A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science WITS University, Johannesburg, 2013 / Occurring parallel to the developments in imprinting technology are magnetic materials which are being applied increasingly in environmental remediation, medicine, biotechnology and many other fields. Combining the imprinting effects of the polymer and nano magnetic particles yields composite materials which are both selective to the template and magneto responsive for easy polymer removal from aqueous solutions. In this study, magnetic ion imprinted polymers with high recognition for uranyl ion (UO2 2+) in the presence of competing ions were synthesized by bulk and precipitation polymerizations. The uranyl template was removed from the magnetic polymer matric by 1M HCl and 1M NaHCO3 leachants to form cavities which were complimentary in shape and size to the template. Full characterization of the magnetite and magnetic polymers was achieved by use of the following characterization techniques: Raman spectroscopy (RS), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) analysis, Ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulphur (CHNS) analysis, Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM). Parameters which were optimized included sample pH, which gave an optimum value of 4. Magnetic IIP and NIP amounts which gave maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 50 mg for both of these adsorbents. The optimum contact time was found to be 45 minutes. The performance of all magnetic ion imprinted polymers (IIPs) was expectedly superior to that of the corresponding non imprinted polymers (NIPs) in all adsorption studies. The first rate constant (k1) and correlation coefficient (R2) values evaluated for the pseudo first order were found to be between 0.048-0.093 min-1 and 0.602-0.991 min-1, respectively. For the pseudo second order, second rate constant (k2) and correlation coefficient (R2) were found to be between 0.273- 0.678 and 0.9811-0.9992, respectively. The selectivity order observed was as follows: UO2 2+ > Fe3+ > Pb2+ > Ni2+ > Mg2+. The magnetic polymers selective to Cr(VI) were also synthesized and were leached with HCl to remove the template. The synthesized Cr(VI) magnetic polymers, the optimum pH obtained was 4 for both the magnetic IIP and the corresponding NIP. The amount of the adsorbent which gave the maximum adsorption was determined to be 20 and 65 mg for the magnetic IIP and NIP, respectively. A Cr(VI) concentration which was adsorbed maximally was from 5 mg L-1 which was therefore taken as the optimum. The maximum adsorption capacities for the magnetic polymers were 6.20 and 1.87 mg g-1 for the magnetic IIP and NIP, respectively. The optimum time for the adsorption of the Cr(VI) analyte was determined as 40 minutes. Investigation of the order of selectivity of anions followed the trend: Cr2O7 2- SO4 2- F- NO3- -.

A dissertation is submitted as MSc research project in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies. July 2016. / A major cause of environmental problems, in the vicinity of mine tailings in and around Johannesburg, is Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). In most research, engineered wetlands are used to ameliorate AMD with the use of vegetation to remove or extract heavy metals from the soil (i.e. phytoremediation). Phytoremediation has been defined as a technology that uses plants to extract or immobilize contaminants in soils and waters (Torresdey, 2007). The aim of this study was to assess and quantify the mass pool size of contaminants (macronutrients, micronutrients, non-essential trace elements) within and between a subset of paddocks from various compartments including sediments, aboveground biomass (shoots –stems and leaves), and belowground biomass (roots and rhizomes) of the two wetland plant species present (P. australis and S. corymbosus ). Analyses were done on the wetland paddocks in situ and ex situ applying different methods, water sample metal cations were analysed by ICP-MS and the major anion analysis by chromatography and Ion Chromatography (IC). The sediment and plant samples were subject to X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of major elements and trace elements. Although analysis was undertaken for numerous trace and metal elements, only a few macronutrients, micronutrients, and non-essential elements with significant importance to the West Wits Mining Operation were selected for this study. The stream water test strips yielded poor results for this extremely contaminated plume receiving environment this suggests that in this system they are not a useful substitute for conventional laboratory analyses. Of the elements tested, only S showed significant differences in concentrations in plants between paddocks, with the highest concentrations and mass in the downstream paddocks ww6 and ww7. These paddocks also had the greatest masses of S in sediments, and water concentrations were also highest in paddocks ww4, ww6 and ww7. P. australis accumulated highest elemental mass than S. corymbosus, with the highest Zn mass of 93%. P. australis accumulated double the mass of U, Cu, Cl, Ca. In both plants, the roots consistently had highest elemental concentration with sequence often as follows roots> shoots> rhizomes. Sediment element mass accumulation of most tested elements significantly increased with depth, except for Zn and U, which decreased with depth. There are few significant differences in the mass distribution of the elements analysed between paddocks, which is assumed to reflect either the heterogeneity in the underlying sediments following construction of the wetlands, or lateral inputs into the system as seepage from other TSFs. Key words: AMD, Wetland, Varkenslaagte Canal, West Wits Mining Operation, metals, sediment, S. corymbosus, P. australis, ICP-MS, XRF. / LG2017

O trabalho busca debater as principais dificuldades e potencialidades da inserção urbana das infraestruturas hídricas de drenagem. O objeto de estudo é o Sistema de Reservatórios de Amortecimento de Cheias, conhecidos como piscinões, na interface com a estrutura urbana da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo. Busca-se, ao entender o existente, redefinir e ampliar seu significado. O principal objetivo da pesquisa é contribuir com uma abordagem mais abrangente e multidisciplinar do entendimento da reservação da água pluvial na metrópole, entendendo-o não somente como mero sistema de fluxos cuja única finalidade é a eficiência técnica. Evidencia-se que o sistema de contenção de águas pluviais tem potencial para desempenhar um papel relevante na qualificação espacial em diversas escalas e contribuir para a estruturação e legibilidade das localidades as que pertencem. / The objective of this research is to discuss the main challenges and potentials of integrating water infrastructure in urban morphology. The case study that will be examined is the Flood Storage Reservoirs System, or as it is colloquially referred to piscinões, along with its interface with the urban structure of the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo. This research aims to contribute to the understanding of drainage through a more comprehensive approach, beyond that of its technical efficiency as a flow system. It is clear that the flood storage system has the potential to play an important role in the qualification of its urban space at various scales and contribute to the locality structure.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Gully erosion and headcut migration has been at the crux of wetland degradation in South Africa. The resulting erosion and draining effect has seen more than 50% of wetlands in the country degraded. This study investigated the degradation of indigenous Palmiet, peat forming, wetlands through headcut erosion. This was done by exploring the relationship between headcut migration rate and morphodynamic characteristics through the use of multiple regression analysis. Wetlands investigated in this study occurred in the Kromme River catchment and Nuwejaars River catchment, in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape respectively. Morphodynamic characteristics assessed include headcut dimensions, gully characteristics, soil characteristics and drainage basin characteristics. These parameters were determined either through infield assessment, image analysis or laboratory analysis. Three headcut migration rate types were calculated through a combination of infield measurements and image analysis techniques executed within ArcGIS. These migration rate types include apex advancement (m/a), gully expansion (m2/a) and volume erosion (m3/a). Statistical analysis revealed significant relationships between morphodynamic characteristics and both volume erosion and gully expansion. Morphodynamic characteristics such as drop height, apex width, gully width, drainage rate and sand content were found to have a direct relationship with migration rates, whereas characteristics such as average drainage basin slope, clay content, silt content, SOM content and soil saturation were found to have an indirect relationship with headcut migration rates. Results provide insight into the headcut migration process, its influencing factors and the potential for headcut migration rate prediction. An evaluation of these results using WET-Health found that the wetland management tool captures wetland geomorphic controls to an accuracy of 68% and 70%. Furthermore, the influence of morphodynamic characteristics on migration rates contributes to the wetland rehabilitation process as it allows for the identification of headcut sites most susceptible to erosion. This will then allow for timely wetland rehabilitation, decreasing the rate of net wetland degradation and improving the management and efficiency of wetland restoration.

Photocopy of typescript. / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

A estruturação urbana da Região Metropolitana de Belém (RMB) é estritamente relacionada à sua rede hídrica. A várzea dos rios e igarapés da região conforma um território classificado como baixada, conceituado por condicionantes físicas (cotas altimétricas suscetíveis à inundação) e socioeconômicas do sítio referentes ao perfil da população residente. Sob o contexto de desigualdades estruturais no país, observadas na concentração de renda e benefícios, incluindo o acesso à terra, as baixadas são a expressão local para favelas que se formaram como a alternativa viável para moradia da população migrante que se estabeleceu na capital entre os anos 1950 e 1970. A omissão do Estado na provisão de habitação de interesse social e de infraestrutura urbana básica, aliada a um padrão de rendimentos baixos fazem com que a RMB figure entre as metrópoles mais precárias do país. Dados censitários de 2010 a classificam como a metrópole brasileira com maior percentual de população vivendo em aglomerados subnormais (53,9%). Por outro lado, nos últimos 10 anos, houve uma inédita e vultosa provisão de investimentos para o desenvolvimento urbano da RMB, por meio do incentivo federal dado pelo Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento (PAC), em eixos voltados para a Urbanização de Assentamentos Precários e para a provisão de Saneamento Básico nas áreas de baixadas. Esta pesquisa pretende analisar, à luz da morfologia urbana e de conceitos compreensivos de soluções de drenagem, as seguintes intervenções do PAC em desenvolvimento em Belém: a Macrodrenagem e Urbanização da Bacia da Estrada Nova e a Urbanização da Comunidade Taboquinha. Busca-se identificar quais as alterações físico-urbanísticas previstas e qual padrão de soluções sanitárias e ambientais dado aos igarapés e canais das áreas em questão. Isso porque intervenções desta natureza na cidade partem, historicamente, de um padrão conservador e sanitarista que não alcança as melhorias pretendidas com projetos de urbanização de favelas. Pretende-se, portanto, contribuir na discussão sobre os modelos de intervenção desenvolvidos pelo PAC, identificando os avanços e limites que o programa apresenta para RMB. / The Metropolitan Region of Belém (RMB) urban structure is strictly related to its water bodies and hydrologic network. The rivers and streams floodplains in the region conforms a territory classified as lowlands, conceptualized by its physical (elevations susceptible to flooding) and socioeconomic constrains concerning the resident population profile. In the context of structural inequalities in the country, observed in the concentration of income and benefits, including access to land, lowlands are the slums local expression that were formed as a viable housing alternative to migrants who settled in the capital between 1950s and 1970s. The State\'s omission in providing social interest housing and basic urban infrastructure, combined with a low incomes standard means that the RMB is among the poorer cities in the country. This Brazilian city is classified by the 2010 census data as with the highest percentage of population living in subnormal settlements (53.9%). On the other hand, in the last 10 years there has been an unprecedented and massive provision of investments for RMB urban development, through federal incentive given by the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), in axes focused on the Urbanization of Slums and for sanitation provision in the lowland areas. This research aims to examine, in the light of urban morphology and comprehensive concepts of drainage solutions, the following in progress interventions of PAC in Belém: the Macrodrainage and Urbanization of Estrada Nova Bacin and the Urbanization of Taboquinha Community. The aim is to identify the physical and urban expected changes and what standard of basic sanitation and environmental solutions is given to streams and drainage channels in question. That\'s because interventions of this nature in the city depart, historically, from a conservative and sanitary standard that does not reach the intended improvements in slums urbanization projects. It is intended, therefore, to contribute in the discussion of intervention models developed by the PAC and to identify the advances and limitations that the program provides for RMB.

Often where water is artificially applied to land, means must be provided for removal of some of this water. Too much water is just as bad as too little. The increased use of irrigation water in Utah has caused an increased need for drainage. Some irrigated lands are poorly drained. With high water table, yield of crops has been materially decreased, and with present drainage methods only a part of possible production had been attained.

Acid rock drainage (ARD) is recognised as one of the most serious environmental issues currently facing the mining industry. ARD management strategies rely heavily on the ability to measure the ARD potential of waste materials to ensure strategies are appropriate to the ARD risks. It is apparent that improvements to the understanding of ARD test methods and development of methods to better represent the ARD potential of samples will contribute significantly to the value and reliability of ARD assessment. The research described in this thesis focused on critical assessment and improvement of: ARD test methodology; approach to testing; and interpretation of results for coal mine wastes. Kaltim Prima Coal Mine (KPC) in Kalimantan, Indonesia was selected as a case study site to help focus the research, with the understanding that the broad similarities of coal sequences in general would allow broader application of the findings. / Thesis (PhDApSc(MineralsandMaterials))--University of South Australia, 2005

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2005. / "December, 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 80-85). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Mining for silver, lead, zinc, and copper in Zimapan, Hidalgo State, Mexico has been ongoing since 1576. Unsecured tailings heaps and associated acid mine drainage have presented problems related to soil quality, water quality, and dust emission control in the Zimapan area. Objectives of the study of the mine tailings are (1) to determine mineralogy of the tailings in order to identify acid-producing minerals and heavy metals at risk for release in acidic conditions, and (2) to quantify carbonate minerals and (3) to determine heavy metal content that may be released by the products of sulfide mineral weathering. Representative mine tailings have been sampled from a site located north of Zimapan. Mineralogical characterization has been conducted with X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM). Total carbonates have been determined the Chittick procedure. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) has been utilized to determine total elemental composition. XRD and SEM analyses have confirmed the presence of pyrite and arsenopyrite indicating a potential for acid mine drainage. Calcite has been confirmed to have a significant presence in the unweathered samples by XRD and the Chittick procedure, with some samples containing an average of 19.4% calcite. NAA and XRF have revealed significant concentrations of toxic elements such as As, Pb and Zn in both the oxidized and unoxidized samples.