were based on Purdue Extension recommendations. Further details of the site management and data are available in Abendroth et al. (2017). More information about this site and fertilizer application can be found in Saadat et al., 2018.</p> <p><b>Sampling strategy and load calculation:</b> Automated water samplers (ISCO) were used to draw samples from the drainage outlet flow of each plot. Samples were collected every hour when flow was present except during winter, and combined into weekly composite samples varying in length from twice a week to biweekly. During the winter, water samples were collected manually to avoid freezing problems, approximately every week whenever flow was present. Samples were kept frozen until analysis and then analyzed on a SEAL Analytical AQ2 auto-analyzer to be tested for nitrate+nitrite-N (referred to nitrate-N), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total phosphorus (TP) according to US EPA methods.</p> <p>Daily nitrate-N, SRP and TP concentration values needed for the load calculations were estimated using linear interpolation. After estimating daily concentrations, daily loads were calculated by multiplying the daily drain flow by estimated daily concentrations.</p> <p><b>References: </b>Saadat, S., Bowling, L., Frankenberger, J. and Kladivko, E., 2018. Nitrate and phosphorus transport through subsurface drains under free and controlled drainage. <i>Water research, 142: </i>196-207.</p><br>

A ocupação desordenada e o grande percentual de superfície impermeabilizada em áreas urbanas, agravando os eventos extremos, é um dos problemas mais discutidos no meio técnico nacional e internacional. O conceito utilizado para projeto de drenagem urbana convencional, desta forma, tornou-se um tanto obsoleto nos dias de hoje, pois além dos problemas relativos aos picos elevados das tormentas, culminando em enchentes, principalmente nos grandes centros urbanos, há que se observar os aspectos de qualidade das águas pluviais. Neste sentido, começou-se a desenvolver na década de 1980 o conceito dos chamados BMP, do inglês, Best Management Practices, que consiste em técnicas que visam não somente o abatimento dos picos de eventos extremos como também a melhoria na qualidade da água precipitada com um enfoque mais ambiental. Procurou-se apresentar, ao longo do trabalho, o estágio de desenvolvimento dessas técnicas em vários países e a equalização das diversas terminologias utilizadas com o intuito de tornar estas ferramentas mais acessíveis ao meio técnico nacional, visando auxiliar no processo de mudança cultural brasileira. Analisou-se também a aplicabilidade dessas técnicas em um projeto real de drenagem urbana desenvolvido para a Prefeitura de São Paulo, na região do Butantã Zona Oeste, verificando-se a possibilidade de redução do sistema convencional ou sua eliminação com base nas informações técnicas elencadas. / Unregulated occupation and the growing proportion of non-porous, covered urban surface area as aggravating factors in the effects of extreme weather events is one of the most talked about problems in national (Brazilian) and international technical circles. This factor has rendered the conventional methods historically applied when planning urban stormwater drainage somewhat obsolete because, in addition to the flash floods caused by intense downpours and storms in large metropolitan centers, the quality of the stormwater itself is deteriorating. To combat these effects, the initial foundations of the BMP (Best Management Practices) were laid down in the 1980\'s to develop methods to not only diminish the effects of extreme events but also to improve the quality of the water deposited by focusing on environmentally friendly urban planning. In this study, an attempt has been made to illustrate the developmental stage of these methods in several countries and to standardized the different technical terms used so that such tools become more accessible to the relevant Brazilian technical field and thereby further the respective process of cultural change in Brazil. It has also been analyzed how these methods could be applied to an actual urban drainage plan developed for the São Paulo City Hall implemented in the Butantã district in the city\'s \'Western Zone\' by assessing the possibility of reducing the conventional system or even eliminating it, based on the technical information studied.

As obras de Ampliação da Calha do Rio Tietê fazem parte de medidas estruturais que visaram ao aumento da capacidade de vazão para o controle das enchentes na RMSP. A regularidade da capacidade de vazão dependerá, dentre outras ações, de dragagens de manutenção e retirada do material dragado, cuja destinação é bastante problemática. O objetivo deste trabalho é a elaboração de um estudo sobre o processo de dragagem, transporte e disposição final de material de leito de rio por meio da apresentação do processo adotado no estudo de caso: Ampliação da Calha do Rio Tietê Fase II. Para esse fim, são abordados os principais aspectos técnicos, ambientais, sociais e econômicos relativos às obras do estudo de caso, dando ênfase à gestão do sedimento dragado, que busca estar em consonância com as normas e diretrizes legais vigentes. São finalmente enunciadas as principais recomendações e conclusões que devem ser aplicadas na gestão do sedimento dragado do Rio Tietê. / The works of Enlargement of Rio Tietê\'s Gutter (Waterway) are part of structural measures that objective increase the flow capacity for inundation control in RMSP (Metropolitan Region of São Paulo). The regularity of the flow capacity will depend, among other actions, of maintenance dredgings and retreating of dredged material, whose destination is plenty of problem. The aim of this work is the elaboration of a study about the dredging process, transport and final disposition of the river bed sediment through the presentation of the process adopted in the case study: Enlargement of Rio Tietê\'s Gutter Phase II. For that purpose, the main technical, environmental, social and economical aspects related to the works of the case study are discussed, giving emphasis in the administration of the dredged sediment, that seek fitting to the in course norms and legal guidelines. Finally, the main recommendations and conclusions that should be applied in the administration of Rio Tietê\'s dredged sediment are examined.