Fungal endophytes live inside plants without causing apparent symptoms of infection. All plant species surveyed thus far, including liverworts, mosses, seedless vascular plants, conifers, and angiosperms, harbor one or more endophytic fungi. Fungal endophytes can be divided into four groups including class 1, class 2, class 3 and class 4 endophytic fungi according to host range, colonization pattern, transmission, and ecological function. Class 2 fungal endophytes benefit their host by increasing environmental stress tolerance (i.e. water, temperature, salt) in a habitat-specific manner. In my study, class 2 fungal endophytes were studied from weedy plants growing in an environmentally stressed area: mine tailings from the Athabasca oil sands. This area is a vast hydrocarbon reserve in western Canada that supplies 10% of Canadian oil needs. Hydrocarbons are extracted from tar sands with hot water, alkali, and solvents. The tailing sands can later be remediated (by adding organic material and fertilizer) to establish new plant communities. Prior to remediation, tailing sands have extremely low content of organic carbon and available minerals, and are hydrophobic compared to unimpacted and remediated soils. Nevertheless, <i>Taraxacum</i> (dandelion) and <i>Sonchus</i> (sow-thistle) can colonize extracted tailing sands even prior to remediation. Preliminary results show that pioneer plants have similar fungal abundance as plants of unextracted treatments. Fungal endophytes were isolated from surface sterilized <i>Taraxacum</i> and <i>Sonchus</i> that had been growing upon unimpacted, remediated and extracted soil. Fungi isolated in this way included <i>Alternaria, Tricoderma, Fusarium</i> and an unidentified <i>Perithecial Ascomycote</i>. These endophytic fungi were used to inoculate tomato plants in a greenhouse trial to determine whether they confer stress tolerance to host plants, especially for drought and low mineral nutrition. Before exposing the tomato plants to environmental stresses, the specific endophytic fungal strains applied were successfully recovered from tomato plants originally inoculated with the same endophytic fungi. Although the other endophytic fungi turned out to be harmful to the tomato plants in the test, a <i>Trichoderma spp.</i> strain isolated from samples of extracted treatment appears to confer tolerance of tailing sands to the tomato plants. This <i>Trichoderma spp.</i> strain which we can call <i>TSTh20-1</i> was molecularly identified as <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>. Despite an identification to species, all strains of <i>T. harzianum</i> are not necessarily identical regarding strain-specific attributes. Using similar techniques described here, it is possible to isolate and potentially use beneficial class 2 endophytic fungal strains for the remediation process in the Athabasca oil sands or to assist plant growth in other high stress environments.

Fungal endophytes live inside plants without causing apparent symptoms of infection. All plant species surveyed thus far, including liverworts, mosses, seedless vascular plants, conifers, and angiosperms, harbor one or more endophytic fungi. Fungal endophytes can be divided into four groups including class 1, class 2, class 3 and class 4 endophytic fungi according to host range, colonization pattern, transmission, and ecological function. Class 2 fungal endophytes benefit their host by increasing environmental stress tolerance (i.e. water, temperature, salt) in a habitat-specific manner. In my study, class 2 fungal endophytes were studied from weedy plants growing in an environmentally stressed area: mine tailings from the Athabasca oil sands. This area is a vast hydrocarbon reserve in western Canada that supplies 10% of Canadian oil needs. Hydrocarbons are extracted from tar sands with hot water, alkali, and solvents. The tailing sands can later be remediated (by adding organic material and fertilizer) to establish new plant communities. Prior to remediation, tailing sands have extremely low content of organic carbon and available minerals, and are hydrophobic compared to unimpacted and remediated soils. Nevertheless, <i>Taraxacum</i> (dandelion) and <i>Sonchus</i> (sow-thistle) can colonize extracted tailing sands even prior to remediation. Preliminary results show that pioneer plants have similar fungal abundance as plants of unextracted treatments. Fungal endophytes were isolated from surface sterilized <i>Taraxacum</i> and <i>Sonchus</i> that had been growing upon unimpacted, remediated and extracted soil. Fungi isolated in this way included <i>Alternaria, Tricoderma, Fusarium</i> and an unidentified <i>Perithecial Ascomycote</i>. These endophytic fungi were used to inoculate tomato plants in a greenhouse trial to determine whether they confer stress tolerance to host plants, especially for drought and low mineral nutrition. Before exposing the tomato plants to environmental stresses, the specific endophytic fungal strains applied were successfully recovered from tomato plants originally inoculated with the same endophytic fungi. Although the other endophytic fungi turned out to be harmful to the tomato plants in the test, a <i>Trichoderma spp.</i> strain isolated from samples of extracted treatment appears to confer tolerance of tailing sands to the tomato plants. This <i>Trichoderma spp.</i> strain which we can call <i>TSTh20-1</i> was molecularly identified as <i>Trichoderma harzianum</i>. Despite an identification to species, all strains of <i>T. harzianum</i> are not necessarily identical regarding strain-specific attributes. Using similar techniques described here, it is possible to isolate and potentially use beneficial class 2 endophytic fungal strains for the remediation process in the Athabasca oil sands or to assist plant growth in other high stress environments.

Tailings storage facilities (TSFs) and conventional water retaining dams are the largest manmade structures on Earth. Statistics show that TSFs are more likely to fail than water retaining dams.Recent catastrophic failures of TSFs have led to the loss of lives (Germano mine, Brazil), environmental damage (Mount Polley, Canada), contamination of drinking water (Baia Mare, Romania), and the destruction of property (Kingston Fossil Plant, USA). As the scale of mining increases, TSFs increase in height and volume, therefore increasing the consequence of failure. To help mitigate risk associated with large TSFs mining companies empanel expert groups to review operations of TSFs and conduct regular visual inspections. In the US the Mine Safety and Health Administration has regulatory responsibility for the safety of TSFs. As population centers expand nearer to existing and proposed TSFs, the public requires assurance of the integrity of these structures. A pro-active approach to public safety is more desirable than a post-mortem analysis after a major failure. We have examined both the regulatory practices, the industry practices, and public data on TSFs in Arizona. In this thesis paper we address inadequacies of the official government records on TSFs in the two largest publicly accessible databases of dams inthe US – the National Inventory of Dams (NID), and the National Performance of Dams Program (NPDP). Both databases contain numerous errors and omissions, including descriptions and geographic coordinates of TSFs that are inaccurate by many kilometers. Several large TSFs in Arizona are not included in either database.We address these shortcomings with a pilot project for Arizona that demonstrates recording accurate information in a database is neither expensive nor onerous, communicating best practices for operation can help alleviate community concerns, and continuous monitoring technology can resolve shortcomings with visual inspections.

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / In the mining industry, due to the extraction and processing of ore, a significant amount of tailings are produced which are discharged into deposits. In some cases, these are in contact with effluents and generate acid waters that pollute the environment and affect the health of the inhabitants. Additionally, these tailings within their composition contain valuable metals that can be reused through a process of mineral flotation. As a part of this research, a study based exclusively on laboratory tests was performed on the tailings deposit located in the Recuay–Peru district, where the presence of concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Ag at 48.36% was obtained, 23% and 250 g/TM. Thus, this study aims to take advantage of polymetallic tailings deposits that are in an abandonment state by extracting valuable ore through the flotation process based on their chemical composition and mineralogical characterization.

La presente invesigación tiene como finalidad encontrar que facotres influyen en la decisión de compra online en los e-commerce orgñanicos, en mujeres de 25 a 35 años en Lima Metropolitana. En el Perú aún no se ha explotado esta herramienta a gran magnitud, por lo que es un mercado potencialmente rico en oportunidades a explotar. La metodología de la investigación corresponde a un estudio cuantitativo de corte transversal del tipo descriptivo que se aplicó a una muestra de 384 mujeres del segmento mencionado, así como también se hará uso del método cualitativo a través de entrevistas a profundidad a expertos y focus group. El estudio es importantes para que los dueños de los e-commerce se enfoquen más en las variables más importantes para un pñublico que estña mñas propenso a comprar productos que aporten a su salud. / The purpose of this research is to find out which factors influence the decision to purchase online in organic e-commerce, in women from 25 to 35 years old in Metropolitan Lima. In Peru this tool has not yet been exploited to a great extent, so it is a market potentially rich in opportunities to exploit. The methodology of the research corresponds to a quantitative cross-sectional study of the descriptive type that was applied to a sample of 384 women of the mentioned segment, as well as the qualitative method will be used through in-depth interviews with experts and focus groups. The study is important for the owners of e-commerce to focus more on the most important variables for a public who is more prone to buy products that contribute to their health. / Trabajo de investigación

This study aims to map out how small designintensive businesses combine multiple channels to achieve competitive advantage. The internet has provided retailers with a competing channel and while this can be a source of competitive advantage, it also provides the risk of cannibalization. More and more businesses choose to apply a multi-channel strategy, but there are decisions to be made concerning this strategy as both advantages and disadvantages are to be found in a multi-channel strategy. This study is performed with a qualitative approach via semi-structured interviews with four companies applying a multi-channel strategy, exploring the perspective of the businesses. In contrast to previous research, results show that businesses tend to view a second sales channel mainly as a way of expanding the service offered in their primary sales channel. Further conclusions that can be drawn are that an integrated organizational structure and complementing channels are being used and are creating synergies. A unified view of the channels is communicated and consumers are encouraged to combine channels at a purchase. The channels are also used as tools for marketing each other. / Denna studie syftar till att kartlägga hur designintensiva småföretag kombinerar flera olika försäljningskanaler för att uppnå konkurrensfördelar. Internet har försett återförsäljare med en konkurrerande kanal till den fysiska butiken, vilket kan ge konkurrensfördelar men medför även en risk för kannibalisering kanalerna emellan. Fler och fler företag väljer nu att använda sig av en flerkanalstrategi, men vissa avväganden måste göras då både för- och nackdelar finns med implementering av en flerkanalstrategi. Studien har genomförts med en kvalitativ ansats genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer då författarna ämnar att undersöka flerkanalåterförsäljarnas egna perspektiv. I kontrast till tidigare studier visar resultaten att företagen tenderar att betrakta en andra försäljningskanal främst som ett sätt att utöka den service de erbjuder i sin primära kanal. Ytterligare slutsatser som framkommit är att en integrerad organisationsstruktur och kanaler som kompletterar varandra används och upplevs skapa synergier hos företagen. Fortsatt kommuniceras en enhetlig bild mellan kanalerna och konsumenter uppmuntras kombinera kanalerna vid köp. Kanalerna används även som marknadsföring för varandra.

Barragens de rejeitos são estruturas que têm a finalidade de reter os resíduos sólidos e água dos processos de beneficiamento de minério. Seu planejamento inicia com a procura do local para implantação, etapa na qual se deve vincular todo tipo de variáveis que direta ou indiretamente influenciam a obra: características geológicas, hidrológicas, topográficas, geotécnicas, ambientais, sociais, avaliação de riscos, entre outras. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a utilização do método de analise hierárquica como apoio na tomada de decisões para seleção de locais para barragens de rejeitos. A revisão bibliográfica de fatores que influem nesta etapa de decisão resultou em indicadores claros de avaliação, que foram orientadores para a coleta de dados no estudo de caso. O estudo de caso consistiu na avaliação de três locais para a localização da nova barragem de rejeitos de beneficiamento de cobre a ser construída pela MINER S.A. no município de Carmen de Atrato, na Colômbia. Para a seleção do local entre três alternativas, foram considerados dois aspectos: custo inicial total e impacto ambiental. Na aplicação do método de análise hierárquica, o objetivo principal da hierarquia proposta foi o menor impacto ambiental, considerando-se as três causas consideradas mais importantes: implantação da barragem, ruptura da barragem e transporte de rejeitos da usina ao local de disposição. Foram analisados os impactos potenciais na água, solo, fauna, flora e ocupação humana. Os custos foram tratados separadamente. No final foi realizada uma análise conjunta dos custos iniciais totais e dos resultados do método de análise hierárquica, para servir como apoio ao tomador de decisão. Foi também realizada uma análise de sensibilidade, que mostra a influência significativa de um dos critérios nos pesos finais dos locais avaliados. / Tailings dams are structures designed to retain solid wastes and water generated in the processing of metal ore. The overall planning of these dams starts with site selection, step in which all directly or indirectly influential variables should be considered: geological, hydrological, topographic, geotechnical, environmental and social characteristics, risk evaluation etc. This work presents a study of the utilization of the hierarchy analysis process (AHP) as a tool for decision-making in the selection of sites for tailings dams. The bibliographic review of relevant factors resulted in the proposal of a list of indicators, which was very useful as an orientation for data collection in the study case, and is considered as an important contribution from this research. The study case consisted in the location of the new copper tailings dam of MINER Inc. in Carmen de Atrato, Colombia. Initially, a geochemical software was applied to the region to discard unsuitable areas. For the selection of a site among three resulting alternatives, two aspects were taken into account: total initial cost and environmental impact. In the application of AHP, the main objective of the proposed hierarchy was the lowest environmental impact. Three possible causes were considered as the most important concerning environmental impact: dam and reservoir occupancy, dam collapse and transportation of wastes from the plant to the disposal site. Potential impacts on water, soil, fauna, flora and human occupation were analyzed. Costs were treated separately. Finally, a joint analysis of total initial costs and results from the AHP application was carried out in order to convey a support for the decision maker. A sensilibtily analysis was also performed to show the influence of one of the subcriteria on the final alternatives weights.

In this study, evaluation of Kosovo-Artana Concentrator tailings with flotation and leaching method is aimed. The minerological analysis of sample showed that sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and their oxidised forms are the main ore minerals in the sample, while pyrite, illite, quartz, calcite and gypsum are the gangue minerals. The metal contents of the sample are 1.2% Zn, 0.75% Pb, and 0.06% Cu. Flotation tests to produce bulk concentrate of copper-lead and lead-zinc were unsatisfactory. The recovery of the zinc with H2SO4 leaching were conducted both at room temperature and at elevated temperature. The effects of various parameters such as leaching duration, concentration of H2SO4, pulp density and temperature on the zinc metal recovery were examined. The maximum extraction of zinc was 80% and 89% at room temperature and at 80 &deg / C respectively for 120 minutes leaching period.

Barragens de rejeitos são estruturas que têm a finalidade de reter os resíduos sólidos e água dos processos de beneficiamento de minério. Seu planejamento inicia com a procura do local para implantação, etapa na qual se deve vincular todo tipo de variáveis que direta ou indiretamente influenciam a obra: características geológicas, hidrológicas, topográficas, geotécnicas, ambientais, sociais, avaliação de riscos, entre outras. Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre a utilização do método de analise hierárquica como apoio na tomada de decisões para seleção de locais para barragens de rejeitos. A revisão bibliográfica de fatores que influem nesta etapa de decisão resultou em indicadores claros de avaliação, que foram orientadores para a coleta de dados no estudo de caso. O estudo de caso consistiu na avaliação de três locais para a localização da nova barragem de rejeitos de beneficiamento de cobre a ser construída pela MINER S.A. no município de Carmen de Atrato, na Colômbia. Para a seleção do local entre três alternativas, foram considerados dois aspectos: custo inicial total e impacto ambiental. Na aplicação do método de análise hierárquica, o objetivo principal da hierarquia proposta foi o menor impacto ambiental, considerando-se as três causas consideradas mais importantes: implantação da barragem, ruptura da barragem e transporte de rejeitos da usina ao local de disposição. Foram analisados os impactos potenciais na água, solo, fauna, flora e ocupação humana. Os custos foram tratados separadamente. No final foi realizada uma análise conjunta dos custos iniciais totais e dos resultados do método de análise hierárquica, para servir como apoio ao tomador de decisão. Foi também realizada uma análise de sensibilidade, que mostra a influência significativa de um dos critérios nos pesos finais dos locais avaliados. / Tailings dams are structures designed to retain solid wastes and water generated in the processing of metal ore. The overall planning of these dams starts with site selection, step in which all directly or indirectly influential variables should be considered: geological, hydrological, topographic, geotechnical, environmental and social characteristics, risk evaluation etc. This work presents a study of the utilization of the hierarchy analysis process (AHP) as a tool for decision-making in the selection of sites for tailings dams. The bibliographic review of relevant factors resulted in the proposal of a list of indicators, which was very useful as an orientation for data collection in the study case, and is considered as an important contribution from this research. The study case consisted in the location of the new copper tailings dam of MINER Inc. in Carmen de Atrato, Colombia. Initially, a geochemical software was applied to the region to discard unsuitable areas. For the selection of a site among three resulting alternatives, two aspects were taken into account: total initial cost and environmental impact. In the application of AHP, the main objective of the proposed hierarchy was the lowest environmental impact. Three possible causes were considered as the most important concerning environmental impact: dam and reservoir occupancy, dam collapse and transportation of wastes from the plant to the disposal site. Potential impacts on water, soil, fauna, flora and human occupation were analyzed. Costs were treated separately. Finally, a joint analysis of total initial costs and results from the AHP application was carried out in order to convey a support for the decision maker. A sensilibtily analysis was also performed to show the influence of one of the subcriteria on the final alternatives weights.

A indústria de mineração gera uma vasta quantidade de rejeitos que são comumente depositados em reservatórios ou lagoas de contenção. Para dimensionar adequadamente estas construções, quando o rejeito é altamente compressível, é necessário estudar as características de consolidação deste material através de técnicas que contemplem grandes deformações. Este trabalho teve como objetivo implantar a técnica HCT (Hydraulic Consolidation Test) nos laboratórios do departamento de Geotecnia da EESC-USP e consolidar a utilização da técnica TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry). Também teve como objetivo avaliar o processo de consolidação de rejeitos argilosos contidos em uma barragem com o uso de técnicas de laboratório (HCT) e de campo (TDR). Nos ensaios de laboratório foi utilizada a técnica HCT, enquanto que em campo foi utilizada a técnica TDR. Em laboratório, realizaram-se ensaios com amostras coletadas na região do vertedouro e do canal de lançamento de rejeitos. Foram realizadas diversas análises com estas amostras utilizando a técnica HCT, tendo como resultado uma pequena variação nos parâmetros de consolidação obtidos. Através destes parâmetros foi calculada a curva de compressibilidade de laboratório. A técnica TDR fez uso de uma sonda desenvolvida especialmente para este fim, sendo realizada uma calibração previa em laboratório com o material da barragem. A técnica TDR apresentou, de forma instantânea, a estimativa do teor de umidade para as sondagens realizadas na barragem de rejeitos. Com os resultados da técnica TDR, os índices de vazios foram calculados por correlações e, por fim, calculadas as tensões efetivas atuantes em cada profundidade estudada, gerando uma curva de compressibilidade de campo. Pode-se então comparar as curvas de compressibilidade de laboratório e campo obtendo-se uma grande proximidade entre os valores. Conclui-se que ambas as técnicas são validas para avaliação do processo de consolidação de materiais moles em barragens de rejeitos. / The mining industry generates a large amount of tailing, which is usually placed in tailing dams. To properly design these constructions, when the tailing is highly compressible, it is necessary to study the consolidation characteristics of this material by means of techniques that consider large deformations. This study aimed to establish the technique HCT (Hydraulic Consolidation Test) in the laboratories of the department of Geotechnical Engineering, EESC-USP and consolidate the use of the technique TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry). This research work also aimed to evaluate the process of consolidation of clayey tailings through laboratory and field tests. For laboratory tests it was used the Hydraulic Consolidation Test (HCT) whereas field tests used the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technique. The laboratory tests were carried out with samples collected in the spillway and next to the discharge spigot. Several analyses were performed using the HCT technique. The analysis results showed very little variations in the consolidation parameter values. The compressibility curve was determined using these consolidation parameters. The TDR tests were carried out using a probe specifically designed for this purpose. Laboratory calibration was performed with samples collected in the dam. One advantage of the TDR technique is to provide in real time estimates of the soil water content. With the water content profiles provided by the TDR technique, void ratio and effective stress profiles were determined using correlations obtained in laboratory, enabling to find a field compressibility curve. Then, the laboratory and field compressibility curves were compared, showing them very close to each other. It was concluded that both techniques are valid for evaluating the process of consolidation of soft materials in tailings dams.