Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:31:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_dani_araujo.pdf: 981441 bytes, checksum: 2de9e835165e500d623b9edd351edb76 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-08 / Synantropic flies frequently reach the status of plague in urban and rural areas, assuming an important role regarding its vectorial ability and nuisance to men and animals. Therefore, it is necessary to know their natural enemies in order to achieve a satisfactory control of these dipterans. The success of the biological control as an alternative to the Integrated Pest Management depends on the evaluation of enemies as potential control agents through the development of breeding techniques and laboratory evaluations. Considering that, this study had as objective to understand the phenology of Spalangia endius as well as the parasitoidism of this species using M. domestica, Muscina stabulans and Chrysomya megacephala as hosts, being the last two potential alternative hosts. Colonies of S. endius, M. domestica, M. stabulans e C. megacephala were kept in climatized chamber, at 26ºC ± 2, relative air humidity ≥70% and 12 hours photophase. In order to know the phenology of S. endius, 360 pupae of Musca domestica with ages ranging from 24 to 48 hours were exposed to 15 couples of S. endius for a period of 48 hours at 26ºC ± 2. These pupae were kept in B.O.D chambers at the same conditions of the climatized chamber, where 15 specimens were dissecated to observe the stage and the development time of the hymenopteran. The phenology allows concluding that S. endius presents a development cycle (egg-adult) of 19 to 31 days, with an incubation period of 24 hours, the development of the larvae of S. endius occurred in the 12 subsequent days, in which a series of morphological alterations were observed. The pre-pupae stage occurred in the tenth day where the movement ceased and the meconium elimination begun. The pupal stage occurred in at least 8 and at maximum 12 days, ending the cycle with the emergence of males and around 24 hours later, the emergence of females. The parasitoidism on thet host species was higher in M. domestica with 63%, followed by M. stabulans and C. megacephala with 27,5% and 16,5% respectively. The morphometrical measures confirmed the preference for M. domestica due to the higher size of the parasitoids that developed in this host. There was no significant difference regarding to the size of the parasitoids that developed in pupae of M. stabulans and C. megacephala as well as there was no influence of the sex in the size of the parasitoid. The data here obtained on the parasitoidism of S. endius in the different hosts show that under the studied conditions the best host is M. domestica. Based on the phenology of S. endius, further detailed studies can be carried out in order to optimize the breeding of this parasitoid in laboratory conditions, allowing the biological control of M. domestica as well as M. stabulans e C. megacephala. / Moscas sinantrópicas frequentemente atingem status de praga em áreas urbana e rural, assumindo um papel importante quanto ao incômodo e capacidade vetorial para o homem e animais.Portanto, para um controle satisfatório destes dípteros é necessário conhecer seus inimigos naturais. O sucesso do controle biológico como uma técnica inserida em um programa de Manejo Integrado de Pragas depende da avaliação de inimigos, como potenciais agentes para controle biológico, através do desenvolvimento de técnicas de criação e avaliações em laboratório. Por estas razões este estudo objetivou conhecer a fenologia de Spalangia endius bem como o parasitoidismo desta espécie utilizando como hospedeiros M. domestica, Muscina stabulans e Chrysomya megacephala, sendo as duas últimas potenciais hospedeiros alternativos. Para realização dos experimentos foram mantidas colônias de S. endius, M. domestica, M. stabulans e C. megacephala em câmara climatizada, 26ºC ± 2°C, umidade relativa ≥70% e fotofase de 12 horas. Para conhecer a fenologia de S. endius, 360 pupas de Musca domestica com idade de 24 a 48 horas foram expostas a 15 casais de S. endius por um período de 48 horas a 26ºC ± 2°C. Estas pupas foram mantidas em estufa B.O.D nas mesmas condições da câmara de criação, onde diariamente dissecava-se 15 espécimes para observar o estágio e tempo de desenvolvimento do himenóptero. A fenologia de S. endius em pupas de M. domestica apresentou um ciclo de desenvolvimento (ovo-adulto) de 19 a 31 dias, cujo período de incubação foi de 24 horas, o desenvolvimento de larvas de S. endius ocorreu nos 12 dias subsequentes nos quais, uma série de modificações morfológicas foi observada. O estágio de pré-pupa deu-se no décimo dia onde cessa a movimentação e inicia a eliminação de mecônio. O estágio pupal ocorreu em no mínimo oito e máximo 12 dias, finaliza o ciclo com a emergência de machos e cerca de vinte quatro horas após, há emergência das fêmeas. O parasitoidismo sobre as espécies hospedeiras foi maior em M. domestica com 63% seguido de M. stabulans e C. megacephala com 27,5% e 16,5%, respectivamente. As medidas morfométricas confirmaram a preferência por M. domestica devido ao maior tamanho dos espécimes desenvolvidos neste hospedeiro. Não houve diferença significativa quanto ao tamanho dos parasitóides que se desenvolveram em pupas de M. stabulans e C. megacephala bem como não houve influencia no tamanho do parasitóide em relação ao sexo. Os dados obtidos sobre o parasitismo de S. endius nos diferentes hospedeiros indicam que nas condições deste estudo o hospedeiro mais adequado é M. domestica. Com base na fenologia de S. endius estudos pormenorizados poderão ser conduzidos afim de aprimorar a criação deste parasitóide em condições de laboratório permitindo viabilizar o controle biológico de M. domestica bem como de M. stabulans e C. megacephala.

Building rammed earth structures provides a sustainable alternative to concrete. As a building material, rammed earth exhibits very varied physical and material properties depending on the proportion of constituting soil types. When very sandy soil is used in rammed earth production, the properties are different from when a clayey soil is used. This variability can be seen as a very great advantage in the use of rammed earth as a building material. Builders are able to adjust specific properties by changing mix proportions to obtain a desirable balance in the characteristics of the resulting rammed earth structure. This research work looks at selected mechanical and physical properties of different mixes of rammed earth. It describes typical range of values in density, thermal conductivity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water ingress and compressive strength. It examines how these factors interrelate in the same soil mixes. Samples were prepared by blending various soil types in specific proportions to ensure that each definition of soil grade is as specific as possible. Unstabilised rammed earth was tested as was cement stabilised rammed earth. Rammed earth was tested at various levels of stabilisation and it was discovered that higher rates of stabilisation was not always beneficial to every material property. The research also looked into the potential disposal of waste materials in rammed earth. As rammed earth is a monolithic material that largely remains undisturbed throughout its life span, it was suggested that waste materials could be stored in an inert form inside of rammed earth rather than dumping it in otherwise agricultural landmass. Pulverised Fuel Ash and Palm Kernel Shells were identified as wastes to be disposed in rammed earth. Pulverised Fuel Ash, a by-product of industrial furnace is found in abundance in developed countries that burn carbonaceous materials in power plants. Disposals have been seen as a problem as only a small proportion of high loss on ignition (LOI) Pulverised Fuel Ash has found application. Palm Kernel Shell is a by-product of the oil palm industry and is currently a menace in many developing countries that need to dispose large quantities of the shell in landfills. At an early stage of the research, experimental trial runs quickly showed that these supposedly waste materials had a positive effect on some of the material properties of the rammed earth walls they were made into. This research effort evolved to look into exploiting these materials to improve the physical and material property of rammed earth and to suggest their effect on stabilised and unstabilised rammed earth. The extent to which these materials could be useful and the level at which diminishing returns set in was also investigated. It was discovered that soil mixes that would otherwise not be considered suitable for use in rammed earth wall production can now be utilised as their characteristics can be improved on simply by adding Pulverised Fuel Ash or Palm Kernel shell in the right proportion. Incorporating Pulverised Fuel Ash in rammed earth resulted in increased compressive strength. Palm Kernel shell improved thermal properties without compromising compressive strength.

Le perçage est un procédé de fabrication répandu dans le milieu industriel. Le secteur aéronautique a recours à ce procédé pour usiner de nombreuses pièces. Les chambres de combustions en sont un exemple. Exposées à des cycles thermiques sévères, elles sont percées d’une multitude de trous de refroidissement. Chez Safran Helicopter Engines, motoriste spécialisé dans la conception de turbines à gaz pour hélicoptères, ce perçage est réalisé à l’aide d’un procédé d’usinage unique : le perçage par percussion laser à la volée. Ce procédé phare leur permet de réaliser des milliers de trous inclinés dans des tôles en matériaux réfractaires. Safran Helicopter Engines cherche à maintenir son avance dans la production de turbines en s’appuyant sur les innovations constantes du procédé de perçage. Ce travail de thèse s’est articule autour du développement d’un nouveau procédé de perçage laser. De manière à définir un procédé fiable et efficace, plusieurs stratégies de perçage sont étudiées via les possibilités offertes par un laser à fibre milliseconde de haute puissance. Les résultats obtenus laissent entrevoir des perspectives intéressantes en termes d’augmentation de cadence de production à qualité d’usinage équivalente. L’amélioration des performances a été démontrée expérimentalement sur un banc d’essais représentatif des machines de production. Des trous de 400 μm de diamètre incliné à 60o ont pu être réalisés avec un cycle de perçage raccourci au minimum d’un facteur 2. Cette thèse présente également des éléments de compréhension des phénomènes de formation d’un trou. Pour cela, une modélisation des processus thermo hydrodynamiques impliqués dans le procédé de perçage laser a été développée. Ce modèle basé sur une approche par éléments finis repose sur l’étude thermique au cours de l’interaction entre le faisceau laser et la matière. Une partie du modèle inclut les phénomènes de propagation du faisceau dans la cavité en cours de formation afin de traduire de manière plus réaliste le dépôt d’énergie. / Drilling is a well-known manufacturing process. The aeronautic industry uses this process to machine a lot of elements. Among them, we can mention turbine blades, fuel injectors, combustion chambers. The latter are exposed to serious thermal stresses. To limit their impacts, combustion chambers are drilled with multiples cooling holes. At Safran Helicopter Engines, engines manufacturer specialized in engines design for helicopters, drilling is performed with a unique machining process : on the fly laser percussion drilling. This flagship process allows drilling thousands of tilted holes on refractory materials. Safran Helicopter Engines seeks to preserve its leading position in turbo engines manufacturing by looking for steady innovative drilling process. This thesis is structured around the development of a new laser drilling process. To define a reliable and efficient process, several drilling strategies were studied through the possibilities offered by a high-power millisecond fiber laser. The presented results allow catching a glimpse of the possibilities of production improvement. The performance enhancement was established through experimentation with a test bench. Holes of 400 μm diameter with an angle of 60o were drilled with a reduced processing time thanks to this new drilling process. In this thesis, we also propose a theoretical approach describing the hole formation. A mathematical model, accounting for all the physical process taking place during the drilling process is introduced. This model is based on finite elements method and considers the laser beam propagation within the drilled holes by solving Maxwell equations

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The construction industry has been studying the possibility of using industrial subproducts, as a strategy to remedy the environmental matters, considering that the sub-products are generated in large quantities and mostly without specific destination. In the present study investigates the feasibility of using the RHA residual, natural or ground, in structural concrete, in partial replacement of Portland cement, from the analysis of durability characteristics of the concrete. However, some natural rice husk ash have natural expansive effect due to the reaction of silica under form of microcrystalline and the cement alkali. Thus, it justifies the use of fly ash, forming ternary mixtures, as the solution to mitigate the expansion generated by alkaliaggregate reaction (AAR) or alkali-silica (RAS). For this, three binders mixtures were tested: one composed with the RHA natural + FA, one with RHA ground + FA and the last one composed with a reference mixture 80% of Portland cement and 20% of FA, in which confronted the results. It was adopted the replacement levels of 15% of RHA, and the relations a/g of 0.45; 0.55 and 0.65. It was conducted the trials of apparent electrical resistivity, specific electrical conductivity, resistance to chloride penetration according to the method of accelerated penetration ASTM C1202 (EAPC). Additionally, the trials of axial compressive strength and water absorption by capillarity were performed, according to requirements of ABNT. The obtained results in the research confirm that is feasible to use the residual RHA, natural or ground, as partial replacement of Portland cement, in concrete for structural use. It was found that the age and the ratio a/g showed a significant influence on the electrical resistivity and electrical conductivity of concrete, mainly due to changes in pore structure and the quantity and composition of them solution, showing there is a great correlation among these factors. As for the axial compressive strength, at 182 days, the mixture composed with RHA ground presented higher performance than to the reference mixture. However, for the mixing with RHA natural, the same course was not observed. In the EAPC the use of RHA ground, burned without temperature control, resulted in lower values of loads bystanders and lowest penetration depths, when compared to the mixtures with RHA natural and of reference. In the case of water absorption by capillarity, it was found that the use of RHA, in general, decreased the water absorption of concrete. / A indústria da construção civil vem estudando a possibilidade da utilização de subprodutos industriais, como uma das ações para solucionar as questões ambientais, tendo em vista que os mesmos são gerados em grandes quantidades e na sua maioria sem destinação específica. No presente trabalho investiga-se a viabilidade de se utilizar a CCA residual, ao natural ou moída, em concretos estruturais, em substituição parcial ao cimento Portland, a partir da análise de características de durabilidade do concreto. Porém, algumas cinzas de casca de arroz naturais apresentam efeito expansivo devido à reação entre a sílica sob a forma microcristalina e os álcalis do cimento. Assim, justifica-se o uso da cinza volante, formando misturas ternárias, como a solução para mitigar a expansão gerada pela reação álcali-agregado (RAA) ou álcali-sílica (RAS). Para isso, foram testadas três misturas aglomerantes: uma composta com CCA ao natural + CV, uma com CCA moída + CV e uma mistura de referência com 80% cimento Portland e 20% de CV, a qual se confrontaram os resultados. Adotou-se o teor de substituição de 15% de CCA, e as relações a/ag de 0,45; 0,55 e 0,65. Procederam-se os ensaios de resistividade elétrica aparente, condutividade elétrica específica, resistência à penetração de cloretos segundo o método de penetração acelerada ASTM C1202 (EAPC). Adicionalmente, foram realizados os ensaios de resistência à compressão axial e de absorção de água por capilaridade, segundo prescrições da ABNT. Os resultados obtidos na pesquisa confirmam que é viável utilizar a CCA residual, ao natural ou moída, como substituição parcial ao cimento Portland, em concretos para uso estrutural. Verificou-se que a idade e a relação a/ag mostraram uma influência expressiva na resistividade elétrica e condutividade elétrica do concreto, em virtude principalmente das alterações na estrutura dos poros e na quantidade e composição da solução dos mesmos, mostrando haver uma ótima correlação entre estes fatores. Quanto a resistência à compressão axial, aos 182 dias, a mistura composta com CCA moída apresentou desempenho superior ao da mistura de referência. Porém, para a mistura com CCA natural, o mesmo comportamento não foi verificado. No EAPC a utilização de CCA moída, queimada sem controle de temperatura, resultou em valores de cargas passantes mais baixos e profundidades de penetração menores, quando comparados aos das misturas com CCA natural e de referência. No caso da absorção de água por capilaridade, constatou-se que a utilização de CCA, em geral, diminuiu a absorção de água dos concretos.

Cette thèse de création porte sur les nouveaux enjeux de pesanteur etde légèreté revendiqués par un certain nombre d’artistes contemporains.Nous vivons dans un monde de plus en plus pesant et pourtant les artistesexplorent des moyens de s’extraire de cette gravité pour atteindreune apesanteur théorique. Car l’apesanteur telle que nous nous la représentonsn’existe pas en terme de physique : il s’agit d’un phénomène dechute libre qui crée l’impression de flottement. J’interroge donc la notiond’(a)pesanteur, qui prend en considération cette dialectique de l’envol etde la chute, au sein de nombreuses oeuvres, principalement sculpturales. Jequestionne ma pratique de la sculpture, de l’installation et du dessin à traversle prisme de l’(a)pesanteur, qui construit un véritable rapport aumonde et à l’acte de création. J’utilise les propriétés intrinsèques du matériauafin de générer des sensations de poids ou de légèreté. J’interrogeégalement l’acte de suspendre une oeuvre dans l’espace d’exposition: lasuspension serait-elle aujourd’hui devenue le nouveau socle de la sculpture? De l’espace d’exposition à l’Espace cosmique, l’oeuvre d’art est, depuisla conquête spatiale, de plus en plus présente hors des frontières terrestres.Elle est créée dans l’Espace ou pour l’Espace : l’Espace cosmique serait-il devenu le nouveau lieu de l’art ?A travers les figures de la chute,de l’envol,du suspens,de l’imaginaire spatial,et jusqu’aux figures de l’invisible, l’(a)pesanteur tisse un véritable filrouge à travers la création contemporaine. / This creative thesis is about the new challenges of weightlessness andlightness faced by a number of contemporary artists.We are living in a increasinglyheavy world, yet artists are exploring ways to escape this gravityto reach a theoretical weightlessness. Because the way to display weightlessnessdoesn’t exist in terms of physics: it’s the phenomenon of free-fallingwhich creates this feeling of floating. So I seek to test theweight(less)ness concept, which explores this float and fall dialectic in numerousworks, mainly sculptural. I’m questioning my own practice ofsculpture, installation and drawing, through the prism of weight(less)ness,which builds an actual connection to the world and to the act of creation.I’m using the intrinsic property of the material to generate feelings ofweight or lightness. I’m also questioning the act of hanging a work in theexhibition space : nowadays, has suspension become the new pedestal of asculpture ? From the exhibition space to cosmic Space, artwork increasinglygains presence beyond earth’s boundaries, ever since the conquest ofspace. It’s created in Space and for Space : has cosmic Space become thenew place for art? Through figures of falling, of flight, of suspension, ofimaginary spaces, and even figures of invisibility, weight(less)ness builds averitable guiding light through contemporary creation.

The aim of this thesis is to summarize the knowledge regarding reduction of negative impact of high volumes of fly ash in HVFA concretes using nanotechnology and experimentally verify the findings. To compensate the inferior early-age properties, it is possible to use active nanoparticles, such as nanosilica or nanolimestone. The first step of the experiment was the production of stable nanoparticle’s dispersions using ultrasonic homogenization and UV/Vis spectroscopy. In subsequent steps the influence of nanoparticle’s presence on cementitious materials’ properties was verified on cement pastes and mortars with 40 a 60 % of fly ash. The best variant was then used to produce nano-modified HVFA concretes. Even at a minimum dose, the positive effect on early-age properties indicates the usefulness of nanoparticles in technology of concrete. An important contribution of this thesis is also the acquired knowledge related to the nanoparticle’s behavior and handling.

Abstract Biomass, such as wood, binds CO2 as it grows, and is thus considered an environmentally friendly alternative fuel to replace coal. In Finland, biomass is typically co-combusted with peat, and also municipal waste is becoming more common as a fuel for power plants. Wood, peat and waste-based fuels are typically burned in fluidized bed combustion (FBC) boilers. Ash is the inorganic, incombustible residue resulting from combustion. The annual production of biomass and peat ash in Finland is 600 000 tonnes, and this amount is likely to increase in the future, since the use of coal for energy production will be discontinued during the 2020s. Unfortunately, FBC ash is still largely unutilized at the moment and is mainly dumped in landfills. The general aim of this thesis was to generate information which could potentially improve the utilization of FBC ash by alkali activation. The specific objective was to produce geopolymer aggregates by means of a simultaneous alkali activation-granulation process. It was shown that geopolymer aggregates with physical properties comparable to commercial lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECAs) can be produced from FBC fly ash containing heavy metals. Although the ashes were largely unreactive and no new crystalline phases were formed by alkali activation, a new amorphous phase was observed in the XRD patterns, possibly representing micron-sized calcium aluminate silicate hydrate-type gels. The heavy metal immobilization efficiency of alkali activation varied with the type of fly ash. Good stabilization was generally obtained for cationic metals such as Ba, Pb and Zn, but in common with the results obtained with alkali activation of coal fly ash, anionic metals became leachable after alkali activation. The efficiency of immobilization depended on the physical and chemical properties of the fly ash and was not related to the total content of the element. All the geopolymer aggregates met the criteria for a lightweight aggregate (LWA) as defined by EN standard 13055-1. Their strength depended on the reactivity and particle size distribution of the fly ash. Mortars and concretes prepared with such geopolymer aggregates had higher mechanical strength, higher dynamic modulus of elasticity and higher density than concrete produced with commercial LECA, while exhibiting similar rheology and workability. / Tiivistelmä Biopolttoaineet, esimerkiksi puu, ovat ympäristöystävällinen vaihtoehto kivihiilelle, koska ne sitovat hiilidioksidia kasvaessaan. Suomessa biopolttoaineita poltetaan tyypillisesti turpeen kanssa, ja nykyään myös jätteen hyödyntäminen polttoaineena on yleistynyt. Puu, turve ja jätepolttoaineet poltetaan tyypillisesti leijupetipoltto-tekniikalla. Tuhka on polton epäorgaaninen, palamaton jäännös. Puun ja turpeen tuhkaa tuotetaan Suomessa 600 000 tonnia vuodessa ja määrän odotetaan kasvavan, sillä kivihiilen poltto lopetetaan 2020-luvulla. Leijupetipolton tuhkaa ei tällä hetkellä juurikaan hyödynnetä ja tuhka päätyykin pääasiassa kaatopaikoille. Tämän tutkielman päämääränä oli tuottaa tietoa, joka parantaisi leijupetipolton tuhkien hyödyntämistä alkali-aktivaatiolla. Erityisesti tavoitteena oli valmistaa geopolymeeriaggregaatteja yhtäaikaisella alkali-aktivaatiolla ja rakeistuksella. Tutkielmassa osoitettiin, että raskasmetalleja sisältävistä tuhkista valmistettujen geopolymeeriaggregaattien fysikaaliset ominaisuudet ovat vertailukelpoiset kaupallisten kevytsora-aggregaattien (LECA) kanssa. Vaikka tuhkien reaktiivisuus oli matala, ja uusia kidefaaseja ei muodostunut alkaliaktivaatiolla, uusi amorfinen faasi havaittiin XRD-mittauksissa. Uusi amorfinen faasi oli mahdollisesti mikrometrikokoluokan kalsium-aluminaatti-silikaatti-hydraatti-tyyppinen rakenne. Raskasmetallien stabiloinnin tehokkuus vaihteli tuhkien välillä. Kationiset metallit, kuten barium, lyijy ja sinkki, stabiloituivat pääasiassa hyvin, mutta anionisten metallin liukoisuus kasvoi alkali-aktivoinnin myötä. Stabiloinnin tehokkuus riippui tuhkien fysikaalisista ja kemiallisista ominaisuuksista, mutta raskasmetallin kokonaispitoisuudella ei ollu vaikutusta. Kaikki geopolymeeriaggregaatit olivat kevytsora-aggregaatteja standardin EN 13055-1 mukaisesti. Aggregaattien lujuus riippui tuhkan reaktiivisuudesta ja partikkelikokojakaumasta. Geopolymeeriaggregaateilla valmistettujen laastien ja betonien mekaaninen lujuus, Youngin moduuli ja tiheys olivat korkeampia kuin kaupallisella kevytsora-aggregaateilla valmistetut, vaikka niiden reologia ja työstettävyys olivat samanlaisia.

Approximately 24 alien fish species, equivalent to 9 percent of all South African freshwater fish species, were introduced and established into South African waters during the 19th and 20th Centuries (Skelton, 2001). Of the 24 species introduced, the Rainbow trout and the Brown trout have over time become South Africa's most widely spread and used freshwater fish species (Bainbridge, Alletson, Davies, Lax and Mills, 2005). The National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, no.10 of 2004 has, however, cast considerable doubt on the future of trout as a food source and a recreational fishing resource in South Africa. More specifically, Section 64 of the Act has the following aims: “(a) to prevent the unauthorized introduction and spread of alien species and invasive species to ecosystems and habitats where they do not naturally occur; (b) to manage and control alien species and invasive species to prevent or minimize harm to the environment and to biodiversity in particular; and (c) to eradicate alien species and invasive species from ecosystems and habitats where they may harm such ecosystems or habitats.” The uncertainty surrounding the future of trout in South Africa is mainly underpinned by aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act. Regarding the eradication of trout and in keeping with aim (c) of Section 64 of the Act, three remarks can be made. First, there exists a paucity of published studies which offer validated proof of the impacts which may be ascribed entirely to the introduction of alien trout in South Africa, since no pre-stocking assessments were conducted (Bainbridge et al., 2005). Second, the elimination of trout is feasible in a few limited closed ecosystems, such as small dams, but is highly impractical and untenable from an environmental and cost perspective where open and established river systems are concerned (Bainbridge et al., x 2005). More specifically, there are no efficient or adequate eradication measures which may be used in wide-ranging open ecosystems, which selectively target alien fish species. Moreover, most, if not all, measures have the potential to cause considerable adverse impacts on indigenous aquafaunal species. Finally, the elimination of trout could undermine the tourism appeal of many upper catchment areas in South Africa. The trout fishing industry is well established and is a source of local and foreign income, as well as a job creator in the South African economy (Bainbridge et al., 2005; Hlatswako, 2000; Rogerson, 2002). In particular, the industry provides a two-tier service: first, in food production at the subsistence as well as commercial levels, and second, as an angling resource. Recreational angling, including fly-fishing for trout, is one of the fastest growing tourism attractions in South Africa. Furthermore, the trout fishing industry is sustained and underpinned by a considerable infrastructure consisting of tackle manufacturers and retailers, tourist operators, professional guides, hotels, lodges and B&Bs. The economic case for the trout fishing industry in South Africa has, however, not been convincingly made. The economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing is priced directly in the market place by expenditures made by fly-fishers, and indirectly in property values, which provide access to fly-fishing opportunities. The benefit of trout and trout fly-fishing can also be valued through non-market valuation techniques. Non-market valuation is used to calculate values for items that are not traded in markets, such as environmental services. There are several non-market valuation methods available to the researcher, namely those based on revealed preference and those based on stated preference. The former includes the hedonic pricing method and the travel cost method, while the latter includes the contingent valuation method and the choice modelling method. Of the available non-market valuation techniques, the travel cost method is the most suitable method for determining the value of trout and the trout fishing industry because travel cost is often the main expenditure incurred. xi The aim of this study is threefold: first, to value the economic contribution of trout and trout fly-fishing to the Rhodes region, North Eastern Cape; second, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project that entails the rehabilitation and maintenance of trout streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to increase their trout carrying capacity by 10 percent; third, to determine the willingness-to-pay for a project aimed at eradicating trout from streams and rivers in and around Rhodes village so as to prevent trout from harming the indigenous yellowfish habitat. The first aim was achieved by applying the travel cost method, whereas the second and third aims were achieved by applying the contingent valuation method. The study aimed to provide policy makers with information regarding the value of trout fishing in the Rhodes region, so as to create an awareness of the economic trade-offs associated with alien fish eradication. Through the application of the travel cost method, the consumer surplus per trout fly-fishermen was estimated to be R19 677.69, while the total consumer surplus was estimated to be R13 774 384.40. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to rehabilitate trout habitat was estimated to be R248.95, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R199 462.20. The median willingness-to-pay for a project to eradicate alien trout from the Rhodes region rivers and streams was estimated to be R41.18, while the total willingness-to-pay amounted to R28 829.36. This study concludes that trout and trout fly-fishing make a valuable economic contribution to the Rhodes region. The extent of the economic benefit provided by trout and trout fly-fishing services in the Rhodes region should be carefully considered in any stream management project.

L'optimisation de la composition des vitrifiats de REFIOM en les rendant alcali-résistants en vue de leur conférer une bonne durabilité chimique en milieu alcalin pour être ensuite utilisés dans les matrices cimentaires a été étudiée. La méthodologie suivie consiste à étudier le comportement à la lixiviation en mode statique de verres modèles alcali-résistants de type CEMFIL et de vitrifiats de REFIOM auxquels on a rajouté SiO2, Na2O et ZrO2 pour leur conférer un caractère alcali-résistant. Les tests de lixiviation menées à 90°C et à différents temps (de 6 heures à 28 jours) ainsi que les autres techniques d'analyse chimique (ICP-AES, MEB-EDS, SIMS, ERDA, RBS, PIXE) sur ces verres ont montré que ce sont les vitifiats de REFIOM dont la composition a été optimisée qui présentent la meilleure durabilité chimique quelque soit le pH / The main goal of this research work is to optimize the composition of vitrified REFIOM into alkali-resistant glasses in order to enhance their durability and in alkaline media. The expected industrial application deals with the use of these glasses associated with concrete in composite materials. The experimental approach is based on static leaching tests of model alkali-resistant glasses and vitrified REFIOM in witch we have added SiO2, Na2O et ZrO2 in order they become alkali-resistant vitrified REFIOM. The leachates have been analysed by ICP-AES and the solid surfaces characterized by scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, secondary ion mass spectrometry depth profiling, and synchrotron radiation spectroscopies. All those analysis showed that alkali-resistant REFIOM are the best durability in every media

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The primary aim of these coal fired industries for co-disposing fly ash and brine was to use the fly ash as a sustainable salt sink. It is therefore important to study the interaction chemistry of the fly ash-brine systems to fully understand the leaching and mobility of the contaminant species, and to determine the possibility of capturing the salts from the brine solution when fly ash and brine are co-disposed. In order to achieve the aims and objectives of this study, several leaching procedures such as batch reaction tests, long-term fly ash-brine interaction tests, acid neutralization capacity (ANC) tests, up-flow percolation tests and sequential extraction tests were employed. The geochemical modeling software was applied to predict the formation of secondary mineral phases controlling the release of species in the fly ash-brine systems. Several analytical techniques such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) and ion chromatography (IC) were applied to characterize the fresh fly ashes, solid residues recovered from the fly ash-brine interaction tests, the brine sample used in this study and the leachate samples in order to determine the chemical and mineralogical compositions and speciation of the waste materials. / South Africa