Vegetation establishment is one of the major rehabilitation methods that are used to stabilize, cover, to minimize, mitigate or remove the contaminants from tailings storage facilities (TSF’s). Phytostabilization is a useful mechanism by which plants limit the contamination of natural systems with toxic elements. For successful occurrence of phytostabilization on mine tailings, it is vital to establish plant species that can survive the hostile conditions of the substrate. Major problems encountered with vegetation covers is the lack of natural soil properties e.g. soil structure, organic carbon and also hostile chemical conditions. Only a few species are tolerant to the different negative properties of the tailings. The main aim of this project is to identify plant species that can be used for vegetative rehabilitation of nine different types of tailings material including gypsum, gold, platinum, kimberlite, coal, fluorspar and andalusite tailings. The ability of 28 different plant species to survive in the tailings was assessed by statistically calculating the growth potential of the species and summarizing the data in graphs and an index table that calculates a specific merit value for each of the tailings-species combinations. The various plant stress factors that the species exhibited were also documented. Finally, the results were correlated with a soil physical and -chemical baseline study of the tailings to provide insight into successes and failures of certain species. The final results identified various successful tailings-species combinations, as well as failures. The index table proved to be a useful tool to identify suitable species for establishment on various tailings. The baseline study of the different tailings could be used to explain why certain species could be established successfully, as well as the reason why some species did not survive. / M (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Vegetation establishment is one of the major rehabilitation methods that are used to stabilize, cover, to minimize, mitigate or remove the contaminants from tailings storage facilities (TSF’s). Phytostabilization is a useful mechanism by which plants limit the contamination of natural systems with toxic elements. For successful occurrence of phytostabilization on mine tailings, it is vital to establish plant species that can survive the hostile conditions of the substrate. Major problems encountered with vegetation covers is the lack of natural soil properties e.g. soil structure, organic carbon and also hostile chemical conditions. Only a few species are tolerant to the different negative properties of the tailings. The main aim of this project is to identify plant species that can be used for vegetative rehabilitation of nine different types of tailings material including gypsum, gold, platinum, kimberlite, coal, fluorspar and andalusite tailings. The ability of 28 different plant species to survive in the tailings was assessed by statistically calculating the growth potential of the species and summarizing the data in graphs and an index table that calculates a specific merit value for each of the tailings-species combinations. The various plant stress factors that the species exhibited were also documented. Finally, the results were correlated with a soil physical and -chemical baseline study of the tailings to provide insight into successes and failures of certain species. The final results identified various successful tailings-species combinations, as well as failures. The index table proved to be a useful tool to identify suitable species for establishment on various tailings. The baseline study of the different tailings could be used to explain why certain species could be established successfully, as well as the reason why some species did not survive. / M (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Methods for rapid, safe and effective detection of unmapped buried ordnance are vital to the protection of humans and environmental quality throughout the world. This study aimed to investigate the use of phytosensing and to understand the physiological response of woody plants to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) contamination. Baccharis halimifolia were potted in soils containing various concentrations of TNT and physiological responses were observed over a 9-week experimental period. Measurements included the collection of remotely sensed data, such as hyperspectral reflectance and chlorophyll fluorescence, and traditional plant-level physiological data. In accordance with the hypothesis, low levels of TNT improved physiological response in plants due to the slight increase in nitrogen, while high levels of TNT induced stress. Key markers in stress responses were identified, specifically with reflectance indices and derivatives, which may separate TNT-contaminated plants from naturally stressed plants and would allow for accurate detection of buried ordnance at the landscape level.

Establishing plant communities is essential for the restoration of contaminated land. As potential cover materials, fly ash and sewage sludge can prevent formation of acid mine drainage from sulfidic mine waste. The aim of the thesis was to i) screen for plants that can be established in, and prevent leakage of metals and nutrients from sludge on top of ash and tailings, and ii) investigate root growth into sealing layers of ash and sludge. Analyses were performed under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions using selected plant species to examine the release of Cd, Cu, Zn, N, and P from the materials. Plant physiological responses and interactions with fly ash were also investigated. The data show that plants can decrease metal and nutrient leakage from the materials, and lower the elemental levels in the leachate, but with varying efficiencies among plant species. Plants capable of taking up both nitrate and ammonium were more efficient in preventing N leakage compared with those taking up primarily ammonium. Fast growing plants could raise the pH in acidic sludge leachate, but the initial pH decrease and N leakage was not counteracted by plants. Germination in fresh sludge was problematic, but enhanced by aeration of the sludge. In general, the accumulation of metals in plant shoots was low, especially if ash was located below the sludge. Fresh ash was phytotoxic (e.g., high alkalinity, salinity and metal levels) and induced the activity of stress-related enzymes in shoots. In sealing layers of aged and cured ash, roots could grow if the penetration resistance was low, or into the surface of stronger layers if the surface had become pulverized. The roots caused dissolution of calcium-rich minerals, possibly by exudation of saccharides. Addition of sludge to an ash layer increased root growth, likely due to decreased bulk density and pH, and nutrient addition. In conclusion, with selected plant species and a properly constructed cover, metal and nutrient leaching from the materials and root growth into the sealing layer can be restricted.

No description available.

The effects of nitrogen and sulfur fertilization on the oviposition, feeding preferences, and larval performance of Ceutorhynchus obstrictus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on Brassica napus L. were examined in a series of laboratory experiments. The associations between C. obstrictus adults, larvae and parasitoids, and environmental factors including plant vigor indicators and soil and plant nutrients were evaluated within two commercial fields of B. napus in southern Alberta. Nitrogen fertilization, and sulfur fertilization at low levels of nitrogen fertilization had positive effects on oviposition preference. Nitrogen had a positive effect on larval development times and no effect on larval weights. Within one field, gravid C. obstrictus females were dissociated with high levels of plant nutrients including nitrogen. The synthesis of the lab and field experiments seems to support the plant stress and the preference-performance hypotheses. Differences in olfactory and visual cues are identified as a possible mechanism for the observed differences. / Ecology

Thesis (MA (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Salinisation is a major environmental hazard that reduces agricultural yields and degrades arable land. Two main categories of salinisation are: primary and secondary soil salinisation. While primary soil salinisation is caused by natural processes, secondary soil salinisation is caused by human factors. Incorrect irrigation practices are the major contributor to secondary soil salinisation. Because of low costs and less time that is associated with the use of remote sensing techniques, remote sensing data is used in this study to identify and map salinised irrigated land between Upington and Keimoes, Northern Cape Province, in South Africa. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential of digital aerial imagery in identifying salinised cultivated land. Two methods were used to realize this aim. The first method involved visually identifying salinised areas on NIR, and NDVI images and then digitizing them onscreen. In the second method, digital RGB mosaicked, stacked, and NDVI images were subjected to unsupervised image classification to identify salinised land. Soil samples randomly selected and analyzed for salinity were used to validate the results obtained from the analysis of aerial photographs. Both techniques had difficulties in identifying salinised land because of their inability to differentiate salt induced stress from other forms of stress. Visual image analysis was relatively successful in identifying salinised land than unsupervised image classification. Visual image analysis correctly identified about 55% of salinised land while only about 25% was identified by unsupervised classification. The two techniques predict that an average of about 10% of irrigated land is affected by salinisation in the study area. This study found that although visual analysis was time consuming and cannot differentiate salt induced stress from other forms; it is fairly possible to identify areas of crop stress using digital aerial imagery. Unsupervised classification was not successful in identifying areas of crop stress.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Irrigated rice is highly influenced by weather, as it is by air temperature and solar radiation. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the effect of sowing dates on grain yield and in water use, as well as in red rice, main weed in irrigated rice. Furthermore, the study evaluated the influence of different temperatures on the germination of red rice and cultivated rice, as well as oxidative stress in rice plants submitted to different temperatures and water level conditions. The studies were performed in field in an experimental lowland area, and in laboratory, in a BOD incubator and in Phytotron with controlled temperature conditions. It was observed that the sowing date has influence on yield, on the efficiency of water use and on the control of red rice, and that the beginning of the recommended period for sowing (end of September and beginning of October) what provides better grain yield and water use efficiency. Also, in this period red rice seeds emerge less, resulting in a more efficient control. It was verified that the soil temperature effects red rice germination, what can be a significant strategy on the management of this weed. On the other hand, the temperature associated to the water level is a factor that causes oxidative stress on rice seedlings, with consequences on growth and nitrogen accumulation. The lower the water level used in the rice paddy, smaller are the morphophysiological changes caused in seedlings. The chemical control by applying imazapyr+imazapic in the dose of 52,5+17,5 g ha-1 in PRE + 52,5+17,5 g ha-1 in POST; and 105+35 g ha-1 only in PRE and POST are efficient on red rice control, on condition that the irrigation management is appropriate and there is no presence of red rice resistant to these herbicides. / A cultura do arroz irrigado é altamente influenciada pelas condições meteorológicas, tais como temperatura do ar e radiação solar. Nesse sentido, o trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito de épocas de semeadura de arroz no rendimento de grãos e no uso de água, bem como no controle de arroz-vermelho, principal planta daninha do arroz irrigado. Além disso, avaliou-se a influência de diferentes temperaturas na germinação do arroz-vermelho e do arroz irrigado, assim como o estresse oxidativo em plantas de arroz submetidas a diferentes condições de temperaturas e níveis de lâmina de água. Os trabalhos foram realizados a campo em área experimental de várzea e em laboratório, sob câmara B.O.D e Fitotron, com condições controladas de temperatura. Observou-se que a época de semeadura influencia o rendimento de grãos do arroz, a eficiência do uso da água e no controle do arroz-vermelho, sendo a época do início do período recomendado a que proporciona maior rendimento de grãos e eficiência no uso de água. Além disso, nesse período, ocorre menor emergência de arroz-vermelho, resultando em controle mais eficiente. Verificou-se também que a temperatura do solo afeta a germinação do arroz-vermelho o que pode ser uma estratégia significativa no manejo dessa planta daninha. Por outro lado, a temperatura e a altura da lâmina de água são fatores que podem causar estresses oxidativos em plântulas de arroz, com consequências no crescimento e na acumulação de nitrogênio. Quanto menor é a lâmina de água utilizada na lavoura, menores são as alterações morfofisiológicas causadas nas plântulas. O controle químico através da aplicação de imazapyr+imazapic na dose de 52,5+17,5 g ha-1 em PRE + 52,5+17,5 g ha-1 em POS; e 105+35 g ha-1 somente em PRE e POS é eficiente no controle de arroz-vermelho, desde que o manejo da irrigação seja adequado e não haja presença de biótipos de arroz-vermelho resistentes a esses herbicidas.

The increasing market demand for fresh produce promotes a keen interest in developing a rapid, sensitive and reliable method for monitoring plant health and determining the shelf-life of postharvest produce. The objective of this study is to explore the capability of Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in these applications. SERS integrates Raman spectroscopy which measures molecular vibrations and nanotechnology which enhances the weak Raman signals. Herein, we developed two SERS methods based on a surface detection approach using nanoparticles solution and a headspace detection approach using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) fibers, to detect biochemical changes during postharvest storage of arugula leaves. Compared with surface detection, the headspace detection revealed significant spectral changes during the storage, particularly in the shifts around 500, 950 and 1030 cm-1. These changes analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA) to establish a prediction model for shelf-life determination. Through analyzing reference standard compounds, we identified the dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), 1-propanethiol and methanethiol (MT) were most likely to account for the signature spectra of headspace arugula at the late storage period due to the activities of spoilage bacteria. The headspace detection method was also applied to monitor the stress responses of living basil to abiotic stresses (pesticide/salinity). However, the volatile analysis of the basil plants response to abiotic stresses (pesticide/salinity) showed indistinctive results. In conclusion, the headspace detection based on SERS provides a new strategy for quality monitoring of fresh produce in the food industry.

This thesis broadly describes the construction of two kinds of spectroscopic set-ups to analyze properties of various materials. In the first part, construction of a Raman spectrometer and a high-throughput in-vivo detection for early plant abiotic stress responses is described. Following which, the set-up is modified into a microscope employed to study Murine blood components with samples varying in age. Initial Raman set-up is also improvised using a polarizer in order to gain deeper understanding of the vibrational and rotational bonds in water. The second part of the thesis explains the construction of a laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) sensor module. Performance testing and experiments were carried out with the sensor module to monitor stress in vegetation and fruits and also detect toxins found in corn and carcinogenic compounds in gasoline. The module was further mounted to an unmanned aerial vehicle for field surveys and preliminary testing in flight is described.