A turn to more sustainable resources has lead the research during the last decades to algae. Algae is a resource that has been utilized for thousands of years offering a variety of possibilities. Nevertheless modern technology were able to uncover algae’s great potential and pave the way for alternative uses such as biofuel and biomaterial production. Towards that direction, ‘Seafarm’ aims in utilizing algae in the most efficient and sustainable way. For that purpose various steps have been established, including the biorefinery step which entail among other the extraction of carbohydrates from brown algae. The current thesis is based on an extraction of carbohydrates from Saccharina latissima, a brown algae species, which was developed by Viktor Öberg during his master thesis at KTH. The aim of this work is to assist in the scaling up of that laboratory process by analyzing the basic steps and substances of the process, investigating its environmental performance and identifying improvement areas for theoretical optimization. The results of the aforementioned analysis include a substance flow analysis which reveals the basic steps of the process and constitute the basis for further analysis. The second step examines the environmental performance of the process based on the chemical selection. Hence the results are a risk assessment of chemicals with performance indicators for each chemical as well as the whole process. The final part provides a theoretical optimization of the process based on literature studies where the recommendations are divided in production optimization and environmental performance. The above results constitute the basis of the analysis of the process and sets the foundations for scaling up the process at an industrial level. The current analysis in combination with an energy and economic assessment could be used for the designing of the process and its integration in the biorefinery.

Organic insecticides play a big role in reducing the usage of chemical insecticides and their negative impact on the environment. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spays are the only tool that organic farmers are allowed to use for the control of pests. Genetic engineering and modification of crops have been made possible with scientific advances in cell and molecular biology. These advances are used to transfer some of the Bt Cry toxins into crops for control of target species to reduce yield loss. Bt maize were commercialised for the first time in South Africa in 1998 and the economic important stem borers, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were exposed to the Cry1Ab toxin that is found in Bt maize. Busseola fusca developed resistance to Cry1Ab under field conditions within eight years after it had been released. Eldana saccharina (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a major pest on sugarcane in South Africa and although it has not been recorded on maize in this country, is it known as a major pest of maize in other African countries. African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has a very wide distribution in Africa and is known to be an occasional pest on maize. The aims of this dissertation were to determine the efficacy of Bt spray applications for control of four lepidopteran pests and whether development of Cry1Ab resistance by B. fusca caused a loss in susceptibility to other Bt toxins (i.e. cross-resistance). Susceptibility bioassays with 10 day old larvae were conducted under laboratory conditions. Treatments included application of various dosage rates of Dipel® and deltamethrin as well as exposure to MON810 (maize leaves). Stemborer populations of C. partellus, E. saccharina, and B. fusca (Venda) as well as the S. exempta were effectively controlled by the Bt spray, Dipel®. Care should be taken not be interpret the percentage C. partellus, E. saccharina and S. exempta larvae that survived after exposure to MON810 and Bt spray treatments as development of resistance without verification of these experiments with earlier instars that are known to be more susceptible. Spodoptera exempta is active throughout a year in temperate zones of Africa. If S. exempta develop resistance to Cry toxins and Bt maize events would be released for commercial planting in these areas, S. exempta pose a threat added to their injuriousness. Busseola fusca larvae were sampled from Venda (susceptible population), Ventersdorp and the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme (resistant population). The Ventersdorp B. fusca population was controlled by MON810 and MON89034 and Bt sprays, but the percentage larvae that survived showed reduced susceptibility within the population. Dipel® treatments, MON810 and MON89034 did not provide effective control of the Vaalharts B. fusca population reported to be resistant to Cry1Ab, in two experiments. The high survival rates indicate a reduction in susceptibility to Cry toxins other than Cry1Ab and therefore development of cross resistance in the Vaalharts B. fusca population. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Organic insecticides play a big role in reducing the usage of chemical insecticides and their negative impact on the environment. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) spays are the only tool that organic farmers are allowed to use for the control of pests. Genetic engineering and modification of crops have been made possible with scientific advances in cell and molecular biology. These advances are used to transfer some of the Bt Cry toxins into crops for control of target species to reduce yield loss. Bt maize were commercialised for the first time in South Africa in 1998 and the economic important stem borers, Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) were exposed to the Cry1Ab toxin that is found in Bt maize. Busseola fusca developed resistance to Cry1Ab under field conditions within eight years after it had been released. Eldana saccharina (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a major pest on sugarcane in South Africa and although it has not been recorded on maize in this country, is it known as a major pest of maize in other African countries. African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has a very wide distribution in Africa and is known to be an occasional pest on maize. The aims of this dissertation were to determine the efficacy of Bt spray applications for control of four lepidopteran pests and whether development of Cry1Ab resistance by B. fusca caused a loss in susceptibility to other Bt toxins (i.e. cross-resistance). Susceptibility bioassays with 10 day old larvae were conducted under laboratory conditions. Treatments included application of various dosage rates of Dipel® and deltamethrin as well as exposure to MON810 (maize leaves). Stemborer populations of C. partellus, E. saccharina, and B. fusca (Venda) as well as the S. exempta were effectively controlled by the Bt spray, Dipel®. Care should be taken not be interpret the percentage C. partellus, E. saccharina and S. exempta larvae that survived after exposure to MON810 and Bt spray treatments as development of resistance without verification of these experiments with earlier instars that are known to be more susceptible. Spodoptera exempta is active throughout a year in temperate zones of Africa. If S. exempta develop resistance to Cry toxins and Bt maize events would be released for commercial planting in these areas, S. exempta pose a threat added to their injuriousness. Busseola fusca larvae were sampled from Venda (susceptible population), Ventersdorp and the Vaalharts Irrigation Scheme (resistant population). The Ventersdorp B. fusca population was controlled by MON810 and MON89034 and Bt sprays, but the percentage larvae that survived showed reduced susceptibility within the population. Dipel® treatments, MON810 and MON89034 did not provide effective control of the Vaalharts B. fusca population reported to be resistant to Cry1Ab, in two experiments. The high survival rates indicate a reduction in susceptibility to Cry toxins other than Cry1Ab and therefore development of cross resistance in the Vaalharts B. fusca population. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Thesis (MSc (Conservation Ecology and Entomology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / Please refer to full text to view abstract.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Two mathematical models are formulated in this dissertation for the population growth of an Eldana saccharina Walker infestation of sugarcane under the influence of partially sterile released insects. The first model describes the population growth of and interaction between normal and sterile E. saccharina moths in a temporally variable, but spatially homogeneous environment. The model consists of a deterministic system of difference equations subject to strictly positive initial data. The primary objective of this model is to determine suitable parameters in terms of which the above population growth and interaction may be quantified and according to which E. saccharina infestation levels and the associated sugarcane damage may be measured. The second model describes this growth and interaction under the influence of partially sterile insects which are released in a temporally variable and spatially heterogeneous environment. The model consists of a discretized reaction-diffusion system with variable diffusion coefficients, subject to strictly positive initial data and zero-flux Neumann boundary conditions on a bounded spatial domain. The primary objectives in this case are to establish a model which may be used within an area-wide integrated pest management programme for E. saccharina in order to investigate the efficiency of different sterile moth release strategies in various scenarios without having to conduct formal field experiments, and to present guidelines by which release ratios, frequencies and distributions may be estimated that are expected to lead to suppression of the pest. In addition to the mathematical models formulated, two practical applications of the models are described. The first application is the development of a user-friendly simulation tool for simulating E. saccharina infestation under the influence of sterile insect releases over differently shaped spatial domains. This tool provides the reader with a deeper understanding as to what is involved in applying mathematical models, such as the two described in this dissertation, to real-life scenarios. In the second application, an optimal diversification of sugarcane habitats is considered as an option for minimising average E. saccharina infestation levels, and as a further consequence, improving the cost-efficiency of sterile insect releases. Although many special cases of the above model classes have been used to model the sterile insect technique in the past, few of these models describe the technique for Lepidopteran species with more than one life stage and where F1-sterility is relevant. In addition, none of these models consider the technique when fully sterile females and partially sterile males are being released. The models formulated in this dissertation are also the first to describe the technique applied specifically to E. saccharina, and to consider the economic viability of applying the technique to this species. Furthermore, very few examples exist of such models which go beyond a theoretical description and analysis towards practical, real-life applications as illustrated in this dissertation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Twee wiskundige modelle word in hierdie proefskrif vir die populasiegroei van ’n Eldana saccha- rina Walker infestasie van suikerriet onder die invloed van gedeeltelik steriele, vrygelate insekte daargestel. Die eerste model beskryf die populasiegroei van en -interaksie tussen normale en steriele E. saccharina motte in ’n dinamiese, maar ruimtelik-homogene omgewing. Die model is ’n stelsel deterministiese verskilvergelykings onderhewig aan streng positiewe aanvangswaardes. Die primˆere doelstelling met hierdie model is om geskikte parameters te bepaal in terme waarvan die bogenoemde groei en interaksie gekwantifiseer kan word, en waarvolgens E. saccharina infestasievlakke en die gepaardgaande suikerrietskade gemeet kan word. Die tweede model beskryf hierdie groei en interaksie onder die invloed van gedeeltelik steriele insekte wat in ’n dinamiese en ruimtelik-heterogene omgewing vrygelaat word. Die model is ’n gediskretiseerde stelsel reaksie-diffusievergelykings met veranderlike diffusieko¨effisi¨ente onderhewig aan streng positiewe aanvangswaardes en zero-vloei Neumann-randwaardes op ’n begrensde ruimtelike gebied. Die primˆere doelstellings in hierdie geval is om ’n model tot stand te bring wat in ’n area-wye, ge¨ıntegreerde pesbestrydingsprogram vir E. saccharina gebruik kan word om die doeltreffendheid van verskillende steriele motvrylatingstrategie¨e te bepaal sonder om daadwerklik veldeksperimente uit te voer, en om riglyne daar te stel waarvolgens vrylatingsverhoudings, -frekwensies en -verspreidings bepaal kan word wat na verwagting na ’n onderdrukking van die pes sal lei. Bykomend tot die wiskundige modelle in hierdie proefskrif, word twee praktiese toepassings van die modelle ook beskryf. In die eerste toepassing word ’n gebruikersvriendelike simulasie hulpmiddel ontwikkel om E. saccharina infestasie onder die invloed van steriele insekvrylatings in verskillende ruimtelike gebiede te simuleer. Hierdie toepassing fasiliteer ’n dieper begrip van wat ter sprake is in die toepassing van wiskundige modelle, soos die twee modelle in hierdie tesis, tot werklike scenario’s. In die tweede toepassing word ’n optimale diversifisering van suikerriet habitats as ’n opsie vir die vermindering van die gemiddelde E. saccharina infestasie vlakke beskou, en gevolglik word die verbetering van die koste-doeltreffendheid van steriele insekvrylatings afgeskat. Alhoewel verskeie spesiale gevalle van die bogenoemde twee klasse van modelle reeds in die verlede gebruik is om die doeltreffendheid van die steriele-insektegniek te modelleer, beskryf weinig van hierdie modelle die tegniek vir Lepidopteriese spesies met meer as een lewensfase en waar F1-steriliteit ter sprake is. Verder beskryf geen van hierdie modelle die tegniek waar algeheel steriele wyfies en gedeeltelik steriele mannetjies vrygelaat word nie. Die modelle in hierdie tesis is ook die eerste waar die tegniek spesifiek op E.saccharina toegepas word, en waar die ekonomiese lewensvatbaarheid van die tegniek vir hierdie spesie oorweeg word. Verder bestaan daar min voorbeelde van soortgelyke modelle wat verder gaan as ’n teoretiese beskrywing en wiskundige ontleding na praktiese, werklike toepassings, soos in hierdie proefskrif ge¨ıllustreer.

Coastal areas in Grenada and the Caribbean are experiencing an abundance of stranded macroalgae. Climate change and eutrophication are probable causes of this inconvenience. This leads to logistic and economic dilemmas for the Caribbean societies. Research of methods to benefit from the algal bloom is therefore valuable for a sustainable future in these countries. Studies of biogas and fertilizer production are initiated around the world, but a large scale production is absent. Therefore, this thesis scrutinize the requirements for producing biofertilizer from biogas by examine the content of macroalgae and the conditions in Grenada. To achieve this, a literature study and a miniature biogas experiment were conducted. Grenada would presumably benefit from substituting synthetic fertilizer with biofertilizer from macroalgae utilized in biogas production. The positive aspects includes the recirculation of nutrients, development of renewable energy and autonomous fertilizer production. Further research of the definite macroalgae content is essential to determine the exact extent and conditions of the fertilizer utilization. / Kustområden i Grenada och Karibien är drabbat av större mängder strandade makroalger. Klimatförändringar och övergödning är de huvudsakliga orsakerna till denna olägenhet. Detta leder till logistiska och ekonomiska problem för samhällen i Karibien. Det är därför av värde att forska på metoder för att försöka nyttja algblomningen, för en hållbar framtid i dessa länder. Studier på biogasproduktion och gödselmedelstillverkning av makroalger har utvecklats på senare tid, men en storskalig produktion är fortfarande frånvarande. Därför ska denna avhandling granska kriterierna för att använda biogödsel från biogasproduktion genom att undersöka makroalgernas innehåll, och Grenadas förutsättningar för att genomföra detta. För att uppnå detta så har en litteraturstudie och ett mindre biogasexperiment genomförts. Grenada skulle förmodligen dra fördel av att byta ut syntetiskt gödningsmedel med biogödningsmedel från biogasproduktion med makroalger. De positiva aspekterna av detta är recirkulationen av näringsämnen, etablering av förnyelsebara energikällor, samt självständig gödselproduktion. Vidare forskning på det exakta innehållet i makroalger är väsentligt för att kunna bestämma utsträckningen och förhållandena för gödselmedelsanvändningen.

To develop anaerobic digestion (AD), innovative solutions to increase methane yields in existing AD processes are needed. In particular, the adoption of low energy pre-treatments to enhance biomass biodegradability is needed to provide efficient digestion processes increasing profitability. To obtain these features, hydrodynamic cavitation has been evaluated as an innovative solutions for AD of waste activated sludge (WAS), food waste (FW), macro algae and grass, in comparison with steam explosion (high energy pre-treatment). The effect of these two pre-treatments on the substrates, e.g. particle size distribution, soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD), biochemical methane potential (BMP) and biodegradability rate, have been evaluated. After two minutes of hydrodynamic cavitation (8 bar), the mean fine particle size decreased from 489- 1344 nm to 277- 381 nm (≤77% reduction) depending of the biomasses. Similar impacts were observed after ten minutes of steam explosion (210 °C, 30 bar) with a reduction in particle size between 40% and 70% for all the substrates treated.  In terms of BMP value, hydrodynamic cavitation caused significant increment only within the A. nodosum showing a post treatment increment of 44% compared to the untreated value, while similar values were obtained before and after treatment within the other tested substrates. In contrast, steam explosion allowed an increment for all treated samples, A. nodosum (+86%), grass (14%) and S. latissima (4%). However, greater impacts where observed with hydrodynamic cavitation than steam explosion when comparing the kinetic constant K. Overall, hydrodynamic cavitation appeared an efficient pre-treatment for AD capable to compete with the traditional steam explosion in terms om kinetics and providing a more efficient energy balance (+14%) as well as methane yield for A. nodosum. / Det behövs innovativa lösningar för att utveckla anaerob rötning i syfte att öka metangasutbytet från biogassubstrat. Beroende på substratets egenskaper, kan förbehandling möjliggöra sönderdelning av bakterieflockar, uppbrytning av cellväggar, elimination av inhiberande ämnen och frigörelse av intracellulära organiska ämnen, som alla kan leda till en förbättring av den biologiska nedbrytningen i rötningen. För att uppnå detta har den lågenergikrävande förebehandlingsmetoden hydrodynamisk kavitation prövats på biologiskt slam, matavfall, makroalger respektive gräs, i jämförelse med ångexplosion. Effekten på substraten av dessa två förbehandlingar har uppmäts genom att undersöka distribution av partikelstorlek, löst organiskt kol (sCOD), biometan potential (BMP) och nedbrytningshastigheten. Efter 2 minuters hydrodynamisk kavitation (8 bar) minskade partikelstorleken från 489- 1344 nm till 277- 281 nm (≤77 % reduktion) för de olika biomassorna. Liknande påverkan observerades efter tio minuters ångexplosion (210 °C, 30 bar) med en partikelstorlekreducering mellan 40 och 70 % för alla behandlade substrat. Efter behandling med hydrodynamisk kavitation, i jämförelse med obehandlad biomassa, ökade metanproduktionens hastighetskonstant (K) för matavfall (+65%), makroalgen S. latissima (+3%), gräs (+16 %) samtidigt som den minskade för A. nodosum (-17 %). Förbehandlingen med ångexplosion ökade hastighetskonstanten för S. latissima (+50 %) och A. nodosum (+65 %) medan den minskade för gräs (-37 %), i jämförelse med obehandlad biomassa. Vad gäller BMP värden, orsakade hydrodynamisk kavitation små variationer där endast A. nodosum visade en ökning efter behandling (+44 %) i jämförelse med obehandlad biomassa. Biomassa förbehandlade med ångexplosion visade en ökning för A .nodosum (+86 %), gräs (14 %) och S. latissima (4 %). Sammantaget visar hydrodynamisk kavitation potential som en effektiv behandling före rötning och kapabel att konkurrera med den traditionella ångexplosionen gällande kinetik och energibalans (+14%) samt metanutbytet för A. nodosum.