This thesis presents the results of experimental and archaeological investigations of microscopic plant residues on Lapita pottery from the western Pacific Islands. Lapita is a critical phase in the culture history of the Pacific region and has been associated with the development and spread of a subsistence system based on the cultivation of tropical starch crops, particularly those in the taro-yam complex. However, few archaeobotanical remains been recovered from Lapita sites to lend empirical support to this model. This study explores whether microscopic starch granules, calcium oxalate crystals and other plant microremains on Lapita potsherds can provide direct evidence for the preparation and consumption of staple plant foods, as well as important clues to the function and use of pottery in Lapita society, matters which remain the subject of some debate. This research was undertaken in two main phases. The first involved a series of technical studies aimed at developing methods for recovering and identifying starch and raphide residues on archaeological pottery. Changes to starch during cooking and charring under different heat and moisture conditions were examined to understand how granules survive differentially depending on cooking method and food type. Various methods used to extract native starch granules from charred residues were then tested and a procedure based on a weak oxidising treatment was developed for use on the archaeological residues. The reliability of calcium oxalate raphide analysis, which is much less developed than that of starch, was also critically assessed. Issues with previous identifications of raphides in Pacific microfossil assemblages were highlighted. Morphological criteria were presented for identifying aroid raphides more accurately and chemical tests were developed to differentiate them from naturally-occurring calcite crystals, which were abundant in the sites analysed. The second phase of research analysed microscopic residues on Lapita and post-Lapita potsherds from archaeological sites in the Mussau and Anir Islands (PNG), the Reef Islands (Solomon Islands), New Caledonia, and the Samoan Archipelago. Despite the generally small quantities of residue recovered from the archaeological samples, several sherds with possible use-related starch residues were identified. These initial results indicate that ceramic vessels, including both plain and dentate-decorated Lapita wares, were employed in a variety of tasks involving the cooking and/or consumption, and storage or preparation of starch-based foods. It was also found that these were among the activities performed at the ‘special purpose’ stilt house structure at the ECA site, which raises questions about the possible social or ritual status of staple starch resources in Lapita society. One of the most significant findings to emerge from this study was of taro (Colocasia esculenta) starch granules on sherds from the ERA Lapita site (Anir, New Ireland), and granules identified tentatively as taro on sherds from RF-2 (Reef Islands) and Mulifanua (Samoa). A number of unidentified morphotypes were also present on the Lapita and post-Lapita sherds, suggesting that a variety of plants not among the key root crops were also exploited. These may include some of the many fruits and nuts attested in archaeobotanical assemblages from Pacific sites. The ceramic residue data complement starch and phytolith evidence recovered from cultural sediments from RF-2, which demonstrate the presence and probable exploitation of a suite of crop plants typically associated with the Lapita ‘economic package’. In addition to taro, these include at least one cultivated species of Eumusa banana, non-domesticated (seeded) Australimusa bananas, bamboo, and possibly also Canarium, coconut, and sago. These data support models suggesting that Lapita groups were cultivating and transporting subsistence plants, including at least one of the major root crop complexes, and associated knowledge of their production and preparation across the western Pacific from the mid-late Holocene. This study demonstrated that analyses of microscopic starch residues on archaeological ceramics from the Pacific region can yield significant insights into vessel use and plant exploitation. Further methodological refinements should aim to increase starch yields, which will enable stronger associations between residues and vessel uses to be established. Expansion of reference collections is also required so that more precise identifications of the specific plant foods involved can be achieved.

Long term storage of bauxite residue materials requires a capping stratum which will limit erosion while stabilizing slopes, limit deep infiltration of water into storage piles, and be aesthetically acceptable to the surrounding community. A diverse native vegetative community capable of surviving seasonal drought, low plant available water and nutrient constraints has the best potential of satisfying most, if not all of these requirements. Current and past rehabilitation of residue disposal areas (RDAs) using species native to southwest Western Australia has exhibited varying success. Current practices at Alcoa World Alumina Australia’s (Alcoa) Western Australia refineries have bauxite residue fines (< 150 ìm) stored within impoundments, in which the outer embankments are constructed with bauxite residue sands (> 150 ìm). The residue sands are also used as the growth media in the capping stratum for vegetation establishment on the disposal sites. Despite the inherently hostile properties of residue sand (pH > 10, EC(1:5) > 4 dS m-1, and ESP > 50), reductions in alkalinity (pH), salinity (EC) and sodicity (ESP) are corrected, through freshwater leaching, to a greater extent than is possible with residue fines. Although leaching can reduce the hostile character of residue sand, additions of phosphogypsum are typically added to expedite the removal of Na and alkalinity, and inorganic fertilizers are incorporated to improve the nutrient status of the growth media. However, due to the inconsistencies in vegetation establishment, which are attributed to poor water retention, inherent nutrient deficiencies and rapid loss of nutrients within residue sands (because of high hydraulic conductivity), further amendments are required. The aim of this study was to determine if amending the residue sand capping layer with residue fines would enhance its overall growth potential for vegetation establishment. Additions of fines to residue sands were predicted to increase water retention, add nutrients and increase the ability of the growth media to retain nutrients. Comparisons were made between the treated residue fines (seawater washed, carbonated, or unaltered) at a series of fines additions (1 - 20 % w/w) and a control(residue sand) amended with 2% (w/w) phosphogypsum and inorganic fertilizer. Comparisons were to determine the differences in 1) water retention, 2) nutrient concentrations and nutrient retention, and 3) plant growth responses and plant biomass nutrient concentrations between the growth media treatments. Four experiments were set up to measure differences in these variables which included: a glasshouse study involving the growth of Acacia saligna; a germination and emergence study (A.saligna); a two year field study in Western Australia; and a glasshouse column leaching study. Water retention increased with increasing percentage of residue fines addition. Plant available water (PAW) increased up to 110 %, with a 20 % increase in fines, representing an increase of 0.026 m3 PAW m-3 residue growth media, when compared to the residue sand only. This increase in PAW was attributed to changes in pore space distributions, due to the increasing fines contents altering the sandy texture to loamy sand texture class. However, initially much of this increase in PAW may not be realized, due to estimated temporary increases in osmotic potential associated with the high salt contents of residue sand and fines. Fines materials have much greater salt contents, and thus need to be leached to a greater extent than sands to remove the associated osmotic potential effects. Essential plant nutrients (P, K, S, Ca, Mg, and B) were increased with additions of residue fines in the glasshouse studies, although many nutrients (Mg, Zn, Mn and B) were still marginal for sustainable plant growth and development. Seawater treated residue fines additions produced the greatest increases in growth media nutrients with substantial increases in soluble (> 7 mg L-1) and exchangeable (> 0.10 cmolc kg-1) Mg, being up to 400 % greater than all other treatments. Along with these necessary nutrients, concentrations of Na were also increased in all fines additions treatments. Added Na may offset the benefits of fines additions, at least in the short term, due to inhibitions of cation uptake from Na competition. However, in the column leaching study soluble and exchangeable Na was lost rapidly from the profile, due to Ca and K displacement of Na from exchange sites during leaching. Soluble Na was removed from the profile to < 5 % of initial concentrations, after only three pore volumes of leaching, and exchangeable Na was removed from charge sites to less than 25 % of the initial concentration. Fines additions did increase concentrations of Mg and K on exchange sites, thus reflecting increased nutrient retention capacity relative to that in residue sand only. Plant growth responses and plant biomass nutrient concentrations were altered with the additions of residue fines to residue sands. The germination and emergence study demonstrated that the emergence of native seedlings was affected by additions of fines, due to the increased salinity and sodicity of the materials. Acacia saligna seedling emergence was inhibited by EC(1:5) > 2 dS m-1, which was highly correlated with a Na/Ca ratio of > 40, for all treatments, except the seawater fines additions. Seeds sown in seawater treatments emerged from growth media with EC(1:5) as high as 3.33 dS m-1 and appeared to be better correlated with Ca/Mg ratios than any other variable. Native vegetation growth responses showed mixed results in fines treated residues in the field. In the greenhouse study, plant growth tended to decrease with fines additions. Poor plant growth with increasing fines additions occurred despite the increased water retention and increased nutrients. This was attributed to the addition of Na associated with the residue fines, as increases in Na, EC and ESP in fines treatments all appear to have limited growth of Acacia saligna in the glasshouse over three months. Seawater fines additions had elevated Mg and B concentrations in plant biomass, and performed better than the carbonated or unaltered fines treatments, but still had reduced growth compared to the residue sand, which contained lower Na concentrations. Additional plant growth limitations may have occurred, due to possible plant nutrient deficiencies including: Mg, Zn, Mn and B and Na toxicity. Incorporation of residue fines into residue sands did increase water retention, nutrient concentrations and the nutrient retention capacity, but did not enhance the overall growth potential for vegetation, at least in the short term. Reductions in germination and emergence of seedlings and reduced plant growth were attributed to increases in Na concentrations introduced from the fines. Seawater washed residue fines had lower ESP and greater concentrations of nutrients, thus reducing the negative impacts from the additional Na introduced, and showed the greatest promise as a fines amendment. As leaching occurs over the first few initial months of rehabilitation, it is expected that the majority of the Na will be removed, from a system with an addition of 5 to 10 % fines, and the positive benefits of the fines additions will than be realized. Findings also illustrate that delaying the planting of vegetation on RDAs, until adequate leaching has occurred to reduce the Na concentrations, will substantially increase vegetation emergence and establishment.

Thesis (M.Ag.Sc.) -- Dept. of Soil and Water, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide, 2002? / Bibliography: leaves 105-129.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2008. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 128-134).

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010. / Full text also available online. Scroll down for electronic link.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Idaho, 2005. / Abstract. "December 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 88-92). Also available online in PDF format.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo analisar a produção do adubo obtido a partir do resíduo da raspa do couro bovino, curtido ao cromo (III), bem como avaliar a viabilidade de ganhos ambientais e energéticos que ao adubo se atribui. A metodologia usada foi estabelecida a partir de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre as alternativas para o gerenciamento de resíduo sólido da indústria de beneficiamento do couro e no estudo do efeito do cromo no meio ambiente, fundamentada na teoria das restrições no aspecto ambiental e energético. Para a implementação da parte experimental e produção do adubo da raspa do couro bovino hidrolisado foi montado um protótipo composto de três componentes: caldeira, autoclave e secador, considerando-se os parâmetros termodinâmicos: temperatura de 403 a 433 K e a pressão de 700 a 800 kPa. No decorrer desse processo automaticamente controlado, calcularam-se as incertezas das medidas efetuadas nos parâmetros do adubo e do solo, da pressão e a produção de vapor gerado pela caldeira, bem como nas medições dos equipamentos, autoclave e secador com suas respectivas densidades, obtendo-se a relação de massa e volume. As amostras foram analisadas para verificar os teores máximos e mínimos dos macro e micronutrientes, assim como seus elementos de maior relevância. Foram avaliadas as características fisico-químicas e agronômicas do produto, o balanço de massa e a energia da produção do adubo. A experiência aplicada com o adubo na cultura do milho foi realizada em casa de vegetação, com delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Os tratamentos constituíram-se a partir da utilização de dois tipos de adubo de apara de couro (resíduo italiano e resíduo brasileiro) e sulfato de amônio como fonte de nitrogênio em três doses. Foram utilizados dois tipos de solo: Latossolo Férrico e Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo. A produção desse adubo será implantada industrialmente para a redução do impacto ambiental provocado pelas indústrias de beneficiamento do couro e também para a agricultura, uma vez que esse adubo é um produto rico em nitrogênio. / The purpose of this study is to analyze the production of fertilizer obtained from cow leather shavings cured with Chrome (III), as well as the viability for this fertilizer to contribute for environmental and energetic gains. The methodology was based on a review of bibliographic material of the alternatives for management of solid waste from the leather industry and on a study of the effect of chrome on the environment based on the theory of restrictions, with concern for environmental and energy factors. The experimental portion of the study involved the assemblage of a prototype composed of three pieces of equipment: a boiler, an autoclave and a dryer, for the production of fertilizer from hydrolyzed cow leather shavings. In relation to the thermodynamic process, the temperature was maintained at 403 and 430 K and pressure at 700 and 800 kPa. During this automatically controlled process, the uncertainties in the measurements conducted in the parameters of fertilizer and soil were calculated of pressure and production of steam generated by the boiler and the readings of the autoclave and dryer equipment were calculated in addition to their respective densities, to obtain the ratio of mass and volume. The samples were analyzed to determine the maximum and minimum amounts of the macro and micro nutrients and their most important elements. The physical-chemical and agronomic characteristics of the product were evaluated as well as the balance of mass and energy of the fertilizer production. The experiment conducted with fertilizer from cow leather applied to a corn crop, was conducted in a vegetable greenhouse, with completely arbitrary delineation and four repetitions. The treatment involved the use of two types of fertilizer made from leather shavings (Italian residue and Brazilian residue) and ammonia sulfate as a nitrogen source in three doses. Two types of soil were used: Ferric Latosol and Red-Yellow Latosol. The fertilizer can be produced industrially to reduce the environmental impact caused by leather manufacturing companies and to agriculture because it is rich in nitrogen.

[pt] Este trabalho apresenta a pesquisa relativa ao tema resíduos sólidos urbanos, mais especificamente a coleta seletiva, no município de Armação dos Búzios (RJ), um dos mais conhecidos e visitados balneários turísticos do Brasil, onde o segmento turístico é o principal pilar econômico. Para essa pesquisa, levantou-se o histórico de implantação do hoje abandonado aterro sanitário do município. Foi feito o acompanhamento in loco, em duas pousadas, de toda a operação de coleta, incluindo pesagem dos resíduos, carregamento destes no caminhão e itinerário diário percorrido.Uma das principais conclusões é a de que todo esse processo de implantação do sistema de gestão da sustentabilidade nas pousadas, com foco na coleta seletiva de seus resíduos, é um processo em que vários setores da sociedade se beneficiam. Ganham os colaboradores internos quando repartem entre si o dinheiro da venda desses resíduos; ganha o empresário, pois pode divulgar com convicção sua postura ambiental e ganha o município, que aumenta o dinheiro circulante na economia local e diminui o volume coletado por seus caminhões. / [en] One of the key issues regarding social policies in Brazil is the one related to universal access to basic sanitation with quality, equity and continuity. The universalization of basic sanitation has been assumed as a commitment of the whole Brazilian society and it is an institutional reform effort involving governments, service providers, industry, financial agents and society through their organizations and channels of participation. By basic sanitation, it is meant the set of services, infrastructure and operational facilities regarding drinking water supply, sewage, solid waste management and urban sanitation, management of urban stormwater and drainage. This issue gains more prominence each day, due to its social impact and the growing concern about quality of life, health, and the environment. The theme and the steps involved in solid waste management are included and defined in Law nº 11.455/07, which established the national guidelines for the basic sanitation federal policy. This law also brought an essential instrument for the implementation of the National Sanitation Plan policy [Plano Nacional de Saneamento Básico], with the preparation of the respective Municipal and/or Regional Plans for Basic Sanitation. It also considers solid waste management as a set of activities, infrastructure and operating facilities for collection, transportation, transfer, treatment and final disposal of household refuse and garbage originated from the sweeping and cleaning of public areas and public roads. The irresponsible treatment and disposal of such waste pave the way for the deteriorating quality of life and health of the population. Among the various alternatives for solid waste treatments, recycling is the most friendly and more attractive to the public and media in general, especially for its strong environmental and educational appeals.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops in South Africa that is cultivated for food, feed and as a cash crop. Maize in the Eastern Cape is typically grown for consumption and the Province is one of the least producers owing to small landholdings, poor production conditions and pests. This study investigated: (i) the different maize cropping systems smallholder farmers practice in the Eastern Cape (EC), (ii) the major maize insect pests within the identified cropping systems, (iii) the perceptions of Eastern Cape smallholder maize farmers on the effects of insect pests, and (iv) the effects of crop residues on insect pests’ population dynamics. Four major cropping systems namely: maize sole cropping without rotations by government sponsored farmers (GCP) (94 percent), maize intercropping without rotations by independent farmers (IF) (79 percent), maize sole cropping without rotations by IF (67 percent) and maize intercropping without rotations by GCP (61 percent) were identified. The choice of a cropping system by the smallholder farmers was significantly influenced by source of sponsorship, the difference in their district localities, tenure system, availability of inputs and farming equipment, percentage of farmland farmers allocate to maize, maize varieties, farming experience, fallow operations and access to irrigation facilities. The major constraints faced by the farmers in maize production are the attack by insect pests, weeds competition, drought, the lack of fencing around the fields and destruction by mammals. The major insect pests identified were stalk borers (Busseola fusca, Chilo partellus), cutworms (Agrotis spp.), aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis), bollworms (Helicoverpa armigera) and weevils (Sitophylus spp.). The most popular control measures employed were the use of GM maize and pesticides. Results from the field trial showed that field crickets were the major ground dwelling insect pests observed followed by bollworms and cutworms. However, there were no significant influence of residue retention on the insects’ diversity indices, richness, and evenness. Above ground insects sampling revealed the domination by four major insects namely, cutworms, maize stalk borer, bollworms, and spotted stalk borer. Residue management significantly influenced the infestation by spotted stalk borer only on maize plots. However, the general trend was that there was less infestation by the insects in plots where residues were retained than the ones with residue removed. Results from the study indicate that government sponsorship is significantly influencing the maize cropping systems of the smallholder farmers of the Eastern Cape.

Submitted by DAIANA DE SOUZA FERNANDES null (daianas_fernandes@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-04-11T12:37:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO Daiana de Souza Fernandes.pdf: 2281356 bytes, checksum: b89b0fbdb2b817f09d8077182c28316c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-04-12T14:29:59Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandes_ds_me_bot.pdf: 2281356 bytes, checksum: b89b0fbdb2b817f09d8077182c28316c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-12T14:29:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 fernandes_ds_me_bot.pdf: 2281356 bytes, checksum: b89b0fbdb2b817f09d8077182c28316c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A procura por alimentos com um apelo mais saudável aumentou, com isso, as indústrias estão em constante busca pelo desenvolvimento de produtos que atendam a essa demanda. O desenvolvimento de alimentos com reduzido teor de gordura e alto teor de fibras está direcionado a consumidores que buscam alimentos com baixo valor calórico e com apelo funcional. O trabalho objetivou desenvolver sorvetes com menor teor de gordura e maior teor de fibras, utilizando na formulação produtos derivados da mandioca, e avaliar as características físicas, químicas e sensoriais dos produtos obtidos. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o central composto rotacional para dois fatores, totalizando onze tratamentos com diferentes concentrações de farelo (fonte de fibras) e maltodextrina de mandioca (substituto de gordura). O farelo de mandioca utilizado foi desidratado e caracterizado quanto à composição físico-química. Os sorvetes preparados nas diferentes condições experimentais foram analisados para: umidade, cinzas, carboidratos, matéria graxa, proteínas, sólidos solúveis, pH, acidez, textura, incorporação de ar (overrun), derretimento (melting test), cor, análise térmica (DSC), análise sensorial e intenção de compra. Os resultados obtidos foram analisados estatisticamente e, com base nesta análise, estabeleceu-se a condição de concentração de maltodextrina e farelo de mandioca que atendeu o maior número de parâmetros de qualidade e aceitação. O sorvete preparado na condição estabelecida no primeiro ensaio foi dividido em porções e avaliou-se as alterações na textura, cor, derretimento, análise sensorial, intenção de compra e presença de cristais durante o armazenamento dos sorvetes nos tempos 0, 30, 60 e 90 dias. Os resultados obtidos mostraram não terem ocorrido efeitos significativos dos parâmetros variáveis da formulação do sorvete sobre os teores de cinzas, proteínas,pH e acidez. A adição de maiores concentrações de farelo de mandioca reduziu a incorporação de ar, aumentou o tempo de derretimento, reduziu a dureza dos sorvetes e influenciou de forma negativa todos os parâmetros sensoriais avaliados. Já a adição de maltodextrina aumentou os teores de carboidrato e sólidos solúveis dos sorvetes, reduziu a dureza e foi eficiente na substituição da gordura vegetal hidrogenada reduzindo o teor de matéria graxa em cerca de 58 %. A adição de até 50 % de maltodextrina em substituição a gordura aumentou a aceitação sensorial e intenção de compra dos sorvetes. Durante o armazenamento do sorvete ocorreram alterações na cor, derretimento, textura e presença dos cristais de gelo, porém, essas alterações não afetaram significativamente os parâmetros sensoriais durante todo o armazenamento. Os resultados mostraram que o farelo e a maltodextrina de mandioca tem potencial para serem usados como ingredientes em sorvetes. / The demand for foods with a healthier appeal increased. As a result, industries are constantly looking for developing products that meet this demand. The development of foods with reduced fat and high fiber content is directed at consumers who have been looking for foods with low caloric value and functional appeal. The objective of this study was to develop an ice cream using cassava derivative products in the formulation and to evaluate the physical, chemical and sensory characteristics of the products obtained. The experimental design was rotational central composite for two factors, totaling eleven treatments with different concentrations of cassava bran (source of fiber) and cassava maltodextrin (a fat substitute). The cassava bran was dehydrated and characterized for the physical and chemical composition. The ice cream prepared in different experimental conditions were analyzed for: moisture, ash, carbohydrates, fatty matter, protein, soluble solids, pH, acidity, texture, overrun, meltingtest, color, thermal analysis (DSC), sensory evaluation and purchase intent. The results were statistically analyzed and, based on this analysis, it was established the condition of concentration of maltodextrin and cassava bran that met the highest number of quality parameters and acceptance. A mass batch prepared in the condition set out in the first experiment was divided into portions and evaluated the changes in texture, color, melting, sensory analysis, purchase intent and presence of crystals during storage of ice cream at 0, 30, 60 and 90 days. The results showed no significant effects of cassava bran and maltodextrin on the contents of ash, protein, pH and acidity. The addition of higher concentrations of cassava bran reduced the incorporation of air increased melting time, reduced the hardness of the ice cream and it influenced negatively all sensory parameters. The addition of maltodextrin increased the contents of total carbohydrate, and soluble solids of ice cream, reducing hardness and it was efficient in the lowering of 58% of the levels of fatty matter. The addition of up to 50% maltodextrin increased the sensory acceptance and purchase intent of ice cream. The storage of ice cream promoted changes in color, melting texture and presence of ice crystals, however, these changes did not affect the sensory parameters throughout the storage time. The results showed that the cassava bran and maltodextrin has potential to be used as ingredients in ice cream.