Includes bibliographical references. / Worldwide increases in environmental awareness have led to the development of new innovative technologies aimed at site remediation and hazardous waste treatment. Solidification/Stabilisation (S/S) is one of such technologies and it has emerged as an environmentally acceptable treatment option for hazardous waste. Initially applied to inorganic wastes, S/S is now being investigated for the treatment of organic wastes and sludges. Challenges facing this venture into the SIS of organic wastes include the lack of technical information on waste-binder interactions, the uncertainty regarding an appropriate method to evaluate the performance of CPS systems, as well as evaluation of the long-term stability of stabilised material. This paper attempts to expand the understanding of chemical and micro-structural waste-binder interactions. Also addressed is the weathering behaviour of stabilised/ solidified organic waste when exposed to two different leaching media, distilled water and the US EPA's Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) solution. Addressed to a minor extent is the effect of stabilised/solidified organic waste on biomass production of sweetcorn maize. The focus in this study was the stabilisation of the synthol sludge (synthol gunk) using a pozzolan system. This was done by preparing stabilised waste forms from synthol gunk and fine ash (ash obtained from the slimes dams, hence has hydrated to some extent). A particle size fraction less than 2 mm of these waste forms were leached with the two leaching solutions. Some of the material was pressed into pellets, which were subsequently leached in the same leaching solutions. The pellets were analysed under SEM-EDS for micro-structural analysis. In a separate set of experiments fine ash, synthol gunk and the stabilised waste forms were mixed with soil in the range 0% to 30% waste addition, after which sweetcorn maize was planted to study the effects on biomass production. Other instrumental techniques used in this study include WDXRF, ICP-MS, FTIR, IC as well as the analysis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). The study showed that the trace metal speciation of the pozzolanic binder is affected by the presence of the organic waste, with a possible threat of turning the binder into a hazardous material. Elements that were leachable by TCLP on the stabilised product include B, Mn, Ni, Fe, and Br. The addition of lime in the system appears to lower the leachability of B, Mn, and Br while worsening the leachability of Fe, Ba, and Zn. However, addition of lime increases the leachability of B, Cr, Mn, Fe and Br in distilled water. The most likely source of B, Fe, Br and Ba is fine ash. Plant growth studies showed that the toxicity threshold of synthol gunk in the stabilised material on biomass production appears to be lowered from about 2.5% in unstabilised synthol gunk to about 1.2% either due to synergy or the additive effect of ash and synthol gunk. Furthermore, it is likely that some of the toxicity of synthol gunk is due to the hydrophobic coating of roots resulting in inadequate water intake by the plant.

Changes in the environment require a range of responses and adaptations at different levels. One of the levels where adaptation is needed is at the community level in developing countries. This research evaluated the effectiveness of participatory video when used to articulate and communicate messages of adaptation to environmental change.

Bibliography: leaves 84-91. / A geochemical investigation of salt distribution in soils of the semi-arid of Western Cape, South Africa, was carried out following a pilot study which revealed widespread soil salinity in the Berg River catchment. The present study looks at the distribution of the salts along a toposequence in a subcatchment of the Berg River underlain by Malmesbury Group shale. The objectives were: to investigate salt distribution in relation to landscape topography; to identify potentially harmful trace elements associated with the salinity; and to determine the processes responsible for salt distribution. Ten soil profiles were dug to a depth of 200 cm at points along a slope of angle 10.20 along and 367 m long. The profiles at the crest of the toposequence are underlain by silcrete and alluvium while Malmesbury shale parent material underlies the rest of the profiles. Contour drains disrupt the natural shape of the slope. The soil texture is loamy sand to clay loam at the crest and loamy to sandy-clay loam in the midslope. Mineralogy at the crest is quartz dominated and kaolinite occurs in the mid and lower slope.

Bibliography: p.124-137. / The present study was designed to provide information on lead absorption amongst school children in Cape Town. The primary aim of the study was to determine the degree of lead absorption in part of the community. Further secondary and tertiary aims were to briefly investigate possible sources of lead exposure in children identified with increased lead levels and to determine whether an evidence of behaviour disorder was apparent. The evidence presented in the study suggests that a significant proportion of the population, primarily children living in urban-industrial areas, may have increased lead levels and may be suffering certain metabolic and behavioural impairments due to lead. It is suggested that prudent precautions be taken to limit exposure to lead in the environment.

No description available.

This report includes a summary account of the operation of the LANDSAT 2 satellite and describes some of the procedures for extracting information, relating to vegetation, from digital imagery. The effect of topographic shadow on the imagery is explained and a short discussion of mountain fynbos, the natural vegetation of the mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, is included. The report explains the methods used to estimate the amount of shadow on the imagery of the study area and to investigate the potential of various spectral band ratios for giving useful management information. It was found that approximately seventeen percent of the image of the Hottentots Holland Mountain Catchment Area is affected by topographic shadow. No meaningful information could be extracted from the shadowed areas, by digital image processing. Band ratioing did however, result in strong correlations between spectral values and vegetation height, percentage cover and biomass, as well as leaf surface area, veld condition and aspect, for sun illuminated areas.

Includes bibliography. / This study documents a unique system of informal land tenure practised internally at the Moravian mission settlement of Wupperthal. The study analyses the system of tenure in terms of formal recognized systems, that exist or have existed in the past, and also in terms of the settlement's physical and social environment. Suggestions are made as to changes which could be introduced to ensure a constructive life-style for the inhabitants of Wupperthal, as well as the presentation of both the cultural and physical environment, so that future generations will be able to appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the village.

Bibliography: leaves 81-86. / The aim of this dissertation is to identify policy-scientific causes underlying the constraints to successful Implementation, and give recommendations In order to improve the attainment of initial goals specified, in 'the resettlement policy. To identify these policy-scientific causes, criteria were extracted from the theoretical policy making as well as from international experience with regard to policy implementation. Subsequently, the policy process of resettlement was assessed according to these criteria. This report presents the findings of the policy assessment of the National Resettlement Policy of Namibia.

Bibliography: p.121-126. / A study of the administrative mechanisms for planning and controlling False Bay, a complex marine and coastal system, provides insight into the problems that beset South African resource management in general and coastal zone management in particular. Problems of management result from the uncoordinated approach to the planning of development and the diffused control of resource utilization. The situation is unlikely to be improved through the imposition of various ad hoc restrictions on developments and exploitation rates alone. As with the whole of the South African coastal zone, a comprehensive co-ordinated management effort is needed, with boundaries, exploitation rates and development limitations based strictly on recognised ecological principles. This paper examines the options that exist for the formulation of an administrative structure for the management of False Bay and suggests that a co-ordinated management effort will contribute greatly towards the attainment of the maximum sustainable utilization of all its natural resources, to the best advantage of the greater society.

Includes bibliographical references. / The study of land use change and urban morphology requires a multi-layered approach. Case studies are needed to gain an understanding of the local factors that are driving land use change and forming urban landscapes. This study will provide a temporal perspective on land use change in the Constantia Valley, a high income suburb on the outskirts of Cape Town. It will contextualise the efforts to conserve its heritage and, furthermore, attempt to explain the factors underlying the observed changes in the urban form. This study, through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and a series of interviews, examines how and why the urban form of the Constantia Valley has changed. Finally, based on the findings the possible future urban form of Constantia will be considered.