The effect of different types of sanitation facilities on soil contamination with geohelminth eggs and the associated risk factors were assessed in three informal settlements in Durban, South Africa. Adult members of 30 households in each settlement were interviewed to determine their knowledge, attitudes and perceptions on risk factors associated with geohelminth transmission. Two hundred soil samples were collected in each study settlement from areas considered potential sources of infection such as houses, pathways, sanitation facilities and washing areas. Of the total 600 soil samples collected, 190 (32%) were positive for geohelminth eggs with the eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and Taenia spp. being recovered. Quarry Road West, where open defaecation was the most common (80%), sanitation coverage the lowest (11%) and lack of knowledge on geohelminth transmission high (97%), showed the highest levels of soil contamination (mean = 102.55eggs/100g). Stool samples were also collected from 135 children aged 1-16 years living in the three study areas. Children were found to be infected with A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura with prevalences of 33.4 and 6.5%, respectively and corresponding geometric mean intensities of 5.6 and 0.87eggs/g faeces. Some children (9.6%) also harboured dual infections. No hookworm or tapeworm infections were recorded. The results show a direct link between high levels of soil contamination and increased prevalence and infection rates. Indiscriminate defaecation by community members is recognised as the main contributing factor of geohelminth eggs in soil. The type and the number of toilets provided to a community greatly influence the success of a sanitation facility. In order to effectively control geohelminth transmission, health education and antihelminthic treatment need to accompany sanitation programmes in these areas. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.

The original aims of this project were to investigate the potential for phytoremediation, with emphasis on metal accumulation, of three contrasting industrial processing wastes. These were tailings material (PT) from the decommissioned Pering Pb/Zn Mine (Reivilo, North West Province, South Africa (SA)), smelter slag (SS) from the Samancor Mnsmelter (Meyerton, Gauteng, SA) and electro-winning waste (EW) from MMC (Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, SA). It became evident, however, early in the project, that the use of metal hyperaccumulating plants was not a viable technology for these wastes. The project objectives were thus adapted to investigate alternative remedial technologies. The use of endemic and adapted grass species was investigated to revegetate the PT. In addition, chemically-enhanced phytoremediation was investigated to induce metal hyperaccumulation by grasses grown in the PT (Part 1). Revegetation of the SS and EW were not considered feasible, thus land disposal of these two Mn-rich processing wastes was investigated (Part 2). Part 1 - Revegetation of tailings from Pering Mine The PT was found to be alkaline (pH > 8.0), and consisted mainly of finely crushed dolomite. It was generally nutrient poor with high amounts of readily extractable Zn. It also had a very high P-sorption capacity. Seven grass species (Andropogon eucomus Nees; Cenchrus ciliaris L.; Cymbopogon plurinodis Stapf ex Burtt Davy; Digitaria eriantha Steud; Eragrostis superba Peyr; Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter and Fingeruthia africana Lehm) were grown in PT treated with different rates of inorganic fertiliser under glasshouse conditions. The fertiliser was applied at rates equivalent to 100 kg N, 150 kg P and 100 kg K ha-1 (full), half the full rate (half) and no fertiliser (0). Seed of C. ciliaris, C. plurinodis, D. eriantha, E. superba and F. africana were collected from Pering Mine. Seed of A. eucomus was collected from the tailings dam of an abandoned chrysotile asbestos mine. These were germinated in seedling trays and replanted into the pots. A commercial variety of E. tef was tested, but due to poor survival this species was subsequently excluded. The foliage and root biomass of the grasses and concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Pb and Zn in the foliage were determined. The yield of all the grasses increased with an increase in fertiliser rate, with a significant species by fertiliser interaction (p = 0.002). The highest yield was measured for C ciliaris, followed by D. eriantha (4.02 and 3.43 g porI, respectively), at the full fertiliser application rate. Cymbopogon plurinodis was the third highest yielding species, while the yields of E. superba and F. africana were similar. There were positive linear correlations between foliage yield and fertiliser application rate for all grasses. The root biomass of the grasses also increased with an increase in fertiliser application rate. The interaction between grass species and fertiliser level had a non-significant (p = 0.085) effect on the yield of grasses, though there were significant individual effects of species (p < 0.001) and fertiliser (p < 0.001). Digitaria eriantha had the highest root biomass at each fertiliser application rate, followed by C plurinodis and C ciliaris. Similarly to foliage yield, there were positive linear correlations between root biomass and fertiliser application level. Positive, linear correlations were found between foliage yield and root biomass, though the strength of these varied. The weakest correlation was found for D. eriantha (R2 = 0.42) but this was attributed to a moderately high variance in foliage yield and roots becoming potbound. Generally, nutrient concentrations were within adequacy ranges reported in the literature, except for P concentrations. This was attributed to the high P-sorption capacity of the PT. Zinc concentrations were higher than the recommended range for grasses, and also increased with an increase in fertiliser application rate. This was attributed to the high available Zn concentrations in the PT and improved growth of the grasses at higher fertiliser application rates. It was recommended that C ciliaris and D. eriantha be used for revegetation due to high biomass production and that E. superba be used because of rapid growth rate and high self-propagation potential. Both C plurinodis and F. africana can also be used but are slower to establish, while A. eucomus was not a suitable species for revegetation of the PT. Inorganic fertiliser improved the growth of all these species and is recommended for the initial establishment of the grasses. An experiment was conducted to investigate the potential of inducing metal hyperaccumulation in three grass species (C ciliaris, D. eriantha and E. superba) grown in the PT. Grasses were grown in fertilised tailings for six weeks, then either ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or diethylentriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) was added to the pots at rates of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 g kg-I. Grasses were allowed to grow for an additional week before harvesting. The concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were determined in the foliage. The interactive effect of species and chelating agent on the uptake of Cu was marginally significant (p = 0.042) and non-significant for Pb and Zn (p = 0.14 and 0.73, respectively). While the addition of the chelating agents resulted in an increase in Pb uptake by the grasses, it did not induce metal hyperaccumulation in the grasses. This was attributed to the ineffectiveness of the chelating agents in the PT in the presence of competing base cations (mainly Ca). The use of this technology was not recommended. Part 2 - Land disposal of Mn-rich processing wastes Chemical characterisation of the SS showed that it was an alkaline (pH > 9.5), Mn-rich silicate (glaucochroite), that generally·had low amounts of soluble and readily extractable metals. Acidic extractants removed high amounts of Mn, Ca and Mg, attributed to the dissolution of the silicate mineral. The EW was highly saline (saturated paste EC = 6 780 mS m,l) with a near-neutral pH. It had high amounts of soluble Mu, NHt+, S, Mg, Ca and Co. The primary minerals were magnetite, jacobsite (MnFe204) and gypsum. The effect of SS and EW on selected chemical properties of six soils was investigated by means of an incubation experiment, and their effect on the yield and element uptake by ryegrass was investigated in selected soils under glasshouse conditions. Five A-horizons (Bonheim (Ba), Hutton (Hu), lnanda (la), Shortlands (Sd) and Valsrivier (Va» and an Ehorizon (Longlands (Lo» were treated with SS at rates of 30, 60, 120,240 and 480 g kg'l and EW at rates of20, 40,80,160 and 320 g kg'l. Soils were incubated at field capacity at 24 QC and sampled periodically over 252 days. The soil pH, both immediately and over time, increased, while exchangeable acidity decreased after the addition of SS to the soils. The pH at the high rates of SS tended to be very high (about 8). The electrical conductivity (EC) of the soils also increased with an increase in SS application rates and over time. The most marked changes tended to occur in the more acidic soils (e.g. la). In the soils treated with EW, there was generally an increase in the pH of the acid soils (e.g. la) while in the more alkaline soils the pH tended to decrease (e.g. Va), immediately after waste application. There was a general decrease in pH over time, with a concurrent increase in exchangeable acidity, due to nitrification processes. The EC of all the soils increased sharply with an increase in EW application rate, attributed to the very saline nature of the EW. Water-soluble Mn concentrations in the soils treated with SS tended to be below measurable limits, except in the acid la. Iron concentrations decreased with an increase in SS application rate and over time for all soils. The water-soluble concentrations of Mn, Ca, Mg and S increased sharply with an increase in EW application rate in all soils. There was also a general increase in Mn concentrations over time. Iron concentrations tended to be low in the EW-treated soils, while Co concentrations increased as EW application rate increased. Exchangeable (EX, 0.05 M CaCh-extractable) concentrations of Fe, Co, Cu, Zn and Ni were low in the SS-treated soils. The concentrations of EX-Mn tended to increase with an increase in SS application rate in the la soil, but generally decreased in the other soils. There was also a decrease over time, attributed to the high pH leading to immobilisation of Mn. The EX-metal concentrations of the EW-treated soils were generally low, except for Mn. The concentrations of EX-Mn increased sharply as EW application rate increased. The contribution of EX-Mn was calculated to range from 209 to 3 340 mg Mn for EW rates of 20 to 320 g kg-I, respectively. In the Lo soil the expected amount of Mn was extracted at the different EW application rates. In the other soils the EX-Mn concentrations were typically higher than expected. This was attributed primarily to the dissolution ofMn from the EW due to the interaction between soil organic matter and the EW. There was generally an increase in EX-Mn concentrations over time, attributed to the decrease in pH of the soils treated with EW. The above-ground biomass production of ryegrass grown in Lo and Hu soils treated with SS increased at low application rates, but decreased again at the highest rates. The reduction in yield was attributed to an increase in soil pH leading to trace nutrient deficiencies. At the lower SS application rates, nutrient concentrations of the ryegrass tended to be within typical adequate ranges reported in the literature. Of concern was the elevated Mn concentration in the ryegrass foliage, though no toxicity symptoms were seen. This was attributed to the dissolution of the silicate mineral due to soil acidification processes and the possible ameliorating effect of high Ca and Si concentrations on Mn toxicity. The growth of ryegrass was generally poor in the Hu soil treated with EW and it did not survive beyond germination in the Lo soil treated with EW. In the Hu soil plants grew well in the 20 and 40 g kg-I EW treatments, but died at the higher rates. In both cases mortality was thought to be due to the high salinity that resulted in toxicity and osmotic stress in the newly germinated seedlings. The improved growth at the lower rates ofEW, in the Hu soil, was attributed mainly to increased N availability. The concentrations of Mn in the foliage were elevated in the soils treated with EW. A pot experiment was conducted to test the effect of applying either humic acid (HA) or compost (at a rate of 20 g kg-I) with lime (at rates of 0, 5 and 10 Mg ha-I) on the growth and nutrient uptake of ryegrass grown in the Hu soil treated with EW at rates of 0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg-I. A basal P-fertiliser was also applied in this experiment. The highest yields were measured in the treatments receiving either HA or compost at the highest application rate ofEW. The addition oflime did not improve the yield of the HA treatments, but did in the compost treatments. Generally, nutrient concentrations were adequate. The Mn concentrations were markedly lower than expected, and this was attributed to the formation of insoluble Mn-P compounds due to the addition of fertiliser. The effect of either HA or compost on Mn concentrations was not marked, but lime reduced Mn uptake. A leaching column experiment showed that, generally, the Mn was not readily leached through a simulated soil profile, though the addition of compost may enhance mobility. There was also evidence to indicate an increase in salinity and that Co concentrations of the leachate may be a problem. These data suggest that soil organic matter may be a very important factor in determining the release of Mn from the wastes, notably the EW. The land disposal of the SS and EW was not recommended at the rates investigated here, as both showed the potential for Mn accumulation in above-ground foliage, even at low application rates, while high application rates negatively impacted on plant growth. It appears that P-compounds may be beneficial in reducing Mn availability in the EW, but further testing is required. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:27:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1452427 bytes, checksum: ad89ed1f2acb1864018bdd4b54b3fc9e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research addressed the application of electrokinetic phenomena in soil remediation, considering the application of electroosmosis in the decontamination of three soils from the Zona da Mata Norte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, contaminated with the element-trace cadmium. This work followed a line of research previously developed at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, including the evaluation of the electroosmotic process in the chemical and mineralogical parameters of a larger gamma of soils, as well as evaluating the effect of testing parameters in the efficiency of the decontamination process. The tested soils were residual products from gneiss, as follow: (i) soil 1, a mature residual soil, pedologically classified as Red Yellow Latosol, presenting lateritic geotechnical behavior and silty-sandy-clayey texture; (ii) soil 2, saprolitic, presenting non lateritic geotechnical behavior and clayey-silty-sandy texture; e (iii) soil 3, also a mature residual soil, pedologically classified as Red yellow Podzol (Argisol), presenting non- lateritic geotechnical behavior and sandy-siltyclayey texture. Cadmium was the element- trace used in the experiment because it is a usual polluting source in daily use objects and presents adsorption-desorption intermediate behavior. The study program was directed to the analysis of soil behavior before and after their contamination with cadmium, encompassing the following steps: (i) X-rays analysis; (ii) physical and chemical routine tests; (iii) determination of CEC and ZPC; (iv) evaluation of the influence of the applied compaction effort and, therefore, of structure, in the soils eletrosmotic conductivity coefficient; (v) evaluation of the influence of the applied electrical potential difference (ddp) of 5, 15 and 30 V in the electrokinetic decontamination process; (vi) analysis of the influence of the contaminant incubation time (periods of 1, 10 and 20 days) and of ddp (5, 15 and 30 V) in the decontamination process. The results had shown that: (i) quartz predominated in the soils sand fraction, whereas kaolinite predominated in the soils silt and clay fractions; however, it was observed significant presence of hematite and gibbsite in the clay fraction of soil 1 and of goethite in the clay fraction of soil 3; (ii) electrochemically, soils 1 and 3 revealed more active behavior, presenting higher specific cation adsorption capacity; (iii) the parameter ZPC was a determinant factor in all the analyzed soils chemical properties, as well as in the electrokinetic decontamination process, governing the direction of the eletrosmotic flow and influencing in the results of the decontamination applied technique; (iv) the addition of the contaminant to soils was responsible for significant changes in the routine analysis and in the CEC and ZPC parameters, specially regarding soils 1 and 3, which are the most active ones; (v) except for soil 3, the values of the electroosmotic conductivity coefficient of soil was not significantly influenced by the application of different electric potentials and different compaction efforts; (vi) for all tested soils, cadmium soils removal through electrokinetic phenomena increased significantly with the increase of the incubation time and with the increase of the applied electric potential difference. / O presente trabalho abordou a aplicação de fenômenos eletrocinéticos na remediação de solos, com um direcionamento ao emprego da eletrosmose na descontaminação de três solos da Zona da Mata Norte, estado de Minas Gerais, Brasil, contaminados com o elemento- traço cádmio. Buscou-se ampliar o horizonte de pesquisas já desenvolvidas na Universidade Federal de Viçosa, com a inclusão da avaliação do processo eletrosmótico em parâmetros químicos e mineralógicos de uma gama maior de solos, bem como avaliar o efeito de diferentes vairáveis na eficiência do processo de descontaminação. Trabalhou-se com solos residuais de gnaisse, como se segue: (i) solo 1, um residual maduro, pedologicamente classificado como Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo, de comportamento geotécnico laterítico e textura argilo-areno-siltosa; (ii) solo 2, saprolítico, de comportamento geotécnico não laterítico e textura areno- silto-argilosa; e (iii) solo 3, também, residual maduro, pedologicamente classificado como Argissolo Vermelho- Amarelo, de comportamento geotécnico não laterítico e textura argilo-areno-siltosa. O elemento-traço empregado foi o cádmio, fonte poluidora presente em objetos de uso diário e que apresenta comportamento adsorção-dessorção intermediário. O programa de estudo foi dirigido aos solos antes e após contaminação com cádmio e abrangeu a realização de: (i) análises de difração de raios-X; (ii) análises de laboratório para determinação de propriedades física e química; (iii) determinações de CTC e PCZ; (iv) avaliação da influência da energia de compactação e, portanto, da estrutura, no coeficiente de condutividade eletrosmótica dos solos; (v) avaliação da influência da diferença de potencial elétrico aplicado (ddp) no processo de descontaminação eletrocinética, trabalhando-se com valores de 5, 15 e 30 V; (vi) análise da influência do tempo de incubação do contaminante (períodos de 1, 10 e 20 dias) e da ddp (5, 15 e 30 V) na descontaminação dos solos. Os resultados mostraram que: (i) na fração areia dos solos estudados, havia predomínio de quartzo, enquanto que nas frações argila e silte, havia dominância de caulinita; no entanto, observou-se presença expressiva de hematita e gibbsita, no solo 1, e de goethita, no solo 3; (ii) os solos 1 e 3, do ponto de vista eletroquímico e ambiental, mostraram-se mais ativos, podendo apresentar alta adsorção específica de cátions; (iii) o PCZ foi um fator determinante em todas as propriedades dos solos estudados, bem como no processo de descontaminação eletrocinética, mostrando-se associado o sentido do fluxo eletrosmótico aos resultados dos ensaios de descontaminação; (iv) a adição do contaminante aos solos produziu variações significativas nos seus parâmetros químicos obtidos via análises de rotina, CTC e PCZ, em especial no caso dos solos 1 e 3, mais ativos; (v) os valores do coeficiente de condutividade eletrosmótica não variaram significativamente com a aplicação de diferentes potenciais elétricos e de diferentes energias de compactação, exceto para o solo 3, provavelmente devido a fatores mineralógicos dos solos; (vi) a remoção de cádmio dos solos, através dos fenômenos eletrocinéticos, aumentou significativamente com o aumento do período de incubação e com o aumento da diferença de potencial elétrico aplicado, para todos os solos estudados.

The rapid urbanization and industrialization has led to an increase of disposal petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) and trace elements (TE) into the environment. These pollutants are considered as the most toxic contaminants in the world due to their persistence in the environment, and the long range of toxicological effects for living beings when their concentrations exceed critical thresholds. Recent concerns regarding the environmental contamination have initiated the development of several remediation technologies, including physico-chemical, biological and Dig and Dump approaches. In my thesis, gentle soil remediation options (GRO) were investigated at different scales for the reclamation of PHC and TE co-contaminated soil. In the first part of my thesis, laboratory experiments were performed to characterize PHC and TE contaminated soil as well as the indigenous microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) present in these contaminated soils. It was found that the studied aged contaminated soil had a negative effect on earthworm’s development and Lepidium sativum biomass. Moreover, a high respiration of microorganisms attributed to the transformation/ mineralization of organic matter or/and organic pollutants was observed. This presence of viable microorganisms suggested an adaptation of microorganisms to the contaminant. Further results showed that the long-term exposure of soil microorganisms to high PHC concentration and the type of isolation culture media did not influence the ability of isolates to effectively degrade PHC. However, phylogenic affiliation had a strong effect on PHC biodegradation. In the second part of my thesis, preliminary studies in greenhouse trials were performed to investigate the ability of Medicago sativa assisted by compost in the greenhouse aided-phytoremediation of PHC and TE. The results clearly showed that compost amendment into the soil promoted PHC degradation, M. sativa growth and survival, and phytoextraction of TE. Residual risk assessment after the phytoremediation trial also showed a positive effect of compost amendment on plant growth and earthworm development. Pilot-scale ecopile experiment carried out in the third part of this thesis allow a reduction of up to 80% of PHC and 20% of metals after 17 months. My thesis showed that alfalfa (M. sativa) and sunflower (Helianthus annus) plants were suitable for phytodegradation of PHC and phytoextraction of TE. The outcomes of my thesis can be extend to other plants and they bring a new level of understanding that can be helpful for further full-scale phytoremediation studies. / L'urbanisation rapide et les activités industrielles ont abouti à la contamination de l’environnement par les hydrocarbures pétroliers (HP) et les éléments traces (ET). Ces composés sont particulièrement toxiques en raison de leur persistance dans l'environnement, et de leurs effets toxicologiques sur les êtres vivants quand les concentrations de ceux-ci dépassent des seuils critiques. Les préoccupations de plus en plus croissantes sur la contamination de l'environnement ont favorisé le développement de plusieurs technologies de remédiation des sites contaminés par les approches biologiques, physico-chimiques et par l’excavation et l’entreposage. Dans cette thèse, des options douces d'assainissement des sols (ODA) ont été utilisées à différentes échelles pour la remédiation des sols contaminés par des mélanges des HP et des ET. Dans la première partie de ma thèse, des expériences en laboratoire ont été effectuées dans le but de caractériser les sols contaminés et les micro-organismes autochtones (bactéries et champignons) qu’ils contiennent. Malgré la contamination ancienne du sol, les résultats obtenus montrent des effets négatifs des contaminants sur le développement des lombrics et la biomasse de Lepidium sativum. En outre, une respiration élevée de microorganismes, attribuée à la transformation / minéralisation de la matière organique et / ou des polluants organiques a été observée. Cette présence de micro-organismes viables dans les sols contaminés suggère leur adaptation aux contaminants. Toutefois, d'autres résultats ont montré que l'exposition à long terme des microorganismes du sol à de fortes concentrations en HP et le type de milieu de culture utilisé pour l'isolation n'influencent pas la capacité des isolats microbiens à dégrader efficacement les HP. Cette capacité de biodégradation des HP est liée à la phylogénie des microorganismes. Dans la deuxième partie de cette thèse, les études préliminaires en serre ont été réalisées dans le but d’évaluer l’efficacité de phytoremédiation en utilisant Medicago sativa assistée par l’ajout du compost. Les résultats ont montré dans cette expérience que l’ajout du compost dans le sol favorise la dégradation des HP, la croissance et la survie de M. sativa, ainsi que la phytoextraction des ET. L’évaluation des risques résiduels après la phytoremédiation a également montré un effet positif de l'amendement du sol en compost sur la croissance des plantes et le développement des lombrics. L’expérience pilote réalisée sur le terrain dans la troisième partie de ma thèse a permis une réduction de 80% des HP et de 20% des ET après 17 mois. Ma thèse a démontré que la luzerne (M. sativa) et le tournesol (Helianthus annus) sont des choix judicieux de plantes pour la phytodégradation des HP et pour la phytoextraction des ET. Les résultats qui en résultent sont utiles pour d’autres études de phytoremédiation à grande échelle. / Den snabba urbaniseringen och industrialiseringen har lett till en ökning av petroleumkolväten (PHC) och olika spårämnen (TE) i miljön. Dessa föroreningar anses vara de mest giftiga föroreningarna i världen på grund av att de stannar kvar i miljön samt att de har toxikologisk påverkan på levande varelser. På senare tid har oron för dessa miljöföroreningar lett till utvecklingen av flera saneringstekniker, såsom fysiska, kemiska och biologiska metoder. I denna avhandling undersöktes enkla marksaneringsalternativ (GRO) på olika nivåer, för återvinning av PHC och TE från förorenad jord. I den första delen av denna avhandling, utfördes laboratorieförsök för att karakterisera PHC- och TE-förorenad jord samt av de inhemska mikroorganismerna (bakterier och svampar) som förekommer i dessa förorenade jordar. Det konstaterades att den studerade förorenade jorden hade en negativ inverkan på daggmaskars utveckling och biomassan av L. sativum. Dessutom kunde den höga respirationen bland mikroorganismerna tillskrivas omvandlingen och mineraliseringen av organiskt material och/eller de organiska föroreningar som observerades. Denna närvaro av livsdugliga mikroorganismer antydde att mikroorganismerna anpassat sig till föroreningssituationen på platsen. Ytterligare resultat visade dock att den långvariga exponeringen av höga PHC-koncentrationer i isolerade odlingsmedier, för mikroorganismer i jorden, inte påverkade förmågan för dessa att effektivt bryta ned PHC. Dock hade den fylogenetiska tillhörigheten en stark påverkan på bionedbrytning av PHC. I den andra delen av denna avhandling genomfördes preliminära studier i växthus där förmågan hos M. sativa undersöktes, med hjälp av kompost, gällande den växthusstödda fytosaneringen av PHC och TE. Resultaten visade att inblanding av kompost i jorden främjade nedbrytningen av PHC, tillväxten och överlevnadsgraden av M. sativa och fytoextraktion av Pb. Återstående riskbedömning efter fytosaneringen visade också en positiv effekt, när komposten användes, på växternas tillväxt och daggmaskarnas utveckling. Ett experiment med eco-bädd utfördes för den tredje delen av avhandlingen. Denna studie visade på en minskning på upp till 80% av PHC och 20% av metallerna. Denna avhandling visar att M. sativa och H. annus var lämpliga för nedbrytning av PHC och fytoextraktion av Pb och Cu. Resultaten från denna avhandling förväntas vara användbara för ytterligare studier av fytoremediering i fullskala.

Pollution of soil by trace metals has become one of the biggest global environmental challenges resulting from anthropogenic activities, therefore, restoration of metal contaminated sites needs due attention. The use of phytoremediation technologies as nature-based solution to pollution, could support successful implementation of green economic development strategies; with economically affordable and environmentally friendly benefits. The present investigation employed an exploratory study on the phytoremediation potentials of three selected native plants; Phytolacca dodecandra (L’Herit), Adhatoda schimperiana (Hochst) and Solanum incanum L, dominating areas close to heavy metal contamination sources; in metropolitan centers of Addis Ababa. In this work, concentration of six heavy metals of interest chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni) copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) were examined in soil and in different tissues (leaves, stems and roots) of selected plants (both seedlings and mature plants), in dry and rainy seasons using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Efficiency of phytoremediation is discussed based on calculated values of Bio-concentration Factor (BCF), Translocation Factors (TF) and Bioaccumulation Coefficient (BAC). Phytolacca dodecandra showed BCF, TF and BAC > 1 for Zn, Pb, Ni, Cu and Cd Adhatoda schimperiana gave BCF, TF and BAC > 1 for Zn, Cu, Ni and Cr; likewise, BCF, BAC and TF values of > 1 were noted in Solanum incanum for Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni. Based on these scenarios, the three plants could be utilized for phytoextraction of contaminated soil. Conversely, BCF and BAC for Cr levels in tissues of Phytolacca dodecandra were all < 1, which indicates unsuitability for phytoremediation of Cr in contaminated soils. Besides, Adhatoda schimperiana retained Pb and Cd in their roots showing root BCF > 1, while BAC and TF < 1, which highlights its suitability for phytostabilization. Moreover, BCF, TF and BAC values of < 1 noted for Cr and Cd in Solanum incanum reveal that Solanum incanum may not be a good candidate for remediation of Cr and Cd contaminated environments. In conclusion, results from this study revealed that the selected plants can accumulate substantial amounts of the above trace metals in their tissues and can serve as prospective phytoremediators of most of these metals. Phytoextraction and phytostabilization were the main mechanisms of remediation in this study. / Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Environmental Sciences)

Soil is one of the largest ecosystems being ignored by human activities. Our farming practices and urban constructions have contributed to its degradation, with far-reaching consequences for the water cycle’s equi- librium.Reconnect with nature and learn the methods to assist in its recovery are essential for the survival of all inhabitants on this planet.  My degree project consists of a large research into the water cycle of urban areas, studying the particular case of Stockholm, that leads to the problems of degraded soil. The aim is to understand the relation- ship between water cycle and soil ecosystems and explore potential solutions.  As a result, I have designed KURITA, a learning tool founded upon the ecofeminism values of care, that serves as a learning method for citi- zens to reconnect with soil values and actively participate in its restor- ative process.

The continuity of the menace of mercury (Hg) is due to the continuous production and use of Hg and Hg containing products. Toxicity is just an outfall of use and exposure. Anthropogenic activities such as coal combustion and artisanal and small-scale gold mining have led to increasing Hg contamination and is the major source of Hg pollution into the environment that needs to be remediated. This study aimed to assess the phytoextraction capability of sweet sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) under different fertiliser treatments in Hg-contaminated soil. The potted experiment in a controlled environment included control S. bicolor and three phytoremediation treatments, i.e., Hg only; the addition of 4:1 green compost and; the addition of 0.2% NPK fertiliser. There were conspicuous signs of Hg phytotoxicity in plants with Hg only, namely wilting, senescent, inhibition of growth, and photosynthesis. There was stunted growth, but healthy plants observed in the treatment with the addition of green compost towards the end (day 60) of exposure. However, S. bicolor grew well until the last day of exposure in the treatment with the addition of 0.2% NPK fertiliser. Thus, this treatment showed the most effective phytoextraction potential of S. bicolor in Hg-contaminated soil. The effectiveness of S. bicolor in reducing the level of mercury was best assessed in the Hg bioavailable concentration in the spiked soil in which the Hg + NPK treatment has the lowest (0.77 mg kg−1). That resulted in the highest uptake (84.31%) percentage of Hg concentration recorded in the treatment with the addition of 0.2% NPK fertiliser compared to the other two treatments. The results suggest that the proportion of phosphate in the NPK fertiliser used, plays a huge role in the phytoextraction of Hg in the contaminated soil by S. bicolor. The Translocation Factor (TF) and Bioconcentration Factor (BCF), although higher within Days 20 and 40, was greater than 1 at the end of the exposure period suggesting a high probability that Hg was significantly transferred to the aerial parts of the plants. This is regarded as typical hyperaccumulator plant species. While S. bicolor was able to reduce the level of Hg in all three treatments, Hg + NPK treatment gave overall best results in physiological growth, the uptake, and reducing the level of Hg bioavailable in the spiked soil in terms of the effectiveness of phytoremediation method. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)