Towards the development of species-specific fish production models for small reservoirs in Southern Africa
- Authors: Potts, Warren M
- Date: 2004
- Subjects: Freshwater fishes -- Africa, Southern Fish populations -- Africa, Southern Fisheries -- Africa, Southern Sustainable fisheries -- Africa, Southern Labeo -- Reproduction Cyprinidae -- Africa, Southern
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5330 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005176
- Description: The fish populations in small southern African reservoirs are largely unexploited and there is potential for fisheries development. However, the development of sustainable fisheries requires reliable estimates of potential yield or production. Empirical models that have been developed to predict fish production only apply to large water bodies and only predict total fish production, not the production of individual species. Small reservoirs generally have few commercially important species and therefore species-specific fish production models are an alternative approach. The small reservoirs of the Eastern Cape are dominated by the moggel (Labeo umbratus). The principal objectives of this thesis were to gain an understanding of the ecology of small reservoirs and the function of moggel in these systems. This information was used to design a research approach to rapidly develop species-specific models for small reservoirs in southern Africa. The limnology of two small reservoirs was compared. During the study period the reservoirs were turbid and showed a warm, monomictic pattern of thermal stratification. Anthropogenic pressure in the reservoir catchments appeared to be the overriding factor increasing the nutrient input to the reservoirs and consequently, influencing the biomass of algae in the reservoirs. The feeding biology of moggel in Katriver and Laing reservoirs was examined. Moggel are detrivorous and successfully digested diatoms. The slower growth rate of moggel in Katriver reservoir was attributed to the poorer nutritional value of the diet as a consequence of the lower concentration of diatoms in the detrital aggregate. The reproductive characteristics of moggel were examined in four reservoirs. Moggel were able to reproduce successfully in the reservoirs. This could be attributed to their r-selected reproductive strategy, with a high fecundity and an extended spawning season and their ability to spawn in a floodplain environment. Differences in recruitment success between years were found to be a consequence of the timing and duration of seasonal rains. The number of mature females in a population and the availability of suitable spawning habitat influenced recruitment success. The life history of the moggel in five reservoirs was compared. Growth appeared to be related to food availability, while mortality was lower in the populations where food was abundant and there were less predatory species. Size and age at maturity were not affected by environmental factors, but were dependent on growth and mortality. Three contrasting methods were used to estimate moggel gillnet selectivity. The Sechin, direct fyke net method and length-structured model all yielded similar results and correction factors obtained from the selectivity study were applied to the gillnet data to estimate the fish population size and structure in each reservoir. Using information from the life history and selectivity studies, the biomass and production of five moggel populations was estimated and related to abiotic and biotic factors in the reservoirs and their catchments. Moggel biomass and production was dependent on the biomass of algae, which was dependent on morphoedaphic characteristics of the reservoirs. Small, shallow reservoirs with a reasonable amount of human habitation in their catchments would sustain the highest algal biomass and provided they had adequate spawning habitat would also have the highest moggel biomass and production. The future research requirements for small reservoir fisheries are outlined and include a three-year program to develop a species-specific production model for any of the dominant species.
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- Date Issued: 2004
Sulphide-enhanced hydrolysis of primary sewage sludge : implications for the bioremediation of sulphate-enriched wastewaters
- Authors: Whittington-Jones, Kevin John
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Bioremediation Sewage sludge Hydrolysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003969
- Description: The potential application of sulphate reducing bacteria for the bioremediation of acid mine drainage has already been recognised, and offers significant financial advantages over conventional chemical treatment approaches. Although the technology has been demonstrated successfully on both small- and large-scale, it’s extensive implementation has been constrained by the provision of suitable and cost effective electron donor and carbon sources. Primary sewage sludge is readily available in large quantities, but the slow rate of solubilization and low yield of soluble products do not apparently favour its use for this application. A number of pre-treatment steps have been introduced in an attempt to improve the yield and rates under methanogenic conditions. However, although early work suggested that degradation of lignocellulose and proteins may be more rapid under sulphate reducing conditions, the fate of primary sewage sludge under these conditions has been ignored. It was proposed that by combining the hydrolysis of primary sewage sludge and biological sulphate reduction, in a settling sludge bed, both processes would be enhanced. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis on laboratory- and pilot-scale, and attempt to elucidate the underlying mechanism involved. The solubilization of primary sewage sludge was enhanced in the presence of sulphate reduction in continuous laboratory-scale reactors. Particulate matter accumulated in the bed of non-sulphidogenic systems, but not in sulphidogenic ones. This was attributed to increased solubilization and the smaller average floc size in the latter. Solubilization occurred within the settling sludge bed of the reactors, and offered a possible explanation for the better performance of the multiple- over single-stage reactor. A pilot-scale Falling Sludge Bed Reactor was constructed at Grootvlei Gold Mine, Springs, South Africa, and resulted in the solubilization of more than 70% of the influent primary sewage sludge. The system was also found to be highly resilient to severe perturbations, and returned rapidly to steady-state. Flask studies revealed that the hydrolysis of both proteins and complex carbohydrates was accelerated in the presence of biological sulphate reduction or sulphide. A study of the enzymology of sludge digestion revealed that sulphate reduction had little direct effect on the activity of the hydrolytic enzymes, but that reactor design was critical in the prevention of washout of these enzymes. Finally, a descriptive model was developed to explain the enhanced hydrolysis of primary sewage sludge. The model incorporated the effect of sulphidogenesis on floc fracture and reflocculation, and likely implications for mass transfer limitations.
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- Date Issued: 2000
Student-teachers' perspectives of the role of environmental education in geography education
- Authors: Symmonds, Joanne
- Date: 1997
- Subjects: Geography -- Study and teaching -- Environmental aspects Environmental education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1776 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003661
- Description: The ideas contained in socially critical Environmental Education cannot be ignored given the current environmental crisis and the need to achieve democracy in South African society. In order to achieve this learners need to develop the skills to make informed decisions which will facilitate the achievement of a sustainable society. It is the contention of this research that a socially critical Environmental Education approach to education can facilitate the above. Teachers of formal secondary school Geography Education are in the position to implement socially critical Environmental Education into their teaching. This study therefore investigates the perspectives of student teachers regarding the role of Environmental Education in secondary school Geography Education. This was done within the Interpretative Paradigm using a case study which involved five Higher Diploma in Education Geography method students. The research has revealed that even though the Geography method students have been exposed to an Environmental Education course, in their teaching preparation and are motivated to use it, they have limited understanding of the theory underpinning Environmental Education and how to apply it to their Geography teaching. The problems of bridging theory and practice was apparent. Recommendations are made as how to best facilitate the gap between theory and practice.
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- Date Issued: 1997
Anorogenic alkaline ring-type complexes of the Damaraland Province, Namibia, and their economic potential
- Authors: Potgieter, J E
- Date: 1987
- Subjects: Alkalic igneous rocks -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4907 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001567
- Description: Anorogenic alkaline ring-type complexes form within continental plate settings. Alkaline magmatism is derived from the upper mantle, in which mantle metasomatism plays an important part, as well as from partial melting of the lower crust. Radial and concentric fractures develop during the ascent of alkaline magma. Extrusion of basic and felsic magma takes place along these fractures with felsic volcanics building-up central volcanoes. As a result of emptying of the magma chamber, the superstructure of the volcano collapses and a caldera is formed. During the caldera stage syenitic and granitic material are intruded into ring fractures. Alkaline ring-type complexes may be classified as (i) alkaline qranite and syenite-type and (ii) carbonatite and undersaturated-type. These ring-type complexes occur as distinct igneous provinces. Some major provinces occur in Brazil, Corsica, Namibia, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi-Arabia and Sudan. In Namibia the Damaraland igneous province is of Mesozoic aqe and it contains 15 alkaline ring-type complexes . These complexes are situated along north-eastern trends which correspond to transform directions of the South Atlantic. During the opening of the South Atlantic (Gondwana breakup) Pan-African age lineaments were reactivated which allowed emplacement of anorogenic alkaline magmatism. A zonation of alkaline granite and syenitetype in the west and carbonatite and undersaturated-type ring-complexes in the east correlates with down- and upwarp axes parallel to the line of Gondwana fragmentation. Alkali- and H⁺-metasomatism is related to the alkaline and syenite-type whereas alkali metasomatism (fenitization) is associated with carbonatite and undersaturated-type ring-complexes. Sn, W and Ta mineralization is associated with alkaline granites of some of the alkaline granite and syenite-type ring-complexes. Fe, F, PO₄ , Nb, Th, REE, Sr, Zn and Pb mineralization is associated with carbonatite complexes. Potential exists for: (i) porphyry Cu-Mo and epithermal-type (Au, Ag, Pt-metals, base metals) mineralization in the alkaline granite and syenite-type ring-complexes and (ii) disseminated Cu, Au, Aq and Pt-metals in carbonatite and undersaturated-type ring-complexes
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- Date Issued: 1987
Effect of anticonvulsant agents on pineal gland indole metabolism
- Authors: Morton, Dougal John
- Date: 1983
- Subjects: Pineal gland -- Metabolism Anticonvulsants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3844 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009518
- Description: Preface: The general indications that the pineal gland might be involved in homeostasis, and more specifically the evidence suggesting a role in amelioration of seizure states warranted further investigation . No reports had examined a possible link between anticonvulsant drug administration and pineal gland function, and few enabled any type of presumption to be made as to possible effects. This study was an attempt to evaluate in which ways anticonvulsant drugs might alter pineal gland indole metabolism, with a view to increasing understanding of the role of the pineal in modulation of epileptic discharges. In order to make the study as meaningful as possible extensive preliminary investigations were necessary. Pharmacokinetic determinations gave an indication of tissue concentrations of the drugs, which could then be related to observed effects. As far as possible, where existing information was lacking, the catalytic behaviour of the various enzymes was characterised in order to explain any observed effects at a molecular level. An attempt was also made to characterise the regulatory mechanisms controlling indole metabolism, again in order to define the pharmacological effects exerted by the drugs used. The complexity of the system made it impossible to suggest a single uniform regulatory hypothesis, although some significant observations were made. Finally, the studies involving the anticonvulsant drugs were conducted on intact animals, isolated organs and individual enzymes in an attempt to determine whether the observed effects were occuring at a molecular, local or central level.
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- Date Issued: 1983
The Karoo caterpillar Loxostege Frustalis Zeller (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) in relation to its host plants and natural enemies
- Authors: Möhr, Johann Diederich
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Caterpillars -- South Africa Lepidoptera -- Host plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5604 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002054
- Description: The Karoo is an arid inland plateau in the central and northeastern Cape Province of South Africa and is characterised by sparse, stunted vegetation. The vegetation is rich in species, and over large areas species of Pentzia, which are drought-resistant shrubs, are extremely abundant. These plants are food for stock (mainly sheep), and because the larvae of the Karoo caterpillar periodically occur in sufficient numbers to defoliate the plants, they assume pest status. Fully-fed Loxostege frustalis larvae construct cases in the soil beneath their food plants and they overwinter in these cases. A census of the numbers of larval cases accumulated in the soil, conducted from 1975 to 1980, showed that an expanded distribution of the pentzias is responsible for the periodic larval outbreaks. Further, alternate food plants are an important food supply for L. frustalis larvae when they disperse under crowded conditions The census data for L. frustalis were analysed by constructing partial life tables for the life-history period from case construction to moth emergence. The mortality of 'encased larvae' is useful for assessing the impact of the known L. frustalis natural enemies. The most important natural enemies were the braconids Chelonus curvimaculatus Cameron, Macrocentrus maraisi Nixon and the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin. The collective responses of all the natural enemies to the density of L. frustalis encased larvae was direct, but undercompensating, so that areas with more pentzias produced more L. frustais. Strategies for immediate measures to alleviate the Karoo caterpillar problem, and for future research, are discussed. It is concluded that reduction of pentzia populations to acceptable levels and/or supplementing pastures with non-host plants of L. frustalis offer the only practical solutions to the Karoo caterpillar problem. Biological control of L. frustalis is dismissed as an option for reducing the pest status of the Karoo caterpillar
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- Date Issued: 1982
A study of factors affecting precision in atomic absorption spectrometry
- Authors: Roos, Johannes Tielman Hofmeyr
- Date: 1976
- Subjects: Atomic absorption spectroscopy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4490 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013080
- Description: 1. The effect of deviations from Beer's law on the precision of atomic absorption analysis has been examined from a theoretical point of view, and a function has been derived which makes it possible to evaluate quantitatively the effect of calibration curvature on the precision of analysis. The influence of incomplete sample volatilization on calibration curvature has been briefly investigated. 2. Possible error sources in atomic absorption spectrometry have been classified according to the "error function" (i.e., the dependence, upon transmittance T, of the uncertainty dT in a given transmittance measurement) with which they are associated. The magnitude of the contribution from each component function to the overall error function has been evaluated quantitatively, and it has been shown that the major component in nearly every case examined is that associated with the dynamic nature of the flame. Concentration ranges for optimum precision are suggested. 3. The effect of varying instrumental parameters on precision has been investigated, and generalized conditions for best precision have been ascertained. 4. The effect of an initial solvent extraction step on the precision of atomic absorption has been investigated for the elements copper and lead. It is shown that solvent extraction may be used to improve both the analytical sensitivity and the precision of analysis when very low concentrations of metal are determined. 5. The precision of analytical methods involving atomic absorption spectrometry has been studied, and the standard deviations compared with those obtained for the analysis of similar samples by means of a variety of other methods of analysis, both instrumental and classical.
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- Date Issued: 1976
Opname van die Kaapse Middelland en Karroogebied: deel 1: n Geografiese studie van die Kaapse middelland- en Karroogebied, met spesiale verwysing na die fisiografie en elemente van bodembenutting
- Authors: Badenhorst, J J
- Date: 1970
- Subjects: Geology -- South Africa Geomorphology -- South Africa Agriculture -- South Africa Orange/fish river project Sheep -- South Africa Goats -- South Africa Chicory -- South Africa Pineapple industry -- South Africa Feeds -- South Africa Forests and forestry -- South Africa Fruit -- South Africa South Africa -- Climate South Africa -- Geography
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Book , Text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/2612 , vital:20309
- Description: In 1966 het die Karoo-ontwikkelingvereniging die Universiteit Rhodes genader met 'n versoek dat die Universiteit Rhodes se Instituut vir Sosiale en Ekonomiese Navorsing 'n sosio-ekonomiese Opname van hulle streek sou maak om 'n feitegrondslag vir ontwikkelingsbeplanning te verskaf in afwagting van die voltooiing van die Oranjerivier-projek. Soortgelyke versoeke is van die Middellande-Ontwikkelingsvereniging en die Vereniging van Openbare Liggame van die Suid-Oostelike Distrikte ontvang. Nadat die Departement van Beplanning, wat die idee van 'n streeksopname sterk ondersteun het, geraadpleeg is, is daar ooreengekom dat hoewel Port Elizabeth en sy agterland 'n gemeenskaplike ekonomiese eenheid vorm, die gebied onderverdeel kon word, en dat die Universiteit van Port Elizabeth verantwoordelikheid vir die stedelike gebied Port Elizabeth en Uitenhage sou aanvaar, en die Universiteit Rhodes, deur die Instituut vir Sosiale en Ekonomiese Navorsing die Opname van die binnelandse gebiede sou lei. , Digitised by Rhodes University Library on behalf of the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER)
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- Date Issued: 1970
Electron precipitation and ionospheric disturbance
- Authors: Torr, Marsha R
- Date: 1966
- Subjects: Electrons , Electron precipitation , Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5509 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007691
- Description: From Introduction: The minimum in the scalar magnitude of the geographic total field, which lies off the coast of Brazil, allows the mirror points of trapped particles to dip low into the atmosphere over the South Atlantic Ocean, resulting in two regions of maximum intensity of preciptated particles in that region, one from the inner belt and one from the outer. High charged particle fluxes have been observed at low altitudes over these regions by satellites Sputnik 5 and 6 (Ginsburg et al, 1961) and Discoverer 31 (Seward and Kornblum, 1963) amongst others. The more southerly of these two regions acts as a sink for electrons from the outer radiation belt and will be referred to in what follows as the Southern Radiation Anomaly. Gladhill and van Rooyen (1963) predicted that the energy deposited in the upper atmosphere by these charged particles would be sufficient to give rise to enhanced geophysical effects such as auroral emission, X-rays and ionization and heating of the upper atmosphere in this region. Although some of these effects have been correlated with precipitated electrons, no definite relation had until now been established between ionospheric effects and precipitated particles. The aim of this thesis was to investigate such a relationship and the results were extremely successful. It will be shown conclusively in what follows, that the precipitation of electrons can account for the ionospheric disturbances defined by a disturbance criterion at all stations around L=4. Part I describes the exploration of the radiation belts and the magnetosphere with rockets and satellites. The resulting theoretical models based on the observations are discussed. A brief review is given of the work that has been done to date to derive equations for the loss and replenishment of particles in the belts. Because of the complexity of these and the number of doubtful factors involved, a simple model of injection of electrons into the outer belt is devised, giving average values of trapped and precipitated electron fluxes at any point around L=4. In Part II, this model is employed together with the disturbance criterion of Gledhill and Torr (1965) to examine the relationship between ionospheric disturbances and electron fluxes. Also the energy range of the precipitated particles is examined.
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- Date Issued: 1966
Studies on Paragus (Diptera, Syrphidae)
- Authors: Stuckenberg, B R
- Date: 1953
- Subjects: Syrphidae , Diptera
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5887 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1013321
- Description: As several new species are described in this thesis its full value can only be realised by its publication, and it has therefore been prepared with that end in view. The subject matter is divided into two parts, each of which has been treated quite independently of the other. Both parts are presented here in the form in which they have been offered for publication. The first paper consists of a systematic study of a complex of species within the genus Paragus. It includes descriptions of four new species, a new subspecies, an allotype, and redescriptions of two incompletely defined species. This paper has been offered for publication in the Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London. The second part consists of a study of all the Ethiopian species of Paragus except those covered by the first paper. It includes the definition of a new subgenus, and descriptions of two new species and three allotypes. It has been sent for publication in the "Revue Zoologie et Botanique de Africaine" at the invitation of Dr. P. Basilewsky of the Musee du Congo Belge, Tervuren.
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- Date Issued: 1953