Women’s involvement in collective struggles for environmental quality has surged in recent years, as has research focusing on this phenomenon. Consistent with this research, a feminist lens is useful in revealing a model of community struggle that features women’s activities and strategies to expose environmental insult. I use a case study of community protest in Hermosillo, a city in the Mexican state of Sonora, to feature social networks as a means of politicizing the placement of a toxic waste dump six kilometers outside the city. A feminist perspective reveals these social networks to be more than a way to mobilize resources. It allow us to see the ways in which gender interacts with globalized relations of power, political ecology, and environmental policy, and to validate a creative way in which women can out-maneuver the gendered constraints to political participation. An analysis of how social networks served in this particular struggle suggests that they are an important component in the process through which women gained voice and authored oppositional discourse in contexts where these have been previously denied, and ultimately deconstructed the political authority that sanctioned the dump.

This study investigated the establishment of vegetation cover planted in plug and seedling form in the closure phases of the Umlazi Landfill. It also investigated the various facets of the closure process of the Umlazi Landfill and the effect these have on the establishment and choice of vegetative cover, and the grass technology used to make the establishment of vegetation a success. The setting up of trials and the gathering of basic data were undertaken to assess the alternative vegetation options available to researchers. The cover provided by the grasses was assessed in the investigation. The capping of landfill sites is a relatively new approach and it is soon to become a mandatory requirement by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (Minimum Requirements for Waste Disposal) (DWAF, 1998). This systematic investigation used in the closure of the Umlazi Landfill, will provide a model for the capping of landfills in South Africa. Seeing that this was the first hazardous (H:h) landfill site in the country to be closed according to the Minimum Requirements for Waste Disposal (DWAF, 1998), every attempt was made to ensure that all aspects in the closure of the site met with the Minimum Requirements. The Minimum Requirements document mentions only briefly that the landfill must be vegetated with some grass type. Prior to 1994, capped landfill sites were usually planted with traditional grass seed mixes and these were not widely successful, as seen on many older landfills that have been partially or completely capped, and where vegetation cover is sparse. There is much literature in the developed countries on the closure of landfills (e.g., Erickson, During the site inspections in June 2001 and February 2002, it was noted that many species of alien plants had established themselves in the poor soil conditions. This made it even more important to find indigenous vegetation to vigorously establish itself that would prevent the establishment of alien invaders. Samples of grass species established on some part of the site were also taken for identification. The dominant grass was identified as Cynodon dactylon. In view of establishing a balanced vegetative cover on top of the Umlazi Landfill, Acacia karoo trees (in seedling form) were also planted. Three bunch grass species, Melinis nerviglumis, Melinis minutiflora and Hyparrhenia hirta, were tested to see if thatching grass could be grown on the site to generate a cash crop for local residents of Umlazi township. Preparation and planting of the capped areas took place in the latter part of 2003 and were completed in early 2004. Measurements and field data were recorded and statistically analysed. The trials revealed three key findings: Firstly, both creeping grasses studied, namely Cynodon dactylon var. “Sea Green” and Panicum natalense var. ”Natal Buffalo Grass” grew well on the site. Initially P. natalense grew faster but after a month, C. dactylon overtook it. At the end of the trial (six months, P. natalense provided a higher level of soil cover. However, C. dactylon grew more consistently over this period. Hence both species provided good growth and cover on this site. Secondly the three bunch grasses, Melinis nerviglumis, Melinis minutiflora and Hyparrhenia hirta, all grew well and had similar survival rates. Hence the potential for growing these grasses as a cash crop has potential. Thirdly, all the Acacia karoo trees survived, i.e., they achieved 100% survival. The average height increase and stem width was similar in all trials and growth was consistent over the six month growing period. Hence the tree species would be a good choice for planting on landfills in its ecologically suitable zones. It is therefore feasible to envisage the planting of a mixture of grasses under the cover of A. karoo trees, to provide a balanced mixture of indigenous grasses to cover a freshly capped landfill. Such a system should provide for stable growth of vegetation for many years. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008

Microbial biodegradation methods of hydrocarbon contaminated soils that can occur through biodegradation, bio augmentation, bio stimulation, and phytoremediation, have gained significant interest in recent years when compared to the conventional methods. The study was designed to explore the influence of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination on physicochemical and microbial characteristics of soils as well as determining the possibility of hydrocarbon biodegradation using biostimulation. The process involved soil characterisation and modification of nitrogen and phosphorus content to stimulate naturally adapting microorganisms. Characterisation process determined that hydrocarbon contamination of Murowa soils introduced hydrophobicity to the naturally wettable sandy loam soils. Naturally adapting microbial species capable of degrading hydrocarbons identified using Direct microscopy, Gram and Melzer’s iodine staining included Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Serratia marcescens, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, Streptomyces Staphylococcus, Penicillium and yeasts. The N: P nutrient ratio and moisture levels were identified as potential limiting factors and hence experiments focused on manipulation of N: P nutrients to stimulate the identified hydrocarbon degrading organisms (bio stimulation). Hydrocarbons were identified by solvent extraction using hexane and gas chromatography. These included decane, undecane, hexadecanal, 2-ethylcridine, octadecane and 1-iodo. Soils weighing 10kgs with hydrocarbons levels of about 265mg/kg were subjected to eight (8) treatments with seven (7) different combinations of N (6000-12000mgN): P (600- 3000mgP) concentration ranges including the control. Nitrogen The moisture was adjusted and tilling for aeration was done on a weekly basis. Changes in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH), C: N: P ratio, microbial mass and pH were evaluated over 111 consecutive days. The optimum N:P ratio was the determined to 2:1 molar ratio in form of 6000mgN:3000mgP. TPH concentration was reduced by 73% from the initial concentration within the first 74 days. Beyond 74 days there were no significant changes in the TPH concentration and this was attributed to the presence of more complex insoluble hydrocarbons which needed more time and an additional bio surfactant to complete mineralization. The conclusion was that a combination of natural attenuation and biostimulation methods can be used to bioremediate Murowa hydrocarbon contaminated soils using the 2:1 molar ratio of what / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

Como efeito negativo da sociedade marcada pelo desenvolvimento industrial a qualquer preço, especialmente decorrente do revés processo histórico de desativação de indústrias, surgiram no espaço urbano extensas áreas abandonadas suspeitas ou efetivamente contaminadas. Estas áreas são denominadas brownfields, e podem ser encontradas em praticamente todos os países industrializados ou em processo intenso de industrialização, em qualquer dos Continentes. Mostra-se relevante perceber a situação atual do gerenciamento de brownfields, mais especificamente de áreas contaminadas, que compõem o cenário de grande parte das cidades, e os instrumentos utilizados para promover a sua refuncionalização, especialmente os mecanismos legais criados para este fim. A Região Metropolitana de São Paulo é caso emblemático no Brasil tanto na constatação e registros da formação de brownfields pela relocalização de empreendimentos industriais quanto pela forma pioneira com que vem inovando e implementando instrumentos para a revitalização desses espaços urbanos, aliando iniciativas políticas e legais. Ainda, a recentíssima Resolução CONAMA nº 420, de 28 dezembro de 2009, surge como a primeira regulamentação sobre o tema em nível federal no Brasil, e traz a expectativa de que o tema seja finalmente enfrentado adequadamente no País, embora ainda mereça aprimoramentos e medidas complementares. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-06-04T19:06:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Juliana Flavia Mattei.pdf: 1796369 bytes, checksum: 212b89fe86f392c6e12cad7b05d176ea (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-04T19:06:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Juliana Flavia Mattei.pdf: 1796369 bytes, checksum: 212b89fe86f392c6e12cad7b05d176ea (MD5) / As a negative effect of the industrial development at any price, especially due to the historical process of closure of industries have emerged large urban areas abandoned, which are suspected or actually contaminated. These areas are called brownfields, and can be found in virtually all countries, industrialized or under intense process of industrialization in any of the Continents. It is necessary to study the current status of brownfields management, which have been being a mark of industrialized cities, and the instruments used to promote their revitalization or refunctioning, especially the legal mechanisms created for this purpose. The Metropolitan Region of São Paulo in Brazil is emblematic case both in finding and comfirming the formation of brownfields by relocation of industrial enterprises, as well the pioneer way in innovating and deploying tools for urban areas revitalization, combining political and legal initiatives. Also, the very recent CONAMA Resolution 420 of December 28th, 2009, appears as the first legislation on the issue from federal initiative in Brazil, and raises the hope that the problem is finally addressed adequately in the country, though still worthy of improvements and complementary measures.

Como efeito negativo da sociedade marcada pelo desenvolvimento industrial a qualquer preço, especialmente decorrente do revés processo histórico de desativação de indústrias, surgiram no espaço urbano extensas áreas abandonadas suspeitas ou efetivamente contaminadas. Estas áreas são denominadas brownfields, e podem ser encontradas em praticamente todos os países industrializados ou em processo intenso de industrialização, em qualquer dos Continentes. Mostra-se relevante perceber a situação atual do gerenciamento de brownfields, mais especificamente de áreas contaminadas, que compõem o cenário de grande parte das cidades, e os instrumentos utilizados para promover a sua refuncionalização, especialmente os mecanismos legais criados para este fim. A Região Metropolitana de São Paulo é caso emblemático no Brasil tanto na constatação e registros da formação de brownfields pela relocalização de empreendimentos industriais quanto pela forma pioneira com que vem inovando e implementando instrumentos para a revitalização desses espaços urbanos, aliando iniciativas políticas e legais. Ainda, a recentíssima Resolução CONAMA nº 420, de 28 dezembro de 2009, surge como a primeira regulamentação sobre o tema em nível federal no Brasil, e traz a expectativa de que o tema seja finalmente enfrentado adequadamente no País, embora ainda mereça aprimoramentos e medidas complementares. / As a negative effect of the industrial development at any price, especially due to the historical process of closure of industries have emerged large urban areas abandoned, which are suspected or actually contaminated. These areas are called brownfields, and can be found in virtually all countries, industrialized or under intense process of industrialization in any of the Continents. It is necessary to study the current status of brownfields management, which have been being a mark of industrialized cities, and the instruments used to promote their revitalization or refunctioning, especially the legal mechanisms created for this purpose. The Metropolitan Region of São Paulo in Brazil is emblematic case both in finding and comfirming the formation of brownfields by relocation of industrial enterprises, as well the pioneer way in innovating and deploying tools for urban areas revitalization, combining political and legal initiatives. Also, the very recent CONAMA Resolution 420 of December 28th, 2009, appears as the first legislation on the issue from federal initiative in Brazil, and raises the hope that the problem is finally addressed adequately in the country, though still worthy of improvements and complementary measures.

This study examines the relationship between atomic energy production and community identity in Richland, Washington. Over the past fifty years, the identity of southeastern Washington has been intimately tied to production and industry at the Hanford Site. Today, however, environmental restoration and waste management programs have replaced plutonium production. The decline of the nuclear industry has influenced reinterpretations of local history and community identity through public display, commodity goods, and the re-scripting of historical texts. / Department of Anthropology

This case study was done in KwaZulu–Natal province in South Africa within two municipalities Ethekwini and Umsunduzi Municipality. Three communities participated in this study. The research is motivated by the lack of cooperation between some municipalities and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in implementing the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS) at a local level. The primary goal is to explore the availability and development of learning support materials (LSMs) that relates to waste management in collaboration with CBOs and local councillors. The secondary goal is to explore the use of learning support material to promote participation in the implementation of the NWMS. Coresearchers were from the Community Based Organisations as well as local councillors who are located within the communities of these CBOs. Pseudonyms for co-researchers from CBOs and Councillors and the name of their townships have been used to protect co-researchers. A literature review has been conducted to explore research that has been done on the development, usage, accessibility and distribution of the LSMs. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews; field visits to communities, tape recording of discussions and the keeping of a field journal. Some of the key findings included that LSMs is used by both CBOs and Councillors to try to reduce local environmental problems. It also identified that there are no formal mechanisms between CBOs and Municipalities in dealing with waste management programmes within the identified communities. The other important finding was that the participation of CBOs in the development of LSMs normally excludes the user groups as a result language used is not always understood. Illustrations used in some cases may be misinterpreted if the reader is not English literate as most of material in circulation is written in English. Some recommendations for further research have been made in relation to the findings made in the study. These included recommendations on the development, usage of LSMs, participation of stakeholders in resource development within the context of CBOs and local municipalities.

Integrated management of municipal and hazardous waste is one of the challenges facing the new municipalities in South Africa, especially those located in previously disadvantaged rural areas. However, much of the research on solid and hazardous waste management in South Africa has examined waste management problematics in urban areas, the majority of which are located within the jurisdiction of local governments which are comparatively effective in terms of providing adequate disposal services. By contrast, this study has examined the environmental risk assessment associated with unregulated landfill sites in the Albert Luthuli municipality, in the Mpumalanga province. The determination of the environmental risk was achieved by the use of questionnaire surveys and landfill analysis forms in selected study areas. The findings have highlighted a very high environmental risk, nearly four times and above, the threshold limits set by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT, 2005:15) for all of the landfill sites examined. Several exposure pathways stemming from associated environmental impacts have also been identified for the study. The higher environmental risk determined for the problem sites is ascribed to numerous factors, including their ill-planned location, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the natural environment and adjacent rural settlements, the lack of appropriate waste pre-treatment processes prior to disposal, and most significantly, the lack of regulatory and control measures to contain the myriad of environmental problems generated. In conclusion, it is recommended that several measures (including closure) should be taken in order to reduce and contain the magnitude of environmental risks involved. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc.(Environmental Sciences)

Integrated management of municipal and hazardous waste is one of the challenges facing the new municipalities in South Africa, especially those located in previously disadvantaged rural areas. However, much of the research on solid and hazardous waste management in South Africa has examined waste management problematics in urban areas, the majority of which are located within the jurisdiction of local governments which are comparatively effective in terms of providing adequate disposal services. By contrast, this study has examined the environmental risk assessment associated with unregulated landfill sites in the Albert Luthuli municipality, in the Mpumalanga province. The determination of the environmental risk was achieved by the use of questionnaire surveys and landfill analysis forms in selected study areas. The findings have highlighted a very high environmental risk, nearly four times and above, the threshold limits set by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT, 2005:15) for all of the landfill sites examined. Several exposure pathways stemming from associated environmental impacts have also been identified for the study. The higher environmental risk determined for the problem sites is ascribed to numerous factors, including their ill-planned location, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the natural environment and adjacent rural settlements, the lack of appropriate waste pre-treatment processes prior to disposal, and most significantly, the lack of regulatory and control measures to contain the myriad of environmental problems generated. In conclusion, it is recommended that several measures (including closure) should be taken in order to reduce and contain the magnitude of environmental risks involved. / Environmental Sciences / M.Sc.(Environmental Sciences)