The two most common commercial copper baths are the acid sulfate copper bath and the alkaline cyanide copper bath. Alkaline copper baths are mostly used to coat parts with complex geometry and to avoid galvanic deposition when depositing a metal on a less noble substrate. Because of the toxicity of cyanide compounds, alternative baths have been developed using different complexing agents. The starting point of the present study is a cyanide-free strike bath developed for copper plating on Zamak substrates developed by the Institute for Technological Research of the State of São Paulo/ Brazil. The replacement of a raw material such as cyanide must be economically advantageous and technically feasible. Therefore, this study intended to propose an alternative to the treatment of liquid wastes from the mentioned bath, aiming at simultaneous water reclamation and chemicals recovery in a closed system. The electrodialysis membrane separation process was studied, using a laboratoryscale system operating with a synthetic solution simulating the rinsing waters from the HEDP-based bath. The feasibility of the technique was evaluated by analyzing operational parameters such as ion extraction, demineralization rate, concentration rate, current efficiency for each anionic specie and average energy consumption. Because HEDP is a chelating agent, the transport of Cu(II)-HEDP chelates through anion-exchange membranes was also evaluated by means of electrochemical methods. Chronopotentiometric and current-voltage curves were constructed for different model solutions containing the same compounds as the original bath. A relation between the presence of chelates in the solutions and the fixed ion exchange group could be established. Lastly, deposition tests were performed using electrolytes containing the recycled inputs and the characteristics of the coatings were analyzed. The results showed that an electrodialysis stack using strongly basic anion-exchange membranes was suitable to produce treated solutions and a concentrate containing the ions from the bath. The concentrate could be added to the copper bath to compensate eventual drag-out losses without affecting the quality of the coatings. Thus, the application of electrodialysis was shown to be a feasible alternative for recovering water and inputs from the evaluated solution, reducing the wastewater generation and saving natural resources. / Os dois banhos de cobre comerciais mais comuns são o banho ácido à base de sulfato e o banho alcalino à base de cianeto. Os banhos alcalinos são usados principalmente para recobrir peças com geometria complexa e para evitar a deposição por deslocamento galvânico quando se deposita um metal em um substrato menos nobre. Por causa da toxicidade dos compostos cianídricos, banhos alternativos vêm sendo desenvolvidos usando diferentes agentes complexantes. O ponto de partida do presente estudo é um banho toque isento de cianeto para deposição de cobre em substratos de Zamak, desenvolvido pelo Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas / Brasil. A substituição de matérias-primas como o cianeto deve ser economicamente vantajosa e tecnicamente viável. Desta forma, este estudo pretendeu propor uma alternativa para o tratamento de resíduos líquidos do banho mencionado, visando à recuperação simultânea da água e das matérias-primas em um sistema fechado. Foi estudado o processo de separação por membranas de eletrodiálise, usando um sistema em escala laboratorial operando com uma solução sintética que simulava as águas de lavagem do banho à base de HEDP. A viabilidade da técnica foi avaliada por meio da análise de parâmetros operacionais, como a extração dos íons, a taxa de dessalinização, o percentual de concentração, a eficiência de corrente calculada para cada espécie iônica e o consumo médio de energia. Devido ao HEDP ser um agente quelante, o transporte de quelatos Cu(II)-HEDP através de membranas aniônicas foi avaliado por meio de métodos eletroquímicos. Curvas cronopotenciométricas e curvas corrente-potencial foram construídas para diferentes soluções sintéticas que continham os mesmos compostos que o banho original. A relação entre a presença de quelatos nas soluções e os grupos fixos de troca iônica pôde ser estabelecida. Por fim, testes de deposição foram realizados usando eletrólitos contendo os compostos reciclados e as características dos depósitos foram analisadas. Os resultados mostraram que o sistema de eletrodiálise usando membranas aniônicas contendo grupos de troca fortemente básicos pôde produzir soluções tratadas e um concentrado contendo os íons do banho. O concentrado pôde ser adicionado ao banho original para compensar eventuais perdas por arraste sem afetar a qualidade dos depósitos. Assim, a aplicação da eletrodiálise se mostrou uma alternativa viável para a recuperação de água e de insumos da solução avaliada, reduzindo a geração de efluentes e economizando recursos naturais.

Reclamation of surface mined lands is required under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. Reforestation of mined lands is challenging due to harsh conditions such as soil compaction, herbaceous competition, and animal browse. We investigated the field performance of black walnut (<i>Juglans nigra</i>), northern red oak (<i>Quercus rubra</i>), and swamp white oak (<i>Quercus bicolor</i>) planted on two mine reclamation sites and evaluated the interactions of nursery stocktypes (container and bareroot), herbicide application, and tree shelters. Survival averaged 80% across all species and stocktypes after two years. Container stocktype had greater relative height and diameter growth, whereas bareroot had greater total height and diameter growth likely due to initial stocktype differences. Shelter use increased height growth and reduced diameter growth across both stocktypes. Swamp white oak (<i>Q. rubra</i>) had high survival and field performance regardless of silvicultural treatment, whereas the two other species showed strong early regeneration responses to silvicultural treatments. Container seedlings showed promise as an alternative to bareroot seedlings to promote survival and early growth on mine reclamation sites. Future research should be on continued development of container stocktypes to provide an economically feasible mine reclamation option for land managers.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2016-10-05T19:03:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Bernardo Milward de Azevedo Spinelli.pdf: 2468118 bytes, checksum: 8b86d55b4fe024e0a43e7aca610af976 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-05T19:03:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013 - Bernardo Milward de Azevedo Spinelli.pdf: 2468118 bytes, checksum: 8b86d55b4fe024e0a43e7aca610af976 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-12-19 / The Brazilian New Forestry Law establishes a farmer?s commitment with environmental adequacy of its properties. The Permanent Preservation Areas, currently used in the properties with crops and pastures in many cases need to a restauration techniques. The new law allows the exploration of agroforestry systems (AFS) even in areas of permanent preservation, since do not mischaracterize the native preexisting vegetation either not being detrimental to environmental function to protecting water springs, erosion protection and increasing biodiversity. This study aimed to systematize the author's personal experiences with agroforestry systems in the Atlantic Forest domain regions and show different techniques and implantation strategies and management of agroforestry systems that can be employed day to day by farmers, especially the small family farmer. The different AFS deployed were based on biodiversity and plant succession, with low use of inputs and capital resources. The structure of the recommended systems was grounded on labor, family labor, in multistrata systems and the use of common plants in each location with high biomass production potential to enhance nutrient cycling. On average, more than 30 species were introduced in each AFS and the issues related to the choice of species to plant recognizing the soil quality from indicator plants were discussed. In addition, how to plan and distribute the plants in agroforestry designs were also described in detail. The best ways of how to plant and manage, with pruning, different species in biodiverse agroforestry systems included in this dissertation were presented from about 20 years of the author's experience in order to assist all those interested in working with this theme. / O Novo C?digo Florestal estabelece o compromisso por parte dos produtores rurais com a adequa??o ambiental de suas propriedades. As ?reas de Preserva??o Permanente, hoje utilizadas nas propriedades para cultivos agr?colas e pastagens, em muitos casos necessitar?o ser recuperadas. A nova lei permite a explora??o de sistemas agroflorestais (SAFs) at? mesmo em ?reas de preserva??o permanente, desde que n?o descaracterize a cobertura vegetal nativa existente e nem prejudique a fun??o ambiental da ?rea, protegendo nascentes, combatendo a eros?o e aumentando a biodiversidade. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo sistematizar experi?ncias pessoais do autor com sistemas agroflorestais em regi?es de dom?nio da Mata Atl?ntica, mostrando diferentes t?cnicas e estrat?gias de implanta??o e manejo de SAFs que podem ser empregadas no dia a dia dos produtor rural, principalmente, do pequeno agricultor familiar. Os diferentes SAFs implantados foram baseados na biodiversidade e sucess?o vegetal, com baixo uso de insumos e recursos de capital. A estrutura dos sistemas preconizados foi alicer?ada na m?o-de-obra familiar, em multiestratos, na utiliza??o de plantas comuns em cada localidade com potencial de produ??o de biomassa, para intensificar a ciclagem de nutrientes. Em m?dia mais de 30 esp?cies eram introduzidas em cada SAF e as quest?es relacionados com a escolha das esp?cies, onde plantar reconhecendo a qualidade do solo a partir de plantas indicadoras foram abordadas. Al?m disso, como planejar e distribuir as plantas em desenhos agroflorestais tamb?m foram processos detalhadamente descritos. As melhores formas de como plantar e manejar, com podas, as diferentes esp?cies nos SAFs biodiversos constam desta disserta??o e foram apresentados a partir de cerca de 20 anos de experi?ncia do autor com intuito de auxiliar todos aqueles interessados em trabalhar com tem?tica.

The study aims at estimation and mapping the amount of carbon allocated in above ground biomass of wood and in organo-mineral soil horizon at sites where reclamation and spontaneous succession took place on spoil heaps after coal mining. Several categories of data have been used to meet the objectives, namely ground field measurements, laboratory analyses of soil samples, airborne hyperspectral data from VNIR region, and airborne LiDAR scanning data. The digital imagery analysis, GIS modeling and multivariation statistical methods were applied in data assessment. The results show that there is a 7 600 tons of carbon allocated in above ground wood biomass in the area of 209 ha, and 8 100?12 200 tons in the soil A horizon in the region of the same size. The results proofed: 1/ statistically significant negative relationships (p < 0,01) between slope and amount of soil carbon, where higher negative correlation was for broad leaved species; 2/ statistically significant difference (p < 0,05) between amount of soil carbon under broad leaved and needle classes and under different species, the highest between soils under Alnus sp. and Pinus sp.; 3/ statistically significant relationships (p < 0,05) between the amount of carbon allocated in the aboveground wood biomass and that in the soil A horizon under the needle leaved class and under the spontaneous wood vegetation.

Conventional Appalachian surface-mine reclamation techniques repress natural forest regeneration, and tree plantings are often necessary for reforestation. Reclaimed Appalachian surface mines harbor a suite of mammal herbivores that forage on recently planted seedlings. Anecdotal reports across Appalachia have implicated herbivory in the hindrance and failure of reforestation efforts, yet empirical evaluation of herbivory impacts on planted seedling vitality in this region remains relatively uninitiated. First growing-season survival, height growth, and mammal herbivory damage of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.), and white oak (Quercus alba L.) are presented in response to varying intensities of herbivore exclusion. Seedling survival was generally high, and height growth was positive for all species. The highest herbivory incidence of all tree species was observed in treatments offering no herbivore exclusion. While seedling protectors lowered herbivory incidence compared with no exclusion, full exclusion treatments resulted in the greatest reduction of herbivore damage. Although herbivory from rabbits, small mammals, and domestic animals was observed, cervids (deer and elk) were responsible for 95.8% of all damaged seedlings. This study indicates that cervids forage heavily on planted seedlings during the first growing-season, but exclusion and tree species selection is effective at reducing herbivory.

The spread of surface coal mining has resulted in loss of forests in the Appalachian region. The Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA) was developed to provide guidance for restoring forests on reclaimed mined land. This study hypothesizes that the FRA will result in larger magnitude of sediment accumulation rates in reclaimed mine sites compared to those reclaimed using grassland reclamation. Three sediment cores and six trenches were sampled within four reclaimed mined and three previously logged sites in eastern Kentucky. Samples were processed for radionuclides, grain-size, stable isotopes (δ13C), and POC. LIDAR data were used to identify valley fills, while historical aerial photography was used to identify changes in vegetative cover from 1994 to 2016. Radionuclide dating was used to determine sediment accumulation rates over the previous 100 years. Results from logged sites are inconclusive. δ13C data for all sites fall within the range expected for forested landscapes (C3), and do not show any transitions from grassland to forests. POC data indicates that inventories and fluxes were the same for mined and logged sites. Sediment accumulation rates for reclaimed mined lands show elevated values after the implementation of the FRA, compared to grassland reclamation, thus supporting the hypothesis for previously mined sites.

Thesis (M.A. (Sociology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014 / The problem investigated in this study relates to the socio-economic outcomes that the Fast-Track Land Redistribution Programme (FTLRP) produced. The study focused on the voices of the newly resettled farmers because the socio-economic outcomes of the FTLRP have been analyzed at a high level (government, NGOs and international organisations), thus ignoring the voice of the people at the grassroots. For example, scholars like Moyo (2004) asserted that the land question has generated a lot of emotional debate and there is a general consensus that it represents the dimension to the crisis the country is going through. On the other hand according to Mukamuri (2000) land is a very crucial factor in the eradication of insecurity and rural poverty. The study focused on the socio-economic outcomes of the Fast-Track Land Redistribution Programme (FTLRP) in Kippure-lram Resettlement Scheme, Masvingo province, Zimbabwe. The research employed qualitative research methods which were descriptive. The population of the study was constituted by the beneficiaries of the Kippure-lram Resettlement Scheme. Data collection in this study was done through the use of focus group discussions and secondary data was collected from government (Zimbabwean Government, 2003 and 2005), NGOs (FAO, 2003), international organisations (Oxfam International, 2002 and 2003) and literature from various scholars. The population comprised of all the newly resettled farmers of the Kippure-lram Resettlement scheme. Thirty (30) out of forty (40) respondents were interviewed and the researcher made use of non-probability sampling, which was purposive. Ten (10) of the farmers were not interviewed because they were not true representation of the beneficiaries of the FTLRP because they were not active in the programme. iii The researcher divided the participants into five groups. Each group had six participants. Each group of participants was interviewed on three different sessions; each session had its own thematic question. Totally, fifteen sessions were conducted during the focus group discussions. The discussions were carried out at Kippure-Iram Resettlement Scheme from the 10th to 15th of December 2010. Each session of the interviews lasted for two hours. The researcher made use of pseudo names during the interviews, a way of protecting the identity of the participants. Analysis of data in this study was carried out through the use of content analysis. Seventy-six percent (76%) of the participants observed that the FTLRP’s outcomes in Kippure-Iram Resettlement Scheme were positive to a larger extent, mainly because they can now practise various farming projects to earn a living on their new land and the programme has managed to distribute land to its rightful owners. On the other hand, twenty-four per-cent (24%)) of the participants indicated that the results of the FTLRP were negative because after the FTLRP they were left unemployed.

The objectives of this research were 1) to examine correlations between compositional and structural properties of emulsion-treated base (ETB) layers, determine which of these factors exhibit the greatest spatial variability, and determine if significant differences exist between different test sections on a given project and 2) to investigate temporal trends in the structural properties of base materials treated with asphalt emulsion and to assess the rate at which ETB design properties are achieved. The research conducted in this study focused on testing of the ETB layer constructed on 7800 South (SR-48) in West Jordan, Utah. The research conducted in this study involved field and laboratory evaluations of spatial and temporal variability in properties of ETB. Regarding spatial results, the average modulus values of the ETB layer were unusually low for a typical stabilized base material and were in general even lower than the subgrade modulus values at this test site. All three sections had high moisture contents after compaction, with the moisture content of the ETB layer exceeding the specified optimum moisture content at many locations even before the emulsion was injected. One of the three test sections had higher percentages of reclaimed asphalt pavement and emulsion than the other two. The ETB compressive strength was very low throughout the entire year of testing, clearly demonstrating the consequences of inadequate emulsion curing associated with this project. The statistical analyses showed that higher pre-treatment moisture contents and higher amounts of binder added were associated with lower stiffness and strength, while higher wet densities were associated with higher stiffness and strength. The analyses also showed substantial variation in most response variables but comparatively low variation in predictor variables. Only four structural properties were significantly different between sections. Temporal testing was performed to monitor the properties of the ETB layer and to compare the ETB section to an adjacent untreated base course (UTBC) section. The ETB moisture content did not change significantly during the 1-year monitoring period, showing that drying of the ETB layer did not occur following placement of the hot mix asphalt surface. Furthermore, the analyses provided no evidence that the ETB layer experienced any sustained increase in strength as a result of emulsion curing; instead, the ETB modulus was shown to be greatly dependent on season, with higher ETB moisture contents and temperatures corresponding to lower ETB modulus values. Even during the winter when the ETB stiffness reached its peak, the modulus was still below the target value specified for this project. The statistical analyses indicated that the modulus values of the ETB and UTBC layers were not statistically different.

This thesis investigates the reclamation of mires (fens and bogs) in Sweden with a focus on the early modern period. Today, the mires are valued natural habitats and their cultivation is controversial. International research describes wetland reclamation and the related knowledge transfer between European countries already from the 12th century. In Sweden, despite some early records of reclamation of mires in the 17th century, has earlier research focused on reclamation during the 19th and 20th centuries. The aim of the thesis is to study the landscape, actors and driving forces behind the early reclamation (before 1800). Understanding the early reclamation can provide a new perspective on current views on wetlands. It is also an interesting example of how the landscape is changed constantly by people with different goals through history. The subject is studied through a multimethod approach using sources such as historical maps, diaries, 17th- and 18th-century literature and place names. The main conclusions of the study are that reclamation of mires is seen already in 17th-century maps, with local wider distribution during the 18th century. The crown and scientists expressed a growing interest in reclamation of the mires from the early 18th century. Links to Europe, in particular Holland, can be seen within this discourse. In both literature and the experimentation that took place, the Swedish migrant group, the Dalecarlians, played a key role. They shared with the early Dutch groups the practical knowledge needed in major reclamation projects. Furthermore, this study shows that a number of actors assumed at various times the role of mobile innovation spreaders. Dutch farmers and experts, labour migrants, landlords and scientists all acted to spread knowledge of mire reclamation. Ample resources, networking and geographical mobility appear to have been prerequisites for all actors, from peasants to landlords, but they had different underlying motives for the practice.

There are over one thousand closed ‘small’ landfills in Ontario, each with differing circumstances and potential problems. This project proposes a method of addressing such dormant sites in situ, based upon a case study in Hamilton. Of the four closed landfills within Hamilton city limits, three of them lie in the low lands of the Red Hill Creek Valley. Perched at the source of the Red Hill Creek, the Upper Ottawa Street Landfill introduces unspoken toxins into the ecosystem of the entire valley. As the storm water catchment for the escarpment watershed, the creek serves a critical role in the recreational green belt which divides Hamilton and Stoney Creek. The source of this creek must be celebrated, not fenced off from public access due to landfill hazards. This proposal investigates beyond material recovery, into the possibilities of resource, ecosystem, and community recovery. Landfill mining, material sorting, and power generation through incineration are employed to reduce landfill volume. As the landfill is consumed, a new landscape is constructed, providing improved flood-prevention at the creek and a sanitary lined landfill for those materials remaining on site. Creek, forest, and field habitats are restored on site without the threat of contamination from landfill contents. The public can safely view the landfill mining operations from an elevated walkway, having new experiences with every visit. As the boundaries of the closed landfill are stripped away, the source of the Red Hill Creek and the new recreational parkland are made publicly accessible. Using this design as a reference, the equipment and operations designed for this site can be developed into a province-wide proposal.