Chan, Wing Shing. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 201-222). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Table of contents --- p.viii / List of tables --- p.xii / List of figures --- p.xiv / List of plates --- p.xvi / Chapter Chapter One --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research background --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Conceptual framework --- p.6 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the study --- p.10 / Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the study --- p.11 / Chapter 1.6 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.12 / Chapter Chapter Two --- Literature Review / Chapter 2.1 --- Land degradation: an overview --- p.14 / Chapter 2.2 --- Land degradation in Hong Kong --- p.17 / Chapter 2.3 --- Ecological rehabilitation --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4 --- Role of plantation in ecological rehabilitation --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5 --- Reforestation history in Hong Kong and species selection --- p.25 / Chapter 2.6 --- Nutrient requirements of native species --- p.31 / Chapter 2.7 --- The geology and soils of Hong Kong --- p.35 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Geology --- p.35 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Soils --- p.35 / Chapter 2.8 --- Greenhouse approach in nutrient requirement study --- p.37 / Chapter 2.9 --- Nitrogen mineralization --- p.38 / Chapter 2.10 --- Chlorophyll fluorescence --- p.40 / Chapter 2.11 --- Summary --- p.41 / Chapter Chapter Three --- Inherent Characteristics and Properties of Decomposed Granite and Fire-affected Soil / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.42 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sources of soil and sampling --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Soil pre-treatment --- p.44 / Chapter 3.3 --- Laboratory analysis --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Reaction pH and conductivity --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Texture --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Organic carbon --- p.46 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- Carbon: nitrogen ratio --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Total phosphorus (TP) --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Exchangeable Al and H --- p.48 / Chapter 3.3.8 --- "Exchangeable cations, base saturation percentage (BSP) and exchangeable Al percentage" --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4 --- Results and discussion --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Texture --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Reaction pH and conductivity --- p.49 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- "Soil organic matter, total Kjeldhal nitrogen and total phosphorus" --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Exchangeable cations --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- DG as a representative soil of soil destruction sites --- p.54 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- FAS as a representative soil of vegetation disturbance sites --- p.56 / Chapter 3.5 --- Summary --- p.58 / Chapter Chapter Four --- Nitrogen Fluxes of Decomposed Granite and Fire-affected Soil Amended with Urea / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.59 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Experimental design --- p.62 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Soil incubation and sampling --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Analysis of mineral nitrogen (NH4-N and NO3-N) --- p.64 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Variation of NH4-N in DG and FAS --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Variation of N03-N in DG and FAS --- p.68 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Variation of mineral N in DG and FAS --- p.74 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- NH4-N fluxes in DG and FAS --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- NO3-N fluxes in DG and FAS --- p.80 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Mineral N fluxes in DG and FAS --- p.82 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter Five --- Growth Performance of Native Species in Decomposed Granite and Fire-affected Soil / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.88 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Experimental design --- p.91 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Nitrogen treatments --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Post-planting care --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- "Measurement of survival rate, height, basal diameter, aboveground biomass and foliar nitrogen" --- p.95 / Chapter 5.2.4.1 --- Survival rate --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.4.2 --- Height and basal diameter --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.4.3 --- Aboveground biomass --- p.96 / Chapter 5.2.4.4 --- Foliar sampling --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.4.5 --- Determination of foliar nitrogen --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.97 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Survival rate --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Height growth of species in DG --- p.105 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Effect of nitrogen on species height growth in DG --- p.112 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Height growth of species in FAS --- p.117 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Effect of nitrogen on species height growth in FAS --- p.118 / Chapter 5.3.6 --- Effect of DG and FAS on species height growth --- p.120 / Chapter 5.3.7 --- Basal diameter growth of species in DG --- p.122 / Chapter 5.3.8 --- Effect of N on basal diameter growth of species in DG --- p.124 / Chapter 5.3.9 --- Basal diameter growth of species in FAS --- p.126 / Chapter 5.3.10 --- Effect of N on basal diameter growth of species in FAS --- p.127 / Chapter 5.3.11 --- Effect of DG and FAS on species basal diameter growth --- p.127 / Chapter 5.3.12 --- Overall height and basal diameter growth of species in DG . --- p.129 / Chapter 5.3.13 --- Overall height and basal diameter growth of species in FAS --- p.131 / Chapter 5.3.14 --- Aboveground biomass of species in DG --- p.133 / Chapter 5.3.15 --- Effect of N on aboveground biomass of species in DG --- p.135 / Chapter 5.3.16 --- Aboveground biomass production in FAS --- p.138 / Chapter 5.3.17 --- Effect of N on aboveground biomass of species in FAS --- p.139 / Chapter 5.3.18 --- Effect of DG and FAS on aboveground biomass of species --- p.141 / Chapter 5.3.19 --- Foliar nitrogen --- p.143 / Chapter 5.3.19.1 --- Foliar N of species grown in DG --- p.143 / Chapter 5.3.19.2 --- Effect of N amendment on foliar N of species in DG --- p.147 / Chapter 5.3.19.3 --- Foliar N of species in FAS --- p.149 / Chapter 5.3.19.4 --- Effect of N amendment on foliar N of species in FAS --- p.151 / Chapter 5.3.19.5 --- Effect of DG and FAS on the foliar N of species --- p.152 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary --- p.155 / Chapter Chapter Six --- Photosynthetic Efficiency of Native Species / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.158 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.160 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence --- p.160 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Statistical analysis --- p.162 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.162 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Photosynthetic efficiency of species in DG --- p.162 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Photosynthetic efficiency of species in FAS --- p.170 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Effect of DG and FAS on photosynthetic efficiency of Species --- p.172 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary --- p.175 / Chapter Chapter Seven --- Conclusions / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction --- p.178 / Chapter 7.2 --- Summary of major findings --- p.179 / Chapter 7.3 --- Implications of the study --- p.187 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Species selection for the rehabilitation of soil destruction sites --- p.187 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Species selection for the rehabilitation of vegetation disturbance sites --- p.191 / Chapter 7.3.3 --- Fertilization practice in different degraded lands --- p.193 / Chapter 7.3.4 --- The importance of soil test in ecological rehabilitation Planting --- p.195 / Chapter 7.4 --- Limitations of the study --- p.197 / Chapter 7.5 --- Suggestions for further study --- p.198 / References --- p.201 / Appendices --- p.223

Lam, Shu Kee. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 206-219). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract (in Chinese) --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Table of contents --- p.vii / List of tables --- p.xii / List of figures --- p.xvi / List of plates --- p.xvii / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION / Chapter 1.1 --- Research background --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Conceptual framework --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives of the study --- p.8 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of the study --- p.9 / Chapter 1.5 --- Organization of the thesis --- p.10 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.12 / Chapter 2.2 --- Use of hydroseeding in slope bioengineering works --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3 --- Problems associated with hydroseeded slopes --- p.12 / Chapter 2.4 --- Common Bermudagrass used in hydroseeding --- p.13 / Chapter 2.5 --- "Sludge disposal, potentials and problems" --- p.14 / Chapter 2.5.1 --- Properties and disposal of sludge --- p.14 / Chapter 2.5.2 --- Use of sludge and potential problems --- p.16 / Chapter 2.5.3 --- Heavy metals in sludge --- p.19 / Chapter 2.5.3.1 --- Cadmium --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5.3.2 --- Chromium --- p.22 / Chapter 2.5.3.3 --- Copper --- p.23 / Chapter 2.5.3.4 --- Nickel --- p.24 / Chapter 2.5.3.5 --- Lead --- p.24 / Chapter 2.5.3.6 --- Zinc --- p.25 / Chapter 2.5.4 --- Speciation of heavy metals --- p.25 / Chapter 2.5.5 --- Factors affecting the bioavailability of heavy metals --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5.5.1 --- Reaction pH --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5.5.2 --- Organic matter --- p.28 / Chapter 2.5.5.3 --- Fertilizers --- p.29 / Chapter 2.5.6 --- Effect of heavy metals on plant growth --- p.29 / Chapter 2.5.7 --- Effect of heavy metals on animals and water bodies --- p.31 / Chapter 2.6 --- "Lime, heavy metals and plant growth" --- p.32 / Chapter 2.6.1 --- Effect of lime on heavy metal dynamics --- p.32 / Chapter 2.6.1.1 --- Competition with heavy metals for adsorption sites --- p.32 / Chapter 2.6.1.2 --- Immobilization of heavy metals --- p.32 / Chapter 2.6.2 --- Effect of lime on plant growth --- p.34 / Chapter 2.7 --- Effect of precipitation on slopes --- p.35 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Infiltration --- p.35 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Surface runoff --- p.38 / Chapter 2.7.3 --- Soil erosion --- p.39 / Chapter 2.8 --- Summary --- p.42 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- EFFECT OF SLUDGE AND LIME ON ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS OF COMMON BERMUDAGRASS / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.43 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.44 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Materials --- p.45 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Experimental design --- p.46 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Grass clipping and pre-treatment --- p.49 / Chapter 3.3 --- Chemical analysis --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Properties of decomposed granite --- p.50 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Properties of sludge," --- p.52 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Nitrogen of grass clippings --- p.52 / Chapter 3.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5 --- Results and discussion --- p.54 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Properties of DG and sludge --- p.54 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Aboveground biomass of grass --- p.56 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Effect of sludge on aboveground biomass --- p.63 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Effect of lime on aboveground biomass --- p.66 / Chapter 3.5.5 --- Synergic effect of sludge and lime on aboveground biomass --- p.68 / Chapter 3.5.6 --- "Effect of sludge on nitrogen uptake by grass shoots," --- p.69 / Chapter 3.6 --- Summary --- p.72 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- EFFECT OF SLUDGE AND LIME ON HEAVY METAL UPTAKE BY COMMON BERMUDAGRASS / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Materials and experimental design --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Analysis of heavy metals in grass shoots --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Reaction pH at the end of Part 1 --- p.77 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Cumulative uptake of heavy metals by common Bermudagrass --- p.79 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Effect of sludge on heavy metal uptake --- p.84 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Effect of lime on heavy metal uptake --- p.86 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Synergic effect of sludge and lime on cumulative heavy metal uptake --- p.88 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Effect of fertilizer addition --- p.91 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Concentration of heavy metals in grass --- p.93 / Chapter 4.3.7 --- Effect of pH on heavy metal uptake --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3.8 --- Effect of heavy metal uptake on aboveground biomass --- p.100 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.103 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- EFFECT OF SLUDGE AND LIME ON HEAVY METALS IN LEACHATE / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.106 / Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.107 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Leachate collection --- p.108 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Analysis of leachate --- p.109 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Statistical analysis --- p.109 / Chapter 5.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.110 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Effect of sludge and lime on leachate volume --- p.110 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Leachate pH and the effect of sludge and lime --- p.115 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Heavy metal contents in leachate --- p.119 / Chapter 5.3.4 --- Effect of sludge and lime on the leaching of heavy metals --- p.121 / Chapter 5.3.5 --- Effect of pH on the leaching of heavy metals --- p.125 / Chapter 5.4 --- Summary --- p.126 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- "LEACHATE, SURFACE RUNOFF, SEDIMENT YIELD AND THEIR HEAVY METALS" / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.128 / Chapter 6.2 --- Materials and methods --- p.130 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Materials --- p.130 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Experimental design --- p.132 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Rainfall intensities in simulation experiment --- p.134 / Chapter 6.2.4 --- Selection of slope gradient --- p.136 / Chapter 6.2.5 --- Rainfall simulation --- p.136 / Chapter 6.2.6 --- "Leachate, surface runoff and runoff sediment" --- p.137 / Chapter 6.2.7 --- Properties of decomposed granite and sludge --- p.138 / Chapter 6.2.8 --- "Heavy metals in leachate, surface runoff and runoff sediment" --- p.139 / Chapter 6.2.9 --- Statistical analysis --- p.140 / Chapter 6.3 --- Results and discussion --- p.140 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Properties of DG and sludge --- p.140 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- "Leachate, surface runoff and runoff sediment production" --- p.142 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- "Heavy metal concentrations in leachate, surface runoff and runoff sediment" --- p.153 / Chapter 6.3.3.1 --- Heavy metal concentrations in leachate --- p.153 / Chapter 6.3.3.2 --- Heavy metal concentrations in runoff --- p.163 / Chapter 6.3.4 --- Cumulative loss of heavy metals --- p.170 / Chapter 6.3.4.1 --- Cumulative loss of heavy metals from leachate --- p.170 / Chapter 6.3.4.2 --- Cumulative loss of heavy metals from runoff --- p.178 / Chapter 6.3.4.3 --- "Heavy metal loss from leachate, surface runoff and runoff sediment" --- p.185 / Chapter 6.4 --- Summary --- p.189 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSIONS / Chapter 7.1 --- Summary of major findings --- p.192 / Chapter 7.2 --- Implications of the study --- p.196 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- Potential use of sludge in slope bioengineering works --- p.196 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- Measures to optimize the benefits of sludge in land application --- p.198 / Chapter 7.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.200 / Chapter 7.4 --- Suggestions for further study --- p.202 / REFERENCES --- p.206 / APPENDICES --- p.220