The environmental impact of the Robinson Deep mine residue deposit in Johannesburg was assessed by evaluating the water chemistry and surface precipitates, thereby identifying the processes responsible for forming the contamination footprint. Precipitates were compared to a documented paragenetic sequence of mineral formation associated with sulphide rich mine waste. PHREEQC, a geochemical modelling tool, was utilized to predict the formation of precipitates from evaporation ponds. The chemistry of the leachate was analysed and compared to water quality standards in order to determine the possible environmental impact. The chemistry of the water emanating from the mine residue deposit reveals that an Fe-SO4 dominant chemistry persists, this is consistent with acid mine drainage environments. The most toxic cations and anions contained in the water are Fe, Al, Mn, Ca, As, Mg, Cu, Zn, Pb and SO . It is predicted that the impact of toxic metals identified in the water decreases further from the mine residue deposit due to dilution and co-precipitation with different mineral phases such as goethite. Precipitates identified include jarosite group minerals, goethite, melanterite, copiapite, Mg-copiapite, halotrichite, pickeringite, gypsum and alunogen. These secondary minerals may be used as indicator minerals of acid mine drainage. Assessment and prediction of the stage of contamination and possible environmental impact, may, therefore be pursued when comparing the indicator minerals to predicted paragenetic sequences. For example, the precipitation of melanterite is consistent with an early stage of acid mine drainage development. The presence of melanterite thus suggests that oxidation of sulphides is an ongoing process on the Robinson Deep mine residue deposit. Evaporation of water in the evaporation ponds aids in increasing the concentration, hence allowing the predominant precipitation of jarosite group minerals. Alternatively, rainfall dilutes the water allowing dissolution of minerals located on the banks of the evaporation ponds to predominate. This mechanism of precipitation and dissolution is seasonal; formation of precipitates predominates during the dry season, while dissolution is most prominent during the wet season. The development of hardpans indicates that the main mechanism of formation of the associated phases is through capillary action at the sediment surface. Leaching of Fe2+-rich water from the mine residue deposit containment area is indicated by the presence of copiapite, while jarosite and goethite formation tend to form part of a hardpan layer. Goethite is an indication of a late stage mineral predominant at lower sulphate and higher pH conditions. Results of predicted formation of precipitates by PHREEQC are not in very good agreement with actual field observations. This is mainly due to the lack of thermodynamic data for many of the sulphate minerals observed. Hence, precipitates associated with acid mine drainage may be utilized as indicator minerals. Consequently, there identification may facilitate in environmental monitoring and risk assessment. / Prof. J. M. Huizenga Prof. J. Gutzmer

M.Sc. (Geography) / Over the last three years, a number of environmental impact assessment reports (EIARs) pertaining to renewable energy (RE) projects have been submitted for environmental authorisation in South Africa. However, the quality of EIARs have been criticised internationally as well as in South Africa. Poor quality EIARs has the potential to negatively impact environmental decision-making processes and therefore it is vital to provide baseline data regarding the appraisal of such EIARs in South Africa. The present study has evaluated the quality of basic assessment reports (BARs) dealing with RE projects in South Africa. This is crucial in providing key insights to environmental management practice, especially if we are to determine whether or not RE projects have the potential to achieve sustainable development goals linked to clean development mechanisms (CDMs). Apart from assessing quality aspects, the goal of the study was also to analyse the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the EIARs involved. To address the research problem adequately, the Lee-Colley Review Package was utilised with minor adaptations where feasible. Based on the analyses derived from the review package selected, the overall quality of EIARs was found to be 70% satisfactory whilst 80% of the overall scores were borderline quality grades. The review areas pertaining to the description of the development and environment, together with the identification and evaluation of impacts, were better performed than the review areas concerning alternatives, mitigation measures and communication aspects of the EIARs. The strengths of the EIA processes related to the description of the project (purpose, objectives and nature) and site descriptions. Weaknesses of EIARs pertaining to RE projects were identified as insufficient non-technical summaries and poor summaries of the main issues. The review categories pertaining to waste management, mitigation measures and emphasis were not graded as weaknesses of the EIARs. Nevertheless, low numbers of satisfactory quality scores were documented for these review categories, which are particularly concerning. The fairly marginal quality of EIARs pertaining to RE projects may be attributed to lack of sufficient (human resources) capacity and transparency throughout the EIA process in South Africa. These aspects became evident through vague descriptions of impact prediction methods, insufficient elucidation of mitigation measures, a high degree of subjectivity and generally poor communication of EIA results to stakeholders involved. Apart from these findings, the study also made some recommendations for further studies such as the need to examine the following EIA aspects, namely, (1) the characterisation and reduction of elements of subjectivity within existing reports, (2) an assessment of the effectiveness of screening processes in South Africa and (3) the identification of obstacles and barriers hindering effective communication in the presentation of EIA results.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc (Soil Science))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Please read the abstract in the 00front part of this document / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MSc / Unrestricted

Environmental impact assessment is a widely accepted planning tool used in environmental management. Internationally it has been adopted as a formal permitting requirement for development projects in many jurisdictions. Historically the focus has been on the pre-decision making stages of environmental impact assessment. It has, however, been widely acknowledged that post-decision environmental impact assessment follow-up is an important component in confirming initial predictions, enabling responsible adaptive management of environmental impacts and ensuring compliance with permit conditions. It is this last function which is the focus of this study. Specifically, the role of permit conditions in enabling compliance and facilitating compliance monitoring is addressed. Permit conditions of twenty-one environmental authorisations were examined and tested for conformance with legislated requirements, and practicality of monitoring for compliance (monitorability). It was found that there are many contributors to achieving monitorable permit conditions. Amongst the most significant of these are conformity in interpretation of the regulations specifying permit content by officials, gaps in guidance on the part of the regulations themselves, and a tendency to focus on construction related impacts. The lack of clarity regarding the roles and functions of environmental control officer and environmental auditor further contribute to poor monitorability of permit conditions. Specific areas of shortcoming and best practice in the permit conditions analysed were identified and discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for the improvement of permit condition monitorability.

Because of the potential for development to have negative environmental impacts, one of the most important questions addressed by environmental law and policy is whether and how to allow development to proceed. In Canada this question is answered primarily through environmental impact assessment ("EIA"). At the federal level, EIAs are required under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, S.C. 1992, c. 37 ("CEAA") for certain types of proposed projects and activities. Although CEAA's purposes include fostering both a healthy environment and economy, the Act does not provide any instruction on how to balance or choose between these goals in situations where both goals cannot be served. In 1999 Professor Daniel Farber developed a methodology he refers to as 'eco-pragmatism' in an attempt to create a means by which society's competing (and often contrary) values can be balanced and satisfactory trade-offs arrived at. In this thesis the differences between CEAA and eco-pragmatism are explored and consideration is given to whether eco-pragmatism might assist in resolving the value conflicts that often characterize EIAs. Of particular interest is whether Farber's approach might improve the CEAA framework and assist CEAA decision-makers in determining whether proposed projects should be approved. It is argued that although eco-pragmatism is useful, it is not adequate if the ultimate goal is environmental protection that is sustainable into the future. Both CEAA and eco-pragmatism focus on the mitigation of negative environmental effects, rather than on achieving long-term environmental gains or observing a minimum environmental standard. Accordingly, both arguably have the effect of slowing the erosion of environmental quality, but each fails to observe some sort of environmental 'bottom line' that would impose an ultimate limit on negative impact. It is suggested that an ultimate limit is a necessary (albeit difficult) element of environmental law. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate

This thesis advances a conceptual model of adaptive impact monitoring that is designed to overcome many of the criticisms plaguing conventional monitoring strategies. The potential for applying the adaptive model is demonstrated for the Peace River Site C dam proposed for northeastern British Columbia. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) has progressed considerably from its early biophysical orientation to a more comprehensive, interdisciplinary process concerned with the breadth of environmental and socio-economic impacts of development. Impact monitoring, an essential EIA component, has also progressed but in a less innovative fashion. Consequently, conventional monitoring strategies often contain significant deficiencies including insufficient use of past experience, poor monitoring design, and failure to recognize the learning opportunity offered by each project. Adaptive impact monitoring offers significant advantages over traditional strategies. An adaptive strategy is based on a series of impact hypotheses established and tested by an interdisciplinary design team and has two fundamental stages: design and evaluation. A review of the potential environmental impacts of hydroelectric production indicates that the reservoir impact paradigm is beginning to provide a comprehensive basis for assessing development effects. Although the Site C EIA adequately reflects the reservoir impact paradigm, it has three significant weaknesses. First, the potential impacts on downstream ecology and distant downstream users are ill-considered. Second, the potential for increased Site C fisheries parasitism is neglected. Finally, estimates of maximum sustainable yield for the Site C reservoir and Peace River fisheries are unreliable. While opportunities for future impact monitoring were recognized through the Site C panel hearings, they lacked flexibility. The potential impacts on downstream water temperature and fisheries resources are used to illustrate the applicability of the adaptive strategy and the advantages derived from collecting only relevant, statistically credible data to permit testing impact hypotheses in a cost-effective manner. On the basis of these findings, six major policy recommendations are provided for improving the effectiveness of impact monitoring and management for future resource developments. / Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies / Graduate

M.Comm. / The Randburg Waterfront which was built in a residential area in Randburg, officially opened it's doors to the public on the 1st of March 1995. Shortly thereafter complaints and affidavites from unhappy residents started to stream to the management of the Waterfront, Randburg Town Council, as well as police stations and newspapers. Committees were also established by concerned residents to fight their cause. Unfortunately all socio-economic activities of man have both a social and and physical impact on the environment. For this reason, social and environmental impact assessments have become a measuring rod in the twentieth century, whereby the effect of man's socio-economic activities on human beings as well as the environment, can be determined. With the above-mentioned in mind, a study was undertaken in 1995, which was aimed at investigating the positive and/or negative impact of the Randburg Waterfront on the surrounding residential area. The aim of this follow-up study, is to determine the positive and/or negative impact of the Randburg Waterfront on the surrounding residential area, by comparing the results of the 1995 and 1996 data. Questionnaires were used as data gathering method. In 1995, 160 questionnaires were distributed in the testsample area of a 250m radius around the Waterfont, of which 108 (67,5%) were received back. To ensure meaningful comparisons between the data sets of 1995 and 1996, questionnaires, in 1996, were only distributed amongst the 108 residents who responded in 1995. Of these 108 questionnaires, 82 were received back, with a resulting response rate of 75,9%. In chapter 1 of this mini-thesis, background in connection with the Waterfront Development is given. In chapter 2 the potential impacts of the Waterfont on the surrounding residential area are discussed, and the study problem and study methodology are defined. The property on which the Waterfront was developed, as well as the surrounding residential area are dicussed in detail in chapter 3. All information regarding the data gathering process, as well as graphic presentation of the 1995 and 1996 data for visual interpretation, are presented in chapter 4. Chapter 5 entails the analysis of the gathered data, and comparisons are made between the data sets of 1995 and 1996. In closing, a summarised synthesis is given and recommendations are made in chapter 6. The synthesis shows that the Randburg Waterfront, although aesthetically attractive and economically viable to Randburg, has an adverse effect on the surrounding residential area, which has worsened during the past year. The importance of this study is that the results can be used to determine methods whereby the negative impacts of the Waterfront on the surrounding residential area and individuals, can be minimised. Lastly, recommendations are made from an environmental management perspective, in order to mitigate present problems, as well as to prevent potential problems associated with similar development in the future.

M.Sc. / The transmission system of Eskom occupies approximately 28 000 km of servitude that crosses a number of biomes in South Africa. The management of these servitudes, with respect to the impacts that the system has on the surrounding environment, as well as the effect of biotic, social and natural phenomena on the electrical system, needs to be carefully managed. This study investigates these bi-directional influences to determine which are pertinent to the management to the transmission line servitudes. This study also derives a number of strategic actions and accountabilities for all participating departments in the Transmission Division of Eskom, who are involved in the management of one or more phases of the life cycle of the servitude.

Includes bibliography. / The Olushandja dam is located in the northern part of Namibia, in the Omusati region - one of the four regions into which the former Ovamboland was divided after independence. The Olushandja dam is part of a two-dam supply system comprising the Calueque dam, on the Cunene river in Angola and the Olushandja dam in Namibia. Construction on Olushandja dam was completed in 1975. It acts as a storage and balancing dam for water supplied from Calueque. Olushandja dam is 17, 7kms long and about 300m wide. For the last 20 years it has been managed at 30% as this is the capacity at which evaporation balances injection of water into the dam and seepage. As part of a plan to upgrade the pumping facilities at Calueque and Olushandja dams, upgrading at Olushandja was initiated early in 1995, and involved repairing the north wall pump station and pumps, and the repair of the sluice gates at the south wall. Upgrading of the Calueque facilities is envisaged for 1996. With upgrading virtually complete at Olushandja, the UCT team were commissioned to conduct a SIA on the effect of changing the water level in the dam on the rural communities living in the vicinity of the dam. The SIA forms part of a full EIA looking at the overall environmental effect of changing the water level at which the dam is currently managed. The impact of the SIA will therefore be in terms of management rather than construction.