Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Reclamation of land – Environmental aspects – Ontario'

Reclamation plays an important role in land supply of Hong Kong in various parts of territory to meet the demand for business, housing, infrastructural facilities, and ever increasing populations. Since 1852, Hong Kong has successfully expanded 6,824 hectares of the land since the first reclamation project, with about 6% of land in Hong Kong came from reclamation. Major reclamation projects in Hong Kong included Victoria Harbour Reclamation, Hong Kong International Airport Core Development Programme, and the present largest infrastructural facilities Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. The government policy for reclamation in the colonial period was regarded as executive-led and lack of public participation. The situation has a significant change after the resumption of sovereignty by China in 1997. Public engagement, such as district forum has been the usual practice for the government to involve the public in reclamation and planning projects. Environmental issues brought by reclamation include the release of contaminants from dredging process, disruption of marine environment and ecosystem, polluting the surrounding water and air, and irreversible damage on the coastline and harbour. The study aims at (1)examining the reason for Hong Kong being so dependent on reclaiming land to increase the land supply for development; and the policy making and implementation process in the Hong Kong Government before and after 1997 in face of the changing political environment;(2) describing the major reclamation projects in the Hong Kong history; (3) studying the environmental impact brought by reclamation in Hong Kong and the related law and governing ordinances; and (4) suggesting alternative ways to increase the land supply in Hong Kong in the near future under the concept of sustainable development. It is concluded that reclamation will still be the easiest option adopted by the government to obtain land resources outside the Victoria Harbour. Community- based urban planning should be continued in land use planning policy for allowing people to engage in the process so that harmonious and sustainability can be achieved.
published_or_final_version
Environmental Management
Master
Master of Science in Environmental Management

The Appalachian coal mining region is subject to a number of environmental and economic problems; many are a result of the steeply sloping topography. The extensive surface mining activities in the area appear to offer the opportunity to produce more favorable landforms at minimum marginal costs. Yet, despite this apparent opportunity and the success of research efforts to develop improved mine soil construction and revegetation techniques, the majority of the mining and reclamation activities in the Virginia coal region are carried out using conventional methods: reconstructing steeply sloping mining areas to their approximate original contours. The purpose of this research was to estimate the costs of coal surface mine reclamation methods designed to prepare mined lands for improved use in areas of steeply sloping topography. During the course of this research, a computer-based mining and reclamation cost estimating system was developed. COSTSUM is a set of seven programs designed to analyze data from active surface mining sites to determine spoil handling and reclamation costs. OPSIM is a surface mining simulator designed to estimate the differences in spoil handling costs among reclamation and postmining landform alternatives. This cost-estimating system was utilized during an intensive study of mining and reclamation costs at a surface mining site in Wise County, Virginia, where a number of improved reclamation practices were implemented. At this site, a steeply sloping premining topography was transformed to a postmining landform containing an extensive near-level area covered with deep, uncompacted, potentially productive mine soils. Analysis of daily records of operations revealed that the cost of mining and reclaiming this site was comparable to industry average costs in the area in spite of departure from conventional methods. The results of simulation procedures indicated that the cost of mining so as to produce this landscape was less than than the estimated cost of conventional mining methods. Since the topography of the site is typical of surrounding areas, there are opportunities to produce near-level landforms with deep, productive soils as a byproduct of coal surface mining activities.
Ph. D.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, a cost benefit analysis was done to determine the best possible methods for postmining reclamation. A comparison was made between a conventional method with additional organic material added to the soil and a Backgrounding method where cattle are reared on the land. The best method, according to the financial model that was built, was the method of Backgrounding cattle on the rehabilitated land. The main reason for this outcome may be due to the fact that the meat that is produced is a high value product. It might not be practically applicable to mines at this stage, but the calculation provides an insight into the possibilities that reclaimed mine land holds for the agricultural industry.

Natural soils in the Appalachian coal mining region occur on steep slopes and are often thin, rocky, acidic, and/or infertile. This often makes use of natural topsoil for surface coal mine reclamation impractical. Sandstone (SS) and siltstone (SiS) topsoil substitute materials in mixed and pure treatments were compared to ascertain their effects on soil genesis and tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae Schrab.) growth in a rock mix study. A second surface amendment experiment with similar objectives was established and contained treatments of sawdust, topsoil, a control, and four rates of sewage sludge. Soil pH, extractable P, and coarse fragment contents decreased at the soil surface from 1982 to 1984. The CEC decreased from 1982 to 1983 due to leaching of cations solubilized from carbonates, but stabilized by 1984. Soil total-N and water availability increased from 1982 to 1984. Particle size distributions changed as sand and >2 mm sized materials weathered into silt and clay sized particles. As sand contents decreased over time, silt contents increased. Morphologically distinct A horizons developed in these soils rapidly and were formed primarily by plant rooting and organic matter additions. Treatment application, topsoil substitute placement, and grading also created morphologically distinct horizons. Fescue biomass production indicates topsoil substitutes support more vigorous vegetative growth than topsoil, especially when topsoils are mixtures of subsoil and A horizons. Biomass production was primarily limited by N, P, and water availability. Blended rock mixes consistently supported higher biomass production than pure SS and SiS treatments. Municipal sewage sludge applied at rates-56 Mg/ha equaled or exceeded inorganic fertilization for establishment and maintenance of tall fescue stands, and did not cause heavy metal phytotoxicity.
M.S.

With the emergence of the new field of resource economics, one now has the ability to value and to include natural resources in decision making. This thesis aims to explore the valuation of natural resources by reviewing the economic values, techniques, methods and ecological aspects of restoration. Assegaaibos mountain catchment in the Western Cape Province has been used as a case-study example. A cost-benefit analysis of the restoration of the mountain catchment, in terms of the direct benefits of water and tourism, has been performed. The costs of restoration were observed to see whether they outweighed the benefits (income) derived (water and tourism). The results show that the water and tourism benefits did outweigh the costs of a basic restoration scenario. However, the basic restoration scenario did not fulfil the ecological requirements of the project. The results also illustrated that in the moderate restoration scenario, costs only outweighed the benefits when a three percent discount rate was applied. With the optimistic restoration scenario, costs outweighed benefits only when an eight percent discount rate was used. In the comprehensive restoration scenario, costs were shown to outweigh by far the water and tourism benefits over a thirty-year time frame. However, it should be noted that the deterioration of the environment (accelerated erosion, reinvasion, reduced water quality) was not factored into the costs of failure to rehabilitate.

Adequate supply and availability of nitrogen (N) is a major factor hindering successful revegetation of reclaimed surface mines. Because topsoils are often unrecoverable, “topsoil substitutes”, made up of overburden materials devoid of N, are often used on reclaimed surfaces. Four replications of seven surface treatments were applied to 12 m² plots of 2:1 sandstone:siltstone material on a reclaimed coal surface mine in Wise Co., VA: 1) fertilizer (168 kg/ha N, 147 kg/ha P, and 139 kg/ha K), 2) limed (7.8 Mg/ha), fertilized topsoil (30 cm deep), 3) 112 Mg/ha sawdust + fertilizer + 336 kg/ha slow-release N, and 4-7) lime-treated municipal sewage sludge at rates of 22, 56, 112, and 224 Mg/ha. Nitrogen availability after 40 mo (as determined by aerobic and anaerobic incubations) in sawdust- and sludge-amended soils was two to 20 times higher than in fertilized and topsoil-amended soils. Moisture holding capacity was nearly twice as high in sawdust-amended soils as in all other treatments. Soil nitrate (NO₃⁻) levels (0-20 cm layer) in excess of 75 μg/g were detected in the 112 and 224 Mg/ha sludge plots 28 mo after application. Stem volumes of three-year-old pitch X loblolly pines (Pinus rigida X taeda) were four times larger in soils amended with sawdust + slow-release N and were twice as large in soils amended with 22 and 56 Mg/ha sludge compared to fertilized-only seedlings. Increased seedling mortality was observed in the 112 and 224 Mg/ha sludge treatments, possibly due to high soluble salt levels and/or manganese deficiencies. The availability of N from sawdust + slow-release N or sludge (≤ 56 Mg/ha) is better than that of inorganic fertilizer for sustained tree growth. These amendments are recommended for reclamation to the extent that they are economically available.
M.S.

The purpose of this creative project was to derive and communicate the design process for the reclamation of an active quarry site to a residential community. An examination of existing land reclamation and housing design knowledge was conducted to form the basis for original design theories. The communication and presentation of study recommendations was applied to a case study site: an active sand, gravel, and limestone quarry located near Muncie, Indiana. A methodology was developed to analyze the site for its mining, housing and visual potential. Environmentally responsive strategies to determine rural community structure, lake form design, and housing character were developed. An integration of analyses and design strategies yielded the final land use concept and the associated site development concept. The final product of the study was a reclamation concept plan directing mineral extraction and reclamation efforts toward optimal mining and housing potential. It was the intention of this study to discuss and present its design theories, recommendations, and process in map form capable of explaining the study in its entirety without additional verbal or written communication.
Department of Landscape Architecture

The subject of this thesis is the development of alternative approaches to environmental management and mine closure plans using case examples of the Big Bell/Cue Mining District and as a working example, an area of unconfined washout of historical gold-mine process tailings located in this arid inland region of Western Australia. This is considered appropriate in the light of the social and political thrust for industry to develop simultaneously positive economic, social and environmental outcomes from their activities. The Big Bell mining operation ceased mining in June 2003 and the Mine Closure Plan reflected a classical approach of minimization of public liability and strict compliance with legislative requirements. During the life of the modern mine the approach to rehabilitation was similarly classical in its approach It is intended for this document to inform the mining industry using the case example of the now closed Big Bell Mine as to how greater long-term outcomes may have been achieved for the State and the region for the future. This thesis specifically investigates alternative ways to approach rehabilitation in arid areas of Western Australia using the washout area as an example and trial area. This thesis has approached the issue by addressing the quantification of what has occurred through the gathering of baseline data of the case study area and then by the implementation of a series of relevant trials to identify appropriate eco-functional process-sensitive methods for rehabilitation as an alternative to current industry practice. Trials investigating the use of "retention banks" and "clay/seed balls" and the use of ex-mine milling waste carbon were conducted to investigate relevant possible techniques suitable for arid mine-site waste dump rehabilitation. Data analysis indicated that the main reason for the high level of degradation within the case study area is due to the smothering effect of the fine clayey tails cover and due to acidity of the tailings. A detailed examination of 92 soil samples found water infiltration of tails-washed areas as half that of control areas. Acidity of alluvium has declined from pH 5.2 to 3.8. The acidity has penetrated at depth to hardpan. Trials were commenced to rehabilitate the area using a combination of earthworks (retention banks and· scarification), pH- adjustment (using ex-mill carbon and crushed lime), and the use of native seed pelletised into clay-balls. The introduction of ex-mill carbon was shown to be effective in ameliorating pH in the tails wash area and improving its capacity to regenerate. Considering it is a widely available waste product with the gold mining industry it should be seriously considered in its application for rehabilitation purposes, and specifically in areas affected by severe acidification and desertification particularly by mismanaged tailings with pyrite content. The use of clay balls should also be subjected to further investigation. It is at least equal to the traditional use of raw seed and fertilizer with immediate and abundant rainfall. As this almost never occurs, it should prove to be superior, in delivering higher rates of viability for seed used. The thesis then attempts to integrate this study within the context of the wider issues of environmental management, specifically the best practice of mine closure plans and the adoption of sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes from mining as an integral part of responsible operational environmental management plans. The thesis argues that the environmental management planning and specifically the Mine Closure Plan should not waste the myriad of opportunities that are the by-product of mining for the long-term sustainable benefit of the wider region. It is argued that if mining companies are serious about sustainability, then they cannot continue with short-term cycles of mining and closure. However to be realistic it will take concerted willingness from all stakeholders to pursue these outcomes. While a given mining operation can offer extensive resources and assets to support this approach the commercial and legislative pressures of core mining activities necessarily mean that mines are in fact encouraged to simply return the environment back to as natural state after operations are complete. Invariably this means hundreds of millions of dollars of infrastructure are levelled and scrapped to avoid all future liability, whilst the potential for sustainable outcomes is essentially ignored. The same Government that enforces the Mining Act and has a State Sustainability Strategy imposes the conditions which create unimaginative classical mine closure plans. Government, industry and the residents of regions must work together to seriously develop sustainable outcomes to mining.

Degree of Master of Forestry (Conservation Ecology)
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigates the use of top-soiling, irrigation and translocating indigenous plants to facilitate the cost-effective return of a mined landscape to its former land-use (small stock farming) in an arid winter rainfall Succulent Karoo shrub land biome on the West Coast of South Africa. Effects of topsoil stockpiling and subsoil mineral concentration on soil fertility and chemistry were investigated, as soils are likely to determine rates of vegetation recovery on post-mined areas. Results of a radish bioassay show that stockpiling topsoil and mineral concentration subsoil decreased soil fertility. Mineral concentration decreased phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, carbon and nitrogen levels significantly relative to other soil treatments. Sodium in freshly deposited tailings was at potentially toxic levels and significantly higher than for all other soil treatments. Spreading of stockpiled topsoil over tailings may ameliorate harsh conditions created by mineral separation. Translocation of plants from pre-mined to post-mined areas was carried out on a trial basis in an effort to facilitate the return of natural vegetation and processes to strip-mined landscapes. Five local indigenous plant species: Asparagus spp., Ruschia versicolor, Othonna cylindrica, Lampranthus suavissimus and Zygophyllum morgsana were planted into multi-species clumps in a replicated experiment. Variables examined in the translocation trial included the effects of plant origin, soil treatment and/or irrigation on plant survival and establishment. The proportion of O. cylindrica transplants surviving for 15 months was greater than for other species. Whole plants survived better than salvaged plants, and Asparagus spp., R. versicolor, L. suavissimus and Z. morgsana survived better on stockpiled topsoil spread over tailings than on tailings alone. Irrigation had no consistent effect across species and treatment replicates. Salvaged-plant clumps were significantly larger than whole-plant clumps at planting, however, this effect was not observed after 12 months, indicating that whole-plant clumps grew faster than salvaged-plant clumps. The evergreen, leaf succulent shrubs O. cylindrica, L. suavissimus and R. versicolor appeared to be most suitable for large-scale translocation at Namakwa Sands. The return of biodiversity and changes in soil quality 15 months after translocation trials began were compared for combinations of top-soiling, irrigation, plant translocation and unmodified tailings. Irrigation may reduce biodiversity and seedling densities. Over a 15-month period following back filling and topsoil spreading, sodium, potassium and calcium appeared to return to levels observed for undisturbed soils. Magnesium remains at levels lower than in pre-mined soil conditions. Soil conditions may be more conducive to plant establishment and rehabilitation after back-filling of tailings and topsoil spreading. Electrical resistance increased over time indicating a reduction of free salts and salinity on rehabilitation sites. Phosphorus did not return to pre-disturbance levels, and carbon remained below pre-mining levels for at least 15 months after rehabilitation began, remaining a potential limiting factor in rehabilitation. Each rehabilitation technique that a mine employs has costs and benefits, and it is increasingly important that insights from ecology and economics are coupled if restoration efforts are going to succeed. A review of valuation systems indicates that Discounted Cash Flow Techniques (DCF) are suitable for valuation of rehabilitation operations.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die gebruik van bogrond, besproeiing en die oorplanting van inheemse plante om die koste-effektiewe rehabilitasie van 'n stroopmynlandskap in die droë, winter reënval streek, Vetplant Karoo aan die Weskus van Suid-Afrika, wat vroeër gebruik is vir kleinvee boerdery, te bespoedig Die uitwerking van bogrondopberging en minerale konsentrasie op vrugbaarheid en chemise komposisie van grond is ondersoek, aangesien dié gronde gewoonlik die herstelspoed van plantegroei op 'n ou myn terein bepaal. Uitslae van radys proewe toon dat berging van bogrond en minerale konsentrasie van die onderliggende grond vrugbaarheid van grond laat afneem. Mynaktiwiteite en die minerale konsentrasie lei tot 'n betekenisvolle verlies aan fosfaat, kalium, kalsium, magnesium, koolstof en stikstof as die geval met ander bedrywighede. Die vlak van natrium in oorgeblywende sand na die minerale ekstraksie is hoogs giftig en is veel hoër as na ander bedrywighede. Die toediening van bogrond oor die oorblywende sand verbeter die toestand wat deur die skeiding van minerale veroorsaak is. Oorplasing van plante vanaf ongemynde na rehabilitasie gebiede is op proefbasis uitgevoer in 'n poging om die terugkeer van natuurlike plantegroei by die strookmyn te bespoedig. Vyf plaaslike inheemse plantspesies: Asparagus spp., Ruschia versicolor, Othonna cylindrical, Lampranthus suavissimus en Zygophyllum morgsana is in multi-spesie groepe geplant. Veranderlikes getoets tydens hierdie proef sluit in plantoorsprong, grond behandeling, en/of besproeiing, op die oorlewing en vestiging van plante. 'n Groter proporsie O. cylindrical as enige ander spesie het na 15 maande oorleef. Heel plante het beter oorleef as beskadigde plante. Asparagus spp., R. versicolor, L. suavissimus en Z. morgsana het beter oorleef op gebergde bogrond oor oorblywende sand as op oorblywende sand self. Besproeiing het nie 'n volgehoue uitwerking gehad op spesies of op herhaalde replisering nie. Beskadigde plantgroepe was groter as heelplant groepe toe hulle geplant is maar na 12 maande is opgemerk dat die heel-plante vinniger gegroei het. Die immergroen vetplante, 0. cylindrical, L. suavissimus en R. versicolor blyk die mees geskik vir grootskaalse oorplanting by Namakwa Sands. Herstel van biodiversiteit en veranderings in grondeienskappe 15 maande na proewe begin het, is vergelyk m.b.t. die toediening van bogrond, besproeiing, oorplanting en onbehandelde oorblywende sand. Besproeiing kan biodiversiteit en digtheid van saailinge verminder. Vyvtien maande na opvulling en die toediening van bogrond, het kalium, natrium en kalsium teruggekeer na vlakke in onversteurde grond. Magnesium vlakke was nog altyd laer as dié voordat mynaktiwiteite aangevang is. Terugplasing van sand en toediening van bogrond mag die vestiging en rehabilitasie van plante bespoedig. Weerstand vermeerder met tyd wat 'n verlaaging in vry soute en soutagtigheid in die grond wat gebruik is vir rehabilitasie aantoon. Fosfor het nie teruggekeer tot vlakke van voorheen nie en vlakke van koolstofhet na 15 maande verlaag gebly, en kan die potential tot rehabilitasie belemmer. Elke rehabilitasie tegniek wat die myn gebruik bring kostes sowel as voordele mee. Om restorasie pogings te laat slaag moet insigte vanaf ekologie en ekonomie saam ingespan word. 'n Oorsig van waardasie sisteme toon dat Afslag Kontant Vloei Tegnieke geskik is vir die evaluasie van rehabilitasie programme.

Thesis (MScFor)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Namaqualand has a very unusual diversity of plant life, with many endemic plant species. The fundamental question of this thesis is how this system, damaged by strip-mining activities, can be rehabilitated. The aim was to base the rehabilitation methods on ecological processes. In order to answer this question an overview of the relevant literature was needed in order to identify possible research needs and also to evaluate the work that has been done in the field of strip-mine rehabilitation in arid areas. An understanding of community and ecosystem dynamics would help to establish aims and methods for site-specific rehabilitation. In Namaqualand, South Africa, there is also a need for experimentation to establish which of the many factors is most limiting to long-term ecosystem recovery. It is important to have a good knowledge of the successional processes and disturbance history of the land which needs to be rehabilitated. The vegetation on unmined areas and mined areas of different ages and treatments after mining, were sampled. It was shown that some areas could be expected to show a large degree of recovery in the space of a few years, whilst others would show little or no recovery over a period of decades. It is important to recognise rehabilitation as a gradual process that takes place at different rates in different areas and in different years. The planting of Atriplex nummularia and sowing of Atriplex semibaccata did not facilitate the return of indigenous, perennial species, but rather seem to inhibit their return. In view of the importance of topsoil in terms of the fertility of the soil and the seed bank present in the topsoil, the influence of topsoil removal and stockpiling due to strip-mining activities were tested. The soil fertility was tested by means of radish bioassays and soil laboratory analysis, whilst species diversity and richness were tested with seedling emergence trials. As expected a higher plant species diversity was found on the unmined soils and radishes grew larger on these soils. The topsoil deteriorated in terms of plant species richness, diversity and soil fertility whilst it was stockpiled. Direct replacement of topsoil would ensure a planting medium closer to the pre-disturbance level that could lead to fairly rapid and successful recolonization of the mined area. Successful plant recruitment also depends on the microsites to which seeds are dispersed. The effect that different microsites had on seed germination, seedling growth and survival was tested. It was found that micro catchments always yielded the highest numbers. The establishment and survival of seedlings in the other microsite types (under single shrubs, under clumped shrubs and in the open) varied, depending on the amount of rainfall received in the particular year. Lastly, I experimented with the translocation of three local, indigenous, succulent plant species. These plants were transplanted either in clumps of three together or alone, since I hypothesized that planting them together would facilitate their survival. However, it was found that it depended largely on the morphology of the plant and the amount of rainfall received in a particular year, whether these plants will compete with each other for limiting resources or facilitate each other's survival. The thesis contributes to the understanding of vegetation dynamics in the Succulent Karoo after strip-mining has taken place. Guidelines are provided based on ecological processes, for strip-mine rehabilitation in the Succulent Karoo.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Namakwaland is bekend vir sy ongewone diversiteit van plante, met baie endemiese spesies. Die fundamentele vraag wat deur hierdie tesis gevra word is hoe hierdie sisteem, wat beskadig is deur oppervlak mynbou, gerehabiliteer kan word. Die doel is om die rehabilitasie metodes te baseer op ekologiese prosesse. 'n Oorsig van die relevante literatuur was nodig om moontlike areas van verdere navorsing te identifiseer en ook die navorsing wat reeds gedoen is oor rehabilitasie van oppervlak myne in ariede gebiede, te evalueer. 'n Goeie begrip van gemeenskap en ekosisteem dinamika sal help om doelwitte en metodes daar te stel vir die rehabilitasie van spesifieke areas. Dit is ook nodig om in Namakwaland, Suid -Afrika, uit te vind watter van die baie faktore, die lang-termyn herstel van 'n ekosisteem, die meeste verhinder. Dit is baie belangrik om In goeie kennis te hê van die versteurings geskiedenis van die area wat gerehabiliteer moet word, asook die suksessionele prosesse wat werksaam is. Plantegroei van areas wat op verskillende tye gemyn en verskillend behandel is, asook ongemynde areas is ondersoek. Sekere areas het In groot mate van herstel gewys in 'n tydperk van 'n paar jaar, terwyl ander, min of geen hersteloor 'n periode van dekades getoon het nie. Dit is belangrik om rehabilitasie as 'n geleidelike proses te sien, wat teen verskillende tempos plaasvind tydens verskillende jare en in verskillende areas. Daar is bevind dat die plant van Atriplex nummularia asook die saai van Atriplex semibaccata nie die terugkeer van inheemse, meerjarige spesies bevoordeel nie, maar dit eerder inhibeer. Aangesien die bo-grond so belangrik is in terme van die grondvrugbaarheid en ook die saadbank wat teenwoordig is, word die invloed van die verwydering en opberging van die bogrond getoets. Die grondvrugbaarheid was bepaal deur groei-toetse op radyse en laboratorium analise op die grond te doen. Die plant spesie diversiteit en rykheid was bepaal met In saad ontkieming studie. In ooreenstemming met die verwagte uitkoms, was die plant spesie diversiteit hoër op die ongemynde bo-grond en die radyse het groter geword op dieselfde grond. Dit kom voor asof die plant spesie diversiteit en rykheid, asook die grond vrugbaarheid afneem met tyd wat die bo-grond geberg word. Die direkte verspreiding van die bo-grond nadat dit verwyder is, sal In medium vir die plante verseker wat nader is aan die vlak voordat die grond versteur is. Dit sal oak sorg vir redelike vinnige en suksesvolle terugkoms van plante op die gemynde grond. Die suksesvolle vestiging van plante hang ook af van die mikro areas (klein areas in terme van die grootte van 'n saad, wat In eie mikro-klimaat vorm), waarna saad versprei word. Die effek van sulke mikro-gebiede op die ontkieming van saad, die groei van die saailinge en die oorlewing van die saailinge was bepaal. Mikro-water- opvanggebiede het in al drie bogenoemde gevalle die hoogste syfers getoon. Die vestiging en oorlewing van saailinge in die ander mikro-gebiede (die area onder enkel struike, die area onder groepe struike en oop areas) het gevarieer afhangend van die hoeveelheid reënval wat ontvang is in die spesifieke jaar. Laastens, is daar ge-eksperimenteer met die oorplant van drie plaaslike, inheemse, sukkulente spesies. Hierdie plante was alleen geplant of in groepies van drie, bymekaar. Die hipotese was dat huloorlewingskanse beter sal wees as hulle saam geplant word. Dit was egter bevind dat die hoeveelheid reënval in 'n spesifieke jaar en die morfologie van die plant, bepaal of hulle sal kompeteer vir die beperkte bronne en of hulle deur saam te groei huloorlewingskanse sal verhoog. Hierdie tesis dra by tot die verstaan van die plantegroei dinamika in die Sukkulente Karoo nadat oppervlak mynbou plaasgevind het. Riglyne vir die rehabilitasie van oppervlak myne, gebasseer op ekologiese prosesse, word ook voorgestel.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Remote sensing and vegetation indices were evaluated for its usefulness to monitor the success of the rehabilitation programme of the decommissioned tailings storage facility (TSF1) of the Navachab Gold Mine, Karibib, Namibia. The study aimed to objectively illustrate the rehabilitation progression from tailings (baseline) to soil (capping) and vegetation (planted as well as natural). Baseline data sets of 2004 and 2005 were compared with imagery of 2009, 2010 and 2011. All the images were subjected to panchromatic sharpening using the subtractive resolution merge (SRM) method before georegistration. As no recent accurate topographical maps were available of the study area, the May 2010 image was used as a reference image. All other images were georegistered to this image. A number of vegetation indices (VIs) were evaluated. The results showed that the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the transformed vegetation index (TVI) provided the most promising results. Although the difference vegetation index (DVI) and enhanced vegetation index (EVI) distinguished the vegetation, rock, and soil classes, it was not as successful as the other VIs in classifying the rain water pond. TVI and NDVI were further evaluated for their efficacy in detecting changes. This was done by generating a series of change images and by qualitatively comparing them to false colour images of the same period. Both the NDVI and TVI delivered good results, but it was found that the TVI is more successful when water is present in the images. The research concludes that change analyses based on the TVI is an effective method for monitoring mine rehabilitation programmes.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Afstandswaarneming en plantegroei-indekse is ge-evalueer vir die gebruikswaarde daarvan om sukses van die rehabilitasieprogram vir die geslote slykdam of tailings storage facility (TSF1) van die Navachab Goudmyn, Karibib, Namibië vas te stel. Die studie se doelwit was om die progressie in die rehabilitasie van slyk (basislyn) na grond (dekmateriaal) en plantegroei (aangeplant en natuurlik) te illustreer. Basislyndatastelle 2004 en 2005 is vergelyk met 2009, 2010, en 2011 beelde. Al die beelde is panchromaties verskerp deur die subtractive resolution merge (RSM) metode voor georegistrasie uit te voer. Aangesien geen onlangse, akkurate topografiese kaarte van die studiegebied beskikbaar was nie, is die beeld vir Mei 2010 as ‘n verwysingsbeeld gebruik. Al die ander beelde is op die laasgenoemde beeld gegeoregistreer. Die resultate het gewys dat die normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) en die transformed vegetation index (TVI) die mees belowende resultate lewer. Al het die difference vegetation index (DVI) en enhanced vegetation index (EVI) goed onderskei tussen plantegroeiklasse en grond- en gesteentesklasse was dit nie so suksesvol met die klassifikasie van die reënwaterpoel nie. TVI en NDVI is verder geëvalueer vir effektiwiteit om verandering waar te neem. Dit is gedoen deur ‘n reeks van veranderingsbeelde te skep en dit dan kwalitatief met die valskleur-beelde vir dieselfde tydperk te vergelyk. Beide die NDVI en TVI het goeie resultate gelewer, maar die TVI was meer suksesvol om beelde met water te klassifiseer. Die navorsing lei tot die gevolgtrekking dat veranderingsanalises met die TVI ‘n effektiewe metode vir die monitoring van rehabilitasie programme is.

[Truncated abstract] Establishment of vegetation and ecosystem functioning is central to the mitigation of environmental impacts associated with mining operations. This study investigated the ecophysiological functioning of mature plants in natural vegetation and applied this knowledge to diagnose problems affecting plant health and causes of poor plant cover at a mine-rehabilitation site. Ecophysiological parameters, including plant water relations and mineral nutrition, were studied in conjunction with soil physical, hydraulic and chemical properties. The natural ecosystem at the study location in the Great Sandy Desert is characterised by sand dunes and interdunes with distinct plant communities on each. One of the most notable features of the vegetation is the presence of large Corymbia chippendalei trees high on the dunes and relatively small scattered shrubs in the interdunes. Triodia grasses (spinifex), dominate the vegetation in both habitats but different species occur in each; T. schinzii is restricted entirely to the dunes, and T. basedowii occurs only in the interdunes. It was hypothesised that the deep sandy dunes afford greater water availability but lower nutrient supply to plants in this habitat compared with those occurring in the lower landscape position of the interdunes. Water-relations parameters (leaf water potentials, stomatal conductance, d13C) revealed that dune plants, particularly woody species, displayed higher water status and water use than closely related and often congeneric plants in the interdunes. Nutrient concentrations in soils were significantly higher in the interdunes, but concentrations in foliage were similar for related species between habitats. It is concluded that the dunes provide a greater store of accessible water than the soil profile in the interdunes. ... Following an experimental wetting pulse equivalent to a summer cyclone event, A. ancistrocarpa plants displayed significant increases in stomatal conductance, leaf water potential and sap velocity in lateral roots within three days of irrigation at the natural site and two days at the rehabilitation site. Secondary sinker roots originating from distal sections of lateral roots were evidently supplying water to maintain hydraulic function in laterals, thus enabling a fast pulse response. This was accentuated at the rehabilitation site where roots were confined closer to the surface. These results indicate that plants at the rehabilitation site are more dependent on small pulses of water and have less access to deep reserves than plants at the natural site. It is concluded that high runoff losses and insufficient soil depth are major factors contributing to plant water stress, and combined with the direct impacts of erosion, are largely responsible for plant death and ultimately poor plant cover. These issues can be alleviated if cover soil depth is increased to more than 0.5 m and slope angles are reduced to <12o. This study demonstrates the value of an ecophysiological approach for diagnosing problems affecting plant establishment at mine-rehabilitation sites. Furthermore, it has provided recommendations that will improve the rehabilitation strategy and lead to the development of a well vegetated, resilient ecosystem on a stable and non-polluting land form.

Chan Chik-yu.
Thesis submitted in: December 1998.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-152).
Abstract also in Chinese.
Acknowledgments --- p.i
Abstract --- p.ii
Table of Contents --- p.vi
List of Tables --- p.ix
List of Figures --- p.xi
List of Plates --- p.xiii
Chapter Chapter 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1
Chapter 1.1 --- Fly Ash --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.1 --- Formation of fly ash --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.2 --- Physical and chemical properties of fly ash --- p.1
Chapter 1.1.3 --- Disposal --- p.3
Chapter 1.2 --- Problems Associated with the Reclamation of Fly Ash --- p.5
Chapter 1.2.1 --- Physical problems --- p.6
Chapter 1.2.2 --- Nutrient problems --- p.6
Chapter 1.2.3 --- Toxicity problems --- p.6
Chapter 1.2.4 --- Biological problems --- p.7
Chapter 1.3 --- Ecological Considerations on Wasteland Reclamation --- p.7
Chapter 1.3.1 --- Ecological basis --- p.7
Chapter 1.3.2 --- Problems of ecosystem development and its treatments --- p.11
Chapter 1.4 --- Obj ectives of the Present Study --- p.17
Chapter Chapter 2 --- EDAPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLY ash and vegetation composition on fly ASH LAGOON --- p.23
Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.23
Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.24
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Site description --- p.24
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Collection of fly ash and soil samples --- p.25
Chapter 2.2.3 --- Physical analysis --- p.26
Chapter 2.2.4 --- Chemical analysis --- p.26
Chapter 2.2.5 --- Vegetation analysis --- p.27
Chapter 2.2.6 --- Statistical analysis --- p.27
Chapter 2.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.28
Chapter 2.3.1 --- Physical properties --- p.28
Chapter 2.3.2 --- Chemical properties --- p.33
Chapter 2.3.3 --- Vertical ash profile --- p.42
Chapter 2.3.4 --- Vegetation survey --- p.48
Chapter 2.4 --- Conclusions --- p.58
Chapter Chapter 3 --- GREENHOUSE PLANT SELECTION AND AMELIORATION TRIALS ON LAGOONED FLY ASH --- p.60
Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.60
Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.62
Chapter 3.2.1 --- Collection of lagooned fly ash and planting materials --- p.62
Chapter 3.2.2 --- Plant selection trial --- p.63
Chapter 3.2.3 --- Amelioration trials --- p.66
Chapter 3.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.68
Chapter 3.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.68
Chapter 3.3.1 --- Plant selection trial --- p.68
Chapter 3.3.2 --- Amelioration trials --- p.75
Chapter 3.4 --- Conclusions --- p.83
Chapter Chapter 4 --- LEACHING OF SOLUBLE SALTS AND BORON FROM LAGOONED FLY ASH --- p.84
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction
Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.86
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Setup of column --- p.86
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Leaching regimes --- p.86
Chapter 4.2.3 --- Growth of ryegrass on leached ashes --- p.89
Chapter 4.2.4 --- Chemical analysis on ashes --- p.89
Chapter 4.2.5 --- Statistical analysis --- p.89
Chapter 4.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.90
Chapter 4.3.1 --- Leaching of soluble salts and B --- p.90
Chapter 4.3.2 --- Plant growth in leached ashes --- p.101
Chapter 4.4 --- Conclusions --- p.105
Chapter Chapter 5 --- EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON plant growth on pre-leached fly ash --- p.106
Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.106
Chapter 5.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.108
Chapter 5.2.1 --- Collection of materials --- p.108
Chapter 5.2.2 --- Chemical analysis of planting media --- p.108
Chapter 5.2.3 --- Plant growth experiment --- p.109
Chapter 5.2.4 --- Statistical analysis --- p.110
Chapter 5.3 --- Results and Discussion --- p.110
Chapter 5.3.1 --- Chemical properties --- p.110
Chapter 5.3.2 --- Plant growth on organic-amended ash --- p.116
Chapter 5.3.3 --- Plant elemental uptake --- p.118
Chapter 5.4 --- Conclusions --- p.123
Chapter Chapter 6 --- GENERAL CONCLUSIONS --- p.125
References --- p.128

Poon Mei-yan, Pauline.
Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 113-118).
Abstracts in English and Chinese.
Abstract --- p.i
Acknowledgements --- p.iv
Table of Contents --- p.v
List of Tables --- p.viii
List of Figures --- p.x
List of Plates --- p.xi
Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1.1 --- Background --- p.1
Chapter 1.2 --- The problem: deficiencies of EIA process --- p.2
Chapter 1.3 --- Necessity of EIA follow-up --- p.4
Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives and scope of the study --- p.5
Chapter 1.5 --- Significance of the study --- p.6
Chapter 1.6 --- Thesis outline --- p.7
Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- EIA FOLLOW-UP PRACTICES: TRENDS AND FUNCTIONS
Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9
Chapter 2.2 --- EIA follow-up - the conceptual background --- p.9
Chapter 2.2.1 --- Working definitions of monitoring and auditing --- p.9
Chapter 2.2.2 --- Types of monitoring --- p.10
Chapter 2.2.3 --- Types of auditing --- p.10
Chapter 2.3 --- Trends of EIA follow-up practice --- p.11
Chapter 2.4 --- Functions of EIA follow-up --- p.13
Chapter 2.5 --- Role of EIA follow-up in EIA --- p.16
Chapter 2.6 --- Ingredients of an effective EIA follow-up system --- p.18
Chapter 2.6.1 --- Independence of the monitoring and audit team --- p.18
Chapter 2.6.2 --- Proactive project management --- p.18
Chapter 2.6.3 --- Clearly defined EIA follow-up programme --- p.19
Chapter 2.6.4 --- Well-designed monitoring scheme --- p.20
Chapter 2.6.5 --- Good information flow and feedback mechanism --- p.21
Chapter 2.7 --- EIA follow-up practice in some countries --- p.21
Chapter 2.8 --- EIA follow-up practice in Hong Kong --- p.22
Chapter 2.8.1 --- Necessity of EIA follow-up in Hong Kong --- p.22
Chapter 2.8.2 --- Characteristics of EIA follow-up in Hong Kong --- p.23
Chapter 2.8.3 --- How EM&A is implemented in Hong Kong? --- p.23
Chapter 2.9 --- Conclusion --- p.27
Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY
Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.29
Chapter 3.2 --- Selection of the study area --- p.30
Chapter 3.3 --- The Pak Skek Kok reclamation project --- p.31
Chapter 3.4 --- The EM&A programme --- p.37
Chapter 3.5 --- Methods of assessing the EM&A programme --- p.44
Chapter 3.6 --- Use of the monitoring data --- p.47
Chapter 3.7 --- Limitations of the study --- p.50
Chapter 3.8 --- Conclusion --- p.51
Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF THE PROJECT
Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.52
Chapter 4.2 --- Impact audit --- p.52
Chapter 4.2.1 --- Noise impacts --- p.52
Chapter 4.2.2 --- Dust impacts --- p.58
Chapter 4.3 --- Compliance audit --- p.68
Chapter 4.3.1 --- Daytime noise level --- p.68
Chapter 4.3.2 --- Evening noise level --- p.69
Chapter 4.3.3 --- 24hr-average TSP level --- p.71
Chapter 4.3.4 --- 24hr-average RSP level --- p.71
Chapter 4.3.5 --- 1hr-average TSP level --- p.72
Chapter 4.4 --- Implementation audit --- p.72
Chapter 4.4.1 --- Implementation of noise mitigation measures --- p.73
Chapter 4.4.2 --- Implementation of dust mitigation measures --- p.75
Chapter 4.4.3 --- Effectiveness of dust mitigation measures --- p.78
Chapter 4.5 --- Conclusion --- p.83
Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- EVALUATION OF THE EM&A PROGRAMME
Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.85
Chapter 5.2 --- Fulfillment of the stated objectives of the EM&A programme --- p.85
Chapter 5.3 --- Effectiveness of the EM&A programme --- p.89
Chapter 5.3.1 --- Independence of the monitoring and audit team --- p.90
Chapter 5.3.2 --- Proactive project management --- p.90
Chapter 5.3.3 --- Clearly defined EIA follow-up programme --- p.93
Chapter 5.3.4 --- Well-designed monitoring scheme --- p.94
Chapter 5.3.5 --- Good information flow and feedback mechanism --- p.100
Chapter 5.4 --- Recommendations for improving EM&A in Hong Kong --- p.101
Chapter 5.5 --- Conclusion --- p.103
Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- CONCLUSION
Chapter 6.1 --- Summary of findings --- p.104
Chapter 6.2 --- Discussion of findings --- p.106
Chapter 6.3 --- Suggestions for further studies --- p.109
BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.113

M.Sc.
Coal mining is a mature industry and plays a vital part in the economy and development of South Africa. Coal mining however is a temporary use of land. Historically, when an ore body was exhausted, production ceased and mines were boarded up and abandoned. Today mine closure requires the return of land to a viable and sustainable post-mining land use but a number of challenges are associated with mine reclamation. One of the greatest challenges is the inability of mines in South Africa to return mined land to its pre-mining state or land capability. The minimization of loss of land use capability and equally soil resource is a key part in achieving success in mine reclamation. This study verifies and assesses the replaced soil depth and actual post-mining land capability at a surface coal mine in Mpumalanga province, according to the Chamber of Mines “Guidelines for the rehabilitation of mined land” (2007). Five of the seven reclaimed sites within the study area exceeded the planned land capability proportions determined during the pre-mining stage. A top soil balance done at the end of January 2010 however indicates that the available volume of soil resource at the mine will not suffice the amount needed to achieve the planned land capability in areas not yet reclaimed. It is suggested that the lack of an adequate soil monitoring and management strategy in the past, has led to the shortfall of the available soil resource at the mine. The soil monitoring and reconciliation strategy developed will hopefully assist mine managers and rehabilitation planners to prevent further soil loss at the mine.

Land degradation has been a global agenda. It has been affecting both developed and developing nations (including Ethiopia). The overall objective of the study was to assess the impact of landscape restoration (including area closure) on the environment and farmers‘ livelihood in Hita-Borkena watershed, northeastern Ethiopia. Three Landsat images (1986, 2001 and 2015) were used to detect land cover dynamics. Laboratory analysis of selected soil physico-chemical properties were made to compare the soil properties of closed/restored and open grazing areas. Household questionnaire was administered to investigate environmental problems before and after landscape restoration, the role of area closure and different conservation measures, and the impact of the restoration on farmers‘ livelihood. A total of 255 household heads were selected randomly for the questionnaire survey. This survey was also substantiated by interviewing agricultural experts, observation and reviewing reports prepared by Kalu District Agriculture Office. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze quantitative data. Besides, qualitative approach was implemented in order to analyze qualitative data. The study found out that forestlands and shrublands shrunk through 1986 – 2015, grasslands expanded mainly due to the implementation of area closure under MERET project since 2001. The study revealed that better organic matter, total nitrogen, clay and silt contents, CEC and total porosity were recorded under area closure than under open grazing land. However, both available P and K were found minimum under the former land use type. This may be due to the reason that such nutrients exist more in unavailable form or it may be because of the fact that large amount of those nutrients are extracted by the restored vegetation. The study showed that rates of soil erosion, overgrazing and illegal cutting of trees were relatively higher before landscape restoration. The respondents also appreciated the positive role of land restoration in improving the fertility of the soils of the study watershed and then the positive impact to their livelihood. Based on the results of the study, it is recommended that similar restoration activities shall be implemented in similar environments in Ethiopia to improve both the environment and farmers‘ livelihood
Geography
Ph. D. (Geography)