NATURAL RESOURCE ACCOUNTS FOR THE STATE AND ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF FORESTS AND WOODLAND RESOURCES IN SWAZILAND

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The effect of microwave treatment on potassium promoted iron Fischer-Tropsch catalysts

Microwave-assisted pre-treatment is a fast, selective and volumetric method used to activate catalysts. The advantages of using microwave radiation emanate from its ability to transfer energy directly to the reactive species (called molecular heating), thereby promoting transformations that are not possible using conventional heating. In this work the unique microwave heating properties have been used for the modification of iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts in the solid state. The effect of the potassium loading on the microwave effect is presented. A series of unsupported and silica supported iron FT catalysts were prepared using the continuous precipitation and the incipient wetness impregnation techniques. The amount of the potassium promoter was varied from 0.2 to 1.5 wt. % in the catalysts. Microwave pre-treatment (10 seconds, 450 W) was then done prior to catalyst characterization and evaluation. The bulk properties of the catalysts were characterized using XRF, BET, TPR, XRD, TEM and EDS techniques and the surface properties were determined by temperature programmed surface reaction-mass spectrometry (TPSR-MS). The results showed that microwave pre-treatment modified the surface but not the bulk properties of the K/Fe and the K/Fe/SiO2 catalysts. Catalytic properties of the catalysts were evaluated using FTS and increases in the olefin selectivity and the α value were found with the microwaved catalysts. Differences in the data recorded for the microwaved and the non-microwaved samples were taken to be induced by microwave pre-treatment since all other parameters were kept constant in all reactions. TPSR profiles (methane profiles) were used to study the carbon chemisorption behaviour of the catalyst surface. Peak areas were used to determine the type and amount of carbon species deposited on the catalyst. Microwave pre-treatment was seen to increase the amount of methane produced in the TPSR experiments, indicative of an increase in the number of active sites. The increase was observed to be dependant on the potassium loading in the catalyst. It is suggested that microwave modification promotes the migration of potassium ions to the surface of the catalyst. The effects of the microwave irradiation time and the catalyst preparation method were also investigated

An environmental liability and risk management approach to landfill groundwater quality monitoring in South Africa.

ABSTRACT Governments and companies are continually faced with a challenge to effectively manage all risks so as to protect their assets, financial health, property, reputation, constituents, and natural resources. “Risk management is the decision-making process whereby a policy or regulation is developed after a risk has been identified and is integrated with other issues including political, social, historical, and economic factors” (Zondi, 2000). In South Africa, environmental risk (i.e. risks associated with environmental damage and compliance) in waste management is currently considered in the setting of standards for landfill siting, design and water quality monitoring. It is the author’s opinion that this current approach has been poorly managed because potential sources of major environmental liability have not been identified and quantified (DWAF, 1998). Environmental liability is defined as the obligation to compensate or restore the environmental damage caused by the past, use, release, or threatened release of a particular substance; or by other activities that adversely affect the environment and/or human health (ICMA, 2001). The author looks at a case study of a landfill in Johannesburg highlighting their implementation of the water quality monitoring plan and proposes that the monitoring plan be integrated into a proposed environmental liability and risk management approach to managing ground water pollution from landfill sites. As not every landfill is the same as the other, a comprehensive analysis as stated in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) Minimum Requirements (1998) is used to gather a list of relevant parameters for that landfill. The comprehensive analysis constitutes macro-constituents and all other constituents likely to be present in quantities higher than the normal background values or to contaminate the groundwater storage (aquifer) in the future. Once done, the landfill operator can then discuss with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) on how to prioritise the parameters. They would also decide which parameters are to be used for the regular indicator analysis when monitoring because of cost reasons. All the parameters above background value are to be used as environmental liability parameters for that landfill site. The indicator analysis constitutes measurement of the most likely parameters that would, at an early stage, indicate the possibility of groundwater pollution. It is to be used in the regular monitoring exercises at the landfill by the operator. If an indicator parameter exceeds standards, a full comprehensive analysis must be performed and reported to DEAT. Each environmental liability parameter will be assigned a penalty charge and weight depending on a number of factors including: • Location of the landfill i.e. distance to acquifer and GW level • Geology of area • Type of aquifer • Type of landfill i.e. General of Hazardous • Risk level of that parameter to human health i.e. Health Risk Assessment The author proposes the introduction of an environmental liability costs fund with a compulsory monthly fee, which will be set up by both the landfill operator and the relevant government department. The water quality monitoring protocol will not differ much from the present structure. If pollution is shown during detection monitoring and a further detailed investigation indicates that exposure is higher than allowable limits, then a combined environmental liability penalty will be evaluated and the monetary value will be charged into the landfill operator’s account in the liability costs fund, although the landfill operator and DEAT can decide to use another method to determine the environmental liability e.g. liability insurance assessors. If the penalty required exceeds what has been accumulated in the liability fund account, then the difference will be demanded directly from the landfill operator. If the quarterly monitoring reports compiled by the operators show no mitigation claims into the liability find then the money accumulates in their account and a certain percentage will be paid back to the landfill operator as an incentive

In-Service Support for a Technological Approach to Science Education

Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

Management of HIV-associated cryptococcal disease in South Africa

P

The legal abolition of racial discrimination and its aftermath : The case of Swaziland, 1945-1973

Despite abundant evidence that race has been a significant factor in informing historical processes in Swaziland there is presently no major study that focusses on the theme. The main aim of the current thesis is to examine the impact of discriminatory policies and practices in the country by analyzing the reaction of different sections of the society to formal and informal discrimination. While focussing on the period between 1945 and 1973 the thesis traces the evolution of Swaziland’s racial history dating back to the 1840s. The thesis also shows how the conditions created by the intervention of the colonial state as well as competing white interests between 1903 and 1944 deepened political and economic inequality in the country. In parallel, the thesis explores Swazi agency as was manifested through the reactions and initiatives of the monarchy when it stood up to challenge discriminatory policies and practices which were being applied to blacks. This was strongly indicated from the 1930s when a revived cultural nationalism was embraced by the Swazi monarchy to articulate Swazi grievances. To highlight contradictions in Swaziland’s racial patterns Coloured identity is discussed extensively. The thesis also explores the manner in which the Swazi educated elite confronted racial discrimination and argues that their approach was inadequate in alleviating racial injustices as they were experienced by most Swazis in different places. The central argument of the thesis, therefore, is that the formal abolition of discrimination in Swaziland in 1961 is to be understood against the anti - colonial politics in the post - World War II era. The thesis contends that the abolition of racial discrimination by the Swaziland colonial administration was largely a diplomatic gesture necessitated by the local and contemporary political climate as well as changing international relations of the 1960s including developments in the Union / Republic of South Africa. Finally, the thesis observes that since the outlawing of discrimination was not necessarily an indication of government’s political commitment to confronting racism the post - abolition period was not a fundamental departure from the pre - abolition era. Discriminatory attitudes and practices persisted in covert as well as overt, but, subtle forms in most spheres of Swazi society and particularly at the work place. This thesis also observes that the lack of holistic strategies to curb racially inspired practices led to unabated manifestations of discrimination in the country

No. 12: The State of Food Insecurity in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is the economic hub of South Africa and the Southern African region. At the same time, it is a city of extremes which juxtaposes ostentatious wealth and conspicuous consumption with grinding poverty and food insecurity. Not enough is known about the prevalence and nature of food insecurity in the city, making it dif!cult to challenge and plan to reduce the urban food gap. This paper uses AFSUN data from three lower-income areas of the city (Alexandra, Orange Farm and the Inner City) to examine the characteristics and drivers of food insecurity in Johannesburg. Despite high overall levels of food insecurity, the three study areas exhibited important differences. While the proportion of food secure households was similar in each area, the proportion of severely food insecure households was highest in the informal settlement of Orange Farm and lowest in Alexandra. Household food insecurity is directly linked to household income as the vast majority of food consumed is purchased not grown. In general, the poorer the household, the greater the proportion of household income that is spent on food. Households rely signi!cantly on supermarkets and the informal food economy as food sources. Less than ten percent are involved in any form of urban agriculture or receive food transfers directly from rural areas. This paper also shows that food insecurity correlates with poor health outcomes and concludes with a discussion of the policy implications of the AFSUN study

The transboundary transportation of pollutants from The Zambian Copperbelt

Master of Science - ScienceThe transportation of aerosols and trace gas material from industrial activities and biomass burning in southern Africa has received widespread attention from scientists over the past decade. Dominant circulation patterns in the sub-region facilitate the southward transportation of sulphur pollutants from the pyromerturllugical processing of copper in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and products of biomass burning from countries in the sub-region in general. This research focuses on the contribution of industrial pollutants from the Zambian Copperbelt and products of biomass burning in the sub-region to total aerosol loading over South Africa. The seasonality of air transport over the region in general, and South Africa in particular, is determined from different transport fields and their frequency of occurrence. Data supplied by the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) has been used to run trajectories for the summer, autumn, winter and spring seasons for southern Africa for the years 1990-1994. Forward trajectories have been calculated for the 850, 800, 750 and 700hPa geopotential heights, from Kitwe (12.9° S, 28.2° E, 1262m above mean sea level), at 2.5° resolution. The wall programme has been used as a tool for analysis. Trajectories show widespread recirculation over the subcontinent, resulting in a net transportation of sulphate aerosols from the Zambian Copperbelt. Biomass burning products are likely to join this plume, especially during the late winter and spring seasons. During the summer, air transport is mainly to the west, via Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, off the eastern Atlantic towards southern America