Towards a sustainable bioprocess for the remediation of acid mine drainage
- Authors: Mambo, Mutsa Prudence
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006167 , Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Description: Acid mine drainage is of growing concern for both developing and developed economies. Thus there is increasing pressure to develop alternative remediation strategies. Biological sulphidogenic mechanisms have long since been studied but, very few have been implemented on a large scale. Limitations are due to the inability to acquire a suitable, low cost, environmentally friendly, renewable carbon source. The present study investigated the use of an algae biomass generated by the HRAOP of an IAPS as a carbon source for the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium. The algae biomass and consortium were utilized together to remediate simulated AMD. Remediation involved decreasing the sulphate and metal concentrations in solution and decreasing the acidity of a simulated AMD. Experiments were carried out to investigate the capability of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. The consortium produced colonies when grown under anaerobic conditions in Petri dishes containing modified lactate SRB medium. The SRB consortium reduced the sulphate concentration of modified Postgates medium B and generated sulphide. Further analysis of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium revealed that the consortium was minimally impacted at pH 5 and by sulphate and iron at 3 g.L-1 and 0.5 g.L-1 respectively. The EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium was exposed to Actinomycin D and Ethidium Bromide to determine whether transcription and translation of proteins was required for sulphate reduction. Results indicated that sulphide generation and sulphate reduction were inducible. Analysis of the algae biomass used in this study revealed the empirical formula C1.0H1.91N0.084S0.003O0.36 indicating a carbon source rich in the nutrients required to sustain microbial development. Light microscopy revealed that algae cell walls and in particular those of Pediastrum were susceptible to acid hydrolysis. Dinitrosalicylic acid, Nile red, Bradford and Ninhydrin assays were used to determine the reducing sugar, lipid, protein and amino acid content respectively, of the mixed algae biomass. Results showed that upon exposure of the biomass to simulated AMD at pH 1 and pH 3, the concentration of reducing sugars and amino acids in solution increased. Whereas levels of lipids remained unchanged while the protein concentration decreased, indicating that, upon exposure of algae biomass to AMD, simulated or otherwise, cells ruptured, proteins were hydrolyzed and polysaccharides were broken down to sugars which are immediately available for SRB utilization. Exposure of biomass to simulated AMD revealed further that the presence of algae biomass increased the pH of simulated AMD (pH 3) to pH 7.67 after 4 d. Likewise, the pH of simulated AMD at 1 increased to 1.77 after 2 d while pH of the neutral control increased to 8.1 after 4 d. A direct comparison between lactate and algae biomass revealed 94 % sulphate removal after 23 d in the presence of algae biomass while 82 % sulphate removal was measured in the presence of lactate. Thus the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium successfully utilized algae biomass for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. In another experiment to establish if the consortium could remediate simulated AMD (pH 5) containing 0.5 g.L-1 iron and 3 g.L-1 sulphate while utilizing an algae biomass as the carbon source no residual iron was detected after 14 d and by day 23, an 89.07 % reduction in sulphate was measured. The results of this investigation are discussed in terms of utilizing a readily available and renewable biomass in the form of microalgae produced in HRAOPs as an effective carbon source in the SRB catalysed remediation of AMD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Mambo, Mutsa Prudence
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006167 , Acid mine drainage , Algae culture , Reduction (Chemistry) , Hydrolysis , ASPAM model (Acid mine drainage) , Water -- Purification
- Description: Acid mine drainage is of growing concern for both developing and developed economies. Thus there is increasing pressure to develop alternative remediation strategies. Biological sulphidogenic mechanisms have long since been studied but, very few have been implemented on a large scale. Limitations are due to the inability to acquire a suitable, low cost, environmentally friendly, renewable carbon source. The present study investigated the use of an algae biomass generated by the HRAOP of an IAPS as a carbon source for the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium. The algae biomass and consortium were utilized together to remediate simulated AMD. Remediation involved decreasing the sulphate and metal concentrations in solution and decreasing the acidity of a simulated AMD. Experiments were carried out to investigate the capability of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. The consortium produced colonies when grown under anaerobic conditions in Petri dishes containing modified lactate SRB medium. The SRB consortium reduced the sulphate concentration of modified Postgates medium B and generated sulphide. Further analysis of the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium revealed that the consortium was minimally impacted at pH 5 and by sulphate and iron at 3 g.L-1 and 0.5 g.L-1 respectively. The EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium was exposed to Actinomycin D and Ethidium Bromide to determine whether transcription and translation of proteins was required for sulphate reduction. Results indicated that sulphide generation and sulphate reduction were inducible. Analysis of the algae biomass used in this study revealed the empirical formula C1.0H1.91N0.084S0.003O0.36 indicating a carbon source rich in the nutrients required to sustain microbial development. Light microscopy revealed that algae cell walls and in particular those of Pediastrum were susceptible to acid hydrolysis. Dinitrosalicylic acid, Nile red, Bradford and Ninhydrin assays were used to determine the reducing sugar, lipid, protein and amino acid content respectively, of the mixed algae biomass. Results showed that upon exposure of the biomass to simulated AMD at pH 1 and pH 3, the concentration of reducing sugars and amino acids in solution increased. Whereas levels of lipids remained unchanged while the protein concentration decreased, indicating that, upon exposure of algae biomass to AMD, simulated or otherwise, cells ruptured, proteins were hydrolyzed and polysaccharides were broken down to sugars which are immediately available for SRB utilization. Exposure of biomass to simulated AMD revealed further that the presence of algae biomass increased the pH of simulated AMD (pH 3) to pH 7.67 after 4 d. Likewise, the pH of simulated AMD at 1 increased to 1.77 after 2 d while pH of the neutral control increased to 8.1 after 4 d. A direct comparison between lactate and algae biomass revealed 94 % sulphate removal after 23 d in the presence of algae biomass while 82 % sulphate removal was measured in the presence of lactate. Thus the EBRU 00AB/06 SRB consortium successfully utilized algae biomass for sulphate reduction and sulphide generation. In another experiment to establish if the consortium could remediate simulated AMD (pH 5) containing 0.5 g.L-1 iron and 3 g.L-1 sulphate while utilizing an algae biomass as the carbon source no residual iron was detected after 14 d and by day 23, an 89.07 % reduction in sulphate was measured. The results of this investigation are discussed in terms of utilizing a readily available and renewable biomass in the form of microalgae produced in HRAOPs as an effective carbon source in the SRB catalysed remediation of AMD.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
'n Ontleding van die reisgedigte van Joan Hambidge in 'Visums by verstek'
- Authors: Koen, Dewald
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African literature , Authors, African , Travel writing
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8462 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010652 , African literature , Authors, African , Travel writing
- Description: Reisbeskrywings, en veral die reispoësie as genre, het met die aanbreek van die twintigste eeu „n opbloei binne die Afrikaanse letterkunde beleef. Talle Afrikaanse skrywers en digters het na verskillende kontinente gereis en hul ondervindinge in roman, dagboek of joernaalvorm aangeteken. Die Afrikaanse skrywers sluit hulself gevolglik aan by die tradisie van die reisbeskrywing wat reeds eeue lank deel vorm van die globale literêre kanon. Reispoësie kom veral voor in die werk van digters soos C. Louis Leipoldt, Uys Krige, W.E.G. Louw, N.P. van Wyk Louw, D.J. Opperman, Breyten Breytenbach, Lina Spies, Petra Muller, Joan Hambidge en meer onlangs Melt Myburgh. Dit is veral Hambidge wat oor reis in haar poësie skryf. In 2011 verskyn „n versameling van Hambidge se reisgedigte wat sedert 1985-2010 in van haar bundels verskyn het onder die titel Visums by verstek – ‘n Keur uit die reisgedigte van Joan Hambidge. Hambidge bespreek sekere deurlopende temas in haar gedigte. Die temas sluit in: die poësie en die verhouding tussen die liefde en die poësie, die mens as alleenreisiger deur die wêreld, die dood en die huldiging van gestorwenes asook die beskrywing van sekere gebeurtenisse in die wêreldgeskiedenis. In hierdie skripsie word gefokus op die ontleding van Hambidge se reisgedigte wat onder drie verwante temas bespreek word naamlik die stad as vreemde rumite, reis as metafoor vir ontvlugting van die geliefde en reis as kreatiewe stimulus. Hierdie ondersoek geskied aan die hand van onder meer Pratt se konsep van “kontaksones”. Reispoësie word binne die konteks van globalisasie as „n belangrike bron van inligting en inspirasie beskou aangesien dit tot „n nuwe geslag wêreldreisigers spreek wat opnuut die literêre waarde van die reisbeskrywing- en poësie ontdek het.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Koen, Dewald
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: African literature , Authors, African , Travel writing
- Language: Afrikaans
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:8462 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1010652 , African literature , Authors, African , Travel writing
- Description: Reisbeskrywings, en veral die reispoësie as genre, het met die aanbreek van die twintigste eeu „n opbloei binne die Afrikaanse letterkunde beleef. Talle Afrikaanse skrywers en digters het na verskillende kontinente gereis en hul ondervindinge in roman, dagboek of joernaalvorm aangeteken. Die Afrikaanse skrywers sluit hulself gevolglik aan by die tradisie van die reisbeskrywing wat reeds eeue lank deel vorm van die globale literêre kanon. Reispoësie kom veral voor in die werk van digters soos C. Louis Leipoldt, Uys Krige, W.E.G. Louw, N.P. van Wyk Louw, D.J. Opperman, Breyten Breytenbach, Lina Spies, Petra Muller, Joan Hambidge en meer onlangs Melt Myburgh. Dit is veral Hambidge wat oor reis in haar poësie skryf. In 2011 verskyn „n versameling van Hambidge se reisgedigte wat sedert 1985-2010 in van haar bundels verskyn het onder die titel Visums by verstek – ‘n Keur uit die reisgedigte van Joan Hambidge. Hambidge bespreek sekere deurlopende temas in haar gedigte. Die temas sluit in: die poësie en die verhouding tussen die liefde en die poësie, die mens as alleenreisiger deur die wêreld, die dood en die huldiging van gestorwenes asook die beskrywing van sekere gebeurtenisse in die wêreldgeskiedenis. In hierdie skripsie word gefokus op die ontleding van Hambidge se reisgedigte wat onder drie verwante temas bespreek word naamlik die stad as vreemde rumite, reis as metafoor vir ontvlugting van die geliefde en reis as kreatiewe stimulus. Hierdie ondersoek geskied aan die hand van onder meer Pratt se konsep van “kontaksones”. Reispoësie word binne die konteks van globalisasie as „n belangrike bron van inligting en inspirasie beskou aangesien dit tot „n nuwe geslag wêreldreisigers spreek wat opnuut die literêre waarde van die reisbeskrywing- en poësie ontdek het.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Leveraging shop floor management to create an organization of self managed people at SA canopy
- Authors: Swart, Jacques
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Industrial management -- South Africa , Production management -- South Africa , Teams in the workplace -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8785 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013753
- Description: All world class manufacturing organizations have shop floor management in place. Shop floor management principles and tools are utilised to plan and to react in out of control conditions. Shop floor management is also utilised to involve people in decision making and to encourage continuous improvement. Various shop floor management principles exist and are applied differently depending on the nature of the business, however all these principles are present in all the companies researched. SA Canopy currently applies very little or no shop floor management principles. To be able to achieve its objectives and mission set by the new shareholders, shop floor excellence must be achieved. The objective of the study was to establish shop floor management principles utilised by the automotive industry as well as best in class organizations. To achieve this, a comprehensive literature study was performed on shop floor management. A questionnaire and audit schedule was designed based on guidelines in the literature study in order to establish what shop floor management principles are being utilised in the industry. The researcher used random sampling methods in distributing the questionnaire. An internal audit of the companies was conducted to support the responses in from the questionnaires. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey in order to indentify shop floor management principles which would be suitable for SA Canopy. The following main recommendations were made: In order for SA canopy to achieve its objectives the company needs to develop a mission statement for everyone to work towards; SA Canopy needs to become more customer and supplier orientated. This will improve the overall performance of the business in respect of cost, quality and output; It is important that SA Canopy promotes teamwork so as to create a culture of continuous improvement; Problem solving skills need to be developed in the organization; Roles of Supervision need to be clearly defined and development programmes need to be put in place for supervision; A management process similar to the “Plan, Do, Check, Action “needs to be put in place to ensure effective actioning and monitoring of improvements and performance of stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Swart, Jacques
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Industrial management -- South Africa , Production management -- South Africa , Teams in the workplace -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8785 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013753
- Description: All world class manufacturing organizations have shop floor management in place. Shop floor management principles and tools are utilised to plan and to react in out of control conditions. Shop floor management is also utilised to involve people in decision making and to encourage continuous improvement. Various shop floor management principles exist and are applied differently depending on the nature of the business, however all these principles are present in all the companies researched. SA Canopy currently applies very little or no shop floor management principles. To be able to achieve its objectives and mission set by the new shareholders, shop floor excellence must be achieved. The objective of the study was to establish shop floor management principles utilised by the automotive industry as well as best in class organizations. To achieve this, a comprehensive literature study was performed on shop floor management. A questionnaire and audit schedule was designed based on guidelines in the literature study in order to establish what shop floor management principles are being utilised in the industry. The researcher used random sampling methods in distributing the questionnaire. An internal audit of the companies was conducted to support the responses in from the questionnaires. The opinions of the various respondents were compared with the guidelines provided in the literature survey in order to indentify shop floor management principles which would be suitable for SA Canopy. The following main recommendations were made: In order for SA canopy to achieve its objectives the company needs to develop a mission statement for everyone to work towards; SA Canopy needs to become more customer and supplier orientated. This will improve the overall performance of the business in respect of cost, quality and output; It is important that SA Canopy promotes teamwork so as to create a culture of continuous improvement; Problem solving skills need to be developed in the organization; Roles of Supervision need to be clearly defined and development programmes need to be put in place for supervision; A management process similar to the “Plan, Do, Check, Action “needs to be put in place to ensure effective actioning and monitoring of improvements and performance of stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
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