Academic literature on the topic 'Table Mountain Group'

A molecular and morphological study of the Mountain Toadlets, previously included in Capensibufo rosei, showed that there are several previously unrecognised species in this group. We describe three new species from the Hawekwas, Hottentots-Holland, Groenland and Riviersonderend Mountains; the DuToitskloof Mountains, and the Akkedis, Koeël and Kleinriviers Mountains, South Africa. Capensibufo rosei is restricted to the Table Mountain chain of the Cape Peninsula.

Abstract The Table Mountain Group is a folded, faulted, quartzite-dominated sedimentary sequence, metamorphosed to lower greenschist facies, that forms steep mountains dominating the topography of the Western Cape and causing orographic rainfall in an otherwise semi-arid region. These quartzites are highly fractured to depths of kilometres and act as a complex aquifer system that supplies groundwater directly and indirectly, through baseflow, essential for sustaining the natural environment and human activity in the region. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope data for rain, rivers and groundwater (boreholes and springs) in the region give typical altitude effects of -1.8‰ δD/100 m and -0.33‰ δ18O/100 m, and a very strong continental effect of -30‰ δD/100 km and -4.7‰ δ18O/100 km. This allows for application of stable isotopes as natural hydrological tracers. Groundwater at several locations had stable isotope compositions different from ambient rainfall, but similar to rainfall at high altitudes in adjacent mountains, indicating recharge at high altitude. The groundwater flow is through the Skurweberg Aquifer, here defined as all three formations of the Nardouw Subgroup. Observations on the Peninsula Aquifer suggest a very well mixed aquifer, due to extensive fracturing. Potential exists to delineate groundwater protection zones, detect overabstraction and understand aquifer connectivity better by applying stable isotope hydrology to the Table Mountain Group.

AbstractCape Town was founded in 1652 and many of its historical buildings are constructed of local natural stone. Malmesbury Group slate was exploited from 1666 and used to build Cape Town Castle, which is the oldest building in Cape Town. Two other local stones, Cape granite and Table Mountain sandstone were utilized for buildings from 1850. A medium-grained granite named Paarl Grey was exploited from an area adjacent to the town of Paarl, 50 km east of Cape Town, from 1890. This granite is the most extensively-used natural stone in Cape Town.The resource fields of natural stone near Cape Town, namely Malmesbury Group slate, Cape granite and Table Mountain sandstone, lie within the Table Mountain National Park and Robben Island World Heritage Site and can no longer be exploited, but similar resource fields occur outside Cape Town. Paarl Grey granite is still extracted at one quarry and, despite part of the resource field lying within the Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, there are still sufficient quantities of stone available.From an international perspective, the heritage stones of Cape Town, South Africa, are best considered as having national significance.

Grasslandsandmeadowsoccur on seasonally moist and fresh soils, nearsnowfields, temporaryand permanent streams, springs and brooks, in the low and middle mountain ranges in Murmansk Region (Fig. 1). They occupy relatively small areas, but support high diversity of species and represent “lieblichsten Erscheinungen“, as R. Nordhagen (1928: 353) wrote. Syntaxonomy of this vegetation is still not clear and far from unambiguous explanation. From literature, these communities in Fennoscandiаn mountain tundra are related to several classes: Juncetea trifidi, Saliceteaherbaceae, Thlaspietea rotundifolii and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, which differ greatly both to habitats and vegetation. In Russian phytocoenology, some researchers include tundra grasslands with dominance of Nardus stricta and Avenella flexuosa in general typology (Ramenskaya, 1958), along with floodplain and dry grasslands and meadows, but other consider such vegetation in mountain tundra as independent type, related to grasslands and meadows in alpine belt (Gorodkov, 1938; Aleksandrova, 1977). Classification of mountain tundra grasslands and meadows in Murmansk Region based on 103 field descriptions and published relevés, with Braun-Blanquet approach applied. Prodromus of syntaxa is provided. Six vegetation associations were related to 4 alliances and 2 classes, three associations were described as new (Table 1). Ass. Carici bigelowii–Nardetum strictae (Zlatník 1928) Jeník 1961 (Table 2), withdiagnostic species Diphasiastrum alpinum and Nardus stricta, includes early snow-bed, poor of species vegetation with dominance of matgrass N. stricta. Аss. Anthoxantho alpini–Deschampsietum flexuosae Nordh. 1943 (Table 3; Fig. 2), with diagnostic species Anthoxanthum alpinum, Avenella flexuosa, includes early snow-bed grasslands, with dominance of Carex bigelowii, Avenella flexuosa, Anthoxanthum alpinum, and presence of diagnostic species of alliance Phyllodoco–Vaccinion myrtilli (Phyllodoce caerulea, Vaccinium myrtillus). Ass. Salici herbaceae–Caricetum bigelowii Koroleva et Kopeina ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 4, holotypus — relevé 8 (84/93)), with diagnostic species Alchemilla alpina, Cardaminebellidifolia, Carex bigelowii (dominant), Diplophyllum taxifolium, Lophozia wenzelii, represents rich of species early snow-bed, with dwarf-shrub- and-grass and moss layers. Ass. Hieracio alpini–Caricetum bigelowii Koroleva et Kopeina ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 5, holotypus — relevé 10 (46/01)), with diagnostic species Antennaria dioica, Carex bigelowii (dominant), Hieracium alpinum,includes communities rich of grasses and herbs on south-exposed gentle slopes, near springs and brooks. Аss. Potentillo crantzii–Polygonetum vivipari Nordh. 1928 (Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357: «Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass.»; Kalliola, 1939: 132–135: «Polygonum viviparum–Thalictrum alpinum-Soz.». Table 6, lectotypus hoc loco — relevé 16), diagnostic species Carex atrata, Cerastium alpinum, Erigeron uniflorus, Festuca vivipara, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Potentilla crantzii, Rhodiola rosea, Saussurea alpina, Thalictrum alpinum, Viola biflora.The association is the holotype of the alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari Nordh. 1937 and includes rich of species low-herb meadows in mountain tundra. Association includes three variants: Oxyria digyna (Table 6, № 1–10; Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357, Table, Bestanden I, II), typica (Table 6, № 11–20; Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357, Table, Bestanden III, IV) and Agrostis borealis (Table 6, № 21–29; Kalliola, 1939: 132–135, Table 19, № 3–11). Ass. Salici reticulatae–Trollietum europaei Koroleva et Kopeina ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 7, holotypus — relevé 10 ( m1/16); Fig. 3) with diagnostic species Geranium sylvaticum, Juncus trifidus, Nardus stricta, Salix reticulata,represents species-rich meadows near springs and on gentle slopes, sometimes with patches of low willows and dwarf birch. The association is transitional to the tall-herb shrubs and forests of alliance Mulgedion alpini, class Mulgedio-Aconitetea. To arrange the syntaxa described in Murmansk Region in higher units correctly, we used the first descriptions of following alliances in Fennoscandia: alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari, incl. Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass. (Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357, Table, Bestanden I–IV) and Polygonum vivparum–Thalictrum alpinum-Soz. (Kalliola, 1939: 132–133, Table 19, № 3–11); alliance Ranunculo–Poion alpinae, incl. Trollius europaeus-soc. (Gjaerevoll, 1950: 420–421, Table XIII, № 1–10); alliance Deschampsio-Anthoxanthion, incl. ass. Deschampsietum flexuosae and ass. Caricetum bigelowii (ibid.: 393–394, Table I, Stands I–V; 396–397, Table II, Stands I, II); alliance Saxifrago stellaris–Oxyrion digynae, incl. ass. Oxyrietum digynae (ibid.: 406–407, Table VI, Stands I–III); alliance Kobresio-Dryadion, incl. Carex rupestris–Encalypta rhabdocarpa sos. (Nordhagen, 1943: 576–577, Table 99, Serie I–III) and аss. Dryadetum octopetalae (Nordhagen, 1955: 76–81, Table III, no. 17–33), as well as descriptions of ass. Polygono vivpari–Thalictretum alpini (Kalliola 1939) Koroleva 2006 from the Barents Sea shore. In total 113 relevés were analyzed with use of Program ExStatR (Novakovskiy, 2016) based on the Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMS), and hierarchical clustering with grouping by arithmetic means UPGMA. In both methods, the Sjørensen-Chekanovsky coefficient was used as a measure of similarity/distance. All relevés represent rather distinctive groups in ordination space (Fig. 4), with few transitional ones. Two well-expressed gradients explain the variation in grasslands and meadows: (1) snow-depth and calcium-availability and (2) height above the sea level, together with steepness of the slope and coarseness of substrata. On the one end of the axis 2 there are communities of the ass. Carici bigelowii–Nardetum strictae (Table 2; Fig. 4, group 3) with diagnostic species Nardus stricta and Diphasiastrum alpinum. They represent closed and species-poor (39 species in syntaxon, 11 species per relevé in average) mono-dominant vegetation in snow-bed depressions, which are water-inundated in the beginning of the growing season, but dry up quickly. Rather compact group of communities of Kobresio-Dryadion (Fig. 4, groups 14 and 15), described by Nordhagen in Ca-rich habitats in Scandinavian mountains, with constant species Dryas octopetala, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Carexrupestris, Alectoria nigricans, A. ochroleuca, Flavocetraria cucullata and F. nivalis occupies an opposite end. Second gradient (axis 1) starts with meadows associated with the moderate snow and moisture conditions in zonal tundra in Murmansk Region (Fig. 4, group 4: Polygono vivpari–Thalictretum alpini; Koroleva, 2006). It finishes with relevés of Gjaerevoll’s (1950) ass. Oxyrietumdigynae (all. Saxifrago stellaris–Oxyrion digynae), which occurs on stony and moist substrata on steep slopes of high Scandinavian ranges (Fig. 4, group 13). Among constant species there are mosses and liverworts Andreaea rupestris, Anthelia juratzkana, Hymenoloma crispulum,hygro-, and mesophytic herbs Epilobium anagallidifolium and Saxifraga stellaris. In close position on the ordination diagram are early snow-beds in Murmansk Region, ass. Salici herbaceae–Caricetum bigelowii, with diagnostic species Alchemilla alpina, Carex bigelowii, Cardaminebellidifolia, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Lophozia wenzelii (Table 4; Fig. 4, group 1). Ass. Anthoxantho alpini–Deschampsietum flexuosae with diagnostic species Anthoxanthum alpinum, Avenella flexuosa (Table 3; Fig. 4, group 2) comprises vegetation in transitional habitats from late snow-beds to moss-blueberry tundra and has large portion of dwarf shrubs of Phyllodoco–Vaccinion myrtilli. On the ordination diagram, these communities differ from Gjaerevoll’s (1950) relevés of Deschampsio-Anthoxanthion (Fig. 4, group 12); they are ecologically similar with snow-bed communities. Central parts of the both gradients are occupied by the meadows of following associations: Hieracio alpini–Caricetum bigelowii (Table 5; Fig. 4, group 8), Potentillo crantzii–Polygonetum vivipari (Fig. 4, group 6) and Salici reticulatae–Trollietum europaei (Table 7; Fig. 4, group 7). All of them belong to alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari (diagnostic species: Anthoxanthum alpinum, Bartsia alpina, Bistorta vivipara, Distichium capillaceum, Luzula spicata, Poa alpina, Potentilla crantzii, Ranunculus acris, Salix reticulata, Sanionia uncinata, Saussurea alpina, Selaginella selaginoides, Silene acaulis, Taraxacum croceum, Trollius europaeus, Veronica alpina, Viola biflora). They represent the richest tundra meadows (to 134 species in association and 41 species in community), with dominance of mesophytic herbs, high number of dwarf-shrubs, presence of mosses and liverworts. The alliance is well presented on the cluster dendrogram (Fig. 5). The first reference to alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari was published by Nordhagen (1937: 37–43) and contained synoptical table and direct reference to Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass. (Nordhagen, 1928: 356–357) as the most characteristic type of the alliance. So the alliance could be considered effectively and validly published (ICPN: Art. 1, 2b). Since Potentilla crantzii–Polygonum viviparum Ass. represents the only element published with the valid name with direct reference in the original diagnosis of the alliance, it must therefore be accepted as the holotype (ICPN: Art. 18a), and the name should be corrected to Potentillo crantzii–Polygonetum vivipari Nordh. 1928 (ICPN: Art. 41b). Later on, R. Kalliola (1939) and N. Koroleva (2006) also published one syntaxon in this alliance: publication of holotype by Koroleva (2006) is superfluous, because original diagnoses of Nordhagen (1937) is accompanied by clear reference to type association in the paper by Nordhagen (1928) (ICPN: Art. 21). The original diagnosis of Gjaerevoll’s (1950) alliance Ranunculo–Poion alpinae, ass. Ranunculo acris–Poetum alpinae Daniёls 2016 (based on Trollius europaeus-soc., Gjaerevoll, 1950: 420–421, Table XIII) (Fig. 4, groups 9, 10) coincides with the original diagnosis of Nordhagen’s alliance (Table 1), so Nordhagen’s name would have the priority over the Ranunculo–Poion alpinae which is a syntaxonomic synonym (ICPN: Art. 29с). T. Ohba (1974) considered Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari as synonym of Kobresio-Dryadion (Fig. 4, groups 14 and 15). Both alliances share some of the species pool, and ecologically and floristically are separated from each other (Fig. 4 and 5; Table 1). Kobresio-Dryadion comprises mainly xero-, mesophytic dwarf shrubs- and sedges-dominated communities on calcium-rich substrata. Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari includes species-rich tundra meadows with prevalence of mesophytic herbs. Alliances are clearly distinguished from each other in species composition, in habitats and in geographic distribution: Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari is likely restricted to Fennoscandia, whilst Kobresio-Dryadion has Eurasian distribution (Koroleva, 2015). Original diagnoses and nomenclatural types of alliances are different, so they cannot be considered as synonyms. Alliance Potentillo–Polygonion vivipari is not yet disposed in some higher units — order and class.

ABSTRACTA diverse arthropod-dominated ichnofauna, associated with a poorly preserved crustacean fauna and soft-bodied ?medusoid impressions, is described from the Blaiklock Glacier Group of the north-western Shackleton Range (Coats Land), Antarctica. The ichnofauna consists of Asaphoidichnus, Beaconites, Didymaulichnus, Diplichnites, Gordia, ?Laevicyclus, Merostomichnites, Monomorphichnus, Palaeophycus, Planolites, Rusophycus, Selenichnites, and Taphrhelminthoides (ichnogen nov.). Three new ichnotaxa are recognised: Taphrhelminthoides antarcticus n. ichnogen. et ichnosp. is a bilobate trail, composed of two parallel flat lobes, separated by a median ridge with a characteristic figure-of-eight pattern. Merostomichnites gracilis n. ichnosp. is characterised by its proportions (external:internal width ratio >3) and series of 10 to 12, thin, linear tracks. Selenichnites antarcticus n. ichnosp. is characterised by small elongate horseshoe-shaped marks, the medial portion showing three to five transverse scratch-marks.The palaeoenvironment is interpreted as extremely shallow marine water, possibly a tide-dominated estuary, based on sedimentological evidence and the composition of the ichnofauna. Radiometric and palaeomagnetic data indicate that this assemblage is Lower Ordovician in age, representing the first autochthonous Ordovician fossiliferous succession to be described from Antarctica. The succession shows several sedimentological and palaeontological similarities with the basal units of the Ordovician Table Mountain Group in South Africa, supporting palaeogeographic models placing the Palaeozoic Blaiklock basin close to the Ordovician Table Mountain basin.

The Table Mountain Group (TMG) Formation is the lowest member of the Cape Supergroup which consists of sediments deposited from early Ordovician to early Carboniferous times, approximately between 500 and 340 million years ago. The Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer system is 
exposed along the west and south coasts of South Africa. It is a regional fractured rock aquifer that has become a major source of bulk water supply to 
meet the agricultural and urban water requirements of the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces of South Africa. The TMG aquifer system comprises of an approximately 4000 m thick sequence of quartz arenite and minor shale layers deposited in a shallow, but extensive, predominantly eastwest striking 
asin, changing to a northwest orientation at the west coast. The medium to coarse grain size and relative purity of some of the quartz arenites, 
together with their well indurated nature and fracturing due to folding and faulting in the fold belt, enhance both the quality of the groundwater and its 
exploitation potential for agricultural and domestic water supply purposes and its hot springs for recreation. The region is also home to some unique 
and indigenous floral species (fynbos) of worldwide importance. These and other groundwater dependent vegetation are found on the series of 
mountains, mountain slopes and valleys in the Cape Peninsula. The hydrogeology of the TMG consists of intermontane and coastal domains which 
have different properties but are interconnected. The former is characterized by direct recharge from rain and snow melt, deep groundwater circulation with hot springs and low conductivity groundwater. The coastal domain is characterized by shallow groundwater occurrence usually with moderate to 
poor quality, indirect recharge from rainfall of shallow circulation and where springs occur they are usually cold. The sustainable utilization of the TMG 
aquifer addressed the issues of the groundwater flow dynamics, recharge and discharge to and from the aquifer
challenges of climate change and climate variability and their potential impact on the aquifer system. The concept of safe yield, recharge and the capture principle and the integration of 
sustainable yield provided the basis for sustainable utilization with the adaptive management approach. Methodology used included the evaluation of 
recharge methods and estimates in the TMG aquifer and a GIS based water balance recharge estimation. The evaluation of natural discharges and 
artificial abstractions from the TMG aquifer system as well as its potential for future development. The Mann-Kendal trend analysis was used to test historical and present records of temperature and rainfall for significant trends as indication for climate variability and change. The determination of 
variability index of rainfall and standard precipitation index were additional analyses to investigate variability. The use of a case study from the Klein 
(Little) Karoo Rural Water Supply Scheme (KKRWSS) within the TMG study area was a test case to assess the sustainable utilization of TMG aquifers. 
Results show that recharge varies in time and space between 1% and 55% of MAP as a result of different hydrostratigraphic units of the TMG based on 
geology, hydrology, climate, soil, vegetation and landuse patterns however, the average recharge is from 1% to 5% of MAP. The TMG receives recharge 
mainly through its 37,000 km2 of outcrop largely exposed on mountainous terrain. Natural discharges from the TMG include 11 thermal and numerous 
cold spring discharges, baseflow to streams and reservoirs, and seepage to the ocean. Results from this study also show increasing temperature 
trend over the years while rainfall trend generally 
remain unchanged in the study area. Rainfall variability persists hence the potential for floodsand droughts in the region remain. Global and Regional Models predict about 10% to 25% reduction in rainfall and increase in variability in future. Impacts of 
his change in climate will affect the different types of aquifers in various ways. Increase in temperature and reduction in rainfall will increase 
evapotranspiration, reduce surface flows and eventually reduce shallow aquifer resources. Coastal aquifers risk upsurge in salinisation from sea level 
rise and increase in abstractions from dwindling surface water resources. While floods increase the risk of contamination to shallow aquifers droughts 
put pressure on all aquifers especially deep aquifers which are considered to be more reliable due to the fact that they are far removed from surface conditions. Future population growth and increase in freshwater demand will put more pressure on groundwater. Recharge to groundwater have been 
over-estimated in certain areas in the past leading to high abstraction rates from boreholes causing extensive groundwater storage depletion evident by high decline in groundwater levels in these areas and hampering sustainable management of the aquifer resources. Over-abstraction have resulted in 
loss of stream flow and baseflow reduction to streams during summer, complete loss of springs and reduction of flow to others. Flow to wetlands, 
riparian vegetation, and sometimes loss and shifts in dependent ecosystems have also resulted from over-abstraction. Sustainability has spatial and 
temporal implications due to changing climate and demand. The study recommends adaptive management practices in which several factors are 
considered in managing groundwater together with surface water resources in order to maintain ecological and environmental integrity. The KKRWSS 
and other groundwater supply schemes in the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces demonstrate the huge potential of the TMG to provide freshwatersupply for domestic and irrigation water needs however, the huge decline in groundwater levels due to over-abstraction in the KKRWSS and 
other groundwater schemes underscores the need for sustainable utilization of the TMG groundwater resources for present and future generations with 
minimal impacts on the quality, dependent hydrological and ecosystems as well as the environment.

Rain was collected from 2010 to 2012 at 15 locations around the Cape Fold Belt, at the same time as samples from rivers, springs, seeps and boreholes, totalling 435 samples. Precipitation ranged from -75 ‰ to +40 ‰ for δD and -12 ‰ to +8 ‰ for δ¹⁸O , showing seasonal patterns, with lower δ values in winter and higher in summer. Certain anomalous δ values can be attributed to individual weather events, such as thunderstorms. Using weighted data, the meteoric water line is δD = 6.15 δ¹⁸O + 8.21, which is similar to previous equations. The best fit line for groundwater δ values is δD = 7.09 δ¹⁸O + 10.08, the steeper gradient and higher intercept reflecting the predominance of heavy rainfall events with lower δ values in recharge, known as selection. The range of -47 ‰ to 0 ‰ for δD and -8 ‰ to -1 ‰ for δ¹⁸O values for all groundwater data is about half that of the rain values, due to the averaging effect from mixing during groundwater flow. Rainfall isotope composition is negatively correlated with continentality, as defined by the product of distance to the Atlantic and the closest coast. Isotope composition of rainfall is also strongly negatively correlated with altitude. Sites that are elevated within the landscape have a reduced altitude effect, such as tall peaks, whereas mountain valleys display enhanced altitude effects. Temporal and spatial variations in the strength of the amount effect reveal meteorological variability and emphasise the need for long term monitoring.

Research findings in current study provide a new insight into the fractured rock aquifers in the TMG area. Some of the results will have wide implications on the groundwater management and forms a solid basis the further study of the TMG aquifers.

Table Muntain Group has been identified as one of the major Regional Aquifers in South Africa. the vast distribution of it leads to a great diversity in its hydrogeological properties, which influences the dynamics of recharge, discahrge and storage, resulting in groundwater occurrances unevenly distributed in TMG area. Thereby a proper regional groundwater resource evaluation focusing on the quantification of recharge, discharge and storage, is of most importance for the efficient groundwater utilization and management of TMG aquifers.The response of TMG aquifer to pumping stress is studied in Kammanassie Mountains by groundwater flow modeling. 3D hydrogeological model is constructed, which helps to improve the understanding of the conceptual hydrogeological model. Detailed groundwater-related analyses are performed on the basis of previous data sets. Groundwater numerical model is then established according to the conceptual model to stimulate the aquifers responses to various pumping scenarios. Some general data processing approaches are also develooped in this study that can be expected to apply to analog studies.

Modern analysis of Table Mountain Group sediments began with I. C. Rust's D.Sc. thesis "On the sedimentation of the Table Mountain Group in the western Cape Province" in 1967. Rust defined the stratigraphy of the Table Mountain Group, produced computer generated isopach and palaeocurrent maps for each formation and attempted palaeoenvironmental analyses based on what data he had available. For work dated prior to 1967 the reader is directed to Rust's excellent review in Chapter 2 of his thesis. The thesis served as a basis for Rust's later published work on the Cape Supergroup. Current published palaeoenvironmental models of the lower Table Mountain Group (the Piekenierskloof, Graafwater and Peninsula Formations) are based on a transgressive fluvial - littoral - shallow shelf model (Tankard et al., 1982) following earlier facies and palaeoenvironmental analyses (Tankard and Hobday, 1977: Rust, 1977; Hobday and Tankard, 1978: Vos and Tankard, 1981). The validity of this model has recently been questioned (Turner, 1986; 1987) although no comprehensive alternative has been proposed to date. The sedimentology of the upper Table Mountain Group i.e. the Pakhuis, Cedarberg, Rietvlei, Skurweberg and Goudini Formations (the latter three the newly named Nardouw Subgroup) has not been studied systematically. Good progress has recently been made on the fossil content of the Cedarberg Formation (Gray et al., 1986; Cocks and Fortey, 1986) and palaeoenvironmental analyses initiated in the Nardouw Formation. This thesis documents contributions to the geology of the Table Mountain Group. It is not the intention of the author to present an extensive overview and treatise on the lower Table Mountain Group, but rather to concentrate on three topics that can provide some insight into Table Mountain Group geology. The following three topics were selected 1) Petrology and Diagenesis of lower Palaeozoic sandstones in the s.w. Cape Sandveldt (Clanwilliam and Piketberg Discricts). 2) Palaeoenvironmental indicators in the Faroo Member, (Graafwater Formation) at Carstensberg Pass, R364. 3) Facies analysis of conglomerates and sandstones in the Piekenierskloof Formation: Processes and implications for pre-Devonian braid-plain sedimentology. These topics form the basis of the thesis.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
The Table Mountain Group (TMG) Aquifer is a huge aquifer system which may provide large bulk water supplies for local municipalities and irrigation water for agriculture in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces in South Africa. In many locations, water pressure in an aquifer may force groundwater out of ground surface so that the borehole drilled into the aquifer would produce overflow without a pump. Appropriate testing and evaluation of such artesian aquifers is very critical for sound evaluation and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources in the TMG area. However, study on this aspect of hydrogeology in TMG is limited. Although the flow and storage of TMG aquifer was conceptualised in previous studies, no specific study on artesian aquifer in TMG was made available. There are dozens of flowing artesian boreholes in TMG in which the pressure heads in the boreholes are above ground surface locally. A common approach to estimate hydraulic properties of the aquifers underneath is to make use of free-flowing and recovery tests conducted on a flowing artesian borehole. However, such testing approach was seldom carried out in TMG due to lack of an appropriate device readily available for data collection. A special hydraulic test device was developed for data collection in this context. The test device was successfully tested at a flowing artesian borehole in TMG. The device can not only be used to measure simultaneous flow rate and pressure head at the test borehole, but also be portable and flexible for capturing the data during aquifer tests in similar conditions like artesian holes in Karoo, dolomite or other sites in which pressure head is above ground surface. The straight-line method proposed by Jacob-Lohman is often adopted for data interpretation. However, the approach may not be able to analyse the test data from flowing artesian holes in TMG. The reason is that the TMG aquifers are often bounded by impermeable faults or folds at local or intermediate scale, which implies that some assumptions of infinite aquifer required for the straight-line method cannot be fulfilled. Boundary conditions based on the Jacob-Lohman method need to be considered during the simulation. In addition, the diagnostic plot analysis method using reciprocal rate derivative is adapted to cross-check the results from the straight-line method. The approach could help identify the flow regimes and discern the boundary conditions, of which results further provide useful information to conceptualize the aquifer and facilitate an appropriate analytical method to evaluate the aquifer properties. Two case studies in TMG were selected to evaluate the hydraulic properties of artesian aquifers using the above methods. The transmissivities of the artesian aquifer in TMG range from 0.6 to 46.7 m2/d based on calculations with recovery test data. Storativities range from 10-4 to 10-3 derived from free-flowing test data analysis. For the aquifer at each specific site, the transmissivity value of the artesian aquifer in Rawsonville is estimated to be 7.5–23 m2/d, with storativity value ranging from 2.0×10-4 to 5.5×10-4. The transmissivity value of the artesian aquifer in Oudtshoorn is approximately 37 m2/d, with S value of 1.16×10-3. The simulation results by straight-line and diagnostic plot analysis methods, not only imply the existence of negative skin zone in the vicinity of the test boreholes, but also highlight the fact that the TMG aquifers are often bounded by impermeable faults or folds at local or intermediate scale. With the storativity values of artesian aquifers derived from data interpretation, total groundwater storage capacity of aquifers at two case studies was calculated. The figures will provide valuable information for decision-makers to plan and develop sustainable groundwater utilization of artesian aquifers in local or intermediate scales. With the hydraulic test device readily available for data collection, more aquifer tests can be carried out in other overflow artesian boreholes in TMG. It becomes feasible to determine the hydraulic properties of artesian aquifers for the entire TMG. Thereof quantification of groundwater resources of artesian aquifers in TMG at a mega-scale becomes achievable. This would also contribute towards global research initiative for quantification of groundwater resources at a mega-scale.

Results from this study enables a better understanding of groundwater surface water interactions in the TMG, particularly regarding aquatic ecosystems. It has also highlighted the necessity to do proper impact assessments before proceeding with bulk abstraction from this important aquifer. The results also demonstrated the importance of differentiating between real groundwater and non-groundwater discharge contributions to surface hydrology and where these interface areas are located.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-146).
Fynbos, the native vegetation of the Western Cape of Southern Africa experiences a mild, Mediterranean type climate with hot dry summers and cool wet winters. In terms of climate, fynbos is comparable with other Mediterranean systems found around the Mediterranean in Europe, in parts of Chile, south-western Australia and in the Chaparral in California (Aschmann, 1973). The Cape Floristic Region, of which fynbos is part, is one of the world's most botanically diverse regions, home to an estimated 9030 vascular species (Goldblatt, 1978; Goldblatt and Manning, 2002). The region has exceptionally high levels of endemism. Almost 69% of its 8920 species of flowering plants are endemic (Goldblatt and Manning, 2002), and, despite its small area, it is regarded as one of the six global plant kingdoms (Takhtajan, 1986). Ericaceae, Iridaceae, Proteaceae and the Restionaceae are well represented and there are a number of families that are endemic or nearly so (Goldblatt and Manning, 2002). The largest is the Penaeaceae, followed by Grubbiaceae, Roridulaceae and Geissolomataceae, which together contain 15 endemic genera (Goldblatt and Manning, 2002). These families are almost without exception evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs and are thought to be palaeoendemic remnants from an ancient temperate flora, when conditions were cooler and wetter (February et al., 2004). As a result, many of these species are restricted to wetter areas such as wetlands and mountain seeps (February et al., 2004). Many of these seeps, as well as other groundwater-fed ecosystems, are likely to be connected to the Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer from which the city of Cape Town may begin to abstract water.

Understanding of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) and their extent within the Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer is poor. To understand the dependence to basic ecological and hydrogeological concepts need explanation. The use of current literature aided in identification and classification. From the literature it has come clear that groundwater dependence centers around two issues, water source and water use determination. The use of Geographical Information System (GIS) showed its potential in proof of water sources. Rainfall data and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Uniondale area have been used to do watershed delineation, which is in line with locating GDEs on a landscape. Thus the conceptual approach should be a broad one that sets a basis for both investigation (scientific research) and institutional arrangements (management).

The Table Mountain Group (TMG) Aquifer is the second largest aquifer system in South Africa, after dolomites. This aquifer has the potential to be a signinficant source of water for the people of the Western Cape. The occurrence of hot water springs in the TMG in relation with the main geological fault systems in SOuth Africa shows that deep flow systmes do exist. Little is known about these deep aquifer systems in South Africa (i.e. flow mechanisms). To close the above-mentioned knowledge gap, this study was initiated. The current study gave a review of some of the aspects that needs to be considered when distinguishing deep groundwater from shallow groundwater.

Some years ago a friend of mine, Stuart Mace, gave me a letter opener hand-carved from a piece of rosewood. Over his 70-some years Stuart had become an accomplished wood craftsman, photographer, dog trainer, gourmet cook, teacher, raconteur, skier, naturalist, and allaround legend in his home town of Aspen, Colorado. High above Aspen, Stuart and his wife, Isabel, operated a shop called Toklat, which in Eskimo means “alpine headwaters,” featuring an array of woodcrafts, Navajo rugs, jewelry, fish fossils, and photography. He would use his free time in summers to rebuild parts of a ghost town called Ashcroft for the U.S. Forest Service. He charged nothing for his time and labor. For groups venturing up the mountain from Aspen, he and Isabel would cook dinners featuring local foods cooked with style and simmered over great stories about the mountains, the town, and their lives. Stuart was seldom at a loss for words.His living, if that is an appropriate word for a how a Renaissance man earns his keep, was made as a woodworker. He and his sons crafted tables and cabinetwork with exquisite inlaid patterns using an assortment of woods from forests all over the world. A Mace table was like no other, and so was its price. Long before it was de rigueur to do so, Stuart bought his wood from forests managed for long-term ecological health. The calibration between ecological talk and do wasn’t a thing for Stuart. He paid attention to details. I first met Stuart in 1981. I was living in the Ozarks at the time and part of an educational organization that included, among other things, a farm and steam-powered sawmill. In the summer of 1981 one of our projects was to provide two tractor-trailer loads of oak beams for the Rocky Mountain Institute being built near Old Snowmass. Stuart advised us about cutting and handling large timber, about which we knew little. From that time forward Stuart and I would see each other several times a year either when he traveled through Arkansas or when I wandered into Aspen in search of relief from Arkansas summers. He taught me a great deal, not so much about wood per se as about the relation of ecology, economics, craftwork, generosity, and good-heartedness. I last saw Stuart in a hospital room shortly before he died of cancer in June 1993.

Natural hazards caused by climate change pose a permanent threat to the inhabitants of the Alpine Space. In addition to technical protection measures, forests are very often the key to permanent and cost-effective protection against these hazards. In the Mountain Forest initiative (BWO) of the Bavarian state government, launched more than 10 years ago, suitable measures for the preservation of protective forest are discussed and, if possible, decided by consensus in on-site round tables with all involved interest groups. Only a functioning interaction between the different actors in the Alpine Space will contribute towards the set objective of integrating forests and ecosystem services in risk governance and balancing the numerous interests, demands and costs. Using the example of the Oberammergau Pilot Action Region (PAR), the process and implementation of the BWO is presented against a background of more than 10 years of experience. At the beginning, the identification of stakeholders and the overall goal and expectations of the participatory process (technical issues, trust and community building) is clarified. After a detailed actor analysis, the moderated participatory process is described.

Due to their very high applicable forces, frequencies and their stiffness, piezoceramics are feasible to serve as integrated actuators in machines. The application of piezo based components in production engineering was subject of plenty of investigations in the past. That focuses primarily on systems for condition monitoring, structural vibration reduction or chatter prevention. However there are currently also few approaches that aim to use piezo actuators for directly induced vibrations for improved machining processes. In this paper we present an overview of such systems, their parameters and the technological background. Known approaches will be classified and divided into groups considering their working principles, actuator performance and application technology. Ultra sonic machining (USM) for example is a comparatively old approach which applies ultrasonic vibrations of a sonotrode to an abrasive slurry for machining hard, brittle and nonconductive material. Vibration assisted machining (VAM) systems are rather different. They are characterized by low stroke, uncontrolled but highly frequent resonant vibrations of the tool to achieve enhanced chipping behavior or generally enable to machine certain hard materials. Fast Tool servo (FTS) systems are even more complex. They apply an overlaid controlled movement of the cutting edge to manufacture microstructures or possess to manufacture complex geometries like non circular bores or turned parts. Selected systems will be presented in detail showing their design approach, actuator parameters, control considerations and measurement data of manufactured parts. These will be for instance an ultrasonic deep hole drilling tool, a form honing system, an active spindle mounting for micro contouring and a piezo based machine table for manufacturing non circular bores in small workpieces. Summarized the existing systems will be compared considering their advantages and eventual hindrances. Beyond that the outlook will show problems, which need to be solved in the future to enable piezo assisted machining systems a more comprehensive application in manufacturing.