1161 |
Soil organic carbon pools of the Torneträsk catchment area : The importance of soil depth and stone and boulder content for carbon inventories in formerly glaciated subarctic soilsHolmgren, Bror January 2013 (has links)
High latitude soils are estimated to store a considerable part of the global pool of soil organic carbon (SOC). Studies of global and regional SOC pools have estimated total inventories in northern Sweden’s subarctic region to fall within 10-50 kg m-2. However, correction factors for stone and boulder content of soils are often overlooked in SOC-studies and soil profiles are commonly normalized to a depth of 1 m, which can result in substantial overestimates of the SOC pool if a large part of the soil volume is occupied by stones/boulders or if the soil depth is shallower than 1 m. This study was performed to quantify SOC in soils of the Torneträsk catchment area using detailed measures of soil depth and stone/boulder contents. Two non-destructive sampling methods, ground penetrating radar (GPR) and rod penetration, were used to measure soil depth and stone and boulder content in the catchment area. Results show that average soil depth (n = 52344) varied between 0.95 – 2.14 m depending on elevation and the average mire depth was 0.63 m. Stone and boulder content of the soil was estimated to 49 – 68 % depending on elevation. The results were added to existing carbon and soil density data from the Torneträsk catchment area and total SOC inventories were calculated to 6.8 – 13.1 kg m-2. The results of this study indicate that previous studies on regional and global scale may have overestimated the SOC pools in the subarctic regions of northern Sweden.
|
1162 |
Deep row trenching of pit latrine and waste water treatment works sludge : water and nutrient fluxes in forest plantations.Adadzi, Patrick Cudjoe. 19 November 2013 (has links)
The deep row trenching of ventilated improved pit-latrine (VIP) and waste water treatment
works (WWTW) sludge is a unique alternative cost effective land application method that will
prevent odour and health problems and may permit higher application rates than surface
application. The goal of this research is to assess the environmental consequences of employing
deep row incorporation of VIP and WWTW sludge to forest plantation lands for the production
of Eucalyptus dunnii. The objectives are to monitor, define and quantify the fluxes of nutrients
(nitrate and phosphorus) from the buried sludge to the surrounding soils, groundwater and
surface water. The WWTW study was conducted on a forestry plantation located near the
Shafton Karkloof Falls, about 10 km from Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South
Africa. The land for the research is owned by SAPPI, a timber plantation company. The
trenching was done with stockpiled secondary sludge from Umgeni WWTW in Howick. VIP
sludge trenching was done at the Umlazi E-ponds site in Durban owned by EThekwini
Municipality. This site was formally used as a wastewater treatment plant sludge drying bed. The
treatment works comprised three oxidation ponds and was operated until 1999, when it was
decommissioned after a heavy flood, resulting in damage to the oxidation ponds. The sites were
instrumented with wetting front detectors, piezometers and boreholes for collection and analysis
of leachate from which were determined subsurface loss of nitrogen and phosphorus. Soil water
status and groundwater levels were also monitored. Simulation of the process of water, nitrate
and phosphorus transport was performed in order to aid the development of the sustainable
management methodologies for land application and the trenching of VIP/WWTW sludge. The
study focuses on the entrenched sludge to determine the concentration of pollutants, monitorchanges in concentration over time and to monitor the movement of solutes and any change
taking place in the surrounding soil water and groundwater. The results contribute to the
development of guidelines and protocols for VIP/WWTW sludge handling and trenching in
South Africa. It was demonstrated that the nutrient migration processes can be approximated
with the conceptual simplifications of the inputs to the model based on field evidence, soil
survey data and applicable literature. In the study, it was found that high concentrations of
nutrients were evident in the water infiltrating into and through the sludge in all trench types.
The nitrate concentration median values in the trenches were 234mg/l and 36mg/l for SAPPI and Umlazi respectively, while the recorded median value for phosphorus was 1.0mg/l and 3.5mg/l
for SAPPI and Umlazi respectively. However the effect of vertical seepage of nutrients, into the
deep aquifer in fractured rock has not been observed in the deep borehole with the nitrate
concentration median values at 5mg/l and 0.6mg/l for SAPPI and Umlazi respectively, while the
phosphorus concentration median values were 0.03mg/l and 0.15mg/l for SAPPI and Umlazi
sites respectively. The study revealed significant differences between the sandy alluvial site at Umlazi and the shale
dolorite site at the SAPPI forests. Where an unsaturated zone below the entrenched sludge
existed at the Umlazi site, nutrient transport was retarded, whereas in the shales of the SAPPI
site, preferential delivery flowpaths transported high concentrations of nutrients rapidly from the
entrenched sludge to the base of the hillslope. These mechanisms needed to be treated differently
in the simulation exercise. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.
|
1163 |
The effect of water treatment residues on soil microbial and related chemical properties.Pecku, Shantel. January 2003 (has links)
Water treatment residue (WTR), a by-product of the water treatment process,
consists primarily of precipitated hydroxides of the coagulants used in the water
treatment process, along with sand, silt, clay, humic compounds, and dissolved
organic matter. It is usually disposed of by landfill, a technology with numerous
problems that include dwindling landfill capacity, extensive dewatering
requirements for the WTRs, high costs of transportation, and potential liability for
landfill clean-up. Therefore, land disposal (or land treatment) presents a popular
alternative disposal method based on the principle that the physical, chemical,
and microbial properties of the soil can be used to assimilate applied waste
without inducing any negative effects on soil quality.
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of land disposal of the
WTR generated by Umgeni Water, a local water treatment authority, on soil
quality. These effects were investigated using depth samples from soil profiles of
Westleigh and Hutton soil forms at field trials located at Ukulinga Research Farm,
near Pietermartizburg and Brookdale Farm, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, South
Africa, respectively. Four rates of WTR (0, 80, 320, and 1280Mg ha-1
incorporated into the soil) were investigated at both trials, in addition to mulched
treatments at rates of 320 and 1280Mg ha-1 at Brookdale only. Sampling of plots
was carried out in September 2001 and May 2002, and all treatments were
investigated under fallow and grassed cultivation. Laboratory measurements
used to assess soil quality included pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic
carbon (QC), and microbial activity using f1uorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis.
At both trials in September 2001 WTR-amended plots displayed higher pH in the
0-200mm soil in comparison to the controls, whereas by May 2002 pH had
returned to the condition of the controls. Addition of WTR at Ukulinga resulted in
higher QC in September 2001, but in May 2002 this was similar to the controls.
However, at Brookdale QC was unaffected by WTR. At Ukulinga and Brookdale the effect of WTR on EC was variable, and microbial activity in the soil profile
was unaffected by WTR addition.
Observations at Ukulinga and Brookdale reflected long term changes (3 and 5
years, respectively) to soil quality following WTR addition. To examine the initial
changes in soil quality a laboratory experiment was set up using the field trial
soils. Research objectives were also extended to include WTRs from Rand
Water (Johannesburg), Midvaal Water Company (Stilfontein), Amatola Water
(East London), and two samples from the Faure Water Treatment Plant (near
Cape Town). The second Faure sample (Faure2
) was collected when blue green
algal problems were experienced at the plant. The measurements used to
investigate these short term effects on soil quality were soil pH, EC, and
microbial activity as indicated by respiration rate.
Each of the WTRs added to the Hutton and Westleigh soils increased soil pH by
varying increments, and the higher the WTR application rate, the higher was the
pH recorded. With the exception of the Rand and Umgeni WTRs that clearly
increased soil EC, the effect of the otherWTRs on EC was variable. The Faure1
and Amatola WTRs appeared to have no effect on microbial activity, whereas the
Umgeni, Rand, Midvaal, and Faure2 WTRs stimulated microbial activity by Day 2
following the addition of WTR, but this had declined by Day 14. As for pH, higher
microbial activity was recorded at higher WTR application rates.
Changes in microbial community structure of the Hutton soil only, following the
addition of WTR were examined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis
(DGGE) analysis. Community profiles of the different WTRs proved to be
markedly different. However, WTR-amended soil retained banding patterns
consistent with the control soil indicating that dominant populations in the Hutton
soil had been retained. The field trials indicated that long term effects of land disposal of WTR were not
detrimental to the measured indicators of soil quality namely, pH, EC, QC, and
microbial activity. The laboratory assessments of the short term response of the
Hutton and Westleigh soil forms to WTR addition suggested that the tested
variables were altered by WTR, but not significantly changed to the detriment of
soil quality. Microbial community analysis indicated that the community structure
of the Hutton soil was not significantly altered by WTR amendments. Present
findings provide no evidence to suggest that land disposal of WTR is detrimental
to soil quality. It is therefore regarded as a feasible disposal option although
there are some aspects that should be investigated further. These include
investigations into rhizosphere/microbial interactions and the feasibility of
growing cash crops. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.
|
1164 |
Application of image analysis in microecophysiology research : methodology development.Dudley, B. T. January 1998 (has links)
Rehabilitation of landfill sites is important for successful land utilization. Revegetation is
one key element of the process since it can overcome aesthetic problems. The inimical
challenges of landfill leachate and gas are largely responsible for the difficulties associated
with the revegetation of completed sites. Many components of landfill leachate can be
catabolized by microbial associations thereby reducing their impacts on the environment.
The importance of research on interactions between pollutants, microorganisms and soil
is its applicability in environmental risk assessment and impact studies of organic
pollutants which enter the soil either accidentally or intentionally.
The application of image analysis with microscopy techniques to landfill soil-pollution
interactions provides a means to study surface microbiology directly and to investigate
microbial cells under highly controlled conditions. This research focused on the
development of a method to study the real time processes of attachment, establishment,
growth and division of microbial cells/associations in site covering soils. Image analysis
provides a powerful tool for differential quantification of microbial number, identification
of morphotypes and their respective responses to microenvironment changes. This
minimal disturbance technique of examining visually complex images utilizes the spatial
distributions and metabolic sensitivities of microbial species. It was, therefore, used to
examine hexanoic acid catabolizing species, both free-living and in a biofilm, with respect
to obviating the threat of hexanoic acid to reclamation strategies.
The three sources of inoculum (soil cover, soil from the landfill base liner and municipal
refuse) were compared for their ability to provide associations which catabolized the
substrate rapidly. During the enrichment programme the inocula were challenged with different concentrations of hexanoic acid, a common landfill intermediate. From the rates
at which the substrate was catabolized conclusions were drawn on which concentration
of hexanoate facilitated the fastest enrichment. The results of initial batch culture
enrichments confirmed that the soil used contained microbial associations capable of
catabolizing hexanoic acid at concentrations < 50mM, a key leachate component.
Exposing the landfill top soil microorganisms to a progressive increase in hexanoic acid
concentration ensured that catabolic populations developed which, in situ, should reduce
the phytotoxic threat to plants subsequently grown on the landfill cover.
The analysis of surface colonization was simplified by examining the initial growth on
newly-exposed surfaces. The microbial associations generated complex images which
were visually difficult to quantify. Nevertheless, the dimensional and morphological
exclusions which were incorporated in the image analysis software permitted the
quantification of selected components of the associations although morphology alone was
inadequate to confirm identification.
The effects of increasing the dilution rate and substrate concentration on the growth of
surface-attached associations in Continuous Culture Microscopy Units (CCMUs) were
examined. Of the five dilution rates examined the most extensive biofilm development
(9.88 jum2) during the selected time period (72h) resulted at a dilution rate of 0.5h' (at
10mM hexanoic acid). The highest growth (608 microorganisms.field"1) was recorded in
the presence of 50mM hexanoic acid (D = 0.5h"1). To ensure that the different
morphotypes of the associations were able to multiply under the defined conditions a
detailed investigation of the component morphotypes was made. Numerically, after 60h
of open culture cultivation in the presence of 50mM hexanoic acid, rods were the
predominant bacterial morphotypes (43.74 field'1) in the biofilms. Both rods and cocci were distributed throughout the CCMUs whereas the less numerous fungal hyphae (0.25
field'1) were concentrated near the effluent port.
The specific growth rates of the surface-attached associations and the component
morphotypes were determined by area (//m2) colonized and number of
microorganisms.field"' and compared to aerobic planktonic landfill associations. From area
determinations ( > 0.16 h'1) and the number of microorganisms.field"1 10mM hexanoic
acid was found to support the highest specific growth rate ( > 0.05 h"1) of the surfaceattached
association isolated from municipal refuse. With optical density determinations,
the highest specific growth rate (0.01 h'1) was recorded with 25mM hexanoic acid. The
surface-attached microbial associations component species determinations by area and
number showed that the hyphae had the highest specific growth rate ( > 0.11 h"1). The
surface-attached microbial association specific growth rate determinations from the
discriminated phase (0.023 h'1), area colonized (0.023 h"1) and number of microorganisms
(0.027 h"1) calculated from the results of the component species rather than the
association should give more accurate results.
The specific growth rate obtained differed depending on the method of determination. Any
one of these may be the "correct" answer under the cultivation conditions. Depending on
the state (thickness) of the association (free-living, monolayer or thick biofilm) the different
monitoring methods may be employed to determine the growth. As a consequence of the
results of this study, the kinetics of microbial colonization of surfaces in situ may be
subjected to the same degree of mathematical analysis as the kinetics of homogeneous
cultures. This type of analysis is needed if quantitative studies of microbial growth are to
be extended to surfaces in various natural and artificial environments. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.
|
1165 |
Spatial distribution of soil nematodes in the sub-arctic environment of Churchill, ManitobaLumactud, Rhea Amor 07 April 2010 (has links)
The tundra ecosystem, with its frost-molded landscape and large peat reserves, is vulnerable to climate change. Thus, any increase in temperature due to global warming will cause changes in above-and belowground biota. Understanding the linkage between these biotas will help make prediction of the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning when global change phenomena occur, and consequently aid in making management strategies. The role of nematodes in nutrient cycling and decomposition, among many other attributes, make them useful organisms to study soil processes. Associations between plant and nematode communities, from six sites (Berm Face, Berm Crest, Tundra Heath, Polygon, Hummock and Forest) and from within a young, visually homogeneous tundra heath field site, were examined in the subarctic environment of Churchill, Manitoba. The study also provided nematofaunal information, which is very limited in this region. Multivariate analyses of nematode taxa abundance revealed four distinct groupings: Berm Face, Berm Crest, heaths (Tundra Heath, Polygon and Hummock) and Forest. The result showed a parallel relationship between nematode and vegetation assemblages, and thus, a seeming interdependency between above-ground and below-ground biota. Conversely, association between nematode and plant assemblages within a visually homogeneous tundra site was not as obvious. At this fine scale, the heterogeneous nature of edaphic factors and not plant assemblages is hypothesized to influence within-site nematode communities. The thesis also provided results to improve nematofaunal analysis to enhance their utility as bioindicators of soil food webs.
|
1166 |
Snake harassment in the Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris): variation in anti-predator behaviours, predator discrimination and venom resistance in a facultative cooperative breeder.Phillips, Molly A. 06 1900 (has links)
Predator harassment is an anti-predator behaviour that may increase a harasser’s risk of predation but decrease the potential for predation for other members of a group. The Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris) is a facultative cooperative breeder from southern Africa that harasses venomous snakes. The objective of my study was to examine predator harassment to determine: 1) whether predator harassment was part of alloparental care by comparing harassment behaviour among age and sex classes; 2) how individuals adjusted their behaviour against different snake species; 3) whether olfaction was used in discrimination of snakes; and 4) if individuals possessed venom resistance against venomous snakes. I found that females with juvenile offspring harass snakes longer and more intensely than other individuals, suggesting that predator harassment was a maternal behaviour. Squirrels increased harassment, inspection and vigilant behaviours with risk when exposed to both live snakes and snake odours suggesting they can use olfaction to discriminate snake predators. I also found no venom resistance in Cape ground squirrels concluding the cost of envenomation was significant.
|
1167 |
Radiochemical methods and results used to characterize concentrations of radioactive material in soil at the former McClellan Air Force Base (AFB)Thomas, Dale D., III 12 1900 (has links)
No description available.
|
1168 |
A geoecological investigation of palsas in the Schefferville area /Cummings, Craig E. January 1993 (has links)
The term palsa is a Fennoscandian word for a peaty hillock or mound having a permafrost core composed of alternating layers of segregated ice lenses, and organic or mineral soil. This dissertation presents results of a study on the morphology, ecology, cryotic structure, and thermal regime of 6 palsas sites in the Schefferville area and offers a new categorization of these features based on their cryotic structure. Eighteen palsa sites were located within a 35 km radius of Schefferville and six of these sites were investigated in detail. Palsas ranged from 5.6-59.0 m in length and up to 1.1 m in height. Most were located in valleys formed by the strong ridge-valley topography of the Labrador trough. Analysis of plant macrofossils suggests a successional change from hydrophilic species 10-15 cm below the palsa surface to relatively xerophilic species on the palsa surface. The transition zone between these vegetation associations indicates when the peat surface was heaved above the water table and thus, the initiation of the palsa. Surface vegetation on the palsas is used to indicate stage or category of development. Lichens and shrubs combined with small amounts of bare peat suggest a stable palsa. Large areas of bare peat on the surface of palsas resulting from erosion indicates degradation. Healthy sedges on the palsa surface indicate aggrading conditions. Ground ice within palsas ranged from small discontinuous ice lenses within peat to large lenses at the peat mineral soil contact and within the mineral soil. The depth of snow on the palsa surface varied on both a temporal and spatial basis. Active layer depths were not greatly affected by the depth of winter snow. Climatic parameters, such as heating degree days and bright sunshine hours, were found to predict maximum active layer depths more accurately than Stefan's equation. This dissertation shows that palsas with both organic and mineral soil cores are common permafrost features in the Schefferville area
|
1169 |
Combined permeable pavement and ground source heat pump systemsGrabowiecki, Piotr January 2010 (has links)
The PhD thesis focuses on the performance assessment of permeable pavement systems incorporating ground source heat pumps (GSHP). The relatively high variability of temperature in these systems allows for the survival of pathogenic organisms within the sub‐base. Salmonella sp, Escherichia coli, Enterococci and total heterotrophic bacteria were analysed in order to assess potential risk to health. Supplementary carbon dioxide monitoring indicated relatively high microbial activity on the geotextile and within the lower parts of the sub‐base. Anaerobic processes were concentrated in the space around the geotextile, where carbon dioxide concentrations reached up to 2000 ppm. The overall water treatment potential was high, with up to 99% biochemical oxygen demand removal. Variable removal efficiencies have been calculated for nutrients such as ortho‐phosphate‐phosphorus, ammonia and nitrates/nitrites. Calculated Coefficients of Performance and Energy Efficiency Rates provided evidence on correctness of GSHP design. Collected data was analysed with non‐parametrical statistics and a self‐organizing map model was used to assess relationships between variables. Findings present correlations considered as low and insignificant between temperature fluctuations and pathogen numbers. Highly significant correlations (p<0.01) were calculated for influent‐effluent relationships. Air and water temperatures and water quality data variability within the systems provided evidence for the high level of biological processes leading to a low risk of pathogen transition to human.
|
1170 |
Schnellwachsende Baumarten im KurzumtriebBecker, Reik, Röhricht, Christian, Ruscher, Karin, Jäkel, Kerstin 27 April 2015 (has links) (PDF)
Schnellwachsende Baumarten im Kurzumtrieb dienen der Produktion von Holz für eine energetische Nutzung. Weiterer Nutzen liegt in der Erosionsvermeidung, der Verbesserung des Landschaftsbildes, der Erzeugung unabhängiger Wärmeenergie, der Steigerung der Biodiversität sowie in Leistungen für Gesundheitsschutz und Klimaanpassung. Die Broschüre fasst den aktuellen Stand der Forschung zusammen und bietet zahlreiche Praxishinweise und Empfehlungen zur Etablierung von Kurzumtriebsplantagen (KUP), zu Pflege- und Schutzmaßnahmen sowie zur Ernte und der Verwertung des Holzes. Informiert wird auch über die Wirtschaftlichkeit von KUP und die rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen.
|
Page generated in 0.0352 seconds