Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Environmental aspects of Biotechnology'

The development of coal biotechnology, using hard coal as a substrate, has been impeded by its low reactivity in biological processes. As a result, the more successful application studies have focused on lignitic soft coals. However, new studies have reported using biologically or geologically oxidized hard coal as a functional substrate option for bioprocess applications on a large scale. This study undertook a preliminary investigation into the feasibility of environmental applications of coal biotechnology using oxidized hard coal substrates in both anaerobic and aerobic processes with carbon dioxide, sulfate and oxygen as terminal electron acceptors. A preliminary characterization of the oxidized hard coal substrates was undertaken to determine and predict their viability and behavior as electron donors and carbon sources for environmental bioprocess applications of direct interest to the coal mining industry. Both biologically and geologically oxidized coal substrates showed loss of up to 17% and 52% carbon respectively and incorporation of oxygen ranging from 0.9 – 24%. The latter substrate showed greater loss of carbon and increased oxygenation. The biologically and geologically oxidized hard coal substrates were shown to partition readily into 23% and 32% organic humic acid, a 0.1% fulvic acid fraction and 65% and 59% inorganic and humin fractions respectively. These organic components were shown to be potentially available for biological consumption. In the unmodified hard coal substrate, partitioning was not observed and it did not perform as a functional substrate for any of the bioprocesses investigated. Where carbon dioxide was used as a terminal electron acceptor, methane production ranging from 9 – 26 mg CH4.g substrate-1 was demonstrated from both oxidized coal substrates. Geologically oxidized coal produced 30% more methane than biologically oxidized coal. Methane yields from the geologically oxidized coal in the presence and absence of a co-substrate were 5 – 13-fold higher than previous studies that used hard coal for methanogenesis. Based on these results, and that the development and optimization of the biological oxidation process is currently ongoing, further applications investigated in this study were undertaken using geologically oxidized coal. It was shown using pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry that the methanogenic system was dependent on the presence of an effective co-substrate supporting the breakdown of the complex organic structures within the oxidized hard coal substrate. Also that the accumulation of aromatic intermediate breakdown compounds predominantly including toluene, furfural, styrene and 2-methoxy vinyl phenol appeared to become inhibitory to both methanogenic and sulfidogenic reactions. This was shown to be a more likely cause of reactor failure rather than substrate exhaustion over time. Evidence of a reductive degradation pathway of the complex organic structures within the oxidized hard coal substrates was shown through the production, accumulation and utilization of volatile fatty acids including acetic, formic, propionic, butyric and valeric acids. Comparative analysis of the volatile fatty acids produced in this system showed that geologically oxidized coal produced 20% more of the volatile fatty acids profiled and double the total concentration compared to the biologically oxidized coal. The use of geologically oxidized hard coal as a functional substrate for biological sulfate reduction was demonstrated in the neutralization of a simulated acid mine drainage wastewater in both batch and continuous process operations. Results showed an increase in pH from pH 4.0 to ~ pH 8.0 with sulfide production rates of ~ 86 mgL-1.day-1 in the batch reactions, while the pH increased to pH 9.0 and sulfide production rates of up to 450 mgL-1.day-1 were measured in the continuous process studies using sand and coal up-flow packed bed reactors. Again, the requirement for an effective co-substrate was demonstrated with lactate shown to function as a true co-substrate in this system. However, a low cost alternative to lactate would need to emerge if the process was to function in large-scale commercial environmental treatment applications. In this regard, the aerobic growth and production of Neosartorya fischeri biomass (0.64 g.biomass.g SOC-1) was demonstrated using oxidized hard coal and glutamate as a co-substrate. Both can be produced from wastes generated on coal mines, with the fungal biomass generated in potentially large volumes. Preliminary demonstration of the use of the fungal biomass as a carbon and electron donor source for biological sulfate reduction was shown and thus that this could serve as an effective substrate for anaerobic environmental treatment processes. Based on these findings, an Integrated Coal Bioprocess model was proposed using oxidized hard coal as a substrate for environmental remediation applications on coal mines. In this approach, potential applications included methane recovery from waste coal, use of waste coal in the treatment of acid mine drainage waste waters and the recovery and use of humic acids in the rehabilitation of open cast mining soils. This study provided a first report demonstrating the use of biologically and geologically oxidized hard coals as bioprocess substrates in environmental bioremediation applications. It also provided an indication that follow-up bioengineering studies to investigate scaled-up applications of these findings would be warranted.

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2013.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The quality of wine is largely dependent on environmental conditions and recent studies have therefore focused on agricultural practices in terms of water, soil and biodiversity conservation. The industry aims to create sustainable practice and to protect the natural resources available. Sources of potential grape contamination include: vehicle pollution, pesticides, bushfires and wood preservatives used for trellising systems. The latter have come to the attention of the South African wine industry (e.g. creosote and Copper Chromium Arsenate (CCA) products) as they may have consequences for the environment and wine quality. Creosote is a known pollutant of soil and ground water and the volatile fraction has been monitored in air. Plants may also accumulate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which constitute up to 85% of the mass of creosote, and of which some have been proven carcinogenic. Because of the health risks associated with it, creosote has therefore been restricted for use in most applications in Europe, and also in the United States, Canada and Australia. This study focussed on the sensorial and chemical analyses of environmental and wine samples taken from the area around the creosote stockyard to determine accumulation of creosote-derived compounds. Environmental samples were collected and analysed at different distances from the affected area, over two vintages. Wines were made from grapes grown in vineyard blocks adjacent to the stockyard, to determine the effect of distance and skin contact during alcoholic fermentation treatments on wine taint. A sensory panel was trained for descriptive analysis to determine the intensity of the taint. Analytical methods were developed for the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). The sensory results obtained showed white and rosé wines were perceived as clean, whilst the red wines were associated with burnt rubber/tar taint. The perceived taint decreased as distance from the stockyard increased. Wines made from the Cabernet Sauvignon blocks adjacent to the stockyard also showed an increase of taint with the increase of skin contact. Chemical data obtained showed that the taint consisted of a complex mixture of compounds, each with its own pattern of retention within the vineyard and wine. Only m-cresol was found above odour threshold, and only in red wines. The synergistic effect of some compounds may lead to an increase in the perceived taint. Berries and leaves had higher concentrations of volatile compounds than wines. Leaf contamination varied and followed the general trend in literature where the plants with high lipid content and exposed leaf area were the most contaminated. There may be other compounds present in creosote emissions, aside from those investigated here, with sensory attributes related to the taint found in wines. These compounds are styrene, indene, benzene, toluene, isoquinoline and quinoline and should be included in further investigations. From the PAH analysis of environmental samples and wines, it is evident that the samples closest to the stockyard were affected the most. The contamination varied with the depth of the soil: some of the heavier compounds were found in the samples taken from the deeper levels, whilst nearly all other target compounds were present in the top layer of soil. The concentrations found in the environmental samples were lower than reported in literature. Wines had few PAHs present, but at much higher concentrations than is allowed by EU legislation. From this study it is evident that the stockyard had negative effects on the surrounding environment in terms of sensory and chemical contamination. Recommendations include area rehabilitation by means of bioremediation to protect resources and ensure sustainable and safe production of crops. Industrial emissions should also be regulated and restricted in agricultural areas. Furthermore the use of creosote should be revised, and prohibited for agricultural use.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die kwaliteit van wyn is grootliks afhanklik van die omgewingstoestande. Daarom fokus verskeie onlangse studies op landbou aktiwiteite en die invloed daarvan op die omgewing in terme van water, grond en biodiversiteit bewaring. The wyn industrie se doelwitte sluit volhoubare praktyke in, wat die natuurlike hulpbronne bewaar en beskerm. Druiwe kan deur middel van die volgende bronne besoedel word: brandstof uitlaatgasse, insekdoders, veldbrande, gifstowwe wat gebruik word vir houtperservering wat dan verder aangewend word vir opleistelsels. Houtperservering (Koper chroom arsenaat (CCA) en kreosoot) het veral in die laaste paar jaar onder aandag gekom in die wynbedryf van Suid-Afrika as gevolg van die invloed daarvan op die omgewing en die uiteindelike wynkwaliteit. Kreosoot is ‘n gekende gifstof wat verantwoordelik is vir grond en grondwater besoedeling en wat gemonitor word in die atmosfeer. Plante akkummuleer ook poli-sikliese aromatiese hidro-koolstowwe (PAHs), wat to 85% uitmaak van die massa van kreosoot. PAHs is karsinogenies en dus is daar baie navorsing op die molekules reeds gedoen. Die gesondheidsrisikos gepaardgaande met kreosoot het gelei tot die streng geregulasies tans ingestel in Europa, die Verenigde State, Kanada en Australië. Hierdie studie het gefokus op die sensoriese en chemiese analises van omgewings- en wyn-monsters geneem van die omliggende area van die kreosoot palewerf om die akkumulasie van kreosoot-afgeleide-verbindings. Omgewingsmonsters was versamel en geanaliseer om verskillende afstande vanaf die bron van besoedeling (palewerf) te ondersoek oor ‘n twee jaar periode. Wyne is gemaak van die druiwe wat afkomstig is van die blok aangeplant langs die palewerf. Die wyne is ondersoek in terme van afstand vanaf die kreosoot bron asook oenologiese invloede, dopkontak gedurende alkoholiese fermentasie, op die kontaminasie beskryf in wyn. Die wyne is ook oor ‘n twee jaar periode voorberei en sluit die 2011 en 2012 seisoen in. ‘n Sensoriese paneel is opgelei om die beskrywende analises op die wyn uit te voer met die doel om die intensiteit van kontaminasie te identifiseer. Analitiese metodes is ook ontwikkel vir die analise van vlugtige organiese verbindings(VOCs) met gas chromatografie-massa spektrometrie (GCMS) en poli-sikliese aromaties hidro-koolstowwe (PAHs) met hoë druk vloeistof chromatografie. Die sensoriese resultate bekom het wit en rosé wyne as skoon laat blyk, terwyl rooi wyne meer geassosieer was met die gebrande rubber/ teer afgeur beskrywing. Die waargeneemde afgeur het afgeneem soos wat die afstand vanaf die palewerf toegeneem het. Wyne gemaak van die Cabernet Sauvignon blokke langsaan die palewerf het ook ‘n toename in die afgeur gehad met ‘n toename in dopkontak. Chemiese data bekom beeld uit dat die afgeur uit ‘n komplekse mengsel van verbindings bestaan, elk met sy eie patroon van verspreiding en verbinding in die wingerd as ook in die wyn. Net m-kresol was gevind bo die reuk drumpel, dit het ook net in rooi wyne voorgekom. Die sinergistiese effek van die verbindings mag egter bydra tot die waargeneemde afgeur. Druiwekorrels en blare het hoër konsentrasies van die vlugtige verbindings gehad as wat gemeet is in die wyne. Blaar kontaminasie het ook baie gewissel en het ooreengestem met die algemene tendens wat in literatuur beskryf is, naamlik dat plante met ‘n hoër lipid inhoud en grootter blaar oppervlak die meeste gekontamineer word. Daar mag egter nog baie ander verbindings bydra tot die waargeneemde afgeur gevind in die wyn. Spesifieke verbindings wat wel ‘n rol kan speel in kontaminasie en wat voorkom in die vlugtige gedeelte van kreosoot is styreen, indeen, benzeen, tolueen, isoquinoleen die vlugtige verbindings van kreosoot. Die verbindings moet ingesluit word vir verdere studies wat gedoen word op die kreosoot geassosieerde afgeur. Die PAHs analise op die omgewingsmonsters en wyne het gelei tot die bevestiging dat die naasliggende omgewing die meeste geaffekteer is. Die kontaminasie wissel in terme van die diepte in die grond wat die gifstowwe voorkom: die swaarder molekulêre verbindings is tot in die dieper vlakke waargeneem terwyl al die gemete verbindings in die boonste lae teenwoordig was. Die vlakke wat waargeneem is in dié studie is egter laer as wat voorheen in literatuur gevind is in ‘n kreosoot geaffekteerde omgewing. Wyn het PAHs teenwoordig gehad, alhoewel slegs twee verbindings gemeet is, het dit in hoër vlakke voorgekom as wat sekere Europese regulasies as toelaatbaar spesifiseer. Vanaf die studie resultate blyk dit, dat die palewerf se negatiewe invloed op die omliggende omgewing beide meetbaar was in sensories en chemiese kontaminasie. Voorstelle sluit onder andere die rehabilitasie van die omliggende omgewing deur middel van bioremediasie in. Om sodoende die natuurlike hulpbronne in die area te bewaar asook om volhoubare en veilige verbouing van gewasse te verseker. Industriële besoedeling en afval moet ook gereguleer word en beperk word in landbou areas. Verder moet die gebruik van kreosoot heroorweeg word en strenger regulasies moet in plek gestel word om aan internastionale standaarde te voldoen.
Financial support from Winetech, Trip and UFS

This dissertation comprises a series of five separate papers, arranged as chapters, linked thematically and also in their conclusions. The thematic connection between the chapters is that, in each, I investigate some aspect, either historical or contemporary, of how moral limits have been, or might be, applied to the human manipulation of nature through technology. More specifically, I explore how the concept of naturalness has been, and still is, employed in ethical arguments that seek to place limits upon or defend the use of various technologies. In each chapter, I argue that arguments which appeal to nature or naturalness as a normative concept make proper sense only when understood from the perspective of virtue ethics. The conclusions of each chapter are connected, and connected to the conclusions of the dissertation as a whole: firstly, that what I call 'arguments from nature', as they are used in debates about the moral limitations on the use of technology, are defensible only from within a virtue ethics framework; secondly, that such arguments have an important, although limited, role in such debates; and, finally, that virtue ethics more broadly can inform debates about the ethics of technology and the environment. In the first two chapters, by comparing contemporary debates over the ethics of technological manipulation of nature with historical debates over the proper relationship between art and nature, I demonstrate that virtue ethics have played, and still do play, a significant role in our ethical understanding of our relationship with the non-human world. I argue that the ethical issues that arise from our relationship with the non-human world, in response to advances in technology and to problems with the environment, indicate the need for an understanding of ethics that goes further than the mere consideration of rights and utility. In chapters three and four, I argue that virtue ethical theory provides the most promising understanding of the argument from nature as it is applied in attempts to place limits on the human manipulation of nature. In the final chapter, I explore what a modern environmental or technological virtue or vice might be. I explain and defend the environmental and technological virtue of 'living in place' and, in doing so, bring together and validate the claims made in previous chapters that the appeal to human nature does have a role as a normative guide for our ethical evaluations of how we should live and, more generally, that virtue ethical theory can be of guiding and foundational significance in an overarching ethics of the environment and technology.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.
Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Traditionally, wine has been produced by the spontaneous fermentation of grape juice by yeast that originate from the grapes and winery equipment. Research has shown that the population composition and dynamics of these yeasts and other microorganisms are very complex. Kloeckera and its anamorph, Hanseniaspora, dominate the yeast population found on the surfaces of grapes, although prevailing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains complete the fermentation process. The yeast S. cerevisiae is an important factor contributing to the quality of wines and, therefore, the improvement of wine yeasts receives considerable attention worldwide. Apart from classical yeast breeding studies, genetic engineering and recombinant DNA techniques are increasingly being used in strain development research programmes. These techniques might enable the wine yeasts to produce heterologous enzymes that degrade polysaccharides, convert malic acid to lactic acid, increase glycerol production, release roam and flavour compounds, secrete antimicrobial peptides, etc. The release of recombinant yeast strains (genetically modified organisms, GMOs) is subject to statutory approval. Therefore, it is important to answer several questions prior to the use of such genetically improved yeast in the commercial production of wine. For example, will recombinant yeast strains be able to multiply and spread in nature, and will this GMO be able to out-compete the natural microflora because of its newly acquired genetic traits. Since existing commercial wine yeasts are used in the abovementioned strain development research, it is essential to determine already at this early stage to what extent these wine yeast strains survive and spread in nature and to what extent they influence the fermentations of the following vintages. This study is divided into two sections. The aim of the first section is to sample a representative number of yeast strains from various vineyards in different climatological areas, mainly in the Western Cape, South Africa. These yeast strains were identified mainly by electrophoretic karyotyping (contour-clamped homogenous electric field electrophoresis; CHEF). The second part of the study summarises the results obtained when Fourier transform infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy was used to differentiate commercial wine yeast strains. Sets of data, containing the spectra of the mostly used commercial wine yeast strains, were constructed and used as a reference library. The spectra of the isolated yeast strains were then compared to the reference dataset with specific FT-NIR computer software using mathematical calculations. In conclusion, the two methods used in conjunction with one another proved that the commercial wine yeast strains do not easily disperse from the cellar into the vineyard. The commercial wine yeast strains are also more likely to be found near the cellar and the places where the grape skins are dumped. Therefore, should a recombinant yeast strain be used in winemaking, it would not be dispersed into the vineyard. It therefore appears that the commercial use of genetically improved yeast does not pose a high risk in terms of dominance of the indigenous microbial population in the environment
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Wyn is tradisioneel gemaak deur die natuurlike gisting van druiwesap deur giste wat op die druiwe en keldertoerusting voorkom. Navorsing het getoon dat die samestelling en dinamika van die gispopulasie en ander mikro-organismes baie kompleks is. Kloeckera en sy anamorf, Hanseniaspora, domineer die inheemse gispopulasie op druiwedoppe, terwyl Saccharomyces cerevisiae in baie klein getalle op die druiwedoppe voorkom, maar later die fermentasie oorheers en uiteindelik voltooi. Die gis S. cerevisiae speel 'n baie belangrike rol in die kwaliteit van wyn en daarom geniet die verbetering van wyngiste wêreldwyd besondere aandag. Benewens die klassieke gistelingstudies, word genetiese manipuleringstegnieke toenemnd in navorsingsprojekte gebruik wat daarop gefokus is om wyngisrasse te verbeter. Hierdie tegnieke mag die giste in staat stelom heteroloë ensieme te produseer wat polisakkariedes afbreek, appelmelksuur afbreek, gliserolproduksie verhoog, smaak- en geurkomponente vrystel, antimikrobiese peptiede afskei, ens. Voordat sulke geneties gemanipuleerde giste het egter in kommersiële wynproduksie gebruik sal kan word, is daar heelwat wetlike vereistes waaraan voldoen sal moet word en vrae wat vooraf beantwoord sal moet word. Byvoorbeeld, sal die rekombinante giste in staat wees om vinniger te vermeerder as gevolg van die nuwe genetiese eienskappe en sodoende die natuurlike populasies onderdruk? Omdat kommersiële wyngiste in bogenoemde gisverbeteringprogramme gebruik word, is dit noodsaaklik om nou reeds die verspreiding van die kommersiële giste te monitor en te bepaal hoe geredelik hulle in die natuur kan versprei en oorleef, en hoe hulle wynfermentasies van die daaropvolgende jare beïnvloed. Die studie is in twee gedeeltes verdeel. Die doel van die eerste gedeelte was om 'n verteenwoordigende aantal gisrasse uit die wingerde van 'n aantal wynplase in verskillende klimaatstreke te isoleer, spesifiek in die Wes-Kaap, Suid-Afrika. Die gisrasse was grotendeels deur elektroforetiese kariotipering (kontoer-geklampte homogene elektriese veld; CHEF) geïdentifiseer. Die tweede deel van die navorsing was gefokus op die onderskeiding tussen die mees gebruikte kommersiële wyngiste met 'Fourier-Transform Near Infrared' (FTNIR) spektroskopie. Eerstens is 'n stel data, bestaande uit die spektrum data oor die kommersiële wyngiste opgestel om as 'n verwysingsbiblioteek te dien. Tweedens is die spektrum van data oor die geïsoleerde giste onder presies dieselfde toestande met die verwysingsbiblioteek vergelyk. Dié tegniek maak dit moontlik om tussen die kommersiële wyngiste te onderskei. As die twee metodes saam gebruik word vir identifikasie, kan die afleiding gemaak word dat kommersiële wyngiste nie maklik vanaf die kelder na die wingerd versprei nie. Die kommersiële wyngiste is ook meestal naby die kelder en die dopstortingsterreine gevind. Sou 'n rekombinante gisras dus gebruik word om wyn te maak, sal dit nie maklik versprei nie. Die kommersiële gebruik van geneties gemanipuleerde wyngiste behoort dus nie In groot omgewingsrisiko in te hou nie.

Fundamental processes underpinning the biotransformation of coal by fungal biocatalysts have been intensively investigated, however, limited large-scale industrial applications using such systems have been reported. The un-anticipated sporadic growth of Cynodon dactylon on the surface of un-rehabilitated discard coal dumps has been noted and this was found to be coupled with the breakdown of coal into a humic soil-like material in the top 1.5 metres of the dumps. Extensive fungal growth was observed to be associated with the Cynodon dactylon root system and examination of plant roots indicated the presence of mycorrhizal fungi. Analysis of the Cynodon dactylon plant roots around which coal biotransformation was occurring confirmed the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonisation with the species Glomus clarum, Paraglomus occultum, Gigaspora gigantea and Glomus mosseae identified to be associated with the plants. Further molecular characterisation of non-mycorrhizal rhizospheric fungi showed the presence of fungal species with coal-degrading capabilities that most likely played a role in the coal biotransformation observed. The discard coal dump environment was simulated in pot and column studies and coal biotransformation was reproduced, with this process enhanced by the addition of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal rhizospheric fungal inocula to the environment. Mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal species in the inoculum were re-isolated from the simulated environment fulfilling a number of Koch’s postulates and indicating a causal role in the biotransformation of coal. An inversion of conventional mycorrhizal colonisation was demonstrated in this system with reduction in extraradicular presence and an increase in intracellular colonisation compared to soil controls. A descriptive model was formulated suggesting a two-part fungal system involving organic carbon and nutrient exchange between the plant, mycorrhizal fungi and non-mycorrhizal coal-degrading rhizospheric fungi ultimately resulting in the biotransformation of coal. The biotransformation observed was comparable to reports of “rock-eating fungi”. Results suggest that the biological degradation of coal in situ with the production of a soil-like substrate could provide a feasible method of discard coal dump rehabilitation as well as provide a humic-rich substrate that can be utilised in further industrial applications.

The aims of the project were twofold. The initial objective of the study, based on previous results, was to develop an economically viable methodology for immobilizing yeast cells for the treatment of heavy metal-laden waste water. The non-viable yeast cross-linked by 13% (w/v) formaldehyde/1N HNO₃ exhibited satisfactory mechanical strength and rigidity in a continuous-flow column operation. No apparent disruption of the biomass after repeated use was observed. The cost of immobilizing 1kg dry yeast pellets was estimated at less than US$I. Zn uptake capacity of FA-cross-linked pellets, on batch trials, remained similar to that of raw yeast, reflecting that the immobilizing procedure did not hinder its metal removing capacity. In column studies, cation metals were effectively removed by the yeast pellets from aqueous solution at natural pHs, and then recovered completely by washing the pellets in situ with O.1M HCl. The recovered metals were concentrated in such small volumes that recycling or precipitation of them was facilitated. The metal uptake capacity of the regenerated biomass remained constant in comparison with cycle 1, indicating that reuse of the yeast would be possible. In the case of Cr⁶⁺, a gradual breakthrough curve of Cr in the column profile was noted, with a simultaneous reduction of Cr⁶⁺ to Cr³⁺. However, Cr⁶⁺ in the effluent can be markedly minimised either by accumulation onto the biomass or reduction to its trivalent form. Desorption of bound Cr⁶⁺ with either alkali or salt could not accomplish the regeneration of the biomass. A combination of reduction and desorption with FA/HNO₃ appeared promising in regeneration of the saturated biomass at 4°C. The metal sorption capacities of the yeast pellets, on a batch or a fixed-bed system are relatively lower than that of documented sorbents. Apparently more of the yeast pellets would be required for treating a certain volume of waste effluent, than with other sorbents. Therefore Azolla filiculoides was examined as a suitable sorbent for this purpose. This constitutes the second part of the project. Azolla filiculoides, a naturally-abundant water fern, was screened for its metal sorption and recovering capacities, mechanical stability, flow-permeability and reusability. The azolla biomass appeared to have fulfilled the required mechanical criteria during the repeated sorption-desorption column operations. It is water-insoluble and appears flexible under pressure when rinsed with water. These characters are of crucial importance in a continuous-flow system since a column can be operated at high flow rates without apparent compact of the biomass and pressure loss. Therefore, immobilization of the biomass can be avoided. The sorption isotherm data, obtained from batch removal of Cr⁶⁺, showed that the sorption process was effective, endothermic and highly pH dependent. Considerable amounts of Cr⁶⁺ were accumulated at the optimum pHs of 2-2.5. Column sorption of Cr⁶⁺ at a low flow rate and pH of 2.5 showed optimum performance with a total Cr uptake of 50.4mg/g at 60% saturation of the biomass. Removal of Cr⁶⁺ from an electroplating effluent using an azolla column was deemed reasonably satisfactory, although the uptake declined slightly. Desorption of bound Cr⁶⁺ with various desorbents was incomplete, which resulted in a low regeneration efficiency of about 50%. However, removal and recovery of Cr³⁺ using the azolla column was than that of Cr⁶⁺. Desorption of Cr³⁺ from the spent biomass column was accomplished with the recovery of 80% using O.5N H₂SO₄, The regeneration efficiencies for Cr³⁺ removal were up to 90% and demonstrated that the biomass is reusable. Cation metal uptake capacities of azolla, obtained either from batch or column experiments, are reasonably high in comparison with other sorbents. The uptake of Ni or Zn ions from solution is pH dependent showing the optimum pH of around 6 to 6.5, under the current experimental conditions. The sorption kinetics for cation metals was rapid with about 80% of the bound Ni ions being taken up in the first 10 min. The character of rapid binding is extremely important in a column sorption process, especially on a large scale since it favours an optimum uptake of metals at high flow rates. The Ni or Zn uptakes in column sorption were not markedly affected when the flow rates were increased from 80mllh up to 800ml/h for the 5g biomass used. The cation heavy metals removed from waste effluents were recovered in a concentrated solution of small volume. The desorption of bound Ni and Zn ions from the saturated biomass was accomplished with either O.2N HCl or H₂SO₄ that resulted in recoveries of more than 95%. The metals recovered, in the case of Ni and Zn, are identical to that of plating agents ego nickel sulphate or chloride, so that recycling of the metals is possible. An effluent-free, closed loop of Ni or Zn treatment system was proposed, whereby the Ni or Zn ions can be recycled to the plating bath whilst the purified water is fed back to the rinse tanks. Ca and Mg ions, commonly present in the electroplating effluents, appeared to affect sorption of heavy metals by azolla when metal concentrations were relatively low, presumedly through its competitive binding for the shared sites on surfaces of azolla. The data obtained from column sorption of Ni and Zn follows the BDST model well, enabling the application of the model to predicting design parameters for scale-up of the biosorption column system. It is interesting that the values of metal uptake, expressed in molar quantities, obtained on respective single-metal solutions and the multiple metal system, are similar, implying that the mechanisms involved in the sorption of all metal cations are similar and that the binding sites on surfaces of azolla are probably shared by all cation metals. The surface of the biomass provides sites for metal binding estimated in the range of 0.45-0.57mmol/g, based on the current experiments. The biomass has a surface area of 429 m²/g and water retention of 14.3 ml/g. The functional groups on the surface of azolla were partially identified using chemical modification and metal binding comparison. Among the functional groups examined, carboxyl groups, provided by amino acids and polysaccharides, appeared to play an important role in metal cation binding. The infrared spectra of the samples support this conclusion.

Dissertation (PhD(Agric)) -- Stellenbosch University, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Due to increased consumer demand for products labelled by origin, and the requirement that these labels are a guarantee of both quality and product character, there is an increasing global focus on delimitation of denominations of origin. The integrity of denominations of origin and their defensibility can be ensured through the use of terroirs as a basis for delimitation. The aims of this study were to establish the dominant environmental criteria that affect the viticultural behaviour and wine character of two important cultivars (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc) in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District, to use an appropriate methodology to identify viticultural terroirs in this district based on these criteria and with the use of a geographic information system, and finally to use these viticultural terroirs to identify denominations of origin within the same area. A terroir can be defined as a grouping of homogenous environmental units, or natural terroir units, based on the typicality of the products obtained. Identification and characterisation of terroirs depends on knowledge of environmental parameters, the functioning of the grapevine and the characteristics of the final product. Field studies, resulting in point data, are necessary to investigate the functioning of the grapevine but in order for this information to be of use within zoning studies it must be placed in a spatial context. As a first phase in data acquisition, the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District was characterised and natural terroir units were identified using existing digital data and a geographic information system. A natural terroir unit (NTU) can be defined as a unit of land that is characterised by relatively homogenous topography, climate, geological substrate and soil. A total of 1389 NTUs were identified in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District (84 537 ha). The identified NTUs were homogenous with respect to terrain morphological unit, altitude, aspect and soil type. Each of the identified units was further described with respect to the extent of the expected sea breeze effect and, for certain of the soil types, the associated parent material. As a second phase of data acquisition, a network of plots of Sauvignon blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon were delimited in commercial vineyards in proximity to weather stations and their viticultural and oenological response monitored for a period of seven years. Regression tree analyses were performed on the complete data set and the relative importance of the environmental and management related variables determined for each dependent variable. Excepting for scion clone, which had a high relative importance for bunch mass of Sauvignon blanc and yield to pruning mass index of Cabernet Sauvignon, no other non-environmental variable included in the analyses appeared to have a strong effect on grapevine performance and wine character. The performance of Cabernet Sauvignon was affected by the potassium content of the subsoil and the climate of the season. The performance of Sauvignon blanc appeared to be related to soil texture, wind exposure and temperature, both during the green berry growth stage and the month prior to ripening. From the results presented, it appears that environmental parameters have an overriding effect on the performance of both Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc, but that these two cultivars react differently to environmental stimuli. A knowledge-driven model used the rules generated in the regression tree analyses to directly classify natural terroir units with respect to expected response of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District. The natural terroir units were thus grouped into terroir units that were homogenous with respect to predicted viticultural and oenological response for each cultivar. The use of representative sites to determine the response of the grapevine to its environment is time consuming and costly and limits terroir studies to research related investigations. Vineyard managers were therefore surveyed with respect to the functioning of established Sauvignon blanc vineyards in the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District in an attempt to obtain the necessary data. Comparison of the data generated with these questionnaires to measured data in commercial vineyards suggested that the vineyard managers were able to characterise the performance of vineyards with respect to vigour, signs of drought stress and yield. Each vineyard was mapped and the responses were linked to modelled environmental variables. Classification and regression trees were used to construct decision trees, which could be applied to environmental data in a geographic information system to determine viticultural terroirs for production of Sauvignon blanc. These terroirs, although fewer, were comparable to those generated using field data. Data gathered during terroir studies, and the identified viticultural terroirs for Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc, were used to revisit the boundaries of the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin District and the Simonsberg-Stellenbosch ward. Modifications were proposed based on expected wine characteristics. Boundaries for two new wards in the Helderberg basin were proposed. It was also possible to identify vineyards within a ward for the production of terroir specific wines.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Toenemende verbruikersaanvraag vereis produkte waarvan die etikette nie net die oorsprong aandui nie, maar ook kan dien as ‘n waarborg vir die produk se kwaliteit en kenmerkendheid. Hierdie tendens verklaar die toenemende wereldwye fokus op afgebakende areas van oorsprong. Die integriteit van die afgebakende areas van oorsprong sowel as hul verdedigbaarheid kan gewaarborg word deur terroirs as basis vir afbakening te gebruik. Die doelstellings van die studie was om die oorheersende omgewingseienskappe wat wingerdprestasie en wynkarakter van twee belangrike cultivars, naamlik Cabernet Sauvignon en Sauvignon blanc, in die Stellenbosch Wyn van Oorsprongsdistrik bemvloed, te bepaal; tweedens om ‘n toepaslike metodologie te gebruik om terroirs in die die distrik te bepaal wat gebaseer is op die geidentifiseerde omgewingseienskappe met die gebruik van ‘n geografiese inligtingstelsel; en, ten slotte, om hierdie terroirs vir wingerbou te gebruik om afgebakende areas van oorsprong in dieselfde omgewing te identifiseer. ‘n Terroir kan gedefinieer word as ‘n samestelling van homogene omgewingseenhede, of natuurlike terroir-eenhede (NTE), wat gebaseer word op die kenmerkende eienskappe van die produkte wat daaruit verkry word. Identifisering en karakterisering van terroirs sal afhang van kennis van die omgewingsparameters, die funksionering van die wingerdstok en die eienskappe van die finale produk. Veldstudies waaruit puntdata verkry word, is noodsaaklik om die funksionering van die wingerdstok te ondersoek. Dit is egter noodsaaklik om eers hierdie inligting in ruimtelike konteks te plaas alvorens die inligting vir soneringstudies gebruik kan word. As 'n eerste fase van datagenerering, was die Stellenbosch Wyn van Oorsprongsdistrik gekarakteriseer en NTE’s geidentifiseer deur gebruik te maak van bestaande digitale data en ‘n geografiese inligtingstelsel. ‘n NTE kan gedefinieer word as ‘n landseenheid wat gekarakteriseer word deur ‘n relatiewe homogene topografie, klimaat, geologiese substraat en grondtipe. ‘n Totaal van 1389 NTE’s is geidentifiseer in die Stellenbosch Wyn van Oorsprongsdistrik (84 537 ha). Die geidentifiseerde NTE’s was homogeen met betrekking tot die terrein morfologiese eenheid, hoogte bo seespieSI, hellingsaspek en grondtipe. Elk van die geidentifiseerde eenhede was verder beskryf volgens die omvang van die seewindinvloed en, vir toepaslike grond tipes, die geassosieerde moedermateriaal. As ‘n tweede fase van datagenerering is ‘n netwerk van persele van Cabernet Sauvignon en Sauvignon blanc afgebaken binne bestaande kommersiele wingerde in die nabyheid van weerstasies. Hul wingerd- en wynkundige respons is vir ‘n periode van sewe jaar gemonitor. Regressieboomanalises is gebruik om die volledige stel data te analiseer en om die relatiewe belang van omgewings- en bestuurspraktykverbonde veranderlikes te bepaal. Die bostokkloon (wat 'n hoe relatiewe belang vir die trosmassa van Sauvignon blanc en die oes- tot snoeimassa verhouding van Cabernet Sauvignon het) is die enigste van die nie-omgewingsparameter wat ‘n sterk invloed op wingerdprestasie of wynkarakter blyk te he. Die prestasie van Cabernet Sauvignon is beTnvloed deur die kaliuminhoud van die ondergrond sowel as die seisoensklimaat. By Sauvignon blanc het dit voorgekom of die prestasie verband hou met grondtekstuur, windblootstelling en temperatuur tydens die groen fase van korrelgroei sowel as die maand voor rypwording. Alhoewel dit blyk uit die resultate dat omgewingsparameters 'n oorheersende invloed op die prestasie van beide Cabernet Sauvignon en Sauvignon blanc uitoefen, reageer die twee cultivars verskillend op omgewingsprikkels. ‘n Kennisgedrewe model waarvan die riglyne uit resultate van die regressieboomanalise saamgestel is, word gebruik om NTE direk te klassifiseer ten opsigte van die verwagte respons van Cabernet Sauvignon en Sauvignon blanc in die Stellenbosch Wyn van Oorsprongsdistrik. Die NTE is dus gegroepeer om terroir eenhede te vorm wat homogeen was ten opsigte van die verwagte wingerd- en wynkundige respons vir elke cultivar. Die gebruik van verwysingspersele om die respons van die wingerdstok teenoor sy onmiddelike omgewing te bepaal, is tydrowend en duur en beperk sodoende terroir studies tot navorsing. Gevolglik is ‘n opname onder wingerdbestuurders gemaak om inligting oor die prestasie van Sauvignon blanc in die Stellenbosch Wyn van Oorsprongsdistrik in te win en sodoende die nodige data te verkry. Na vergelyking van die ingewinde data, wat uit die opname verkry is, met gemete data vanaf kommersiele wingerde, kon afgelei word dat wingerdbestuurders by magte is om die prestasie van wingerde ten opsigte van groeikrag, tekens van droogtestres en opbrengs te karakteriseer. Elke wingerd is gekarteer en die respons is gekoppel aan die gemodeleerde omgewingsparamters. Klassifikasie en regressiebome is gebruik om besluitnemingsmodelle saam te stel wat toegepas kon word op omgewingsdata in ‘n geografiese inligtingstelsel om terroirs vir die produksie van Sauvignon blanc te bepaal. Hierdie terroirs, alhoewel minder, was vergelykbaar met die wat gegenereer was met behulp van veldstudies. Data verkry met terroirstudies, sowel as gei'dentifiseerde terroir-eenhede, was gebruik om die grense van die Stellenbosch Wyn van Oorsrongsdistrik en die Simonsberg-Stellenbosch wyk te herbepaal. Voorgestelde modifiserings was gebaseer op verwagte wyneienskappe. Grense vir twee nuwe wyke in die Helderbergkom is voorgestel. Dit was ook moontlik om wingerde binne ‘n wyk te identifiseer vir die produksie van terroir-spesifieke wyne.

Environmental biotechnology is the application of biotechnology in the natural environment. It could sustain the environment by using eco-friendly biological processes. Some of these processes could be used to solve the most demanding environmental problems like controlling air emissions and water pollution. Developing countries in Asia and elsewhere have high levels of atmospheric pollution. Besides, they are coupled with their growth in population, that creates enormous sewage and waste disposal problems.

Municipal treated wastewater entering rivers contain biologically active pharmaceuticals capable of inducing effects in aquatic life. Phytoremediation of three of these pharmaceuticals and an herbicide was investigated using Sandbar willow (Salix exigua) and Arabidopsis thaliana. Both plants were effective at removing compounds from solution, with removal of 86% of the synthetic estrogen, 17α-ethynylestradiol, 65% of the anti-hypertensive, diltiazem, 60% of the anti-convulsant, diazepam (Valium®), and 51% of the herbicide atrazine, in 24 hours. Distribution of compounds within roots and shoots, in soluble and bound forms, differed among compounds. Uptake and distribution of pharmaceuticals within the study plants confirmed pharmaceutical behaviour can be predicted based on a physiochemical property, their octanol-water partitioning coefficients. An effective method for detection of 17α-ethynylestradiol within surface water using solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed. Previously unreported breakdown of 17α-ethynylestradiol into another common estrogen, estrone, during preparative steps and gas chromatography was resolved.
xv, 216 leaves ; 29 cm.

My dissertation research examined the effect of the cultivation of insect-resistant Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize on the soil environment with a goal of understanding how to obtain a balance between technological advancement and maintenance of a healthy soil ecosystem. Although Bt plants may help to reduce pesticide use, conferring benefits to farm workers and the environment, there are still unresolved questions about how the cultivation of Bt plants affects soil organisms. For this dissertation project, I used 14 different genotypes of Bt maize and non-Bt maize (Zea mays) to investigate the effects of transgenic Bt plants on the colonization ability, abundance, and diversity of symbiotic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the soil ecosystem over time. My greenhouse studies demonstrated that Bt maize plants exhibited reduced AMF colonization across multiple Bt genotypes and that effects were most pronounced when fertilizer levels were limited and spore density was high. In addition, I found that although differences in AMF colonization between Bt and non-Bt maize were difficult to detect in the field, spore density was reduced in Bt field plots after just one growing season. When I tested the effect of plot history on AMF and plant growth, I found that Bt and non-Bt maize plants had higher leaf chlorophyll content when grown in plots previously cultivated with the same maize line as the previous year, indicative of a positive feedback effect. I also examined potential mechanisms contributing to the reduced AMF colonization observed in Bt maize in greenhouse studies and determined that follow-up experiments should continue to investigate differences in root apoplastic invertase activity and root permeability in Bt and non-Bt maize. Future investigations would also benefit from examining potential differences in root exudate profiles and volatile organic compounds between Bt and non-Bt cultivars. Taken together, my dissertation results suggest that, while difficult to detect in the field, reductions in AMF colonization in Bt maize roots may be ecologically significant as they could lead to a decrease in the abundance of AMF propagules in the soil over time, potentially impacting soil structure and function in areas where Bt crop cultivation is high.

This thesis analyses a few selected aspects of crop biotechnology in agriculture. The thesis contains two essays; the first addresses the topic of how ethical tools can help to, especially in democratic societies, improve ethical judgments on modern biotechnologies used in agriculture and food production. The second essay explores GM crops and the question of whether engaging and promoting agriculture biotechnology would be an expression of hubris. Essay I discusses ethical tools and more specifically what makes a tool a good one. It is argued that some of the previous attempts of evaluating ethical tools are unfruitful. Myself and Per Sandin propose that ethical tools be divided into three categories with regard to their different aim(s). We suggest that the quality of an ethical tool is decided by its purposiveness, i.e. how well the tool achieves its assigned purpose(s). Essay II discusses the concept of hubris with regard to agricultural biotechnology. Several authors have claimed that supporting agricultural biotechnology is an expression of hubris. Ronald Sandler has given the argument its most structured account of yet. I argue that Sandler fails to establish a presumption against the use of GM crops and that the concept of hubris should play no role in evaluating GM crops and agricultural biotechnology.

QC 20150330

Mistra Biotech

Thesis: Ph. D. in Science, Technology, and Policy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, 2017.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references.
Environmental assessments, such as those for biotechnology applications, are typically conducted by small groups of expert assessors, but scholars and practitioners are increasingly interested in involving diverse stakeholders. In addition to other reasons for broader involvement, researchers have proposed that stakeholders could substantively aid assessment by (1) contributing system knowledge; (2) applying diverse conceptual models; (3) helping available knowledge keep pace with assessment needs; and (4) contributing based on their values, as do narrow expert assessors. Hypothesizing that these types of contribution, suggested theoretically or observed in single workshops, represent key sources of stakeholder contribution across processes, this study examines contribution in several diverse participant processes: an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workshop on testing schemes for some engineered microbes compared with another EPA office's testing requirements for other engineered microbes; an MIT-Wilson Center workshop series on synthetic biology environmental assessment research needs; and the Food and Drug Administration's engineered salmon environmental assessment along with diverse stakeholder comments and critiques. The study also identifies practical considerations for enabling multi-stakeholder contribution and applies lessons to broader societal processes. The study analyzes process documents, conversations with conveners and participants, and participant observation. It also reviews knowledge about biological processes representing important areas for assessment and research, discussing complexities of knowledge production and use for assessment. Stakeholders contributed in each of the four hypothesized ways across the cases, suggesting that diverse involvement could regularly contribute positively to assessment. Stakeholders also (5) challenged standard assessment approaches, challenges that could aid assessment as well. Practical considerations for enabling diverse participant contribution emerge from the cases: Process continuity over time; credible expectations of authority or influence in decision-making; and balance between predefined structure and flexibility and between technical tasks and enabling non-technical input may be key. Work developing approaches in these areas is needed, including on incorporating nontechnical inputs, on processes encompassing later assessment stages, on integrating diverse participant processes with governance, and on diverse involvement in other aspects of technology development and execution. Better and increased stakeholder involvement could, through substantive content and incorporation of values, enable science, technology development, and decision-making best to serve society.
by Shlomiya Lightfoot.
Ph. D. in Science, Technology, and Policy

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-62).
The biotechnology industry has experienced fast growth during the first 30 years of its existence but is now reaching a stage of maturity. Companies are being challenged by weak pipelines and patent expirations, as well as increasing regulation. Mergers and acquisitions are frequent, and companies are forced to reduce planned capital expenditures, as well as restructure with personnel cuts and facility reductions. This thesis focuses on the affect those changes are having on the development of capital projects. It researches the environment as it used to be and what is now bringing the changes. Through literature search and case study, the thesis aims to capture the reasons for why the main driver of new facilities construction has shifted from time to cost and the affect that is having on the management and delivery of such projects.
by Asbjorg Kristinsdottir.
S.M.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Previous studies have indicated that fermentation with yeast strains whose cell walls contain higher chitin levels may lead to reduced wine haze formation. In order to adjust cell wall chitin levels, more information on the regulation of chitin synthesis in wine-relevant yeast is required. Yeast cells are known to increase chitin levels when subjected to certain environmental changes such as an increase in temperature. The main aim of this project was to investigate chitin accumulation and synthesis in wine yeast strains when exposed to environmental change. This was achieved by subjecting the strains to various environmental conditions and comparing chitin levels. The information gained may aid future selection and/or manipulation of yeast strains for the production of higher chitin levels. Three Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and two Saccharomyces paradoxus strains were subjected to conditions that had been linked to a change in chitin synthesis in past studies in laboratory yeast strains. Of the conditions used in this study, the addition of calcium to a rich media led to the highest cell wall chitin levels. The data also show that chitin synthesis is largely strain dependant. Two conditions which resulted in increased chitin deposition were chosen for gene expression analyses, using strains with strongly diverging average chitin levels. Results showed that an increase in chitin levels correlates with an increase in expression of GFA1, the gene encoding for the first enzyme of the chitin synthesis pathway. Overall, this study provides novel insights into chitin synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine yeast strains as well as Saccharomyces paradoxus strains, with possible future implications on haze prevention studies.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vorige studies het aangetoon dat fermentasie met gisrasse waarvan die selwande hoë chitienvlakke bevat, kan lei tot verminderde wynwaasvorming. Om selwandchitienvlakke aan te pas, word daar meer inligting rakende die regulering van chitienvlakke in wyn gisrasse verlang. Dit is bekend dat gisselle chitienvlakke verhoog wanneer die selle onderwerp word aan sekere veranderinge in die omgewing soos ’n verhoging in temperatuur. Die hoofdoel van hierdie projek was om die chitienopbou en -sintese in wyngisrasse te ondersoek waar gis blootgestel word aan omgewingsveranderinge. Dit is bereik deur die selle aan verskeie omgewingstoestande bloot te stel en chitienvlakke met mekaar te vergelyk. Die inligting hieruit verkry kan toekomstige gisraskeuses asook die manipulering van gisrasse met die oog op hoër vlakke van chitienproduksie vergemaklik. Drie Saccharomyces cerevisiae rasse en twee Saccharomyces paradoxus rasse is onderwerp aan toestande wat in vorige studies gekoppel is aan ’n verandering in chitienvorming in laboratorium-gisrasse. Van die toestande toegepas in hierdie studie, het die toevoeging van kalsium tot ’n nutrientryke medium gelei tot die hoogste chitienvlakke in selwande. Die data toon ook aan dat chitiensintese hoofsaaklik rasverwant is. Twee toestande wat gelei het tot verhoogde chitienafsetting is gekies vir geen-uitdrukkingsanalise, terwyl rasse gebruik is met gemiddelde chitienvlakke wat wyd uiteenlopend is. Die resultate het getoon dat ’n verhoging in chitienvlakke ooreenstem met ’n verhoging in die uitdrukkingsvlakke van GFA1, die geen wat kodeer vir die eerste ensiem in die chitiensintesebaan. Oor die algemeen verskaf hierdie studie nuwe insigte oor chitiensintese in Saccharomyces cerevisiae wyngisrasse en Saccharomyces paradoxus rasse en verskaf dit belangrike inligting vir moontlike toekomstige studies oor waasvoorkoming.

This study develops a real options model of agbiotechnology and is applied to three genetically modified (GM) traits. Each trait is evaluated as growth options where technical or marketing milestones must be completed before management can exercise the option to invest further in trait development. The real options values are evaluated by employing a binomial tree which is simulated using distributions for random elements within stages of the growth option. Mean option values were negative for the discovery stage for fusarium-resistant wheat and for all but the regulatory submission stage for Roundup Ready wheat. The length of the regulatory submission stage had the greatest negative impact on the value of the option while the ability of the firm to maximize technology-use-fees had the greatest positive impact. Additionally, traits adapted to crops with larger potential market size are more likely to be in the money than traits developed for smaller market segments.

Given the considerable advances in the field of biotechnology in the last decades, new issues of scientific, social, legal and ethical nature have been raised, particularly concerning inventions making use of living material, and their patentability.
Notwithstanding some reluctance at the outset, most of patent offices as well as courts and tribunals in the United States, Canada and Europe have finally accepted patentability of living organisms. Oppositions are however numerous and, more than a criticism towards the patent system itself, it is genetic engineering that is put into question.
Europe has recently regulated the legal protection of biotechnological inventions. Being a text of compromise, the Directive is already subject of controversies. The United States and Canada have not yet decided to explicitly legislate in this field. Some decisions taken in particular cases allow to determine the state of the question in these two countries. It is however not certain that they can be satisfied with an unregulated technology that raises so many moral questions.
The question of the foremost importance concerns the research branch, as well as the use that will be done with inventions emerging from the biotechnology industry. Patent law being unable to prevent technological creations, it is above all the utilisation of it that will allow to retain the most beneficial inventions for humankind and its environment.

Most pharmaceutical residues in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) end up in the hydrosphere where they cause negative effects on the aquatic life and might disrupt ecosystems. By implementing an ozonation step (treatment with ozone) in the wastewater treatment process, these pharmaceutical residues can be reduced.  The purpose of this project was to verify that the ozonation process works in full-scale, thereby verifying a pilot study conducted in 2014 at Tekniska Verken i Linköping AB (TVAB). Additionally, the purpose was to investigate which parameters influence the ozone demand in order to formulate a model for the ozone demand. The initial phases during this thesis were a pre-study and a literature study. This was followed by the multivariate analysis and model construction based on different data from the pilot study. Measurements were performed on the wastewater in the full-scale facility in order to verify the results from the pilot study. Moreover, measurements were performed to find new ozone consuming parameters. The reduction of pharmaceutical residues was similar to the pilot study, although slightly lower. Several parameters and factors that were different between pilot study and new measurements affected the reduction of pharmaceutical residues. For example, DOC and nitrate concentrations have increased since the pilot study in 2014. Also, factors such as the growth in population in Linköping and the differences in design between the pilot plant and the full-scale facility have influenced the reduction of pharmaceutical residues. A control strategy based on a linear relationship between ozone sensitive Ultra Violet Absorption (UVA) left and remaining pharmaceutical residues after ozonation could potentially be used. Moreover, three models were constructed and the Multivariate Analysis 1 (MVA1)-model was deemed as the best, this model includes ozone residual, nitrite, turbidity, simulated Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD(sim)) and ozone dose. The variations in the dose compared to the input parameters for the validation data show that the model predict the ozone dose well. However, in future other interesting parameters can be included in the model to further improve the accuracy in the ozone dose predicted by the model.
Många läkemedelsrester i avloppsreningsverken hamnar i hydrosfären där de kan orsaka negativa effekter på det akvatiska livet och högre ekosystem. Genom att införa ett ozoneringssteg (behandling av ozon) på avloppsreningsverken, kan läkemedelsresterna reduceras. Syftet med det här examensarbetet var att verifiera att ozoneringsprocessen fungerade i fullskala och därmed verifiera en pilotstudie som utfördes år 2014 på Tekniska Verken i Linköping AB (TVAB). Syftet var också att undersöka vilka parametrar som påverkade ozonbehovet för att kunna konstruera en modell för ozonbehovet. De initiala faserna under examensarbetet var en förstudie och en litteraturstudie. Dessa följdes av en multivariat analys och modellkonstruktioner baserat på olika data ifrån pilotstudien. Mätningar på fullskaleanläggningen gjordes också för att hitta nya ozonkonsumerande parametrar. Reduktionen av läkemedelsrester liknande reduktionen under pilotstudien, men var dock något lägre. Flera parametrar och faktorer var värden skiljde sig mellan pilotstudien och fullskala påverkade reduktionen av läkemedelsrester. Till exempel, har DOC och nitratkoncentrationen ökat sedan pilotstudien år 2014. Faktorer så som befolkningsökningen i Linköping och de skillnader som fanns i designen hos de två anläggningarna kan också ha påverkat reduktionen av läkemedelsrester. En kontrollstrategi baserat på ett linjärt samband mellan ozonkänslig ultraviolett absorption (UVA) kvar och kvarvarande läkemedelsrester efter ozonering kan eventuellt användas. Tre modeller konstruerades där Multivariat analys 1 (MVA1)-modellen ansågs vara den bästa. Den här modellen inkluderade ozonresidual, nitrit, turbiditet, simulerad chemical oxygen demand (COD(sim)) och ozondos. Variationerna i dosen jämfört med inputparametrarna för validerade data visade att modellen predikterade ozondosen bra. I framtiden kan andra intressanta parameter inkluderas i modellen för att vidare förbättra trovärdigheten i ozondosen som predikteras av modellen.

This work consists of two distinct and separate sections with differing aims and outcomes. Section A is the critical review, which provides a context for the published work presented in Section B. Section A, the critical review, summarises the current literature in the subject area of environmental aspects of river management and sets the research portfolio in context. The physical landscape has been increasingly influenced by a variety of economic and social changes in recent history. During these approximately 6,000 years, human impact on river systems has been substantial and widespread. The environmental changes, that have stressed river systems, have also damaged their value for both human use and environmental functions. Some of these stresses include changes in water quality and quantity, morphological modifications of the channel and/or floodplain, decline of native species and the introduction of alien species. This has led to changes in current river management philosophy, issues and techniques. Section n, the research portfolio of published work submitted as part of this thesis, focuses on the management of some aspects of environmental change within river systems, particularly problems relating to river rehabilitation and the introduction of invasive riparian plant species. Each published paper has its own individual abstract, summarising the key finding of the research. The research portfolio can be divided into three broad sections. The first section, the main published work, includes those papers approved by the University Research Committee as part of the Registration for the degree of PhD by Published Work in May 2000. These papers form the key part of the thesis. They are introduced in the critical review in the blue text boxes, in order of significance to the text discussed and not in chronological order. They are presented in full in the appendices (numbers as shown below) printed on light blue paper. The next section relates to additional relevant published work. These papers are also submitted as part of this thesis, but are considered to be secondary as a result of their date of publication, i.e. prior to 1995. In order to distinguish these papers clearly from the key papers, they are introduced in the critical review in green text boxes and presented in full in the appendices (numbers as shown below), printed on light green paper. The candidate's approximate contribution and the nature of this contribution to each joint paper have been indicated as a percentage and are shown on the title page of each appendix. The third part is other supporting material and is referred to in the critical review through inclusion of orange-brown text boxes. Since these publications consist mainly of consultancy reports and edited books, they are NOT submitted as part of this thesis and are not presented in full in the appendices. If necessary, this material can be made available to the internal and/or external examiners before or during the viva.

Consumption of solid fuels increases with the development of industry. Working with them is more difficult in terms of hardware and technical supply than with gaseous or liquid hydrocarbons. In addition, coal mining, its transportation, drying, grinding and burning in boilers, accompanied by the formation of solid waste (ash and slag) and significant air emissions of oxides of carbon, nitrogen and sulfur are taken into account. This requires the creation of new technology of solid fuels using to reduce the anthropogenic impact on the environment. This technology is called coal gasification. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/33522

Thesis (MTech(Biomedical Technology) -- Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010
Defective sperm function is the most prevalent cause of male infertility. Mammalian sperm are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and are susceptible to attack by reactive oxygen species (ROS), an important mediator of sperm function. Normally, a balance is maintained between the amount of ROS produced and the antioxidant defense system. When an imbalance exists between ROS production and antioxidants protection in the favour of ROS activity, oxidative stress (OS) occurs which could lead to cellular damage. A shift in the levels of ROS towards pro-oxidation in semen can induce oxidative stress on sperm. This study compares the modulation of OS by an indigenous herbal tea (rooibos), Chinese green tea, commercial rooibos and green tea supplements in rat epididymal sperm and testicular function. Sixty male Wistar rats were supplemented with fermented or “green” rooibos, Chinese green tea, rooibos supplement, green tea supplement or water for ten weeks while inducing OS during the last two weeks. Rats consuming fermented rooibos and “green” rooibos showed a significant higher sperm concentration and motility. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in the sperm of rats that consumed fermented rooibos, “green rooibos” and green tea compared to the control. Also, the superoxide dismutase activity of the groups that received fermented rooibos, rooibos supplement and green tea increased significantly in the testicular tissue compared to control. Catalase (CAT) activity in the epididymal sperm was significantly increased in the rats consuming fermented rooibos, “green rooibos” and both rooibos and green tea supplements compared to the control. None of the tea treatments showed a significant effect on catalase activity in the testicular tissue. A tendency to increase this activity was observed in fermented rooibos, green tea, rooibos and green tea supplements. The glutathione levels of rats fed with fermented rooibos and “green” rooibos were significantly higher in the rat epididymal sperm compared to the control while the glutathione level of rats consuming green tea supplement also increased significantly in the testicular tissue compared to the control. None of the tea treatments showed a significant effect on lipid peroxidation and ROS levels in the rat sperm. Although rooibos fermented, “green” rooibos and rooibos supplements showed a tendency to lower the levels of these biomarkers when compared with the control group in epididymal sperm. However, the rooibos supplement showed a significantly reduced ROS levels in the testicular tissue. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that rooibos extract and green tea are effective as antioxidants by increasing the antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione levels in oxidative stress-induced rats and could offer a measure of protection against oxidative damage, thereby improving sperm quality and function.

Målsättningen med projektet var att miljö- och energioptimera Lurbo ridanläggning med avseende på deras egna miljömål som innebär att de siktar mot att bli den miljövänligaste ridanläggningen i Sverige. Det som har tagits i beaktande är solenergi, gödsel- och dagvattenhantering. Solenergi är idag den snabbast växande elproduktionskällan och ridanläggningen har enligt beräkningar (med hjälp av kalkylverktyget i Uppsala Kommuns solkarta, MATLAB och litteraturstudier) och observationer stora möjligheter till att implementera en solcellsanläggning för att motsvara deras elproduktionsbehov och mer därtill. Två åtgärdsförslag med två olika juridiska och ekonomiska utgångslägen presenteras i denna rapport, där en rekommendation slutligen ger ridanläggningen det mest gynnsamma beslutet att installera en solcellsanläggning som endast motsvarar deras årliga elbehov. Gödselproduktionen på ridanläggningen är stor och har därför en betydande miljöpåverkan. Näringsämnen läcker ut från både gödselplattan och från hagar. I denna rapport ligger fokuset på läckaget av fosfor, då läckaget från ridanläggningen överskrider tillåtna värden. Detta påverkar omgivningen och särskilt deneutrofierade Hågaån negativt. Aktuella åtgärder för att minska miljöpåverkan från gödselhanteringen presenteras. Enkla lösningar som att bygga ett tak över gödselplattan för att hindra läckage vid regn och att plantera fånggrödor läggs fram, men även mer kostsamma lösningar som att införskaffa en gödselbrännare har undersökts. Den viktigaste åtgärden för att minska fosforläckaget från hagarna anses vara att hålla hagarna fria från gödsel. För detta rekommenderas att investera i en gödseldammsugare. Ridanläggningen använder renat vatten för att bevattna ridhuset under sommarhalvåret. Genom att samla upp dagvatten för bevattning så kan kostnaden kraftigt reduceras samtidigt som bevattningen sker på ett mer miljövänligt sätt. Den mängd nederbörd som faller över anläggningens tak är tillräcklig för att täcka anläggningens bevattningsbehov. Hur uppsamlingen ska ske presenteras i fyra alternativa åtgärdsförslag i den här rapporten, där det förslag som är enklast att genomföra rekommenderas.

This study aims at presenting a strategic supplier evaluation model that can assist Cederroth in strategic supplier selection and give indications on potential areas for strategic supplier development. The evaluation model aims at assessing supplier performance also with respect to environmental aspects. The final model has been developed through five steps, five models, with starting point in a theoretical review and basic empirical data. Following the model was developed through four iterations of workshops, interviews, weighting and case studies. The final model includes 7 criteria categories and 41 criteria whereas one category including 7 criteria assesses a supplier’s environmental performance.

This thesis is composed of two parts; the first addresses theoretical aspects of the economics of targeting pollution control policy, whilst the second is an illustrative case study designed to embellish the more abstract insights of the first section.

Ecology – is complex problem, so complex decisions are needed. Preservation of environment and acceptance of administrative decisions, recreational use of natural resources of natural-resources fund territories demand certain regulating actions. These actions have to be based on exact basis of complex interdisciplinary approach to environment security. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/10022

For the Zaporozhya region, as one of the most industrialized loaded, environmental issues are important. According to the National Cancer Institute, Zaporozhya region is included in the five regions of Ukraine with the highest cancer. Therefore are relevant issues related to the environmental aspects of the work and the development of industry in the region. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/31704

The built environment contributes extensively to the overall environmental impact of society. An increasing number of tools have been developed worldwide for comprehensive environmental assessment and rating of buildings in order to make the building sector more sustainable. These tools are expected to drive and facilitate future environmental improvements and market transformation in the sector. This thesis explores different methodological aspects in tool development using experiences from two large Swedish projects, the EcoEffect and ByggaBo tools, which were developed with a high level of stakeholder participation in order to be of practical use in the building sector.   The methodological aspects explored and discussed here include an approach for systematic selection of assessment aspects (energy use, indoor air quality, etc.) in tools (Paper 3), and a systematic procedure for selecting practical indicators using theoretical (e.g. validity/environmental relevance) and practical (e.g. costs) criteria (Papers 2 and 3). An approach for simple communication of complex results is presented with examples from 26 multi-family buildings (Paper 4). This approach allows a building’s ‘environmental efficiency’ to be presented in one diagram, without weighting the two distinct assessment areas energy use and indoor environmental quality. Paper 5 discusses the contextual issue of internal use of environmental indicators in property management organisations through reviews of environmental performance evaluation and organisation theory literature and comparisons with actual case studies. The EcoEffect (Paper 1) and the ByggaBo tools are also compared and summarised.   The case studies of real buildings and experiences from the EcoEffect and ByggaBo projects allowed data collection, calculation procedures and different practical applications of such tools to be evaluated. Poor data availability sometimes limits assessments, and improved internal routines and database developments in the building sector would allow more reliable environmental assessments.   Reviews of numerous indicators in Paper 3 (and 2) and literature revealed that environmental relevance was not a key aspect when current environmental performance indicators and building rating tools were constructed. This thesis suggests that environmental relevance and systematic procedures be prioritised in order to provide robust and trustworthy tools for environmental assessment of buildings.  Recommendations, some of which are generally applicable to other environmental assessments, include selection of environmentally relevant indicators, systematic procedures for handling theoretical and practical considerations in tool development, aggregation and weighting methods, use of a life cycle perspective and inclusion of performance-based rather than feature-based indicators. Since it is likely that the information these tools provide will increasingly be used by authorities, building users, economic incentive providers such as banks, etc., the methodological developments suggested here to strengthen tool rigour are important for future tool development processes.
Utvecklingen av verktyg för miljöbedömning av byggnader är ett område som expanderat kraftigt sedan 1990-talets början. Den ökande medvetenheten om den byggda miljöns omfattande bidrag till samhällets miljöpåverkan i stort har spelat stor roll för denna utveckling. Verktygen förväntas ha en betydelsefull roll i att driva på och underlätta miljöförbättringar och omdaning av marknaden i bygg- och fastighetssektorn. Denna avhandling utforskar olika metodaspekter för verktygsutveckling och bygger på erfarenheterna från två stora svenska metodutvecklingsprojekt för miljöbedömning av byggnader, EcoEffect och ByggaBo:s miljöklassning av byggnader. Båda dessa verktyg togs fram i samarbete med ett stort antal representanter från bygg- och fastighetssektorn, då verktygen syftade till praktisk användning.   Ett antal metodaspekter utforskas och diskuteras i avhandlingen. I artikel 3 föreslås och testas ett angreppssätt för systematiskt urval av miljöaspekter som ska bedömas av ett verktyg och dessutom föreslås här och i artikel 2 ett systematiskt tillvägagångssätt för att välja indikatorer för praktiskt användning utifrån både teoretiska (t ex. validitet) och praktiska (t ex. kostnad) kriterier. Ett angreppssätt för att underlätta kommunikation av komplexa miljöbedömningsresultat presenteras genom exempel från 26 flerfamiljshus i artikel 4. Detta angreppssätt möjliggör att redovisa en byggnads ‘miljöeffektivitet’ i ett diagram utan att behöva vikta de två disparata miljöaspekterna energianvändning och innemiljö. Artikel 5 tar upp användning av miljöindikatorer för internt arbete i fastighetsförvaltande organisationer genom litteraturöversikter inom områdena utvärdering av miljöprestanda och organisationsteori samt genom jämförelser med praktiska fallstudier. Verktygen EcoEffect (artikel 1) och nuvarande version av ByggaBo:s miljöklassningssystem sammanfattas också och jämförs i avhandlingen.   Genom ett antal fallstudier av verkliga byggnader och erfarenheterna från EcoEffect- och ByggaBo-projekten utvärderas frågor som insamling av indata, beräkningsmetoder och olika praktiska tillämpningar i avhandlingen. Dålig tillgång på indata begränsar ibland möjligheterna att göra miljöbedömningar. Förbättrade interna rutiner samt utveckling av nya typer av databaser inom bygg- och fastighetssektorn kommer med största sannolikhet att underlätta miljöbedömningar i framtiden.   Granskning av ett stort antal miljöindikatorer i artikel 3 (och 2) och litteratur på området visade att när miljöindikatorer och miljöklassningsmetoder tagits fram, har miljörelevansen hos dessa sällan haft högsta prioritet. Ett övergripande mål för denna avhandling har därför varit att bidra med rekommendationer som kan stärka miljörelevansen och trovärdigheten hos liknande indikatorer och verktyg. Några av de angreppssätt som föreslås är tillämpliga mer generellt också för andra typer av miljöbedömningar; t ex. hur miljörelevanta miljöindikatorer kan väljas, hur både teoretiska och praktiska överväganden kan hanteras på ett systematiskt sätt vid liknande verktygsutveckling, angreppssätt för viktning och aggregering av resultat samt användning av ett livscykelperspektiv. Vid miljöbedömning av byggnader bör också funktionsbaserade indikatorer i första hand väljas snarare än sådana som baseras på specifika tekniska utföranden. En trolig utveckling är att nya typer av användare i större utsträckning kommer att efterfråga den information som miljöbedömningsverktyg för byggnader kan tillhandahålla. Det kan handla om t ex. myndigheter, husköpare och ekonomiska incitamentsgivare såsom banker. Av denna anledning är de frågor som rör metodutveckling och tas upp i avhandlingen, klart betydelsefulla för att stärka noggrannhet, robusthet och trovärdighet i framtida utveckling av miljöbedömningsverktyg för byggnader.
QC 20100601
Miljöklassning av byggnader
EcoEffect - miljövärdering av byggnader
Miljöstyrning med miljöindikatorer i fastighetsförvaltning

Information may resolve uncertainty and uncertainty is pervasive. Thus, seeking, producing and trading of information are common economic activities. This is also true in the economics of the environment and for the different stakeholders therein involved. The central aim of this research is to investigate some theoretical aspects of the value and effects of information in environmental economics. Information is valuable either as a decision aid in contexts where either health and environmental characteristics of goods are uncertain or as the object of direct valuation under different provision rules. In a choice context three questions arise providing grounds for empirical investigations.

Whilst issues of environmental equity are internationally recognised as a major concern, Japan, a data rich country, has little evidence on whether or not they are present. The purpose of this thesis is therefore to investigate the situation of environmental equity in Japan by developing and employing novel approaches around the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). G This thesis firstly presents a GIS-based cross-sectional study of equity in proximity to waste facilities, air pollution exposure and school accessibility in Yokohama city, showing some evidence of disparities between social groups. A longitudinal model of park provision is then developed and presented to investigate whether affluent areas attracted new parks, or new parks attracted affluent people in Yokohama. The results show weak evidence of both processes, and also confirm direct park provision into the least affluent areas may be the most useful policy measure for equity. A limitation of many equity studies is that they have focused on environmental features that are only measurable in two dimensions. This is despite the fact that many environmental attributes require consideration vertical variations in features, such as building heights. To drive forward this research, a methodology was then developed and is presented to compute access to both sunlight and views in the city of Kyoto. The work illustrates how it is possible to model these three-dimensional attributes for large urban areas using virtual city modelling, and the findings suggest that disparities in access to both of these amenities are present, in the city. The overall conclusion of the thesis is that inequities are apparent in Japan and that these can be detected and quantified by the development of novel GIS techniques that utilise the rich sources of data present in the country.

'Climate change is the greatest and widest-ranging market failure ever seen' Stern (2006 p. xvii). This vigorous description highlights one of the most important and frustrating realizations of the last decades. The main reason of that market failure stems from the fact that climate change is a complex global externality. This makes the design of appropriate measures to mitigate the problem and the identification of their effects on economic activity of paramount importance. The transboundary nature of pollution combined with the skewed distribution of the origin and impact of emissions among countries reveals the need for international cooperation in the direction of multilateral agreements among countries. The characterization of Pareto-efficient environmental and trade policies has been a key issue (and continues to be) in the literature. Predominantly, however, the literature has focused on the role of taxes (trade and pollution) in achieving the first-best paying no attention to the role (if there is any) of non-tradeable goods. Chapter 4 deals with this issue. A key issue in mitigating climate change is with the appropriate extent of harmonization of environmental policies. This thesis (Chapters 2) addresses this within a general equilibrium model of international trade with endogenous pollution discharges, paying particular attention to the allocation of tax revenues. It argues that there indeed exist instances in which pollution tax harmonization (that moves the initial pollution taxes towards an appropriately weighted pollution tax vector) can deliver potential Pareto improvements. The difficulty with the achievement of global environmental agreements should not be, however, ignored. Chapter 3 deals with the possibility that governments may act unilaterally in order to mitigate the social cost of pollution. It shows that (under certain conditions) there exist unilateral Pareto improving trade policy reforms. Chapter 5 discusses the welfare implication of environmental policy reforms within a subset of countries. It shows that environmental policy coordination has opposing effect on the welfare of the coordinating and non-coordinating countries.

This thesis examines how to take into account both environmental and social sustainability goals to be used in scenarios or in policymaking. In paper I, we select four sustainability goals that have to be fulfilled by 2050 in normative future scenarios for Sweden in a degrowth context. Two goals address ecological challenges, climate change and land use issues specifically. The other two goals address social issues and deal with participation and influence in society as well as resource security and distribution. The environmental goals will require significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and land use compared to today's levels. The social goals are within reach today, although the degree of fulfillment differs across different groups in society. In paper II, we review existing and suggested climate or energy targets at a global, national and local scale and search for justice perspectives or for proposals for such perspectives. We find that the justice aspect is not explicitly formulated in existing climate and energy targets and that, the community of justice i.e. the receivers of benefits or burdens, in our reviewed examples, is limited to human beings, thereby excluding all other living beings. In paper III, we assess how four different backcasting scenarios for land use in a Swedish context, all of which fulfil a climate target of zero CO2 emissions in 2060, impact on other sustainability goals. We conduct a goal conflict analysis between the chosen climate goal and the other Swedish environmental goals, the gender equity goals and the public health goal. We find that there are more potential goal conflicts in scenarios with no global climate agreement. From the results of all three papers, I then discuss several aspects that have to be taken into account when setting goals, such as the major uncertainties associated with long-term goals, the elusiveness, the normativity of goals and the need to separate goals from the means to achieve the goals.
Utsläpp av växthusgaser (GHG) och andra miljöproblem, såsom förlust av biologisk mångfald, markanvändning och övergödning av sötvatten och marina kustekosystem, är stora utmaningar för mänskligheten. De planetära gränser för dessa områden har redan överskridits. Av de 16 svenska miljömålen för 2020, vars syfte är att lösa dessa ödesfrågor, bedöms bara ett – "Ett skyddande ozonskikt" – uppnås i tid. Vad gäller sociala mål på global nivå fram till 2015 – FN:s Milleniemål – har visserligen betydande framsteg gjorts på en del områden, t.ex. jämställdhet i utbildningen, men utfallet skiljer sig mellan länder och inom länder med avseende på socioekonomisk grupp och kön. Denna avhandling undersöker hur man kan ta hänsyn till både miljömässiga och sociala hållbarhetsmål som ska användas i framtidsscenarier eller som underlag till beslutsfattande. I artikel I väljs fyra hållbarhetsmål i en tvärvetenskaplig process. Målen ska uppfyllas 2050 i s.k. normativa framtidsscenarier (backcasting) för Sverige i en kontext av nedväxt eller låg tillväxt. De två första målen handlar om klimatförändringar och markanvändningsfrågor. De två andra är sociala mål och omfattar delaktighet och inflytande i samhället samt tillgång till resurser och fördelning av dessa. För att uppnå de valda miljömålen, kommer drastiska minskningar av växthusgasutsläpp (GHG) och markanvändning att behövas, jämfört med dagens situation. Båda de sociala målen är inom räckhåll i dag, även om graden av uppfyllelse skiljer sig mellan olika grupper i samhället. I artikel II genomförs en kvalitativ dokumentanalys för att samla information om befintliga och föreslagna klimat- och energimål på global, nationell och lokal nivå. Vi letar också efter rättviseperspektiv i befintliga klimat- och energimål samt förslag till sådana perspektiv i föreslagna mål i den vetenskapliga litteraturen liksom i rapporter från miljöorganisationer. En slutsats är att rättvisa inte är uttryckligen formulerat i befintliga klimat- och energimål. Vi använder en teoretisk ram för social rättvisa som skiljer mellan vem som ger och får det som fördelas, vad som fördelas (rättvisevaluta) och hur det fördelas (distributionsprinciper). Utifrån vår analys fann vi att en egalitär princip används för de flesta föreslagna målen, exempelvis för globala mål om utsläpp av växthusgaser per capita. Samtliga av de granskade målen omfattar endast rättvisa mellan människor och exkluderar därmed andra levande varelser. I artikel III analyserar vi hur fyra olika backcastingscenarier för markanvändning i ett svenskt sammanhang år 2060 påverkar andra hållbarhetsmål när ett klimatmål om noll CO2-utsläpp är uppfyllt. Med hjälp av en matris gör vi en målkonfliktanalys med de övriga svenska miljömålen, jämställdhetsmål och mål för folkhälsan med dess 11 tillhörande målområden. Analysen visar att de potentiella målkonflikterna är fler i scenarier utan globalt klimatavtal. Detta beror främst på att vissa miljöfrågor måste behandlas på global nivå, samt att minskningen i miljöpåverkan kommer att bero på åtgärder som inte bara vidtagits i Sverige utan också globalt. Utifrån dessa tre artiklar diskuterar jag sedan olika aspekter som måste beaktas vid fastställandet av mål. Eftersom hållbarhetsmål är långsiktiga och kännetecknas av en hel del osäkerhet diskuterar jag behovet av att sätta upp "försiktigt utopiska mål" (cautiously utopian goals), det vill säga mål som kan vara omöjliga att uppnå, men möjliga att närma sig. Sådana mål kan få till stånd de djupgående förändringar som krävs för en hållbar och rättvis framtid samtidigt som de är acceptabla för de intressenter som berörs. Mål är ofta otydliga vad gäller vad som ingår eller inte. Vad gäller klimatmålen, exempelvis, är det ofta otydligt huruvida utsläpp från handel är inkluderade eller ej och vilket referensår en viss utsläppsminskning baseras på. Sådana avgränsningar bör synliggöras och helst diskuteras med avseende på hur de kan påverka till exempel andra länders utsläppsminskningar. Det finns också ett behov att skilja mål från medel för att uppnå målen, eftersom det gör det möjligt att formulera mål som kan uppnås på olika sätt. Ekonomisk tillväxt ses ofta som ett mål i sig, såsom i FN:s nya hållbarhetsmål (SDGs). Tillväxt borde dock betraktas som ett rent verktyg för att uppnå egentliga mål rörande, exempelvis, välbefinnande. Mål är också normativa och återspeglar både olika kulturella och etiska perspektiv på vad en god hälso- och sjukvård eller bostadsstandard bör vara. De underliggande värdena bör därför också synliggöras och ifrågasättas. Både inter- och intragenerationella rättviseperspektiv bör göras mer konkreta och tydliga så att sådana frågor kan följas upp. En bra start kan vara att förutom ett territoriellt perspektiv börja använda ett konsumtionsperspektiv vid upprättandet av klimat-eller markanvändningsmål, då effekten av vår konsumtion på andra länders miljö och hälsa har ökat under de senaste årtiondena.

QC 20160901

Beyond GDP Growth

The rules governing modern social relations in the field of aviation safety in the aviation sector are contained in the normative legal acts of different branches of legislation, and, accordingly, it allows to state about the formation of a comprehensive inter-branch institute of environmental safety in aviation. Therefore, legal aspects of environmental responsibility of aviation are being considered by multidisciplinary approach.
Норми, що регулюють сучасні суспільні відносини у сфері авіаційної безпеки, містяться в нормативно-правових актах різних галузей законодавства, що, відповідно дозволяє констатувати формування всебічного міжгалузевого інституту екологічної безпеки в авіації. Тому правові аспекти екологічної відповідальності в сфері авіації розглядаються з використанням мультидисциплінарного підходу.

Produktionen av biogas är en viktig komponent för skapandet av ett fossilfritt samhälle. Rötning av det matavfall som uppstår i hushållen är en central källa till att producera biogas och biogödsel. Regeringen har satt upp etappmålet att till 2018 sortera ut minst 40 % av matavfallet från hushåll, storkök, butiker och restauranger så att energi kan utvinnas eller att 50 % av matavfallet samlas in så antingen energi kan utvinnas eller växtnäring tas till vara på.   Det här examensarbetet utfördes på initiativ av Tekniska verken i Linköping AB med syftet att studera och kartlägga hur olika fastighetsnära insamlingssystem för matavfall påverkar biogasproduktion med avseende på mängd och kvalitet på biogas och biogödsel. Det har dessutom studerats om det finns andra faktorer som påverkar insamlad mängd och renhet på matavfallet. Rapporten är tänkt att utgöra beslutsunderlag för Tekniska verken inför en eventuell omställning av rådande insamlingssystem.   Resultaten i studien visade att system där matavfall läggs i ett separat fack eller kärl har något högre utsorteringsgrad av matavfall jämfört med optisk sortering. Detta innebär att en omställning till fyrfackskäl eller separata kärl skulle kunna ge högre utsorteringsgrad än dagens optiska sortering. Därför konstateras det i studien att insamlingssystemet troligtvis har en påverkan på utsorteringsgraden av matavfall. Renhetsgraden är hög för samtliga studerade system, därför är det troligt att en omställning av insamlingssystem för villor i Linköping kommun kan genomföras utan att kompromissa med renheten på matavfallet. Det konstateras även i studien att det finns yttre faktorer som påverkar mängd och renhet på det matavfall som samlas från hushållen. Litteraturstudier och intervjuer med utvalda kommuner med hög utsorteringsgrad visade att faktorer som informationskampanjer och användarvänlighet kring matavfallsinsamling har en påverkan på insamlingsresultatet. Dock kan det inte bestämmas till vilken grad de yttre faktorerna påverkar resultatet.   För framtida studier rekommenderas att inkludera fler plockanalyser för att få en tydligare bild av hur resultatspridningen ser ut för de olika insamlingssystemen. Detta skulle leda till en större säkerhet i slutsatserna om hur de olika insamlingssystemen påverkar insamlingsresultatet för matavfall. Vidare är det möjligt att en strukturerad intervjustudie med fokus på enstaka utvalda faktorer skulle kunna avgöra vilken påverkan en isolerad yttre faktor har på insamlingsresultatet.

Dissertation (PhD) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In most plants the efficiency of sucrose production and the systemic distribution thereof are the major determinants of growth, development and yield. The factors governing sugar partitioning co-ordinate its distribution in response to intrinsic and environmental signals. These factors include sugar transporters and invertases as well as metabolites, including sucrose and glucose, which function as signalling molecules to modulate gene expression. The genetic transformation of plants and the subsequent development of transgenic lines with disturbed sugar metabolism have made an unprecedented impact on the study of sugar translocation and -partitioning. For instance, the transformation of plants with a yeast-derived invertase targeted to different subcellular compartments has led to the elucidation of several key aspects of sugar metabolism, including phloem loading mechanisms, the regulation of photosynthesis by sugars, the importance of sugar-metabolism compartmentation with regards to sucrose biosynthesis, storage and distribution, as well as the role of cell-wall invertase in phloem unloading and sink strength. In this study, a similar strategy of transgenic plant analysis was employed to expand our insight into the regulation of sugar partitioning. The yeast-invertase Suc2 gene, from Saccharomyces cere visiae , was overexpressed in either the cytosol, vacuole or apoplast of transgenic tobacco plants. These transgenic lines displayed varying increases in invertase activity, altered sugar levels and consequently disturbed sink-source interactions and sugar partitioning. Transgenic lines overproducing the yeast-derived invertase in either the vacuole (Vac-Inv) or apoplast (Apo-Inv) were utilised to analyse the effect of the altered sugar levels in sink and source organs on the expression of sugar transporters, as well as the endogenous cell wall invertase and inhibitors in these plants. Transcript levels of the sucrose transporter NtSUT1 and hexose transporter NtMST1 encoding genes increased significantly in the source leaves and roots of Vac-Inv lines, whereas increased NtMst1 transcript levels were also detected in the roots of Apo-Inv lines. The increased mRNA levels could be correlated to the altered invertase activities and sugar levels in these tissues. It is concluded that NtSUT1 and NtMST1 are differentially regulated by sucrose and/or hexose content on a transcriptional level. Furthermore, the regulatory effect of the altered sugar levels on transporter expression depended on the subcellular compartment in which the yeast invertase was expressed. It would seem that the subcellular compartmentation of sugar metabolism is also fundamental to the regulation of sugar partitioning. The transcription levels of the endogenous cell wall invertase (CWt) and cell wall invertase inhibitor (Cwi-Inh) genes were examined in the various tissues of Apo-Inv and Vac-Inv lines at both the vegetative and flowering growth stages. In comparison with the control lines, the various tissues of the Apo-Inv and Vac-Inv lines displayed altered Cwi and Cwi-Inh expression levels, depending on the sink-source status and growth stage. However, no obvious correlation between the Cwi and Cwi-Inh expression levels and soluble sugar content of these tissues was found. It is suggested that the post-transcriptional and post-translation control of these proteins by sugars might play an important role in their regulation. Analysis of the Cwi:Cwi-lnh mRNA ratio and growth observations of the various tissues of control as well as Apo-Inv and Vac-Inv lines indicated that this transcription ratio could be an accurate indicator of the sink strength of sink organs. In addition, the influence of sink-source interactions on sugar partitioning was investigated. Reciprocal grafting between Apo-Inv and control lines resulted in scions with an altered sucrose metabolism in either the sink or source organs. These scions were subjected to biomass distribution, soluble sugar quantification and C4C]- radiolabelling experiments. The latter revealed an unaltered state of sugar partitioning from the above-ground tissues of the Apo/GUS scions and a significant shift in sugar partitioning towards the roots of the GUS/Apo scions in comparison to the control GUS/GUS scions. Phenotypic changes, opposite to those observed in Apo-Inv lines expressing the heterologous invertase in both sink and source organs, could initially be observed in the GUS/Apo and Apo/GUS scions. However, no significant differences in phenotype or biomass distribution could be observed between the mature GUS/Apo, Apo/GUS and GUS/GUS scions seven weeks postgrafting. This inconsistency between phenotype and sugar partitioning might be explained by an increase in the respiration rate of the tissues as supported by the soluble sugar content. These results highlight the complexity and adaptability of sucrose metabolism and sugar partitioning. In addition, it confirms that sugar partitioning can be modulated by sink-source interactions and emphasise the importance of invertases in the regulation of sugar partitioning through its ability to alter sink strength. This study forms part of the rapidly expanding initiative to unravel the control mechanisms of sugar partitioning. The results obtained in this study confirmed again that the introduction and expression of a single heterologous gene in transgenic plants could provide significant insight into the regulation of this process. It was shown here that the expression of sugar transporters is closely regulated by sugar levels and therefore fulfils a vital function in sugar sensing and consequently the regulation of sugar partitioning. The data presented in this study also demonstrated the intricate and flexible nature of the relationship that exists between sugar metabolism, partitioning and growth phenomena.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doeltreffendheid van sukroseproduksie, tesame met die sistemiese verspreiding daarvan, is die vernaamste faktore wat die groei, ontwikkeling en opbrengsvermoë van die meeste plante bepaal. Die faktore wat suikerverdeling beheer, funksioneer om suikerverspreiding te koordineer in reaksie op beide inherente- en omgewingsseine. Hierdie faktore sluit suikertransporters en invertases in, asook metaboliete soos sukrose en glukose wat funksioneer as seinmolekule in die modulering van geenuitdrukking. Die genetiese transformasie van plante en die gevolglike daarstelling van transgeniese lyne met veranderde suikermetabolismes het 'n beduidende inwerking op die bestudering van suikervervoer en -verdeling gehad. Byvoorbeeld, die transformasie van plante met 'n gis-invertase geteiken na verskillende sub-sellulêre kompartemente, het tot die toeligting van verskeie aspekte van suikermetabolisme gelei, insluitende dié van floëemladingsmeganismes, die regulering van fotosintese deur suikers, die belang van kompartementalisering ten opsigte van sukrosebiosintese, -opberging en -verspreiding, en die rol van selwand-invertases in floëemontlaaiing en swelgpuntkrag. In hierdie studie is van soortgelyke transgeniese plantontledings gebruik gemaak om 'n dieper insig tot die regulering van suikerverdeling te verkry. Die gis-invertase Suc2 geen, afkomstig van Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is ooruitgedruk in óf die sitosol, vakuool óf apoplastiese ruimte van transgeniese tabakplante. Hierdie transgeniese lyne het wisselende toenames in invertase-aktiwiteite en veranderde suikervlakke getoon, asook gevolglike versteurde bron-swelgpunt interaksies en suikerverdeling. Transgeniese lyne met ooruitdrukking van die gis-invertase in óf die vakuool (Vac-Inv) óf die apoplast (Apo-Inv) is gebruik om die gevolg van die veranderde suikervlakke in bron- en swelgpuntorgane op die uitdrukking van suikertransporters, asook die endogene selwand-invertase en invertase-inhibitor in hierdie plante te bepaal. Transkripsievlakke van die sukrosetransporter NtSut1 en die heksosetransporter, NtMst1, het beduidend toegeneem in die bron-blare en wortels van die Vac-Inv lyne; 'n toename in NtMst1 transkripsievlakke is ook in die wortels van Apo-Inv lyne bevestig. Die toenames in boodskapper RNA kon gekorreleer word met die veranderde invertase-aktiwiteite en suikervlakke in hierdie weefsels. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat NtSUT1 en NtMST1 differensieël gereguleer word op transkripsionele vlak deur die sukrose en/of heksose inhoud van weefsels. Meer nog, die regulerende effek van die veranderde suikervlakke op transporteruitdrukking het afgehang van die subsellulêre kompartement waarin die gis-invertase uitgedruk is. Dit wil dus voorkom dat die subsellulêre kompartementalisering van suikermetabolisme fundamenteel tot die deurgee en waarneming van suikerseine is, met In gevolglike eweneens belangrike rol in die regulering van suikerverdeling. Die transkripsievlakke van beide die endogene selwand-invertase (CWI) en die selwand-invertase-inhibitor (CWI-Inh) enkoderende gene is in verskeie weefsels van die Apo-Inv en Vac-Inv lyne, tydens beide die vegetatiewe- en blomstadia, bestudeer. Die onderskeie weefsels van die Apo-Inv en Vac-Inv lyne het, in vergelyking met die kontrole lyne, veranderde Cwi en Cwi-inh transkripsievlakke getoon wat bepaal is deur bron-swelgpunt status en groeistadium. Geen duidelike korrelasie kon tussen beide Cwi en Cwi-inh uitdrukkingsvlakke en oplosbare suiker inhoud gevind word nie. Daar word voorgestel dat post-transkripsionele en posttranslasionele beheer deur suikers 'n belangrike rol in die regulering van hierdie proteïne speel. Bestudering van die Cwi:Cwi-lnh mRNA verhouding, asook groei verskynsels van die onderskeie weefsels van kontrole en Apo-Inv en Vac-Inv lyne, dui daarop dat hierdie transkripsievlak-verhouding moontlik 'n akkurate aanwyser van die swelgpuntkrag van 'n swelgpuntorgaan kan wees. Voorts is die invloed van bron-swelgpuntorgaan interaksies op suikerverdeling ondersoek. Omgekeerde enting tussen Apo-Inv en kontrole lyne het entlote met gemodifiseerde suikermetabolisme in óf hul bron- óf hul swelgpuntorgane tot gevolg gehad. Hierdie entlote is aan biomassaverspreidings-, oplosbare suiker kwantifisering en C4C]-radiomerking eksperimente onderwerp. Hierdie resultate het gewys dat, in vergelyking met die kontrole (GUS/GUS) ente, daar geen verandering in die status van suikerverdeling vanaf die bogrondse plantdele in die Apo/GUS ente is nie, maar wel 'n beduidende verskuiwing in suikerverdeling na die wortels van die GUS/Apo ente. Fenotipiese veranderinge, wat teenoorgesteld van dié teenwoordig in die Apo- Inv lyne waar die heteroloë invertase in beide bron en swelgpuntorgane uitgedruk word, is aanvanklik in die GUS/Apo en Apo/GUS ente waargeneem. Geen verskille in fenotipe of biomassa-verspreiding kon egter sewe weke na die entings prosedures tussen die GUS/Apo, Apo/GUS and GUS/GUS ente gevind word nie. Dit mag verduidelik word deur 'n moontlike toename in respirasietempo in die betrokke weefsels; die oplosbare suikervlakke wat in die verskillende ente aangeteken is ondersteun dié moontlikheid. Hierdie resultate as geheelonderstreep die kompleksiteit en aanpasbaarheid van suikermetabolisme en -verdeling. Verder bevestig dit dat suikerverdeling beïnvloed kan word deur bron-swelgpunt interaksies, asook die belang van invertases in die regulering van suikerverdeling gegewe die vermoë om swelgpuntkrag te verander. Hierdie studie vorm deel van 'n vinnig groeiende inisiatief om die beheermeganismes van suikerverdeling te ontrafel. Die resultate verkry in hierdie studie bekragtig die belang van rekombinante DNA tegnologie in die bestudering van fundamentele plantprosesse. Die invoeging en uitdrukking van 'n geteikende gisinvertase in transgeniese plante het gelei tot veranderde suikervlakke en bronswelgpunt interaksies in hierdie lyne met die gevolglike ontginning van waardevolle inligting ten opsigte van die regulering van suikerverdeling in reaksie tot interne seine. Daar is aangetoon dat suikertransporters onlosmaakbaar gekoppel is aan die deurgee en waarneming van suikerseine, spesifiek op die vlak van transkripsionele regulering, en dus ook die regulering van suikerverdeling. Voorts wys die resultate op die komplekse en aanpasbare aard van die verhouding wat bestaan tussen suikermetabolisme, -verdeling en groeiverskynsels.

Bioethanol is likely to be a large contributor to the fuel sector of industry in the near future. Current research trends are geared towards utilizing food crops as substrate for bioethanol fermentation; however, this is the source of much controversy. Utilizing food crops for fuel purposes is anticipated to cause massive food shortages worldwide. Cellulose is the most abundant renewable resource on earth and is subject to a wide array of scientific study in order to utilize the glucose contained within it. Waste paper has a high degree of cellulose associated with it, which makes it an ideal target for cellulose biotechnology with the ultimate end goal of bioethanol production. This study focussed on producing the necessary enzymes to hydrolyse the cellulose found in waste paper and using the sugars produced to produce ethanol. The effects of various printing inks had on the production of sugars and the total envirorunental impact of the effluents produced during the production line were also examined. It was found that the fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum DSM 769 grown in Mandel's medium with waste newspaper as the sole carbon source at 28 °C for 6 days produced extracellular cellulase enzymes with an activity of 0.203 ± 0.009 FPU.ml⁻¹, significantly higher activity as compared to other paper sources. This extracellular cellulase was used to hydrolyse waste newspaper and office paper, with office paper yielding the highest degree of sugar production with an end concentration of 5.80 ± 0.19 g/1 at 40 °C. Analysis by HPLC showed that although glucose was the major product at 4.35 ± 0.12 g/1, cellobiose was also produced in appreciable amounts (1.97 ± 0.71 g/1). The sugar solution was used as a substrate for Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 1333 and ethanol was produced at a level of 1.79 ± 0.26 g/1, the presence of which was confirmed by a 600 MHz NMR spectrum. It was found that cellobiose was not fermented by this strain of S. cerevisiae. Certain components of inks (the PAHs phenanthrene and naphthalene) were found to have a slight inhibitory effect (approximately 15% decrease) on the cellulase enzymes at very high concentrations (approximately 600 μg/1 in aqueous medium), while anthracene had no effect. Whole newsprint ink was shown not to sorb glucose. The environmental analysis of the effluents produced showed that in order for the effluents to be discharged into an aqueous ecosystem they would have to be diluted up to 200 times. They were also shown to have the potential to cause severe machinery damage if reused without proper treatment.

The aim of this research was to explore how participants made meaning in an environmental education and training course for people from industry, business and local government in South Africa, and to identify and comment on any constraints to this meaning-making. I used a Symbolic Interactionist theoretical framework to explore and comment on the meaning-making process. I started my research by conducting a questionnaire to select participants for interviews. During the course the selected participants were interviewed, as well as the two course co-ordinators. Data was also gathered during the course from participant observation field notes ('captured talk'), photographs, participants' assignments and course evaluations. The data was analysed using an adapted form of discourse analysis and matrices. The research highlights that the opportunities provided on the course were adequate for encouraging meaning-making amongst both the co-ordinators and participants. However, recorded instances of meaning-making were low, which indicated that there were certain constraints during the meaning-making process. This research highlights and comments on identified constraints such as time and workplace support. The research supports similar findings which emerged from research conducted on the Gold Fields environmental education course for teachers and also offers recommendations for further research and practice into meaning-;making within the field of environmental education and industry, business and local government in South Africa.

Environmental concern has greatly increased in magnitude within the companies of Swedish industry. Product development has become a strategic area: the environmental adaptation of products is fundamental for a decrease in environmental impact from human activities, and product development is an area of the greatest importance to the competitiveness of companies. Integrating environmental aspects into product development at operations level is needed to achieve product improvements. The theme of this thesis is how to integrate environmental aspects into product development. An overarching purpose has been to identify adequate activities and changes required for integration. Great importance has been attached to conducting changes, especially by investigating how successfully to implement support tools in product development. Qualitative research interviews have been used to collect empirical data. Conclusions on measures industrially applicable to enabling the integration of environmental aspects have been drawn, as empirical data and experiences have been accumulated. Environmental aspects give rise to new considerations in product development: causal relationships between products and environmental impact; the life-cycle approach; and, new priorities and trade-offs between function, cost and quality of products. A need for activities supporting these considerations is identified; and, preferably, several activities, concerning knowledge development, work procedures and support tools, should be applied. It is also important to identify environmental actors for providing expertise and enthusiasm in the organisation. The implementation of support tools has to be carefully considered. To guide such implementation a framework with key factors has been developed. The framework suggests a cyclical implementation process, identification of the organisational change field, and consistent management behaviour. Keys to successful implementation are goal setting, knowledge development, adequate resources, anchoring at all levels, and a focus on individuals. To stay competitive, companies need to be proactive and respond to the driving forces underlying environmental adaptation. To make possible the environmental adaptation of products, several measures are needed. The following proactive measures have been identified: Management ought to set direction with a comprehensive view on business development and physical flows in the business. Commitment to desired change must be created to make sure changes are accepted and durable. Knowledge and skills need to be developed with an action learning approach. Work procedures need to be adjusted to include environmental criteria and secure interaction between product developers and environmental experts. Support tools can support a structured approach and enable rapid progress to be attained.
QC 20100623

Many decision-making situations today affect the safety of individuals and the environment,for instance hazardous waste management. In practice, many of these decisions are madewithout an overall view and with the focus on either the environment or safety. Now and then the areas of regulation are in conflict, i.e. the best alternative according to environmental considerations is not always the safest way and vice versa.A tool for taking an overall view within the areas of safety and environment would simplify matters and provide authorities and industry with a better basis for their work. This thesis forms part of a project which aims to develop a framework tool giving this overall view and supporting decision-making in which the issues (areas) of environment, safety, ethics and costs are all integrated. By developing a framework tool, different areas of interest could be taken into consideration more easily when a decision is to be made and could also help develop legislation and policy locally (at an industry or company), nationally and internationally. The project also aims to provide knowledge about different destruction/decommission methods, their good and bad points and their consequences, in order to provide different actors with a better basis for decision-making. This thesis focuses on development of the framework. The scope of the studies was restricted to environment, ethics and personnel safety due to the extent of the work and time limitations. In the next part of the project, the areas of costs and evaluation will be studied and a first draft of the framework tool will be presented. In order to develop the framework tool, two case studies were carried out here: an environmental analysis involving a life cycle assessment and an ethical analysis. With the help of these analyses, three different methods of destruction of ammunition were compared: Open detonation, modelled both with and without recovery and recycling of metals; incineration in a static kiln with air pollution control combined with recycling of metals, modelled with two different levels of air emissions; and a combination of incineration with air pollution control, open burning, recovery of some energetic material and recycling of metals, giving a total of five options. Every method of destruction of energetic material, i.e. explosive waste or ammunition, results in environmental impacts in both the short and long term. These environmental impacts have direct or indirect impacts on safety, quality of life, the economy, etc., now and in the future, locally and globally. Life cycle assessment revealed two factors of importance for reducing the environmental impacts: Recycling the metals and air pollution control. As a consequence of controlling these potential negative environmental impacts, safety problems might also be controlled. Ethical analysis revealed that future generations and people in foreign countries will be affected by the destruction of ammunition. When choosing a method for destruction of ammunition, this group (the general public) should thus be given special attention.
QC 20101210