Thèses sur le sujet « Latrines »

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Many territorial carnivores deposit faeces and other scent-marks at specific latrine sites, and their role in territorial defence is often assumed. However, recent empirical and theoretical work suggests that ultimate explanations of territoriality differ between the sexes. In this thesis, I investigate patterns of latrine-use in cooperatively breeding meerkats, Suricata suricatta. Meerkats exhibit high reproductive skew, and in such societies an individual’s optimal investment in territory defence and intruder deterrence will depend not only on its sex, but also its breeding status within the group. The spatial and temporal distribution of meerkat latrines reflects the diversity in intruder type. Shared latrine sites between neighbouring groups facilitate costeffective monitoring of predictable intruders and surrounding land tenure. In contrast, intruding transient groups and prospecting males are effectively intercepted by latrines concentrated in the core of the territories, close to refuges. This represents the optimal strategy, as meerkat territories are too large to allow effective scent-marking around their entire peripheries, and these intruders travel between refuges during intrusions. Temporal patterns of latrine-use suggest their importance in mate-defence. Latrine-use was correlated with encounters with prospecting males and oestrous periods of resident females, and reached a peak coinciding with the season of elevated dispersal and take-over events. Additionally, rather than cooperatively contributing to territorial defence, individuals participated selfishly at latrines. Males preferentially over-marked female scent-marks and scent-marked at significantly greater rates than females, which resulted in male-biased latrines that were unrepresentative of group composition. Although all individuals investigated female scent-marks for significantly longer than male scent-marks, females invested most, suggesting that intra-group monitoring is an important aspect of latrine visits for females. The deleterious effects of close inbreeding are well known, but regular dispersal in both sexes, and long dominance tenure, result in unfamiliar siblings having a high probability of encountering one another post-dispersal. As latrines are implicated in mate-defence, olfactory assessment of factors affecting mating decisions might be expected, but although individuals do recognise foreign faeces, discrimination does not appear to occur on the basis of kinship. Together, these findings have broad implications for our understanding of individual variation and sex differences in scent-marking behaviour and territoriality.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Baie territoriale karnivore deponeer faeces en ander reukmerke by spesifieke latrines en die latrines se rol in gebiedsverdediging word dikwels aangeneem. Onlangse empiriese en teoretiese werk stel egter voor dat die uiteindelike verduidelikings van territorialiteit verskil tussen die geslagte. In hierdie tesis ondersoek ek patrone van latrine-gebruik in samewerkend-broeiende meerkaaie (Suricata suricatta). Meerkaaie toon ‘n hoë graad van voorkeuraanwas en in sulke gemeenskappe sal ‘n individu se optimale belegging in gebiedsverdediging en indringer-verjaging nie net van sy/haar geslag afhang nie, maar ook van sy/ haar teelstatus in die groep. Die ruimtelike en temporale verspreiding van meerkat latrines weerspieël die verskeidenheid van indringertipes. Gedeelde latrine areas tussen naburige groepe help die kosteeffektiewe bestekopname van voorspelbare indringers en omringende landsbesetting aan. In kontras hiermee word tydelike groepe en geleentheidsoekende mannetjies effektiewelik voorgekeer deur latrines wat gekonsentreer is in gebiedskerne, naby aan skuilplekke. Dit verteenwoordig die optimale strategie, aangesien meerkat territoriums te groot is om effektiewe reukmerking van die hele grens toe te laat, en synde hierdie indringers tussen skuilplekke reis tydens invalle. Tydspatrone van latrine-gebruik dui die belangrikheid hiervan in paarmaat-beskerming aan. Latrinegebruik korreleer met ontmoetings met geleentheidsoekende mannetjies en die oestrus tydperk van inwonende wyfies, en bereik ‘n toppunt tydens die seisoen van verhoogde verspreiding en oornames. Ook sal individue selfsugtig deelneem by latrines eerder as om samewerkend by te dra tot gebiedsverdediging. Mannetjies verkies om vroulike reukmerke oor te merk en reukmerk teen ‘n beduidend hoër koers as wyfies, wat lei tot mannetjie-geneigde latrines wat nie verteenwoordigend is van die groepsamestelling nie. Alhoewel alle individue vroulike reukmerke beduidend langer as manlike reukmerke ondersoek, belê wyfies die meeste, wat daarop dui dat intragroep monitering ‘n belangrike aspek van latrine-besoeke is vir wyfies. Die nadelige effekte van sterk inteling is goed bekend, maar gereelde verspreiding in beide geslagte en lang dominante posisiehouding lei daartoe dat daar ‘n groot kans is vir onbekende nabye familielede om mekaar te ontmoet na verspreiding. Aangesien latrines ‘n rol speel in paarmaat-verdediging kan dit verwag word dat daar olfaktoriese beoordeling sal wees van faktore wat paringsbesluite beïnvloed, maar hoewel individue wel vreemdelinge se faeces herken, toon hulle geen onderskeidingsvermoë gebaseer op verwantskap nie. Saamgevoeg, het hierdie bevindinge wye implikasies vir ons begrip van individuele variasie en geslagsverskille in reukmerk-gedrag en terriorialiteit.

The issue of standards for household latrines is complex because discussions related to standards for latrines in literature from the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector tend to focus on the negative aspects of standards and highlights cases where the miss-application of standards in the past has caused problems. However, despite concerns about the constraints that standards can seemingly impose, there is an acknowledgement that standards can play a more positive role in supporting efforts to increase access to household latrines. The World Health Organisation has long established and widely recognised standards for water supply quality and quantity but there are no equivalent standards for sanitation services and there is currently no guidance that deals with the topic of standards for household latrines. Household latrines are a small component of the wider sanitation system in a country and by considering how standards for household latrines operate within this wider sanitation system the aim of this research is to understand what influences standards can have on household latrines and explore how the negative perceptions about standards and latrine building can be overcome. The development of guidance on how to develop well written standards is the core focus of this research. This research explores the factors that can influence the development and use of a standard for household latrines in Rwanda using three data collection methods. Document analysis using 66 documents, including policies and strategies, design manuals and training guides from 17 countries throughout Sub-Saharan Africa was used in conjunction with the Delphi Method involving an expert panel of 27 from Rwanda and 38 semi-structured interviews. The research concludes that perceptions about standards for household latrines are fragmented and confused with little consensus in Rwanda on what need a standard should meet and what role it should play. The study has found that the need for a standard must be considered in the context of the wider sanitation system otherwise it can lead to duplication of efforts and increased confusion for all stakeholders. The study also found that there is an assumed link between standards and enforcement of standards through regulation and punishments which creates the negative perceptions about standards in Rwanda. However, despite this aversion to standards, there are still intentions to promote the standardisation of latrine technologies and designs, led by national government in Rwanda and in other Sub-Saharan African countries. The contribution to knowledge of this research includes a decision process presented at the end of the study which can be used by decision makers who are interested in developing a standard for household latrines. The decision process acts as a tool for outlining how a standard can operate within the national sanitation system. This understanding provides decision makers with the basis for continuing the debate on what a well written standard looks like in the national context and supports the development of a standard that is fit for purpose and provides a positive contribution to the sector.

L’assainissement autonome (non raccordés à un système d’égout) est largement répandu dans les pays à faible revenu. Selon les estimations, 2.7 milliards de personnes seraient desservies principalement par des technologies d'assainissement individuelles, dont près de la moitié seraient situées en zones urbaines des pays en voie de développement (WWAP 2017). Or, l’ampleur de la couverture des installations sanitaires autonomes commence à poser de nombreux problèmes et défis techniques aux municipalités des régions concernées. En effet, l’augmentation croissante des fosses devant être vidangées, couplé aux manques d’organisation et de ressources, et à l’absence de connaissances précises sur les caractéristiques et les quantités de boues fécales générées, ne permettent pas actuellement d’assurer une vidange sécuritaire et de planifier la gestion efficace des boues fécales dans ces endroits. On estime ainsi que 74 % des fosses des installations sanitaires autonomes seront vidangées de façon non sécuritaire par année, c’est-à-dire que les boues fécales retirées seront déversées dans les cours d’eau ou terrains environnants sans traitement. Ainsi, dans la perspective d’organiser la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en voie de développement, il conviendrait d’améliorer les connaissances sur les taux de remplissage des latrines à fosse, ainsi que sur les données de caractérisation des boues fécales. L’objectif général de cette thèse est d’améliorer la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en développement. Pour ce faire, une série d’expérimentations a été réalisée, s’attardant à des problématiques précises de caractérisation ou de quantification des boues fécales. De façon plus précise, la première étude (CHAPITRE 4) visait la modélisation du taux d’accumulation des boues fécales en utilisant une régression linéaire multiple. Les résultats obtenus revoient un modèle impliquant les valeurs du volume des fosses et de l’âge des latrines comme principale variables indépendantes. La valeur du coefficient de détermination (r2) qui a été obtenue est de r2 = 0.41. Ceci qui est légèrement supérieure à la valeur obtenue à l’aide du modèle de bilan de masse développé par Brouckaert et al. (2013), pour lequel seulement 50% des latrines étaient à moins de 40% d’erreurs. Par la suite, des travaux visant la caractérisation de l’effet inhibitif de l’azote ammoniacal sur la digestion anaérobie des boues fécales au sein des fosses ont été réalisés (CHAPITRE 5). L’objectif était de valider l’hypothèse selon laquelle les fortes concentrations en azote au sein des fosses (causées par la présence d’urine) influenceraient les mécanismes de biodégradation, et conséquemment les taux d’accumulation. La méthodologie développée à d’abords été testée et validée avec des boues de digesteur anaérobie (provenant d’un réacteur complètement mélangé). Par ailleurs, le protocole développé n’a pas mené à des résultats concluants en utilisant des boues fécales. Effectivement, bien que plusieurs tests d’activité méthanogène spécifique (specific methanogenic activity - SMA) aient été réalisées (en changeant le ratio inoculum (boues)/substrat (acétate), et la durée), aucun des tests exécutés n’a démontré une production de méthane. À la lumière des résultats précédents (CHAPITRE 5), des travaux supplémentaires ont été réalisés visant à caractériser l’activité microbienne des boues fécales et de la matière fécale fraîche en termes des populations spécifiques à la digestion anaérobie (e.g. bactéries hydrolytiques et fermentatives, et méthanogènes méthylotrophes, acétoclastiques ou hydrogénotrophes) (CHAPITRE 6). Pour ce faire, la méthodologie utilisée consistait à mesurer la production de gaz (comme indicateur de l’activité microbienne) des échantillons de boues mélangés avec différents substrats spécifiques (e.i. acétate, méthanol, formate, glucose). Les résultats issus de cette étude ont démontré que l’utilisation des substrats de formate et de glucose présente l’activité microbienne la plus élevée lorsque mélangés avec une solution de matière fécale fraîche (soit de 112.17 et de 76.41 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le formate et le glucose, respectivement). ...
L’assainissement autonome (non raccordés à un système d’égout) est largement répandu dans les pays à faible revenu. Selon les estimations, 2.7 milliards de personnes seraient desservies principalement par des technologies d'assainissement individuelles, dont près de la moitié seraient situées en zones urbaines des pays en voie de développement (WWAP 2017). Or, l’ampleur de la couverture des installations sanitaires autonomes commence à poser de nombreux problèmes et défis techniques aux municipalités des régions concernées. En effet, l’augmentation croissante des fosses devant être vidangées, couplé aux manques d’organisation et de ressources, et à l’absence de connaissances précises sur les caractéristiques et les quantités de boues fécales générées, ne permettent pas actuellement d’assurer une vidange sécuritaire et de planifier la gestion efficace des boues fécales dans ces endroits. On estime ainsi que 74 % des fosses des installations sanitaires autonomes seront vidangées de façon non sécuritaire par année, c’est-à-dire que les boues fécales retirées seront déversées dans les cours d’eau ou terrains environnants sans traitement. Ainsi, dans la perspective d’organiser la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en voie de développement, il conviendrait d’améliorer les connaissances sur les taux de remplissage des latrines à fosse, ainsi que sur les données de caractérisation des boues fécales. L’objectif général de cette thèse est d’améliorer la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en développement. Pour ce faire, une série d’expérimentations a été réalisée, s’attardant à des problématiques précises de caractérisation ou de quantification des boues fécales. De façon plus précise, la première étude (CHAPITRE 4) visait la modélisation du taux d’accumulation des boues fécales en utilisant une régression linéaire multiple. Les résultats obtenus revoient un modèle impliquant les valeurs du volume des fosses et de l’âge des latrines comme principale variables indépendantes. La valeur du coefficient de détermination (r2) qui a été obtenue est de r2 = 0.41. Ceci qui est légèrement supérieure à la valeur obtenue à l’aide du modèle de bilan de masse développé par Brouckaert et al. (2013), pour lequel seulement 50% des latrines étaient à moins de 40% d’erreurs. Par la suite, des travaux visant la caractérisation de l’effet inhibitif de l’azote ammoniacal sur la digestion anaérobie des boues fécales au sein des fosses ont été réalisés (CHAPITRE 5). L’objectif était de valider l’hypothèse selon laquelle les fortes concentrations en azote au sein des fosses (causées par la présence d’urine) influenceraient les mécanismes de biodégradation, et conséquemment les taux d’accumulation. La méthodologie développée à d’abords été testée et validée avec des boues de digesteur anaérobie (provenant d’un réacteur complètement mélangé). Par ailleurs, le protocole développé n’a pas mené à des résultats concluants en utilisant des boues fécales. Effectivement, bien que plusieurs tests d’activité méthanogène spécifique (specific methanogenic activity - SMA) aient été réalisées (en changeant le ratio inoculum (boues)/substrat (acétate), et la durée), aucun des tests exécutés n’a démontré une production de méthane. À la lumière des résultats précédents (CHAPITRE 5), des travaux supplémentaires ont été réalisés visant à caractériser l’activité microbienne des boues fécales et de la matière fécale fraîche en termes des populations spécifiques à la digestion anaérobie (e.g. bactéries hydrolytiques et fermentatives, et méthanogènes méthylotrophes, acétoclastiques ou hydrogénotrophes) (CHAPITRE 6). Pour ce faire, la méthodologie utilisée consistait à mesurer la production de gaz (comme indicateur de l’activité microbienne) des échantillons de boues mélangés avec différents substrats spécifiques (e.i. acétate, méthanol, formate, glucose). Les résultats issus de cette étude ont démontré que l’utilisation des substrats de formate et de glucose présente l’activité microbienne la plus élevée lorsque mélangés avec une solution de matière fécale fraîche (soit de 112.17 et de 76.41 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le formate et le glucose, respectivement). Alors que l’utilisation des substrats de glucose et de méthanol ont résulté à l’activité la plus élevée avec des solutions de boues fécales plus âgées (soit de 129.15 et de 85.42 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le méthanol et le glucose, respectivement). Par ailleurs, une absence de l’activité méthanogène a été observé en utilisant de l’acétate comme substrat pour les deux types de boues. Ces résultats concordent avec la littérature, où des tests de séquençages d’ADN n’ont pas mené à l’identification des archaea méthanogènes acétoclasitques au sein d’échantillons de boues fécales issues de latrines à fosses (Byrne 2016, Torondel 2017). Les résultats issus de cette étude remettent donc en perspective la présence d’une digestion anaérobie acétoclastique au sein des fosses, hypothèse qui est largement présumée dans de nombreux guides de conception des latrines à fosses conventionnelles. Finalement la dernière étude constituait une étude préliminaire sur la caractérisation des propriétés de séchage de la matière fécale fraîche (CHAPITRE 7). Plus particulièrement par la détermination et par la modélisation des isothermes de sorption. Cette étude s’inscrit dans le cadre actuel où les techniques de séchage pour le transport efficient des boues gagnent en popularité, alors qu’un manque de données sur les propriétés des boues persiste. Ainsi, les résultats obtenus démontrent que les isothermes de sorption tendent à suivre une forme sigmoïde, laquelle est caractérisée par deux points d’inflexion de surface et une augmentation rapide de la teneur en eau à des valeurs d'humidité relative supérieures à 75 % HR.
L’assainissement autonome (non raccordés à un système d’égout) est largement répandu dans les pays à faible revenu. Selon les estimations, 2.7 milliards de personnes seraient desservies principalement par des technologies d'assainissement individuelles, dont près de la moitié seraient situées en zones urbaines des pays en voie de développement (WWAP 2017). Or, l’ampleur de la couverture des installations sanitaires autonomes commence à poser de nombreux problèmes et défis techniques aux municipalités des régions concernées. En effet, l’augmentation croissante des fosses devant être vidangées, couplé aux manques d’organisation et de ressources, et à l’absence de connaissances précises sur les caractéristiques et les quantités de boues fécales générées, ne permettent pas actuellement d’assurer une vidange sécuritaire et de planifier la gestion efficace des boues fécales dans ces endroits. On estime ainsi que 74 % des fosses des installations sanitaires autonomes seront vidangées de façon non sécuritaire par année, c’est-à-dire que les boues fécales retirées seront déversées dans les cours d’eau ou terrains environnants sans traitement. Ainsi, dans la perspective d’organiser la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en voie de développement, il conviendrait d’améliorer les connaissances sur les taux de remplissage des latrines à fosse, ainsi que sur les données de caractérisation des boues fécales. L’objectif général de cette thèse est d’améliorer la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en développement. Pour ce faire, une série d’expérimentations a été réalisée, s’attardant à des problématiques précises de caractérisation ou de quantification des boues fécales. De façon plus précise, la première étude (CHAPITRE 4) visait la modélisation du taux d’accumulation des boues fécales en utilisant une régression linéaire multiple. Les résultats obtenus revoient un modèle impliquant les valeurs du volume des fosses et de l’âge des latrines comme principale variables indépendantes. La valeur du coefficient de détermination (r2) qui a été obtenue est de r2 = 0.41. Ceci qui est légèrement supérieure à la valeur obtenue à l’aide du modèle de bilan de masse développé par Brouckaert et al. (2013), pour lequel seulement 50% des latrines étaient à moins de 40% d’erreurs. Par la suite, des travaux visant la caractérisation de l’effet inhibitif de l’azote ammoniacal sur la digestion anaérobie des boues fécales au sein des fosses ont été réalisés (CHAPITRE 5). L’objectif était de valider l’hypothèse selon laquelle les fortes concentrations en azote au sein des fosses (causées par la présence d’urine) influenceraient les mécanismes de biodégradation, et conséquemment les taux d’accumulation. La méthodologie développée à d’abords été testée et validée avec des boues de digesteur anaérobie (provenant d’un réacteur complètement mélangé). Par ailleurs, le protocole développé n’a pas mené à des résultats concluants en utilisant des boues fécales. Effectivement, bien que plusieurs tests d’activité méthanogène spécifique (specific methanogenic activity - SMA) aient été réalisées (en changeant le ratio inoculum (boues)/substrat (acétate), et la durée), aucun des tests exécutés n’a démontré une production de méthane. À la lumière des résultats précédents (CHAPITRE 5), des travaux supplémentaires ont été réalisés visant à caractériser l’activité microbienne des boues fécales et de la matière fécale fraîche en termes des populations spécifiques à la digestion anaérobie (e.g. bactéries hydrolytiques et fermentatives, et méthanogènes méthylotrophes, acétoclastiques ou hydrogénotrophes) (CHAPITRE 6). Pour ce faire, la méthodologie utilisée consistait à mesurer la production de gaz (comme indicateur de l’activité microbienne) des échantillons de boues mélangés avec différents substrats spécifiques (e.i. acétate, méthanol, formate, glucose). Les résultats issus de cette étude ont démontré que l’utilisation des substrats de formate et de glucose présente l’activité microbienne la plus élevée lorsque mélangés avec une solution de matière fécale fraîche (soit de 112.17 et de 76.41 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le formate et le glucose, respectivement). Alors que l’utilisation des substrats de glucose et de méthanol ont résulté à l’activité la plus élevée avec des solutions de boues fécales plus âgées (soit de 129.15 et de 85.42 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le méthanol et le glucose, respectivement). Par ailleurs, une absence de l’activité méthanogène a été observé en utilisant de l’acétate comme substrat pour les deux types de boues. Ces résultats concordent avec la littérature, où des tests de séquençages d’ADN n’ont pas mené à l’identification des archaea méthanogènes acétoclasitques au sein d’échantillons de boues fécales issues de latrines à fosses (Byrne 2016, Torondel 2017). Les résultats issus de cette étude remettent donc en perspective la présence d’une digestion anaérobie acétoclastique au sein des fosses, hypothèse qui est largement présumée dans de nombreux guides de conception des latrines à fosses conventionnelles. Finalement la dernière étude constituait une étude préliminaire sur la caractérisation des propriétés de séchage de la matière fécale fraîche (CHAPITRE 7). Plus particulièrement par la détermination et par la modélisation des isothermes de sorption. Cette étude s’inscrit dans le cadre actuel où les techniques de séchage pour le transport efficient des boues gagnent en popularité, alors qu’un manque de données sur les propriétés des boues persiste. Ainsi, les résultats obtenus démontrent que les isothermes de sorption tendent à suivre une forme sigmoïde, laquelle est caractérisée par deux points d’inflexion de surface et une augmentation rapide de la teneur en eau à des valeurs d'humidité relative supérieures à 75 % HR. D’une première part, ceci signifie que la teneur en eau de la matière fécale semblerait être plus facile à extraire jusqu'à une valeur d’environ 1 à 1.5g H2O/g d’échantillon - base humide. D’autre part, le modèle de Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) sembleraient être le plus approprié pour décrire les courbes d’isothermes, avec une estimation acceptable (Pr (>
347661\u L’assainissement autonome (non raccordés à un système d’égout) est largement répandu dans les pays à faible revenu. Selon les estimations, 2.7 milliards de personnes seraient desservies principalement par des technologies d'assainissement individuelles, dont près de la moitié seraient situées en zones urbaines des pays en voie de développement (WWAP 2017). Or, l’ampleur de la couverture des installations sanitaires autonomes commence à poser de nombreux problèmes et défis techniques aux municipalités des régions concernées. En effet, l’augmentation croissante des fosses devant être vidangées, couplé aux manques d’organisation et de ressources, et à l’absence de connaissances précises sur les caractéristiques et les quantités de boues fécales générées, ne permettent pas actuellement d’assurer une vidange sécuritaire et de planifier la gestion efficace des boues fécales dans ces endroits. On estime ainsi que 74 % des fosses des installations sanitaires autonomes seront vidangées de façon non sécuritaire par année, c’est-à-dire que les boues fécales retirées seront déversées dans les cours d’eau ou terrains environnants sans traitement. Ainsi, dans la perspective d’organiser la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en voie de développement, il conviendrait d’améliorer les connaissances sur les taux de remplissage des latrines à fosse, ainsi que sur les données de caractérisation des boues fécales. L’objectif général de cette thèse est d’améliorer la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en développement. Pour ce faire, une série d’expérimentations a été réalisée, s’attardant à des problématiques précises de caractérisation ou de quantification des boues fécales. De façon plus précise, la première étude (CHAPITRE 4) visait la modélisation du taux d’accumulation des boues fécales en utilisant une régression linéaire multiple. Les résultats obtenus revoient un modèle impliquant les valeurs du volume des fosses et de l’âge des latrines comme principale variables indépendantes. La valeur du coefficient de détermination (r2) qui a été obtenue est de r2 = 0.41. Ceci qui est légèrement supérieure à la valeur obtenue à l’aide du modèle de bilan de masse développé par Brouckaert et al. (2013), pour lequel seulement 50% des latrines étaient à moins de 40% d’erreurs. Par la suite, des travaux visant la caractérisation de l’effet inhibitif de l’azote ammoniacal sur la digestion anaérobie des boues fécales au sein des fosses ont été réalisés (CHAPITRE 5). L’objectif était de valider l’hypothèse selon laquelle les fortes concentrations en azote au sein des fosses (causées par la présence d’urine) influenceraient les mécanismes de biodégradation, et conséquemment les taux d’accumulation. La méthodologie développée à d’abords été testée et validée avec des boues de digesteur anaérobie (provenant d’un réacteur complètement mélangé). Par ailleurs, le protocole développé n’a pas mené à des résultats concluants en utilisant des boues fécales. Effectivement, bien que plusieurs tests d’activité méthanogène spécifique (specific methanogenic activity - SMA) aient été réalisées (en changeant le ratio inoculum (boues)/substrat (acétate), et la durée), aucun des tests exécutés n’a démontré une production de méthane. À la lumière des résultats précédents (CHAPITRE 5), des travaux supplémentaires ont été réalisés visant à caractériser l’activité microbienne des boues fécales et de la matière fécale fraîche en termes des populations spécifiques à la digestion anaérobie (e.g. bactéries hydrolytiques et fermentatives, et méthanogènes méthylotrophes, acétoclastiques ou hydrogénotrophes) (CHAPITRE 6). Pour ce faire, la méthodologie utilisée consistait à mesurer la production de gaz (comme indicateur de l’activité microbienne) des échantillons de boues mélangés avec différents substrats spécifiques (e.i. acétate, méthanol, formate, glucose). Les résultats issus de cette étude ont démontré que l’utilisation des substrats de formate et de glucose présente l’activité microbienne la plus élevée lorsque mélangés avec une solution de matière fécale fraîche (soit de 112.17 et de 76.41 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le formate et le glucose, respectivement). Alors que l’utilisation des substrats de glucose et de méthanol ont résulté à l’activité la plus élevée avec des solutions de boues fécales plus âgées (soit de 129.15 et de 85.42 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le méthanol et le glucose, respectivement). Par ailleurs, une absence de l’activité méthanogène a été observé en utilisant de l’acétate comme substrat pour les deux types de boues. Ces résultats concordent avec la littérature, où des tests de séquençages d’ADN n’ont pas mené à l’identification des archaea méthanogènes acétoclasitques au sein d’échantillons de boues fécales issues de latrines à fosses (Byrne 2016, Torondel 2017). Les résultats issus de cette étude remettent donc en perspective la présence d’une digestion anaérobie acétoclastique au sein des fosses, hypothèse qui est largement présumée dans de nombreux guides de conception des latrines à fosses conventionnelles. Finalement la dernière étude constituait une étude préliminaire sur la caractérisation des propriétés de séchage de la matière fécale fraîche (CHAPITRE 7).
347661\u L’assainissement autonome (non raccordés à un système d’égout) est largement répandu dans les pays à faible revenu. Selon les estimations, 2.7 milliards de personnes seraient desservies principalement par des technologies d'assainissement individuelles, dont près de la moitié seraient situées en zones urbaines des pays en voie de développement (WWAP 2017). Or, l’ampleur de la couverture des installations sanitaires autonomes commence à poser de nombreux problèmes et défis techniques aux municipalités des régions concernées. En effet, l’augmentation croissante des fosses devant être vidangées, couplé aux manques d’organisation et de ressources, et à l’absence de connaissances précises sur les caractéristiques et les quantités de boues fécales générées, ne permettent pas actuellement d’assurer une vidange sécuritaire et de planifier la gestion efficace des boues fécales dans ces endroits. On estime ainsi que 74 % des fosses des installations sanitaires autonomes seront vidangées de façon non sécuritaire par année, c’est-à-dire que les boues fécales retirées seront déversées dans les cours d’eau ou terrains environnants sans traitement. Ainsi, dans la perspective d’organiser la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en voie de développement, il conviendrait d’améliorer les connaissances sur les taux de remplissage des latrines à fosse, ainsi que sur les données de caractérisation des boues fécales. L’objectif général de cette thèse est d’améliorer la gestion des boues fécales dans le contexte des pays en développement. Pour ce faire, une série d’expérimentations a été réalisée, s’attardant à des problématiques précises de caractérisation ou de quantification des boues fécales. De façon plus précise, la première étude (CHAPITRE 4) visait la modélisation du taux d’accumulation des boues fécales en utilisant une régression linéaire multiple. Les résultats obtenus revoient un modèle impliquant les valeurs du volume des fosses et de l’âge des latrines comme principale variables indépendantes. La valeur du coefficient de détermination (r2) qui a été obtenue est de r2 = 0.41. Ceci qui est légèrement supérieure à la valeur obtenue à l’aide du modèle de bilan de masse développé par Brouckaert et al. (2013), pour lequel seulement 50% des latrines étaient à moins de 40% d’erreurs. Par la suite, des travaux visant la caractérisation de l’effet inhibitif de l’azote ammoniacal sur la digestion anaérobie des boues fécales au sein des fosses ont été réalisés (CHAPITRE 5). L’objectif était de valider l’hypothèse selon laquelle les fortes concentrations en azote au sein des fosses (causées par la présence d’urine) influenceraient les mécanismes de biodégradation, et conséquemment les taux d’accumulation. La méthodologie développée à d’abords été testée et validée avec des boues de digesteur anaérobie (provenant d’un réacteur complètement mélangé). Par ailleurs, le protocole développé n’a pas mené à des résultats concluants en utilisant des boues fécales. Effectivement, bien que plusieurs tests d’activité méthanogène spécifique (specific methanogenic activity - SMA) aient été réalisées (en changeant le ratio inoculum (boues)/substrat (acétate), et la durée), aucun des tests exécutés n’a démontré une production de méthane. À la lumière des résultats précédents (CHAPITRE 5), des travaux supplémentaires ont été réalisés visant à caractériser l’activité microbienne des boues fécales et de la matière fécale fraîche en termes des populations spécifiques à la digestion anaérobie (e.g. bactéries hydrolytiques et fermentatives, et méthanogènes méthylotrophes, acétoclastiques ou hydrogénotrophes) (CHAPITRE 6). Pour ce faire, la méthodologie utilisée consistait à mesurer la production de gaz (comme indicateur de l’activité microbienne) des échantillons de boues mélangés avec différents substrats spécifiques (e.i. acétate, méthanol, formate, glucose). Les résultats issus de cette étude ont démontré que l’utilisation des substrats de formate et de glucose présente l’activité microbienne la plus élevée lorsque mélangés avec une solution de matière fécale fraîche (soit de 112.17 et de 76.41 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le formate et le glucose, respectivement). Alors que l’utilisation des substrats de glucose et de méthanol ont résulté à l’activité la plus élevée avec des solutions de boues fécales plus âgées (soit de 129.15 et de 85.42 ml gaz/ g SV, pour le méthanol et le glucose, respectivement). Par ailleurs, une absence de l’activité méthanogène a été observé en utilisant de l’acétate comme substrat pour les deux types de boues. Ces résultats concordent avec la littérature, où des tests de séquençages d’ADN n’ont pas mené à l’identification des archaea méthanogènes acétoclasitques au sein d’échantillons de boues fécales issues de latrines à fosses (Byrne 2016, Torondel 2017). Les résultats issus de cette étude remettent donc en perspective la présence d’une digestion anaérobie acétoclastique au sein des fosses, hypothèse qui est largement présumée dans de nombreux guides de conception des latrines à fosses conventionnelles. Finalement la dernière étude constituait une étude préliminaire sur la caractérisation des propriétés de séchage de la matière fécale fraîche (CHAPITRE 7). Plus particulièrement par la détermination et par la modélisation des isothermes de sorption. Cette étude s’inscrit dans le cadre actuel où les techniques de séchage pour le transport efficient des boues gagnent en popularité, alors qu’un manque de données sur les propriétés des boues persiste. Ainsi, les résultats obtenus démontrent que les isothermes de sorption tendent à suivre une forme sigmoïde, laquelle est caractérisée par deux points d’inflexion de surface et une augmentation rapide de la teneur en eau à des valeurs d'humidité relative supérieures à 75 % HR. D’une première part, ceci signifie que la teneur en eau de la matière fécale semblerait être plus facile à extraire jusqu'à une valeur d’environ 1 à 1.5g H2O/g d’échantillon - base humide. D’autre part, le modèle de Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) sembleraient être le plus approprié pour décrire les courbes d’isothermes, avec une estimation acceptable (Pr (>

A large and growing proportion of the world’s population rely on shared sanitation facilities. These have historically been excluded from international sanitation targets due to concerns about acceptability, hygiene and access. With the development of new targets and indicators for the Sustainable Development Goals, it has been proposed to include shared facilities as ‘improved’ sanitation based on the number of users, if the facility is of an ‘improved’ technology and if the users are known to each other. The aim of this research was threefold: i) to provide an overview of the available evidence on shared sanitation and outcomes related to health, access, use, operation and maintenance, gender and cost, ii) to describe the geographic and demographic scope of shared sanitation globally, and iii) to develop and pilot methods exploring factors that may explain any increased risk of adverse health outcomes associated with shared sanitation. Results from a systematic literature review on shared sanitation and health showed that households accessing shared sanitation facilities were more likely to suffer from ill-health, specifically diarrhoea. However, the methodological quality of the available studies was limited. The global analysis of household survey data showed that households sharing sanitation facilities were poorer, less educated and more likely to live in urban areas. The majority of households accessing shared sanitation were found in Africa and South-East Asia. The results from the literature review and household survey data led to the development of a cross-sectional study in Orissa, India. This study aimed to assess differences in shared and private sanitation access in 30 slums—both in terms of the users and the actual facilities. Results from this study show that households accessing shared sanitation were poorer, less educated and less likely to have water access in or near their home. In addition, significant differences in terms of cleanliness and presence of water were observed between private and shared facilities. Users of shared sanitation were more likely to continue practicing open defecation and significantly more cases of diarrhoea were reported by individuals living in these households. The underlying reasons for this potential increased risk of disease for users of shared sanitation are not clear, but the type of users, cleanliness of facilities and opportunities to practice good hygiene are all expected to play a role. As such, these factors may also be of importance, in addition to the number of users and sanitation technology, if a shared sanitation facility is expected to be considered ‘improved’ sanitation in future monitoring targets.

Access to appropriate sanitation facilities as well as access to clean drinking water are considered fundamental human rights (Carr, 2001; Bjorklund & Sjodin, 2010), yet roughly 2.5 billion people on the planet lack access to an improved form of sanitation (WHO/UNICEF, 2014). Additionally, many entities responsible for emergency excreta management and sanitation management design guidelines, specifically solids accumulation rates in latrine pits, use rates that are 30-60 years old and may be established from dated knowledge on diet and lifestyle trends (Franceys et al., 1992; Harvey et al., 2002; Harvey, 2007). Using solids accumulation rates that are dated as well as non-local can lead to under design of latrine pits (latrine pits fill faster than expected and designed) or over design of latrine pits (resources and materials are over used in construction and design). Previous research showed that solids accumulation rates in pit latrines ranged from 18 L/person/year to 70 L/person/year though no accumulation rates have been reported for schools. The reported differences in solids accumulation rates were found to depend largely on local user rates and behaviors, the amount of material added to the latrine (both organic and inorganic matter), and the porosity of the soil surrounding the pit. Wood (2013) suggested that solid waste could compose 10-40% of waste accumulated in a pit. Furthermore, fecal generation rates of individuals were also found to differ by country, region and individual (Franceys et al., 1992). An assessment of several methods for measuring accumulation rates was also performed. It was determined that the laser distance meter technique, as well as the use of a graduated metal rod were the best two ways to determine slab to pit content depths in rural communities. Compared to other methods, such as the stereographic imaging technique, and the automated laser scanner technique, the laser distance meter technique and the use of a graduated rod require less expertise and do not require camera and computer resources. This study also developed a method to assess solids accumulation rates of latrines at three rural schools in Saclepea City, Nimba County, Liberia. Depth measurements were taken from the latrine slab to the surface of the pit contents from early May 2014 until mid-June 2014. The accumulation rates were found to be extremely similar for each latrine for all measurements taken, with differences in depth of only 1-3 cm observed over the six-week measurement period. Little research was identified on the effects of feminine waste on solids accumulation rates in latrines and no literature was found concerning the effects of feminine excretions on the degradation of pit contents. More research is thus needed to assess the possible effects the addition of menstrual blood and menstrual excretions can have on degradation rates as well as the lifespan of viruses and other infectious agents in pit contents and the surrounding soil. This is particularly important with the presence of contaminated wastes from victims of Ebola Virus Disease being disposed of in latrines and other sanitation infrastructure in rural areas of West Africa.

At the end of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) period in 2015, 2.3 billion people, 31% of the global population, still did not have access to even basic sanitation services. Of these people, 892 million still practice open defecation, and 856 million people use unimproved facilities such as pit latrines without a slab or platform or hanging latrines or bucket latrines (JMP 2017). Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 6.2 now aims to achieve adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and sets the ambitious target of eradicating open defecation by 2030. While the number of people open defecating was reduced from 1229 million to 892 million between 2000 and 2015, that pace must accelerate to be achieved (JMP, 2017). In Panama, it is estimated that countrywide sanitation coverage is 71%, and rural coverage 54% (WHO/UNICEF, 2013). Even so, in indigenous areas like the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé, only 25% of the population has adequate access to basic sanitation (ANAM, 2006). This research builds upon the research presented in (Hurtado, 2005, Kaiser, 2006, Mehl, 2008, and Wilbur, 2014). These theses researched double vault urine diverting (DVUD) latrines, or composting latrines, in indigenous communities in the province of Bocas del Toro and the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé in Panama. Hurtado, Kaiser, and Mehl researched the design, construction, and pathogen destruction capabilities of composting latrines. Wilbur studied how human attitudes and perceptions serve as incentives or barriers to composting latrine use. In this research surveys, interviews, and observations were recorded in 6 indigenous Ngäbe communities in Bocas del Toro and the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé. The study quantifies usage of ventilated improved pit (VIP) and basic pit latrines in these communities, assesses positive and negative perceptions of composting latrines, and determines perceptions of feces and the reuse of composted human excrement. The results reveal that of n=103 latrines 88.3% were completed and in use, but only 35.2% were properly covered. To promote proper usage of latrines, continued education and trainings need to be carried out in these communities. Respondents were also favorable to the use of composting latrines, with 61.2% of respondents saying they would be interested in building a composting latrine for their households. The main perceived benefit of composting latrines is the compost, and the most identified barrier to use was lack of prior experience. Other main barriers included user disgust and the amount of work it takes to own and operate the latrine. There were more identified incentives (12) than barriers (11) to composting latrine adoption. Respondents also reported they would react more favorably to their neighbor implementing the technology and using compost than their neighbor would react should the respondent do the same thing. These results indicate the importance of pilot projects in communities, allowing people to see the benefits of the technology and how it works before implementing a larger scale project. These projects would also reduce the stigma associated with being a first adopter. Statistical analysis revealed that the demographics of community, sanitation classification, gender, and primary occupation were significantly linked to survey statements used to measure perceptions on composting latrine use and the use of composted human excrement as a fertilizer. Age, gender, and household size were not found to have a statistically significant link to user perceptions on the same survey statements. Logistic regression analysis was then performed using SPSS statistical analysis software (version 24). The results of this research indicate the importance of setting up follow up trainings as many respondents had forgotten how to properly maintain their latrines. It also suggests the setup of pilot projects for composting latrines, as many respondents were favorable to the technology but did not want to try to own and operate a composting latrine without seeing a successful composting latrine first.

Over seventy percent of the 2.5 billion people who still lack access to basic sanitation worldwide live in rural areas (WHO/UNICEF, 2012). Despite concerns of water scarcity, resource depletion, and climate change little research has been conducted on the environmental sustainability of household sanitation technologies common in rural areas of developing countries or the potential of resource recovery to mitigate the environmental impacts of these systems. The environmental sustainability, in terms of embodied energy and carbon footprint, was analyzed for four household sanitation systems: (1) Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine, (2) pour-flush latrine, (3) composting latrine, and (4) biodigester latrine. Variations in design and construction materials used change the embodied energy of the systems. It was found that systems that used clay brick in the construction of the superstructure had an average cumulative energy demand 4,307 MJ and a global warming potential 362 kilograms of greenhouse gas equivalent (kgCO2 eq) higher than systems that used adobe brick in the construction of the superstructure. It was also found that systems that incorporate resource recovery, such as a composting or biodigester latrine, can become net energy producers over their service life, recovering between 29,333 and 253,190 MJ over a 20-year period, compared to the 11,275 to 19,990 MJ required for their construction and maintenance. Recovering the resources from the waste also significantly lowered the global warming potential of these systems from 2,079-49,655 kgCO2 eq to 616-1,882 kgCO2 eq; significantly less than the global warming potential of VIP latrine or pour-flush latrines (8,642-15,789 kgCO2 eq). In addition, two community wastewater treatment systems that serve 420-1,039 individuals considered in a similar study had a higher cumulative energy demand per household (44,869 MJ and 38,403 MJ) than the household sanitation systems (11,275-19,990 MJ). The community wastewater treatment systems had a lower global warming potential (2019-2,092 kgCO2 eq) than household systems that did not recover resources (8,642-15,789 kg CO2 eq), but higher than household systems that incorporate resource recovery (616-1,882 kgCO2 eq). The goal of this study is to provide insight to policy makers in the development field to promote decision making based on environmental sustainability in the implementation of improved sanitation coverage in rural areas of developing countries.

On-site sanitation solutions are an economically feasible method of improving sanitation, and for reducing the burden of diarrhoeal diseases, in low- and middle-income countries. However, suitable faecal sludge management (FSM) solutions are severely lacking in these countries. Black solider fly larvae (BSFL) efficiently reduce food-waste and animal manure, and produce valuable prepupae, high in protein and fat, supporting investigation into a novel BSFL FSM method. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using BSFL as a FSM method, by evaluating their faecal matter reduction (FMR), and prepupal production capacity, when reared on FS under different conditions. Black soldier fly larvae were found to develop successfully on fresh human faeces, effectively reducing waste and converting it to prepupal biomass. A survey of pit latrines in South Africa found physical and chemical characteristics of faecal sludge (FS) similar to previous studies in countries requiring novel FSM methods, with characteristics falling within a range suitable for BSFL development. Key rearing parameters, moisture content, feeding rate, and larval density, significantly influence FMR and prepupal production of BSFL reared on “top layer” homogenised FS. Black soldier fly larvae were found to effectively reduce FS from a variety of depths, each with a range of physical and chemical characteristics, and produce prepupae with nutritious values comparable to previous research, excepting crude fats. The study also demonstrated that reported cleaning chemicals in FS do not affect BSFL mortality at manufacturer recommended, or user reported concentrations. It is proposed that the use of a novel BSFL FSM method is an economically feasible method of improving sanitation in low- and middle-income countries, and may help reduce the burden of diarrhoeal diseases.

This thesis has three objectives as follows: 1) to investigate VIP latrine design and establish if the communal school VIP latrines located on the shared campus of Tubman Wilson Institute (TWI) Junior and Senior High School and J.C. Barlee Elementary School were properly designed and constructed, 2) to explore the user preferences and motivations impacting the adoption of these school latrines, and 3) to develop a framework for factors that influence latrine adoption. These goals were formed by the author in response to her Peace Corps experience working at a high school in Zwedru, Liberia from August 2012 to August 2014 and her personal background in appropriate sanitation and environmental engineering. To complete the first thesis objective, the author conducted a detailed literature review and then compared accepted guidelines for VIP latrines to the sanitation facilities located on the TWI campus. The literature review investigated proper design of ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines, school sanitation guidelines, and recommendations for sanitation in Liberia. The research focus latrines were two blocks of six stall multicompartment alternating twin-pit VIP latrines. The author conducted observations of the communal school latrines in order to compare the design and construction of these specific latrines to accepted criteria and recommendations from literature. It was found that the latrine vent pipes, cover slabs, drop holes, and pit design all appear to be designed and constructed per national Liberian and international recommendations. However, the TWI school latrines do not comply with standards for several other latrine design criteria. The latrine superstructures are built with privacy walls located in front of the boys’ and girls’ stalls and the entranceway doors do not have air gaps. These two features may impair critical odor-controlling air flow from the superstructure through the pit and out the vent pipe. The siting of the school latrines is also inconsistent with guidelines as the latrines are located too close to the classroom building and to the school’s water pump. Finally, the ratio of people to latrines on the shared TWI/J.C. Barlee campus is higher than the recommendation of 20-40 students per latrine, or when necessary 60 students per latrine. The second research objective was to investigate user perceptions of the communal latrines and identify factors that motivate latrine adoption on the Liberian school campus. The design deficiencies identified in the evaluation of thesis objective one were found to impact the user preferences regarding the school latrines. This is apparent from user comments in the surveys that were conducted with 709 participants (students from grades four to twelve, administrators, faculty, and staff) at the study site. User perceptions of the cleanliness, safety, and comfort of the school facilities were varied. For example, 51% of total respondents (n = 709) expressed that the school latrines were dirty or very dirty, while 48% claimed the latrines were clean or very clean. When asked about the safety of the communal latrines, 52% of survey participants said the sanitation facilities were not safe or very unsafe; 47% asserted that the latrines were safe or very safe. Survey participants also had mixed responses about the comfort of the communal sanitation technology: 51% of the 709 survey participants stated that the latrines were not comfortable or very uncomfortable, while 46% declared the facilities were comfortable or very comfortable. The open-ended survey questions allowed respondents to comment on positive and negative aspects of the communal school VIP latrines. Again answers included various responses, but several key themes arose, including smell and odor, latrine construction components, presence of feces in and around the latrines, the use of the facilities by outside community members, and health impacts of latrine use. The final thesis objective was to develop a framework of the factors that impact adoption of communal school latrines. The author originally assumed that user preferences and latrine adoption were directly correlated, but survey results suggest that the two factors may be independently influenced. This is based on the usage rates, 77% total survey participants stating that they use the latrines and 88% of these affirmative respondents explaining that they use the latrines daily, multiple times a week, or weekly. Although these adoption rates are quite high, satisfaction rates for latrine cleanliness, safety, and comfort are merely 50%, as previously described. VIP latrine design factors, like odor control and door construction, and communal sanitation facility characteristics, such as operation and maintenance, may prompt latrine adoption. Individual user traits, such as age, gender, and type and availability of household sanitation technology appear to have a lesser impact on latrine adoption. However, the grade level of the student respondents may have played a role in their responses because of the methods in which the survey was administered and the common practice of cheating. Additional research should be conducted to further understand the factors that impact the adoption of communal sanitation facilities on school campuses. This study accomplished its three main research objectives, yet further research and practical applications must be applied to improve school sanitation in Liberia and worldwide.

Engineers are exploring a new paradigm in wastewater treatment; focus is shifting to the recovery and reuse of energy, water, and nutrients. Ecological sanitation (EcoSan) technologies, which allow for this recovery and reuse, are an environmentally sound option for the future of sanitation. While the technology to achieve this goal of recovery and reuse exists, a limiting factor is user attitudes and perceptions. Social sciences, especially anthropology, can and should inform engineering projects to ensure socio-cultural sustainability. Since 2003, rural indigenous Ngäbe communities in Panama have been implementing ecological sanitation projects, mainly double vault urine diverting (DVUD) latrines known as composting latrines. With the help of governmental agencies and the Peace Corps, over 200 of these latrines have been built across the province of Bocas del Toro and the ñÖ Kribu region of the Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé. To this point, little monitoring and evaluation has taken place in these communities. Interviews and observations in 23 communities throughout this coastal region revealed that 70.6% of composting latrines constructed (n = 201) were completed and 71.8 % of the completed composting latrines (n = 142) are still in use. Based on observations, 65% of the latrines in use were determined to be used properly, which translates to the proper use of 45.8% of the completed latrines. To promote composting latrine adoption, social marketing and pilot latrine projects can be employed, and to improve the percentage of properly used composting latrines, education campaigns can be deployed as follow up. Utilizing suggestions made in recent literature as guidelines for the proper application of compost, analysis showed that new training messages have not reached the communities with older composting latrines. Informal interviews in 18 communities identified compost production, the lack of mosquitoes and flies, and the lack of odor as the most frequently mentioned advantages. With respect to the disadvantages, the inability to use water for anal cleansing was the most frequently mentioned disadvantage. In three communities, informal interviews and 124 surveys were used to characterize the perceptions of Ngäbes regarding feces and their use of composted human excrement as a soil amendment in agriculture. In general, the responses reflected perceptions that show no strong barrier to the operation and maintenance of composting latrines. Utilizing the Fisher's exact test and Kruskal-Wallis test, the community, sanitation classification, gender, primary occupation, and age all showed some level of association with the perceptions expressed in the survey responses. Filo Verde was more likely to respond with perceptions accepting of composting latrine use, while San San Puente was more likely to respond with "don't know" or with perceptions objecting to composting latrine use. At times, up to 37.9% of the respondents responded with negative perceptions; thus, evaluations of perceptions prior to the implementation stage are still beneficial. One discrepancy existed between the overall majority and the composting latrine user majority; 56.5% of the 124 respondents perceived the handling of human excrement as a great health risk, whereas 59.1% of the 22 composting latrine users did not. As expected, the composting latrine users responses represent the positive perceptions of feces and their reuse, but pit latrine owners were most likely to respond with perceptions contrary to those indicative of proper composting latrine behavior. Overall, males were more likely to agree with the perceptions related to composting latrine use. Regarding primary occupations, farmers consistently replied with more favorable perceptions of feces and their use as a soil amendment, while banana company workers showed more dissidence. Additionally, older participants gave responses reflecting favorable perceptions of composting latrines more than younger participants. Finally, education and household size do not have any statistically significant associations with the perceptions reflected in the survey responses.

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals have prioritized improving access to sanitation, but unfortunately about a third of the global population is still without an improved sanitation source and one billion still practice open defecation. Lack of access to adequate and safe sanitation means the proliferation of dangerous pathogens in the environment, especially soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). In the Bocas del Toro Province of Panama (and similar locations in the world), composting latrines have been built in many of the indigenous communities in the area. They are a form of dry or ecological sanitation and are designed to produce an end product that can be used as a soil amendment for agricultural purposes. The issue is that many of these latrines are not working as designed and do not go through the composting process. Instead, they may act as incubators for harmful pathogens, such as Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm). This research 1) provides an extensive literature review of the health situation of Panama, focusing on indigenous populations; soil-transmitted helminths and helminthiasis; Ascaris lumbricoides and its implications for wastewater reuse and land application of biosolids/sewage sludge; and inactivation of Ascaris in composting latrines; and 2) develops and proposes an experimental plan, with field-based methods, to assess the inactivation of Ascaris, by urea and solar heat (increased temperature), in composting latrines in Panama. Various experiments have been conducted in the laboratory using urea and increased temperature to inactive Ascaris; however few have been carried out in dry toilet technologies in the field. The contribution of this thesis is the field-based experimental design developed for inactivating Ascaris in composting latrines. The methods build upon previous research carried out both in the laboratory and in the field.

L’objet de cette thèse est l’analyse de l’interface entre, d’une part l’offre technologique d’assainissement et de latrinisation au Burkina Faso, qui se traduit en grand partie par la mise en place de latrine dans les concessions et dans lieux publics, et d’autre part la dimension sociétale à travers les représentations sociales des individus et des communautés et leurs logiques d’action dans le rapport à la latrine. La confrontation des deux dimensions aborde en effet un champ d’étude qui analyse l’équipement « latrine » à l’épreuve des représentations sociales qui y sont associées et des contraintes objectives de son implémentation. La thèse aborde ainsi une sociologie de l’assainissement qui questionne plus spécifiquement le processus de latrinisation au Burkina Faso, à travers les dimensions représentationnelles, notamment les représentations du propre et du sale et la symbolique de la latrine, les logiques d’action des usagers, leurs pratiques subséquentes, de la sphère domestique à la sphère publique. Dans un contexte national du Burkina Faso marqué par un faible taux d’accès à l’assainissement et avec des municipalités en construction dans un processus de décentralisation, l’étude de la latrinisation dans les villes moyennes étudiées (Ouahigouya, Dori, Houndé et Pouytenga) interroge par ailleurs les dispositifs effectifs de gestion des latrines pour comprendre la problématique globale de la diffusion et de la durabilité des ouvrage d’assainissement
The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the interface between, on the one hand, the technological supply of sanitation and latrinization in Burkina Faso, which is largely reflected in the setting up of latrines in concessions and in public places, and on the other hand, the social dimension through the social representations of individuals and communities and their action logics in relation to the latrine. The confrontation between the two dimensions involves a field of study that analyzes the “latrine” equipment through social representations associated and objective constraints of its implementation. The thesis addresses sociology of sanitation that more specifically questions about the process of latrinization in Burkina Faso, througt the representational dimensions, including the representations of the clean and the dirty and the symbolism of the latrine, the logics of action of users, their subsequent practices, from the domestic sphere to the public sphere. In a national context of Burkina Faso marked by a low rate of access to sanitation and where, in a process of decentralization, the municipalities are under construction, the study of latrinization in tne medium-sized cities (Ouahigouya, Dori, Houndé and Pouytenga hemps in understanding the overall problem of sanitation facilities, through the effective latrine management systems

The study was made at Lubigi sewage treatment plant in Kampala, Uganda, during February and March 2018. The aim of this master thesis was to treat faecal sludge with two different methods, urea and lime, to investigate the efficiency of the chemicals to inactivate pathogens and to estimate the feasibility and the costs of the treatment. The chemical treatments were performed on sludge of two different moisture contents. The results from the treated sludge were compared with an untreated drying bed filled at the start of the study period to use as a control. The investigated pathogens were E. coli, bacteriophages and Ascaris eggs. The total solids and volatile solids were analysed, and the pH was measured. The results of the study including a calculation of costs were used to assess the feasibility of these treatment methods at Lubigi sewage treatment plant. The results show that the treatment using lime and urea reduces the level of active pathogens in the faecal sludge. The drying process in the beds at the treatment plant also decreases the level of detected pathogens in the sludge, but not to the same extent as when adding chemicals. The E. coli in the treated sludge were under the detection limit before the study period was done. Ascaris eggs were still detected in the sludge by the final sampling occasion. Further monitoring of the treated sludge might show an additional decrease of Ascaris since the time of storage after treatment enables pathogen die-off. The bacteriophages analyses only succeeded for two sampling occasions, although a decrease of detected phages is visible in the results. Again, the time of storage is significant for pathogen reduction, which is why a decrease of bacteriophages is expected if the sludge were to be further monitored. The feasibility of the two treatment methods is mainly restricted by costs. Lime treatment is approximately seven times more expensive than urea treatment and is also required in a larger amount to treat the sludge. On the other hand, using lime to treat faecal sludge is a proven and effective method. Further studies would improve the knowledge of the sludge characteristics at Lubigi and help determine the most preferable treatment for the sludge to protect the environment and public health. For example, by focusing on one treatment method, more detailed information can be gathered, and if performing a study in a larger scale, the representativeness would increase. To make sure there is no risk of spreading pathogens to the environment, further analyses should be carried out directly before selling the sludge to farmers.

Rural water supply and sanitation in low and middle income countries face the same challenges now as in the 1970s. Despite massive efforts in providing communal “borehole with handpump” and “improved latrines” to improve the lives of millions of people, this traditional approach to development is failing to deliver long lasting improved services - even if for the last 40 years many attempts have been made to solve problems in the approach. The main research question is “Can low-income rural families pay for rural water supply and sanitation?” This thesis has analysed household poverty and costs on water and sanitation services in Mozambique and Ghana based on 3,049 surveys collected between 2009-2010 by the IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre WASHCost project. Evidence shows that even extreme poor households can and do pay for improved water and sanitation services. However, households prefer to pay for more expensive services to reduce the distance required to collect water instead of paying for the cheaper maintenance of communal (further away) sources. For sanitation, without targeted support towards the poorest, improved latrines might be unaffordable. Also, without follow up support, behaviour change and health impact will not be sustained. Small increases in the wealth of the poorest have a large impact on the services demanded in terms of quantity, distance and time spend as well as an increase in the level of capital and maintenance expenditure. Ultimately, the world now is not the same as in the 1970s and for achieving universal sustainable coverage for water and sanitation we need to rethink the failed traditional approach to development in low income countries with a deeper understanding of the market segmentation in the lowest quintile of the population and their real aspirations and demand.

Cette étude porte sur les latrines ouest du second palais de l’intendant à Québec (CeEt-30) dont la construction et l’utilisation au Régime français couvre approximativement une période allant du deuxième quart du XVIIIesiècle à 1759. La bonne préservation de la structure et de son contenu permet une étude approfondie des conditions et modes de vie relatifs à la consommation. Lieu par excellence de la manifestation des comportements liés à l’hygiène, les latrines offrent ainsi l’opportunité d’aborder ce sujet. Ces latrines et tout leur contenu servent de point de départ pour aborder les modes d’hygiène dans leur globalité. En plus des données disponibles, la considération des mentalités de l’époque rend ainsi possible une meilleure compréhension des gestes posés par les individus. Ainsi, les rapports de l’individu avec son corps (l’hygiène personnelle), avec son environnement immédiat (l’hygiène domestique) et avec la société (l’hygiène publique) sont approfondis dans cette étude. Puisque le palais de l’intendant sert autant de résidence que de lieu pour accomplir de nombreuses tâches en lien avec l’administration coloniale, un certain nombre de personnes y circulent: elles sont majoritairement issues de la société française. Il est donc intéressant de vérifier si les comportements de ces personnes reflètent les normes sociales en vigueur dans leur patrie d’origine. Nous nous rendons compte que leurs comportements sont astucieusement exécutés et orchestrés dans un univers social où le paraître est de la plus haute importance: les modes d’hygiène au palais de l’intendant s’inscrivent parfaitement dans cette «mise en scène» de la société française de la première moitié du XVIIIe siècle.
This study examines the western latrines of the second Intendant's Palace in Quebec City (CeEt-30), the construction and use of which in the French Regime covers approximately the second quarter of the 18th century to 1759. The well-preserved structure and its contents allow for a thorough study of conditions and lifestyles related to consumer habits. As exemplary contexts for examining hygiene-related behaviour, latrines offer the opportunity to study these habits. The latrines and their contents also serve as a starting point for a broader examination of hygiene-related behaviours. In addition to the available data, the consideration of mentalities of the time period is discussed, thus allowing a better understanding of individual actions. The relationships of individuals with their bodies (personal hygiene), with the immediate environment (domestic hygiene) and with society (public hygiene) are explored in this study. Since the Intendant's Palace served as a residence as well as a place for the performance of a variety of tasks related to colonial administration, a number of people worked and lived on site, and these were mainly France citizens. It is therefore interesting to explore whether the behaviour of these people is a reflection ofsocial norms in force in their country of origin. We realize that their behaviours are cunningly executed and orchestrated in a social universe where appearance is of utmost importance. Hygiene-related behaviors at the Intendant's Palace thus mirror perfectly French society in the first half of the 18th century.

Despite the impressive progress over the last two decades in which millions of people worldwide have gained first time access to improved water and sanitation infrastructure, the reality for many is that shortly after infrastructure construction the actual service received by users slips back to unacceptably low levels. However, due to inadequate research and inconsistencies with how data and cost data has been collected and reported, very little is known of the necessary levels of expenditure required to sustain an acceptable (so called “basic”) water and sanitation service and this inhibits effective financial planning for households, communities, governments and donors alike. This thesis sought to provide a better understanding of what has historically been spent to provide different levels of water and sanitation services as a means to better understand the necessary expenditure required. Empirical findings are based on a large data sample of nearly 2,000 water points, over 4,000 latrines, and over 12,000 household surveys, which have been collected as part of three research projects (WASHCost, Triple-S, and WASHCost Sierra Leone), across five country research areas (Andhra Pradesh (India), Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mozambique, and Sierra Leone). Findings for water supply systems show that the combination of high capital investments of: $19 and $69 per person for community point sources and $33 – $216 per person for piped systems; and low recurrent expenditures of: $0.06 - $0.37 per person per year for point sources and $0.58 - $7.87 per person per year for piped systems; results in less than half of users receiving a “basic” level of service. Evidence based estimates of the required expenditure for acceptable services are found to be far greater than the “effective demand” expressed in terms of the willingness to pay of service users and national government for these services. Findings for sanitation show that constructing a household latrine that achieves “basic” service standards requires a financial investment of at least $40 that is likely to be an unaffordable barrier for many households in lower income countries. In addition the costs and affordability of periodic pit emptying remains a concern. Ultimately this research suggests that if international standard of improved water and sanitation services are to be sustained in rural areas, the international sector will likely have to provide additional investments to meet a significant proportion of the recurrent costs of delivering these services.

More than half of the human population will be living in urban areas in 2008, of which 81 percent will be in poor areas of towns and cities of the developing world. Governments of most African cities are unable to provide the urgently needed sanitation facilities amongst other services. The informal sector (small independent providers) rather than externally supported efforts provide the majority of household sanitation facilities. The commonly held assumption amongst sector professionals is that partnership with the informal private sector to develop the sanitation market is a sustainable way of increasing access to improved sanitation in low-income urban areas. This research assesses the capacity of small independent providers of sanitation services (SIPS) to up scale and accelerate the delivery of improved sanitation. The thesis adds to an · improved understanding of the capacity of small independent sanitation providers to upscale the delivery of improved sanitation and answers the following questions: what is their level of knowledge, skills and experiences of various sanitation options?; what are house owners' preferences?; and what are their experiences of obtaining sanitation services from small independent providers?. The research adopted a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in order to ensure the validity and reliability of the findings. The field work was conducted in the three municipalities in the city of Oar es Salaam, Tanzania. The thesis concludes that small independent providers have the potential to upscale the delivery of improved sanitation facilities but not without capacity building, particularly in the areas of developing appropriate sanitation technologies; appropriate enabling environment (infrastructure to support hygienic emptying and sludge disposal, and effective policy and regulatory framework) and support with demand generation. The implications of the research highlight the need to integrate any SIPS capacity enhancement and 'official' involvement in sanitation provision as part of an urban improvement programme. The recommendations from the thesis outline key support areas for the respective SIPS typologies, and the responsibilities of the various stakeholders (government, NGOs, donors) and SIPS. Potential areas of further research include development of appropriate sanitation technology for low-income urban settlements and creating an effective enabling environment.

A population of spotted-tailed quolls Dasyurus maculatus was studied for three years (2002-2004) in the lower catchment of the Jacobs River, in the Byadbo Wilderness Area of southern Kosciuszko National Park, south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. Survey and monitoring of quoll latrine sites and prey populations, dietary analysis and live-trapping was carried out for one year before and two years after the widespread wildfires of January 2003, which had a very high impact on the study area. Survey for spotted-tailed quoll latrine sites was successful in locating a total of 90 latrine sites in the Jacobs River study area over the three years of the study. These were found throughout all parts of the topography among large, complex granite outcrops and along rocky sections of riparian habitat. After the fire in 2003, lower numbers of latrines were in use than observed pre-fire, and there was a lower level of usage (number of scats) of individual latrines. Continued monitoring in 2004 revealed that many latrines that had become inactive in 2003 following the fire were re-activated in the second breeding season following fire. 1466 spotted-tailed quoll scats were collected from latrines and live-trapped quolls over the three years of the study. Hair analysis from scats identified twenty-two different species of mammal in the diet of the spotted-tailed quoll from the Jacobs River study area, representing the majority of all prey identified (98.5% occurrence) and contributing almost all of the biomass consumed (99.6%). Medium-sized mammals were the most important prey category, followed by small mammals, large mammals (most likely taken as carrion) and non-mammalian prey (birds, reptiles, insects and plants). Brushtail possums were the most important single prey item by both frequency of occurrence and percentage biomass in all years, followed by lagomorphs (rabbits and hares), Rattus spp., and swamp wallabies. There was a significant difference in the composition of the diet by major prey category across the years of the study as a result of the fire, indicated by a shift in utilisation of food resources by quolls in response to significant changes in prey availability. Monitoring of prey populations revealed that brushtail possums, lagomorphs and bandicoots were all significantly less abundant in the study area in the winter directly following the fire, followed by a significant increase in abundance of lagomorphs, but not of possums, in the second winter after the fire. Quolls adapted well to this altered prey availability. While there was a significant decrease in occurrence of brushtail possum in scats after the fire, significantly more scats contained hair of lagomorphs, to the point where almost equal proportions of lagomorphs and possum hair occurred in scats by the winter of 2004. Other fire-induced changes to the diet were evident, such as a significant drop in the occurrence of small mammals in scats for both winters after the fire, and a peak in occurrence of large mammals in the winter directly following the fire that strongly suggests there was a short-term increase in the availability of carrion. A large, high-density population of spotted-tailed quolls was live-trapped and marked during the winter breeding season of 2002. Twenty-two quolls (13 male and 9 female) were present in the study area in 2002, and subsequent trapping over the 2003 and 2004 winter breeding seasons following the fire revealed that the high-intensity wildfire did not result in the extinction of the local population. There was evidence of a small, short-term decline in the number of quolls present in the study area in the 2003 breeding season, with 16 individual quolls captured. Males were outnumbered two-to-one by females, due either to mortality or emigration. Trapping in 2004 showed a recovery of the population to numbers exceeding that observed prior to the fire, with 26 individuals captured (16 male, 10 female), most likely as a result of immigration. There was some evidence that recruitment of young from the post-fire breeding season in 2003 was reduced because of the fire. This study took advantage of an unplanned wildfire event to monitor the response of a population of spotted-tailed quolls and their prey. In this regard it was fortuitous since it has been recognised that the use of replicates and controls in the study of the impacts of wildfire on such species is likely to be logistically impossible. Consequently, the effects of fire on forest and woodland fauna such as the spotted-tailed quoll are poorly understood, with many authors expressing concern that, potentially, wildfires are likely to be highly detrimental to resident quoll populations. The results of this study, however, concur with the few other studies in which forest mammal populations have been monitored before and after wildfire in suggesting that wildfires may not be as destructive to fauna as that imagined. The results of this work will provide information to assist in the preparation of management strategies for the species, such as recovery plans, as well as information for land managers preparing management plans, including fire management plans, for habitats in which spotted-tailed quolls are found throughout their range.

Burkina Faso is a country in the Sahel of West Africa struggling, like many developing nations, with the problem of providing adequate sanitation to its poorest regions. Inadequate sanitation is responsible for many health problems and results in much lost potential, thus exacerbating the country's economic and social problems. In response to this need, sanitation workers developed the ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine in the mid 1980's. Since its design, thousands of VIP latrines have been installed throughout Africa. However, reports of poor operation resulting in a return of the odour and fly problems of older latrines have been received. This project investigated the ventilation of the VIP latrine and attempted to find a way to improve the ventilation rate. Three accessories, a venturi, a slotted fitting and a diverging fitting placed at the outlet of the ventpipe, were considered as possible methods of achieving this end. The fittings were analyzed theoretically and tested in the laboratory and in the field. The results of the tests showed that the divergent fitting was no more effective in inducing up-flow than the open pipe. Given that the slotted fitting is significantly more expensive than the venturi and that the wind in Burkina Faso is such that the slotted fitting would be effective for only a small portion of the year, it was concluded that the most appropriate accessory is the venturi. The field portion of this project was conducted in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with the aid of Centre regional pour l'eau potable et l'assainissement a faible cout (CREPA). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

An estimated 2.4 billion people worldwide lack access to improved sanitation. This includes nearly 1 billion people practicing open defecation, of which 60 percent reside in India. Open defecation is especially common among rural populations, and has been linked to health problems like the occurrence of diarrheal disease and malnutrition. Despite decades of efforts by the Indian government to improve sanitation, open defecation continues to be a common practice even in households possessing a functional latrine. The main aims of this research were 1) to understand the reasons for poor adoption (uptake) and use of government subsidized latrines, and 2) to identify the constraints causing latrine non adoption and use. From the constraints identified in the literature review, three constraints were selected for in-depth investigation in this dissertation :1) socio-cultural beliefs and customs around handling adult human faeces, 2) programmatic challenges in mobilising communities for latrine promotion, and 3) household level challenges with sanitation decision making, especially exploring inability of women to take decisions on sanitation installation. The study was conducted in rural areas of Odisha through a mixed methods approach. The research revealed that in this study population, latrine adoption and use by all family members is influenced by socio-cultural and behavioural rituals and restrictions on handling and containing adult human faeces close to the home. In some cases, study subjects expressed a preference for open defecation over latrine use and were able to articulate benefits and advantages. Diverse communities and lack of capacity and skill among implementers negatively impacted the implementation of sanitation campaigns. Power hierarchies, inter-generational and household dynamics prevented female family members from participating in household decisions, including latrine installation decision-making.

The aim of this study was to assess how knowledge transfer through community engagement and public participation can be used to support the sustainability of VIP latrines, and hence address the negative perceptions that people have of the VIP latrine. In South Africa, the basic minimum acceptable level of sanitation is a lined Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine. Some sanitation projects utilising VIP latrines have, however, been unsuccessful as a result of the poor construction and design practices, and insufficient buy-in from latrine users. Successful VIP latrine sanitation projects have shown to use effective knowledge transfer through community engagement. The study comprises of a review of literature on community engagement, public participation, sustainable sanitation, VIP latrines and the transfer of knowledge in sanitation projects. The fieldwork study was a comparative assessment of two VIP sanitation projects implemented in the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality: a project coordinated by an NGO appointed by the Department of Human Settlements as part of the Rural Household Infrastructure Programme; and another where the project was run by a project management firm appointed by the local municipality which used funding from the municipal infrastructure grant. For the NGO co-ordinated project, a community engagement approach was adopted, whilst the Project Management Firm co-ordinated project used a public participation approach. The projects were implemented in two villages both situated 10km North East of the town of Bushbuckridge. The comparative assessment was two-fold: an assessment of the sustainability of the VIP latrines, using the Integrated Assessment of Sustainable Development which was developed by Krajnc and Glavic (2004), and a Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH-developed by Ulrich in 1983) (Reynolds, 2007) analysis of the public participation and community engagement methods used in both projects.

Sanitation programme monitoring is often limited to latrine access and coverage, with little emphasis on use of the facilities. This may be partially explained by the challenges associated with measuring individual and household latrine use. The conventional methods used each have their limitations. The overall goal of this research was to improve the methods for assessing latrine use in low-income countries and enhance our understanding of the patterns and determinants of latrine use in rural India. The evidence from a cross-sectional study to compare reported latrine use with a technology based measure, Passive Latrine Use Monitors, indicated that reported latrine use, though already suggesting low adoption, likely exaggerates the actual level of uptake of government constructed latrines in rural Odisha, India. Moderate agreement was obtained when comparing daily reported use during the previous 48 hours with the average daily PLUM count. Thus, if self-report measures are used, survey questions should focus on the 48 hours prior to the date of the survey rather than asking about “usual” latrine use behavior. The study also assessed patterns and determinants of individual latrine use over 12 months in the study population. Based on a prior 48 hour recall measure of reported use, we classified use into three categories—“never”, “sometimes” and “always/usually”. We also assessed consistency of latrine use across the dry cold, dry hot and rainy seasons. Overall, we found that latrine use was poor. There was significant seasonal variation in use. There was increased reported likelihood of consistently using the latrine among females and where latrines had a door and roof. Older age groups and an increase in household size were associated with a decreased reported likelihood of consistently always/usually using the latrine versus never using it. The leading reported reason for non-use of latrines was a preference for open defecation.

Rates of population growth in developing country cities are straining the capacity of sanitation service providers. In spite of widespread sector recognition of the need to adopt low-cost, people centred approaches, 80 per cent of investments in the water and sanitation sector continue to be allocated to high cost technologies for urban elites. Household level, on-plot sanitation systems potentially offer a solution to the sanitary needs of the urban poor. Nevertheless, commonly held assumptions amongst sector professionals that lower cost, on-plot systems are inappropriate and unacceptable in urban communities impede-their wider application. There is little empirical evidence to justify this position. The scope of this work examines the technical appropriateness and user acceptability of on-plot sanitation options. The thesis contributes to an improved understanding of the context in which on-plot systems operate, what factors constrain their application, and what issues need consideration when deciding on sanitary options in low-income communities. The research adopted a mix of methodological techniques to improve the reliability and validity of findings, with both quantitative and qualitative methods applied during fieldwork. Findings from Ghana, Mozambique and India are included in the thesis in order to permit sampling of key latrine types used internationally. The thesis concludes that user based perceptions of the performance and acceptability of on-plot systems varies markedly to those of sector professionals, particularly in relation to plot size, satisfaction levels and reasons for absence of household latrine. Furthermore, user based criteria of performance are developed for consideration practitioners when narrowing decision making on sanitary options. The implications of the study highlight the need for integration of user concerns into strategic planning for sanitation, more effective stimulation and negotiation of demand for sanitation systems and challenges for agencies in adopting a user oriented approach. The recommendations from the thesis include practitioner focused policy changes that affect project planning and support systems for user education. Potential areas of further research interest include ranking user perceptions, an holistic understanding of excreta management processes and institutional constraints affecting user-service provider consultations.

Maior mamífero terrestre neotropical, a anta (Tapirus terrestris) possui hábitos solitários. É classificada como herbívora-frugívora, ingerindo grande quantidade de frutos com sementes de diversas espécies. Potencialmente, a anta é considerada um dispersor de sementes. Nesse trabalho, estudamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas por antas e sua efetividade na dispersão de sementes. No primeiro capítulo, abordamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas, que foi realizado através de marcadores plásticos adicionados no alimento. No segundo capítulo avaliamos a efetividade de dispersão de sementes, através dos locais de deposição de fezes e o potencial germinativo de duas espécies que compõe a sua dieta: Psidium guajava e Syagrus romanzoffiana. O estudo foi realizado no Centro de Visitantes do Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, em Santa Catarina, que compreende uma área de 160 ha. Lá seis indivíduos de T. terrestris vivem em regime de cativeiro extensivo com alimentação suplementar, o que permite a realização de estudos com disponibilidade de habitat e densidade controladas. Observamos que 78% das fezes estavam agrupadas em latrinas e 22% isoladas. Oito unidades fecais (10%) continham marcadores, desde o primeiro até 18 dias após a ingestão. Em uma latrina evidenciamos o uso repetido pelo mesmo indivíduo. Não é possível afirmar se as latrinas são de uso individual ou coletivo, porém a taxa de defecação que encontramos em latrinas é superior a de um único indivíduo. Os locais de defecação estão associados à altura do dossel, refletindo a seleção de T. terrestris pela vegetação arbórea. As taxas médias de germinação de sementes de P. guajava que passaram pelo trato digestivo das antas não foram diferentes (p>0,41) das sementes despolpadas. Já a taxa de germinação das sementes de Syagrus romanzoffiana, fruto importante na dieta de antas, foi maior (p=0,05) quando ingeridas pelos animais, pois esses selecionam frutos sadios. Os resultados demonstram que T. terrestris é eficiente na dispersão de sementes, tanto por depositar suas fezes em locais seguros para a germinação, como por apresentar efeito neutro ou positivo na germinação de espécies após a passagem pelo trato digestivo.
Largest neotropical terrestrial mammal, the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is a solitary animal. Regarding its food-habit type is classified as frugivore-herbivore, thus ingesting great amount of seedy fruits of diverse species. The tapir is considered to be a seed dispersor. In the present work, aspects related to tapir’s latrine behavior and its effectiveness on seed dispersal were studied. In the first chapter, tapir’s latrine behavior was studied through plastic markers added in the food. In the second chapter the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed dispersal by tapirs, through the places of feces’ deposition and the germination potential of two species composing its diet: Psidium guajava and Syagrus romanzoffiana. The study was carried out in the Visitors Center of Serra do Tabuleiro State Park, in Santa Catarina state, a 160 ha area. There, six T. terrestris individuals live in extensive captivity regime with supplemental feeding, allowing the development of studies with controlled habitat availability and density. We observed that 78% of excrements were grouped in latrines and 22% were isolated. Eight fecal units (10%) were found with markers one to 18 days after marker’s ingestion. In a latrine we found evidence of repeated use by the same individual. Although it is not possible to state whether latrines are of individual or collective use, the defecation rate found is bigger of that of a single individual. The defecation places are associates with higher canopy, reflecting the T. terrestris election for forest vegetation. The germination rate of P. guajava seeds passing through the digestive tract of tapirs weren’t different (p>0,41) from those with pulp manually extracted. On the other hand, germination rate of Syagrus romanzoffiana, an important fruit on tapirs’ diet, was greater (p=0,05) when ingested by the animals, because they select healthy fruits. The results demonstrate tapir to be efficient in seed dispersal, not only for deposing their excrements in safe places for seed germination, as for presenting neutral or positive effect in the germination of seeds after passing their digestive tract.

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Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
This paper conducted a study of graffiti from public toilets in the city of São Paulo. The focus of analysis is the ability agentive these demonstrations, and to access these intentions and meanings, we sought a dialogue between anthropology and artistic methodologies, experimenting and meanings through interactions of bathrooms installations and interventions, exploring and evoking sensory looks like, smells and communications. To underscore the graffiti, highlight the typical sense of the bathroom and bring to this environment other artistic textures, in addition to their senses of anonymity, transgressor in that uses an area of conservation and public use, subjective and individualized, brings a problematization and theoretical tract of these productions and locations beyond possible interpretations of content and classificatory generalizations. We seek to understand how intentions abandoned in places highly significant gain autonomy for interaction and enable the understanding of a theory of action grounded in production and not in human producers.
Este trabalho realizou um estudo de grafitos de banheiros públicos da cidade de São Paulo. O foco de análise é a capacidade agentiva destas manifestações, e para acessar estas intencionalidades e significados, buscou-se um diálogo entre antropologia e metodologias artísticas, experimentando significados e interações dos banheiros através de instalações e intervenções, explorando sensorialmente e evocando assim olhares, odores e comunicações. Ressaltar os grafitos, evidenciar os sentidos típicos do banheiro e trazer para este ambiente outras texturas artísticas, para além das suas acepções de caráter anônimo, transgressor na medida em que se utiliza de um espaço de uso e conservação pública , subjetivas e particularizadas, traz uma problematização e trato teórico destas produções e localidades para além de possíveis interpretações de conteúdos e generalizações classificatórias. Buscamos entender como intencionalidades abandonadas em locais altamente significativos ganham autonomia de interação e possibilitam a compreensão de uma teoria de ação calcada em produções e não em produtores humanos.

Avloppsvatten innehåller näring, bland annat kväve och fosfor som kan orsaka övergödningom det kommer ut i sjöar och vattendrag. Samtidigt behöver stora mängder näringsämnen tillföras i jordbruket för att producera mat. Ett sätt att effektivt ta till vara på näringen i avlopp och återföra den till jordbruket skulle kunna vara källsortering av avlopp. På så sätt samlas näringsämnena i en mindre volym och blandas inte med bad-, disk-, och tvättvatten. Examensarbetet syftade till att undersöka rötning som behandlingsmetod och teknik för att utnyttja energin i latrin. I rötning bryter mikroorganismer ner organiskt material anaerobt och producerar energirik biogas som kan användas till värme, el eller fordonsbränsle. Rötresten som blir kvar efter rötningen innehåller näringsämnen men också föroreningar. I studien undersöktes latrinens innehåll av tungmetaller och läkemedelsrester och hur läkemedelshalten påverkades under rötningsprocessen. För att utvärdera rötning som behandlingsmetod av latrin gjordes 44 satsvisa utrötningsför-sök i laboratorium. Latrinen hämtades från en latrininsamling i Norrtälje. Ymp från två aktiva rötningsanläggningar blandades med latrinen i gastäta glasflaskor vilka sattes på skakbord i ca 60 dagar. En del flaskor innehöll en tillsats av läkemedel lösta i metanol. Två parallella försök utfördes i olika temperaturer, i mesofil temperatur (37ºC) och i termofil temperatur (52ºC). Gasproduktion och gasens metanhalt mättes under försöksperioden för att beräkna latrinens biogaspotential. Efter avslutad rötningsperiod separerades vätskan och det fasta materialet i rötresten och frystes in i väntan på analys av läkemedelsrester. Biogasproduktionen var drygt 250 Nml CH4/g VS (ml metan per gram organiskt material vid tryck 1 atm och 0ºC) efter 60 dagar, vilket antas vara biogaspotentialen hos latrin. Det är i samma nivå som biogaspotentialen från hönsgödsel och svinkletgödsel. Gasproduktionen i flaskorna med tillsats av läkemedel var något högre och någon inhibering av processen kunde alltså ej påvisas. Kvävehalten i latrinen var 3,7 g/l, fosforhalten 1,0 g/l, kaliumhalten 1,0 g/l. Latrinens tungmetallhalter var under Naturvårdsverkets föreslagna gränsvärden för avloppsfraktioner som tillförs åkermark och skulle därför kunna användas som gödsel med dagens regelverk. Kadmiumfosforkvoten var 25 mg Cd/kg P vilket är lika mycket som medelvärde av Revaq-certifierat avloppsslam. Flera saker tyder på att latrinen som användes innehöll mer fekalier än urin i förhållande till vad som borde produceras och därmed inte fullt ut representerar ett komplett toalettavfall. Analyser gjordes av läkemedelskoncentrationer i vätskefasen av rötningsmaterialet före och efter olika långa perioder av rötning. Rötning visade sig inte vara någon effektiv metod för att rena latrin från läkemedel. Det var i fler fall som koncentrationen av läkemedel ökade än minskade under rötning. Ökningen kan bland annat ha att göra med att adsorptionsegen-skaper hos materialet förändras under rötningen och därmed frigörs substanserna och syns bättre i analysen av vätskefasen. Förekomsten av läkemedel i miljön är relativt väl undersöktmen däremot behövs mer förståelse för riskerna med läkemedel i vattenmiljö men framför-allt i jordbruksmiljö där kunskapsluckorna är stora
Wastewater contains nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous which can cause eutrophi-cation in lakes and streams. Meanwhile, large quantities of nutrients are used in agriculture in order to produce food. One way to utilize nutrients in wastewater and return them to agriculture could be source separation of sewage. This way, nutrients are collected in smallvolumes and are not mixed with bathing, washing, and cleaning water. This thesis aimed at investigating anaerobic digestion as a treatment method and technology to make use of the energy in latrine. In anaerobic digestion, microorganisms degrade organic material and produce energy rich biogas that can be used for heating, electricity, or vehicle fuel. The residue remaining after digestion contains nutrients but also pollutants. The study examined the content of heavy metals and drug residues in latrine, and to what extent the digestion process affected the pharmaceutical content. To evaluate the anaerobic digestion as treatment of latrines, 44 batch experiments wereperformed at laboratory scale. Latrine was taken from a collection basin in Norrtälje. Inoculum from two active anaerobic digestion plants were mixed with latrine in sealed glass bottles and put on shaking tables for approximately 60 days. Some bottles contained an addition of eight drugs dissolved in methanol. Two parallel experiments were performed one at mesophilic temperature (37ºC) and one at thermophilic temperature (52ºC). The volume of gas produced and methane content was measured for calculation of the biogas potential. After completion of the digestion period, the liquid and solids were separated and frozen pending analysis of drug residues. The biogas produced was a little over 250 Nml CH4/gVS after 60 days being comparable to production from pig and chicken manure. The bottles containing added substances showed no inhibition of the biogas process since the gas production was slightly greater in these. The nitrogen content of latrine was 3.7 g/L, the phosphorus content 1.0 g/L and potassium content of 1.0 g/L. The cadmium-phosphorus ratio was 25 mg Cd/kg P, same as the average of Revaq certified sewage sludge. The heavy metal concentrations were below the limits allowed for sewage fractions applied on arable land as proposed by the Swedish Environ-mental Protection Agency. The latrine could be used as fertilizer with current and proposed regulations. Several things indicate that the latrine used contained a higher feces-urine ratio than expected and therefore does not fully represent a complete blackwater. Analyses on drug concentrations were preformed on the liquid phase of the material before and after various periods of anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion proved not to be an effective method to reduce pharmaceuticals in latrine. There were more cases where the concentration of the drug increased rather than decreased during digestion. The increase could be due to changes in adsorption properties of the material during digestion, making them more observable in the analysis. The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is relatively well known but more understanding is needed on the hazards of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic and especially agricultural environment.

A urina é importante na comunicação olfativa de mamíferos, especialmente em roedores: apresenta baixo custo e contém metabólitos potencialmente informativos. Possibilita que o receptor avalie características do emissor (p. ex. espécie, sexo, idade, status de dominância e de saúde, receptividade sexual e o tempo da emissão) a partir da urina encontrada. O balanço hídrico, no entanto, pode ser desvantajoso com o uso da urina na marcação por animais de ambientes xéricos e quentes, já que existe um tradeoff entre o volume de água acessível/ingerido e o emitido na micção/marcação, com pressão seletiva a favor da economia hídrica. Nestes casos pode ocorrer redução na emissão de volume com consequente limitação do uso da marcação por urina. Trinomys yonenagae (Rocha, 1995) (Rodentia, Echimyidae) é altamente afiliativa, endêmica da Caatinga, e pertencente a um gênero de ancestral silvícola, cuja maioria das espécies apresenta fidelidade a ambientes florestados. Produz urina de média osmolaridade e de volume semelhante ao de espécies silvícolas do gênero, embora viva em um paleodeserto de temperatura elevada. Nesse contexto hipotetizamos que T. yonenagae faz uso de marcação por urina, uma estratégia importante para roedores sociais, explorando favoravelmente a restrição filogenética (produção de urina de média osmolaridade) imposta por sua ancestralidade. O padrão de deposição de urina e de fezes de T. yonenagae (n=10) e da espécie-irmã, Trinomys setosus (n=10), de ambiente florestado, foi visualizado sob luz ultravioleta (UV), em sessões individuais (24h), em gaiolas-padrão (40x33x16cm), forradas com papel de filtro. O mesmo procedimento foi usado nas investigações posteriores - a quantificação do número de fezes e das marcas de urinas, com estimativas do volume de marcação (VUt=L total/sessão e L/marca) - em T. yonenagae pré-pubertal (32 a 76d, n=10) e em adultos (um a 11 anos, n=21), de ambos os sexos, em sessões (10min) individuais e em contexto social. Nesse caso os rabos-de-facho adultos foram pareados em compartimentos adjacentes (caixa de 40x30x26cm), com um coespecífico de mesmo sexo, conhecido e desconhecido, e de sexo oposto, desconhecido. Qualitativamente as espécies-irmãs apresentam padrão de disposição de urina semelhantes, provavelmente herdados do ancestral silvícola comum. Há depósitos de dois tipos: marcas grandes, nos cantos da gaiola, e marcas pequenas, distribuídas na área central. Em T. yonenagae, as marcas grandes (VUt=3,00-750,00L, 6,67±4,30% do volume urinário diário), correlacionam-se significativamente (Pearson=0,41; sig.<0,00) com a deposição de fezes, sugerindo deposição de latrina; o VUt das marcas pequenas é de 0,01 a 0,05L. O número de marcas pequenas mais elevado, entre os sujeitos que urinaram, foi de quando pareadas com conhecidas (ANOVA um fator, F=3,70 sig.<0,00), sugerindo coesão social em , e associado a um pequeno investimento hídrico. Observou-se também depósitos de secreções da Glândula Harderiana (GH), que não se correlacionaram com nenhuma das variáveis analisadas. Não ocorreram diferenças estatisticamente significantes nas demais comparações feitas. Em condição solitária, 80% dos indivíduos adultos marcaram (latência <5min), enquanto que o grupo de 26-41d apenas dois sujeitos marcaram. O VUt correlacionouse com a idade positivamente (Pearson=0,64; sig.=0,05), entre os indivíduos jovens, e negativamente entre os adultos (Pearson=-0,39; sig.<0,00), o que sugere que a marcação por urina possa ser hormônio-dependente, como ocorre em outras espécies de roedores. A limitação ao acesso à água no ambiente natural dos rabos-de-facho parece não ter se sobreposto aos fatores de ancestralidade e comunicação social na modulação do comportamento de marcação por urina em T. yonenagae, especialmente para fêmeas que ocupam papel diferenciado na hierarquia social do grupo. O trabalho também salienta a ausência de hierarquia linear nos rabos-de-facho, como anteriormente relatado, e evidencia a presença de atividade da GH, abrindo nova linha de estudos fisiológicos e comportamentais dessa glândula em ratos-de-espinho
Urine is important in olfactive communication in mammals, especially in rodents: its presents low costs and had potentially informatives metabolites. The urine enables the sender to transmit informations about itself (p. ex. species, sex, age, dominance and health status, sexual receptivity, and time of deposit). The water balance, however, can be disadvantageous with the use of urine marking in xeric and hot environments, because there is a trade-off between the amount of water available/ingested and delivered in urination/marking, with pressure selective in favor of the water economy. In these cases there may be a reduction in emission of the volume with consequent limitation of the use of the urine in marking. Trinomys yonenagae (Rocha, 1995) (Rodentia, Echimyidae) is highly affiliative, endemic in the Caatinga, and belongs to a genus of forestry ancestral, which most of species have congruence with forested environments. The rabo-de-facho produces urine with medium osmolarity and volume similar to that of forestry species in the genus, although lives in a high temperature paleodesert. In this context we hypothesized that T. yonenagae marks with urine, an important strategy for social rodents, and explore favorably the phylogenetic constraint (production of medium osmolarity urine) imposed by their ancestral. The pattern of urine and feces deposition of T. yonenagae (n=10) and of the sister-species, Trinomys setosus (n=10), of forested environment, was visualized under ultraviolet light (UV) in individual sessions (24h) in house-cages (40x33x16cm), with the floor covered with filter paper. The same procedure was used in further investigations quantification of the number of feces and of the urine marks, with estimation of the urine volume (VUt = L total/session and L/mark) in pre-puebertal (32 to 76d, n = 10) and adults (one to 11 years, n = 21) T. yonenagae, of both sexes, in 10min sessions under individual and social context. The adults in social context was pared, in an adjacent compartments (of 40x30x26cm box), with a same-sex conspecific, known and unknown, and opposite, sex unknown. Qualitatively, both species shows similar patterns of urine deposition, probably inherited from the forestry ancestral. There are kinds of deposits: larger ones, deposited in the corners of the cage, and small ones, distributed in the central area. In T. yonenagae, the larger marks (VUt = 3,00-750,00L, 6.67 ± 4.30% of the daily urine volume) are significantly correlated (Pearson = 0.41, sig <0.00. ) with the number of feces pellets, suggesting latrine deposition; the VUt of small marks is from 0.01 to 0,05L. The higher number of small marks among subjects who urinated was in paired with known situation (one-way ANOVA, F = 3.70; sig. <0.00), suggesting social cohesion in , and associated with a small water investment. It is also noted deposits of Harderian gland (GH) secretions, which were not correlated with any of the variables. There were no statistically significant differences in the other comparisons. In solitary condition, 80% of adults marked (latency <5min), while only two subjects in the 26-41d group marked. The VUt correlated positively with age (Pearson = 0.64;. sig = 0.05) among young individuals, and negatively among adults (Pearson = -0.39;. sig <0.00). This suggests urine-marking in T. yonenagae as a hormone-dependent behavior, like in other rodent species. The limited access to water in the natural environment of rabo-de-facho seems to have not overlapped the ancestry factors and social communication in the modulation of urine for marking behavior, especially for females occupying distinct role in the social hierarchy the group. The work also highlights the absence of linear hierarchy in rabo-de-facho, as previously reported, and shows the presence of GH activity, opening new line of physiological and behavioral studies of this gland in spiny-rats

ABSTRACT Social relationships, habitat utilisation and life history characteristics provide a framework which enables the survival of populations in fluctuating ecological conditions. An understanding of behavioural ecology is critical to the implementation of Natural Resource Management strategies if they are to succeed in their conservation efforts during the emergence of climate change. Egernia whitii from Wedge Island in the Spencer Gulf of South Australia were used as a model system to investigate the interaction of life history traits, scat piling behaviour and chemosensory communication in social lizards. Juveniles typically took ¡Ý 3 years to reach sexual maturity and the results of skeletochronological studies suggested longevity of ¡Ý 13 years. Combined with a mean litter size of 2.2, a pregnancy rate estimated at 75% of eligible females during short-term studies, and highly stable groups, this information suggests several life history features. Prolonged juvenile development and adult longevity may be prerequisite to the development of parental care. Parental care may, in turn, be the determining factor that facilitates the formation of small family groups. In E. whitii parental care takes the form of foetal and neonatal provisioning and tolerance of juveniles by small family or social groups within established resource areas. Presumably, resident juveniles also benefit from adult territorialism. Research on birds suggests that low adult mortality predisposes cooperative breeding or social grouping in birds, and life history traits and ecological factors appear to act together to facilitate cooperative systems. E. whitii practice scat piling both individually and in small groups. Social benefits arising from signalling could confer both cooperative and competitive benefits. Permanent territorial markers have the potential to benefit conspecifics, congenerics and other species. The high incidence of a skink species (E. whitii) refuging with a gecko species (N. milii) on Wedge Island provides an example of interspecific cooperation. The diurnal refuge of the nocturnal gecko is a useful transient shelter for the diurnal skink. Scat piling may release a species ¡®signature¡¯ for each group that allows mutual recognition. Scat piling also facilitates intraspecific scent marking by individual members, which has the potential to indicate relatedness, or social or sexual status within the group. The discovery of cloacal scent marking activity is new to the Egernia genus. E. Whitii differentiate between their own scats, and conspecific and congeneric scats. They scent mark at the site of conspecific scats, and males and females differ in their response to scent cues over time. Scat piling has the potential to make information concerning the social environment available to dispersing transient and potential immigrant conspecifics, enabling settlement choices to be made. This thesis explores some of the behavioural strategies employed by E. whitii to reduce risks to individuals within groups and between groups. Scents eliciting a range of behavioural responses relevant to the formation of adaptive social groupings, reproductive activity, and juvenile protection until maturity and dispersal are likely to be present in this species. Tests confirming chemosensory cues that differentiate sex, kin and age would be an interesting addition to current knowledge. The interaction of delayed maturity, parental care, sociality, chemosensory communication and scat piling highlights the sophistication of this species¡¯ behaviour. An alternative method for permanently marking lizards was developed. Persistence, reliability and individual discrimination were demonstrated using photographic identification and the method was shown to be reliable for broad-scale application by researchers. Naturally occurring toe loss in the field provided a context against which to examine this alternative identification method and revealed the need to further investigate the consequences of routine toe clipping, as this practice appears to diminish survivorship.

Den första april 2015 trädde en författning i kraft som innefattar ett förbud mot utsläpp av toalettavfall från fritidsbåtar inom Sveriges sjöterritorium. Redan före denna författning var det obligatoriskt för fritidsbåtshamnar att ha mottagningsanordningar för avfall, inklusive latrin, från fritidsbåtar. Många hamnar och båtklubbar har därför sugtömningsstationer för att kunna ta emot latrin. Detta avfall förs sedan till avloppsreningsverk för behandling på samma sätt som hushållsavlopp. Hur båtlatrinet hanteras vid insamlingen skiljer sig dock mycket åt inom Sverige. Vissa sugtömningsstationer är kopplade direkt till det kommunala avloppsnätet, om placeringen tillåter det, medan andra har blivit nekade detta. En anledning till detta är osäkerheten beträffande latrinets volym och innehåll och därmed osäkerhet i dess påverkan på avloppsreningsprocessen. För att fylla dessa kunskapsluckor och undersöka latrinets påverkan på ekosystemet vid direktutsläpp utfördes denna studie som den första av sitt slag i Sverige. Studien innefattar provtagningar och volymsberäkningar och är en del av ett LOVA-projekt som ett samarbetsprojekt mellan Norrtälje kommun, Vaxholms stad, Värmdö kommun, Transportstyrelsen och Ecoloop AB. Inom studien utfördes under hösten 2016 provtagningar på latrin från fyra sugtömningsstationer i de deltagande kommunerna. Provtagningen visade på höga koncentrationer av näringsämnen, syreförbrukande ämnen och metaller jämfört med hushållsavlopp. Analys av ett urval kemikalier samt bakterier utfördes för att påvisa eventuell användning av sanitetsvätskor vilka används i båttoaletter för att förhindra dålig lukt ombord. På grund av motstridiga resultat och osäkerhet i använd analysmetod kan användning av sanitetsvätskor inte påvisas och vidare analys bör utföras. Hos de flesta avloppsreningsverk finns det möjlighet att tillföra båtlatrinet successivt och därmed späda ut det. Utspädningen förhindrar att det koncentrerade båtlatrinet hämmar de biologiska processerna utförda av mikroorganismer på avloppsreningsverken. Då båtlatrinet har en sammansättning som avviker från hushållsvatten kan det även hota ett avloppsreningsverks eventuella Revaq-certifiering som garanterar att slammet har en kvalitet som möjliggör återföring till skogs- och jordbruk. Att samla in latrin kan alltså ge upphov till att avloppsreningsverken inte klarar av sina åtaganden med avseende på reningskrav, men problemen om avloppet släpps ut till naturen kan vara ännu allvarligare. Stockholms skärgård ligger i Östersjön vilket är ett av världens mest påverkade hav med eutrofiering som ett av de största hoten. Utsläpp av båtlatrin bidrar till ökad eutrofiering då det är väldigt näringsrikt. Enligt en enkätundersökning utförd inom studien innehåller en medelstor septiktank 34 l båtlatrin. Detta motsvarar exempelvis ungefär 2,5 g fosfor och 50 g kväve. Beräkningar utgående från enkätundersökningen visade även att det idag samlas in ungefär 350 m3 latrin per år in i de deltagande kommunerna. Införandet av utsläppsförbudet motiverades från miljö- och hälsosynpunkt då det skulle minska tillförseln av näringsämnen och smittsamma bakterier till miljön. Båtlatrinets höga innehåll av näringsämnen och metaller kan bidra till miljöproblem vid utsläpp. Dess påverkan på miljön i relation till andra källor kan dock inte påvisas i denna studie. Hälsoaspekten är desto påtagligare då båtlatrinet innehåller en hög mängd bakterier.
The first of April 2015 a constitution came into force which comprises a prohibition of discharge of sewage from leisure boats in Swedish territorial waters. It was mandatory for leisure boat marinas already before this constitution to have waste reception facilities for waste, including sewage, from leisure boats. As a result of this many marinas and leisure boat clubs have pump out stations in order to receive sewage. This waste is then transferred to sewage treatment plants for treatment as household sewage. How the boat sewage is handled at the collection differs within Sweden. Some pump out stations are connected directly to the municipal sewer system, if the placing permits, while some have been denied to connect. One of the reasons for this difference is uncertainty about volume and content of the boat sewage and hence uncertainty in the effects it has on the sewage treatment process. This study was performed in order to fill these knowledge gaps and to investigate the impact of discharge on the ecosystem, as the first of its kind in Sweden. The study includes sampling and volume calculations and is part of a LOVA-project as a cooperation project between Norrtälje, Vaxholm and Värmdö municipalities, the Swedish Transportation Agency and Ecoloop AB. During the autumn 2016 four pump out stations within the participating municipalities were sampled as a part of the study. The analysis of boat sewage showed high concentrations of nutrients, oxygen consuming substances, and metals in comparison with household sewage. Analyzes of a selection of chemicals and bacteria were performed in order to demonstrate the possible use of sanitary fluids, which are used in toilets to prevent odors. Because of conflicting results and uncertainty in the analysis method used no detection of the use of sanitary liquids could be done and further analysis should be carried out. It is possible in most sewage treatment plants to add the boat sewage gradually and in that way dilute it. The dilution prevents the concentrated boat sewage to inhibit the biological processes performed by microorganisms in sewage treatment plants. The boat sewage can be a threat to the Revaq-certification of some sewage treatment plants. Revaq-certification guarantees that the sludge is of a quality that allows recycling to forestry and agriculture. Collection of boat sewage can cause sewage treatment plants to not meet their commitments in terms of treatment requirements, but the problems with discharge can be even more serious. Stockholm archipelago is located in the Baltic Sea which is one of the most affected seas with eutrophication as one of the greatest threats. Discharge of boat sewage contributes to eutrophication since it is very nutritious. According to a survey conducted within this study an average boat septic tank contains 34 l sewage. This is equivalent to for example 2.5 g phosphorus and 50 g nitrogen. Calculations based on the survey also shows that the total volume of boat sewage collected in pump out stations in the participating municipalities is 350 m3 per year. The introduction of the prohibition of discharge was motivated from an environmental and health point of view since it would reduce the supply of nutrients and infectious bacteria to the environment. The high content of nutrients and metals in the boat sewage would contribute to environmental problems when discharged. The impact on the environment in relation to other sources could not be shown in this study. The health aspect, on the other hand, is unmistakable since the boat sewage contains a high amount of bacteria.

Effective management of the excreta or faecal sludge (FS) emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms from the on-plot latrines in urban areas of many low-income countries is critical for the sustainability of urban sanitation. However the literature mentions the lack of an effective management system for urban FS emptying, transport and disposal in the low-income countries. The current management of FS has been fragmented and improper with attendant poor health and environmental pollution problems. In particular, no substantive information was found relating to how far the excreta or sludge removed from the latrines is transported to the disposal points. Also information on household financial needs and their perceptions regarding emptying and transport services was lacking. No study had been done regarding the effects of disposal distance and accessibility on the cost of emptying and transport; neither has work been done on FS reuse implications for emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms. Based on these issues, the research questions and hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Qualitative and quantitative research techniques were used to triangulate and ensure the reliability and validity of the findings and analysis. From the analysis of the findings, the thesis concludes on these key issues: i) Emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms of the excreta and FS as well as the costs of these depend on the type of latrines, latrine use and the technology available for emptying and transport. ii) Owing to the nature of latrines and the emptying methods used the disposal of the FS was indiscriminate and much was found closer to its source of generation. iii) FS was in high demand for reuse but lacked appropriate marketing strategy that could match supply with the demand. iv) The Household Centred Environmental Sanitation (HCES) approach was found to be limited in content and capacity to effectively address the urban excreta and FS emptying, transport and disposal without the active and full involvement of the municipal and local authorities with clear roles and regulations that address the key processes, linkages, and capacity development issues. Thus, the HCES approach needs periodic review and modifications to take care of the new developments and peculiarities of each urban setting. The study also recommends the need to look at streamlining technologies and developing capacity to address cross-cutting issues in urban sanitation. It further recommends the need for households, the sanitation authorities and practitioners to understand the links between latrine technology in terms of type, size, use and location vis-à-vis the required emptying, transport and disposal mechanisms in the urban areas of the low-income countries.

In off-grid holiday homes, alternative toilet solutions are needed. There is a wide range of dry toilet systems, where urine-diverting systems and incineration toilets are common solutions. Urine-diverting dry toilets require that users need to manage generated fecal fractions. This is often done by private composting or through municipal latrine bucket pick-ups. In this project, fecal management for holiday homes in Sweden is examined from three perspectives by (1) studying the biological phenomenon with composting and how a compost should be managed to generate rich humus, whilst minimizing greenhouse gas emissions associated with the act of composting, (2) examine current user experiences associated with latrine compost management, and (3) map out current latrine management systems, including laws and regulations. The goal was to develop a user-friendly concept for fecal management for urine-diverting toilets, based on this research. The project was carried out in collaboration with Harvest Moon, a company focused on the development of innovative and refined dry toilet systems. The project was initiated with a literature review, the examination of current fecal management systems, and interviews with composting experts and researchers. The background research showed that there is no such thing as perfect compost management since it depends on what end goals the users have. Research also showed that frequently turning the pile, increases ammonia (NH3) emissions, but reduces methane (CH4) formation. Furthermore, biochar can be added as a bulking agent to aerate the compost mass, and aid the hygienization process of such a mass, since it binds e.g., hormones. Regarding composting methods, a static passively aerated compost is not the fastest process but has the least compost mass reduction, which is desired when using it as a soil enhancer. In addition, it requires the least management. This method was therefore chosen for further development. Furthermore, since temperature and moisture are easily measured with sensors, it was deemed interesting to implement such sensors in a final concept, to alleviate management for the user. To assure that the final concept would reflect user needs and wishes, a phase of user studies was then initiated. The studies showed that users generally see latrine compost more as something to take care of, rather than as a resource, and therefore have no interest in using composted humus. The research also showed that because many municipalities require 2-year storage of the material in the composter, users experienced scheduling issues, which ultimately led to an inefficien composting system. The third perspective that was investigated, was the management systems of today and how they are regulated by laws. Each municipality has its own requirements on how latrine composts should be managed. These requirements are based on the Environmental Code, as well as Naturvårdsverket’s recommendation for the implementation of the law. Apart from the compilation of these regulations, this investigation showed that pyrolysis, as well as the centralization of hygienized feces, could be future alternatives to latrine composting and latrine pickup. But due to the short Time-to-Market, and the project's limited time scope, product development towards system innovation was deemed unrealistic within this project.  Insights from these three perspectives created a framework for the concept development phase, which was finalized with building a full-scale functional prototype. During detailed design, the concept was further developed in CAD. The final concept presented in this project is a modular, user-friendly latrine compost that can be adapted to follow different municipal regulations. It has an inner mesh that aerates the compost mass to reduce methane gas formation. The mesh is constructed with hexagonal perforated acid-proof steel. The composter has a push latch mechanism on the lid together with two gas struts, which makes it easy to open since the user only needs to push the lid once, for it to open. Temperature and moisture sensors make it easier for the user to manage their compost correctly, and a front door allows for ergonomic emptying of the finished compost humus. Future development to reduce production costs, simplify the construction, continue the CAD model development, find suitable sensors, develop product instructions as well as perform user tests with the physical prototype should be further investigated.
I fritidshus som saknar kommunalt avlopp behövs alternativa toalettlösningar. Det finns en rad olika torra toalettsystem, där urinsorterande och förbränningstoaletter är vanliga lösningar. Urinsorterande torrtoaletter kräver att användaren själv tar hand om genererade fekalier. Detta görs genom antingen privat latrinkompostering eller kommunal hämtning av latrin. I detta projekt undersöks fekaliehantering för fritidshus i Sverige från tre perspektiv genom att (1) studera biologiska fenomen i en kompost och hur en kompost ska hanteras för att få en rik humus, samt minimera växthusgasutsläpp som bildas vid just kompostering, (2) undersöka användarupplevelsen vid hantering av latrinkomposter idag, samt (3) kartlägga nuvarande system för latrinhantering, inklusive rådande lagar och förordningar. Målet med projektet var att utveckla ett användarvänligt koncept för fekaliehantering från urinsorterande toaletter, baserat på denna forskning. Projektet genomfördes i samarbete med Harvest Moon, ett företag som arbetar med att utveckla innovativa och estetiskt tilltalande torrtoalettsystem. Projektet inleddes med att studera litteratur, undersöka befintliga fekaliehanteringssystem, samt att intervjua komposteringsexperter och forskare inom området. Efter denna bakgrundsforskning kunde slutsatsen dras att det inte finns en perfekt komposthantering, då det beror på de mål som användaren har. Forskningen visade också att ju mer man vände kompostmassan, desto mer ökade utsläppen av ammoniak (NH3), dock minskade bildningen av metan (CH4). En annan insikt var att biokol kan tillsättas för att lufta, samt hjälpa till att hygienisera kompostmassan, då det binder till sig till exempel hormonrester. Gällande komposteringsmetoder så är en statisk passivt luftad kompost inte den snabbaste processen, men den leder till minst kompostreduktionen, vilket är bra om målet är att använda det komposterade materialet som jordförbättrare. Dessutom kräver det den minsta hanteringen av användaren. Denna metod valdes därför för vidareutveckling av slutkoncept. Slutligen, eftersom både temperatur och fukt lätt går att mäta med sensorer, så ansågs det intressant att implementera dessa typer av sensorer i ett slutkoncept i och med att det skulle kunna underlätta hanteringsprocessen för användaren. För att säkerställa att det slutliga konceptet skulle återspegla vad användarna behöver och önskar, inleddes sedan en fas av användarstudier. Användarstudierna visade att användare i allmänhet ser latrinkompost mer som något de måste ta hand om, än som en resurs, och har därmed inget intresse av att ta vara på det materialet som har komposterats. Studierna visade också att på grund av att många kommuner kräver två års lagring av materialet i fekaliekomposten, upplevde användare svårigheter med att få till en bra rutin kring hanteringen, vilket bidrog till att hela latrinhanteringssystemet fungerade sämre. Det tredje perspektivet som undersöktes inom projektet var hur systemen för latrinhantering ser ut idag, samt hur och av vilka lagar de regleras. Varje kommun har egna krav på hur en latrinkompost ska hanteras. Dessa krav är baserade på Miljöbalken, liksom Naturvårdsverkets rekommendationer gällande den praktiska implementeringen av Miljöbalken. Utöver sammanställningen av dessa regelverk visade studien att pyrolys, alternativt centralisering av hygieniserade fekalier, skulle kunna vara framtida alternativ till kompostering eller kommunal hämtning av latrin. Men på grund av den korta Time-to-Market för denna produkt, samt projektets begränsade tidsram ansågs produktutveckling mot systeminnovation vara orealistisk inom detta projekt. Insikter från dessa tre perspektiv bildade ett ramverk för konceptutvecklingsfasen, som avslutades med byggandet av en fullskalig funktionsprototyp. Under detaljutvecklingen fortsattes utvecklingen av konceptet i CAD. Det slutgiltiga konceptet som presenteras i projektet är en modulär, användarvänlig latrinkompost som går att anpassa till att följa olika kommunala regler. Den har en inre struktur som luftar kompostmaterialet för att minska bildandet av metangas. Strukturen består av hexagonalt perforerat syrafast stål. Komposten har en push latch mekanism på locket tillsammans med två gasfjädrar, vilket gör det enkelt att öppna eftersom användaren endast behöver trycka locket för att det ska öppnas. Temperatur- och fuktsensorer gör det lättare för användaren att hantera sin kompost korrekt, och en främre dörr möjliggör ergonomisk tömning av färdigt kompostmaterial. Framtida utveckling för att minska produktionskostnaderna, förenkla konstruktionen, vidareutveckla CAD-modellen, hitta lämpliga sensorer, utveckla användarinstruktioner, samt genomförandet av användartester med funktionsprototypen bör vidare undersökas.

O presente trabalho teve como o objetivo o estudo das condições hidrológicas, higiênicas e sanitárias no distrito de Funhalouro, localizada na província de Inhambane, em Moçambique. Esse distrito caracteriza-se por ser rural com clima semi-árido e nele residem cerca de 37.856 habitantes correspondentes a 8058 famílias com uma densidade populacional de 2,78 habitante/km². O abastecimento de água no local de estudo é precário. Com relação a fonte de água para o consumo, 53,9% das famílias utilizam poços a céu aberto, 37,5% poços protegidos sem qualquer tipo de tratamento e os restantes consomem água das lagoas existentes, fontanários e cisternas. Aliado a tal, levantamentos realizados apontaram que 78% destes agregados familiares não possuem sequer uma latrina, 18,1% possuem uma latrina tradicional não melhorada e o restante usam a latrina melhorada. Os habitantes que não possuem latrinas em suas moradias compartilham as mesmas com os moradores que as possuem, ou então, praticam o fecalismo a céu aberto. O diagnóstico mostra ainda que a população consome água fora dos padrões estabelecidos pela OMS e pela legislação moçambicana. Para agravar, no distrito de Funhalouro os resíduos sólidos são enterrados ou queimados nas próprias casas. A falta de higiene também é característica em muitas casas e em algumas fontes de água do distrito de Funhalouro. O consumo da água imprópria e as condições insalubres são algumas das causas de várias doenças na região, principalmente as diarréias e a malária, sendo a última a principal causa de morte em Moçambique. Para superar todos os entraves à melhoria das condições sanitárias e de vida, o presente trabalho propôs sistemas alternativos de tratamento de águas com eficiência e baixo custo, considerados não convencionais ou simplificados, como o uso da moringa, desinfecção solar (SODIS), cloração e fervura. Sugeriu-se também, a construção de latrinas tradicionais melhoradas, tecnologias simples de coleta de água das chuvas e educação ambiental e sanitária. As sugestões propostas consideram a riqueza, a diversidade e, principalmente, a tradição do povo em estudo . O trabalho recomendou ainda uma cooperação, na qual participem instituições envolvidas na gestão de recursos hídricos, ONGs, instituições religiosas e comunidade local, e que a teoria política seja aplicada.
This work aimed at studying the hydrologic, hygiene and sanitation conditions in the district of Funhalouro, located in Inhambane province, Mozambique. This is a rural district characterized by semi-arid climate, with approximately 37,856 inhabitants, 8058 households and a population density of 2.78 inhabitants /km ². The water supply in the area of study is poor. Water consumption covers 53.9% of households that use open wells, 37.5% use protected wells without treatment of any king and the remaining population consumes water from the existing ponds, fountains and cisterns. Allied to this, surveys showed that 78% of these households do not even have a latrine, 18.1% have an unimproved latrine and the remaining population uses improved latrines. People who do not have latrines in their homes share the same latrines with those who have, or defecate in the open air. The diagnosis also shows that the population consumes water that is out of the standards set by WHO and the Mozambican legislation. To make it worse, the district of Funhalouro lacks any rain water drainage system and solid waste is buried or burned in their homes. The lack of hygiene is also feature in many homes and in some water sources in the district of Funhalouro. The consumption of unsafe water and the unsanitary conditions are some of the causes of various diseases in the region, especially diarrhea and malaria, the latter being the leading cause of death in Mozambique. To overcome all obstacles to the improvement of health and living conditions, this study proposed highly efficient and low cost alternative systems of water treatment considered as unconventional or simplified, by using moringa, solar disinfection (SODIS), chlorination and boiling. It was also suggested the construction of improved traditional latrines, simple technologies for water collection and environmental and health education. The proposed suggestions were designed to be in line with the richness, diversity, and especially the tradition of the people under study. The study also recommended further cooperation, with participation of institutions engaged in water resources management, NGOs, religious institutions and local community, and applying the political theory.

Ressource naturelle aussi précieuse qu’indispensable à nos sociétés contemporaines que pendant l’Antiquité, l’eau est le point central de ce sujet de doctorat, que nous avons décidé d’aborder sous l’angle de sa gestion par les différents échelons du pouvoir au sein de l’Empire romain mais également au niveau individuel et privé, et cela à travers l’exemple de la ville romaine de Dougga, située en Afrique Proconsulaire, l’actuelle Tunisie. Cette problématique propose ainsi de s’intéresser aux moyens mis en œuvre par les différents niveaux de responsabilités dans le but d’approvisionner et de gérer les besoins en eau d’une importante ville romaine d’Afrique, en se consacrant à l’étude des différents types d’installations hydrauliques. Cette recherche permet de distinguer les techniques de construction et d’identifier les savoir-faire locaux et les influences romaines. Enfin, la confrontation des équipements hydrauliques entre les différents types d’édifices, permet d’évaluer le mode de gestion de l’eau à l’échelle de la ville
Natural resource as precious and indispensable to contemporary society during ancient times, water is the central topic of this thesis. We decided to address in terms of its management by different levels of power within the Roman Empire but also at individual and private, through the example of the provincial city of Thugga, in Africa Proconsularis, now Tunisia. This issue proposes to focus the resources used by the different levels of responsibilities in order to supply and manage the water needs of an important Roman city of Africa, dedicated to the study of different types of hydraulic structures

Le raton laveur (Procyon lotor) est porteur de nombreux parasites dont certains sont des agents de zoonose. Il nous est apparu opportun d’étudier la faune parasitaire intestinale du raton laveur québécois, particulièrement l’espèce Baylisascaris procyonis. L’étude a donc porté sur l’examen de matières fécales (n = 301) et de contenus intestinaux (n = 203) de 351 ratons laveurs provenant de deux programmes gouvernementaux sur la rage du raton laveur et d’excréments (n = 409) provenant de latrines dans des parcs nationaux du Québec. Des oeufs de B. procyonis étaient excrétés par 23,3 % des ratons laveurs, alors que 29,1 % étaient porteurs de vers. La charge parasitaire moyenne des vers B. procyonis de tout stade variait de 8,5 chez les adultes à 27,1 chez les juvéniles. Chez ces derniers, la charge parasitaire était 11,4 fois supérieure à celle des ratons adultes (p < 0,0001) dont 23,7 fois plus de vers immatures (p < 0,0001) et 9,1 fois plus de vers matures (p = 0,01). Le nombre d’oeufs était 24,7 fois plus élevé chez les ratons juvéniles (p = 0,02) et 50,0 fois moins élevé chez la femelle allaitante. La probabilité du raton d’excréter des oeufs l’automne était de 11,1 (IC95 %: 1,21-101,60) par rapport au printemps et de 21,1 (IC95 %: 2,91-153,18) par rapport à l’été (p < 0,01). La sensibilité (Se) et la spécificité (Sp) de la coproscopie comparée à la nécropsie (norme étalon) ont été calculées en se basant sur l’observation des vers matures (Se : 81,8 %; Sp : 97,7 %) et des vers de tout stade (Se : 53,9 %; Sp : 97,0 %). De plus, la recherche des parasites intestinaux nous a permis de découvrir des ookystes de Giardia (6/159), espèce parasitaire nouvellement rapportée chez le raton. En 2007, nous avons trouvé, par échantillonnage unique, des oeufs de B. procyonis dans 15,8 % des latrines (n = 165) identifiées dans des parcs nationaux du sud du Québec et en 2008, par échantillonnage multiple, dans 89,7 % des latrines (n = 26) actives situées dans des secteurs accessibles à l’homme dans trois parcs nationaux de la Montérégie. Le potentiel zoonotique de B. procyonis est un problème de santé publique qui pourrait devenir sérieux étant donné le pourcentage élevé de ratons laveurs qui excrètent le parasite et qui contaminent des secteurs accessibles par les humains.
Raccoons are carriers of many parasites, some of which are zoonotic. We wanted to expand our knowledge of the Quebec raccoon intestinal parasitic fauna, specifically the Baylisascaris procyonis species. The study consisted of fecal matter (n = 301) and intestinal content examinations (n = 203) collected from 351 raccoons originating from two government programs on raccoon’s rabies and excrements collected (n = 409) from latrines in Quebec national parks. Eggs from B. procyonis were excreted by 23.3 % of raccoons while 29.1 % were worm carriers. The average parasitic burden of all stages of B. procyonis worms varied from 8.5 in adults to 27.1 in juveniles. In juveniles, the parasitic burden was 11.4 times superior to adult raccoons (p < 0.0001) with 23.7 times more immature worms (p < 0.0001) and 9.1 times more mature worms (p = 0.01). The number of eggs was 24.7 times superior in juvenile raccoons (p = 0.02) and 50.0 times lower in breast-feeding females. The probability of raccoons excreting eggs in autumn was 11.1 (IC95 %: 1.21-101.60) in comparison to spring and 21.1 (IC95 %: 2.91-153.18) in comparison to summer (p < 0.01). The sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of coproscopy compared to necropsy (gold standard) were calculated based on observations of mature worms (Se: 81.8 %; Sp: 97.7 %) and worms of all stages (Se: 53.9 %; Sp: 97.0 %). In addition, our intestinal parasitic research permitted the finding of Giardia oocysts (6/159), which is a newly found parasite species in raccoons. In 2007, B. procyonis eggs were found in 15.8 % of latrines (n = 165) identified in Southern Quebec national parks and in 89.7% of active latrines (n = 26) in three Eastern Townships national parks sites accessible to man in 2008. The zoonotic potential of B. procyonis is a public health issue that could become serious considering the high percentage of raccoons excreting the parasite thus contaminating sectors accessible to man.

The Barrage informal settlement (BIS) is a peri-urban community of about 300 people resident on private land close to the banks of the Vaal River in Gauteng South Africa. The study focuses on the living and sanitation conditions in which people find themselves. Measured against the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) BIS and its residents clearly are far from meeting MDG 7 target 7 C. For the purposes of this study the researcher investigated ecological sanitation (EcoSan) as an alternative solution for the current local sanitation conundrum. Residents either use the veld or a dysfunctional pit system. The data used for the project was generated both in a qualitative and quantitative mode. Semi-structured interviews were randomly conducted. Participants were requested and subsequently assisted in completing a questionnaire. There were also several focus group discussions for gathering relevant data. The researcher tried to form an impression of the perceptions of community members in terms on the type of sanitation system they wished to use. Community members actively engaged in strategies aimed to find out how they perceive sanitation, potable water supply and matters of hygiene. The findings revealed dissatisfaction regarding to current conditions in BIS. Residents are uncertain because the land on which they reside on does not belong to them. This, in turn, creates uncertainty and feelings of insecurity, about the relevance of a potential water-based sanitation system. At the same time members of the community indicated they had no interest in a dry toilet system. Neither are they keen on the use of community ablution blocks (CABs) as alternative. Residents showed no willingness and are also not prepared to pay for sanitation because they cannot afford it. The dilemma is that residents are at the mercy of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and the private owners of the land on which they reside. Where do we find the solution to all of the issues? Participatory deliberation strategies were used to determine which system of sanitation local residents preferred. They clearly came out in favour of the Water Bank concept as a feasible sanitation system option. However, as a result of the unfulfilled promises of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and landowners the community remains in a state of uncertainty about the permanence of the BIS.

Providing clean water remains a challenge in many African countries. Ethiopia, with the second largest population in Africa is also faced with this predicament. Efforts to improve supply have focused on abstracting groundwater. Although relatively cheaper to utilize, groundwater is prone to contamination, from improperly disposed of waste, particularly urban areas with no appropriate sanitation services. The city of Addis Ababa is faced with this difficult situation. Currently about 75 % of the population of Addis Ababa has access to sanitation in the form of pit latrines, while 0.6 % has access to sewerage services. The rest of the population is considered to have no access. This proliferation of pit latrines in the city has enhanced the risk of groundwater contamination. This research was initiated with the objective of assessing the temporal and spatial extent of contamination of groundwater due to human waste. It attempted to review the quality of water in deep wells and springs. The data analyzed indicates that the temporal and spatial extent of contamination has increased over the past few decades. Over abstraction of groundwater has also been observed. Whilst contaminant levels such as nitrates and chlorides in many wells are below maximum permissible values, few wells in the centre of the city have exhibited higher values. This steady temporal increase may soon make some wells unsuitable for human consumption. Efforts to reduce this risk will need to focus on sewerage services provision, review of existing environmental policy, public awareness drive and sustainable groundwater management.
D.Phil. (Environmental Science)

This thesis explored the feasibility of training cattle to eliminate in specific areas of a barn and investigated cattle’s ability to generalise knowledge between different locations. In Chapter 2, all incidences of urination and defecation were recorded by group-housed female Holstein calves across 144 h. There were substantial differences between individual calves in the mean daily frequency. Calves urinated and defecated most frequently during daylight hours when they are more active and the location of voiding was likely related to the amount of time areas were occupied. In Chapter 3, calves were trained to urinate in a specific location via classical or operant conditioning. Classically conditioned calves were held in a stall for a set time and given no punishment or reinforcement upon urination, whereas calves in the operant treatment were immediately rewarded for urination in the stall. Classically conditioned calves did not urinate more than controls. Calves trained using operant conditioning had a higher frequency of urinations in the stall than their controls but did not seem to generalise this association; failing to urinate more than controls when tested again, 5 months later, in a new location (Chapter 4). The use of visual cues may be an effective way of helping cattle to generalise previously learned associations to a new location or context. Two experiments were conducted (Chapter 5) to investigate whether prior exposure to colour cues improves calves’ performance in a Y maze colour discrimination task. In Experiment 1, either both side and colour or colour alone predicted the location of milk reward in a Y maze. Our results suggest that calves overlook colour in the presence of more salient cues, such as location. In the second experiment, calves were first classical conditioned to associate coloured signs with presence of absence of milk (colours were randomised for controls) before testing in a Y maze discrimination task. Nine out of ten classically conditioned calves, but no control calves, achieved the learning criteria. Classical conditioning can be used to rapidly train cattle to follow colour cues and generalise these associations to new contexts or locations.

Worldwide, around 780 million people lack access to improved drinking water sources and 2.5 billion lack improved sanitation (WHO, 2013c). The United Nations (UN) declared access to drinking water and sanitation a fundamental human right in July 2010 (UN, 2010). Each year there are approximately 1.7 billion cases of diarrhoea worldwide. It kills around 2.2 million people globally each year (4.0% of all death), of which 760,000 are children under five years old, mostly in developing countries. Diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old (WHO, 2013c). The lack of drinking water, sanitation facilities and good hygiene practises are considered the main causes for diarrhoea (WHO, 2013d). For this dissertation, a specific health intervention (CBHFA - Community based Health and First Aid) was evaluated which had taken place during three years in 20 target communities in Bokeo Province in Lao PDR. The activities were in the field of water supply, sanitation facilities and hygiene education against diarrhoea. Objective: The objective of this survey study is to show that hygiene behaviour changes in a certain target population through the implementation of CBHFA, if a) individuals have access to improved drinking water sources; b) have access to a HH latrine and c) receive hygiene information. An improvement by 50.0% for each of the hygiene indicator: water use and treatment, hand washing, sanitation, food handling, waste disposal and cleanliness was considered a behavioural change and thus an illustration of the effectiveness of CBHFA. Methods: Hygiene behaviour was measured before and after the CBHFA intervention through above mentioned hygiene indicators. Quantitative figures were collected at two different points in time, in a pre- and post-survey, then analysed and evaluated. Interviews and observations were done through community assessment/evaluation with 20 focus groups in all target communities. 488/487 (pre-survey/post-survey) households (HHs) were interviewed and observed. Knowledge about diarrhoea (definition/signs, prevention, danger, treatment and modes of transmission) was tested. The change in hygiene behaviour as well as the water and sanitation situation was measured through a comparison of the pre- with the post-results. The Relative Risk (RR) and Odds Ratio (OR) were calculated for different variables, such as ethnicity, gender, education, age and income and their changes before and after the implementation of the health intervention project. Results: Water use and sanitation This research clearly shows that the availability of a public water system (gravity fed water system) in the target communities has increased (from 45.0% to 85.0%) as well as the availability and use of hand flush pit latrines (from 20.2% to 63.7%). 95.2% of HHs that owned a latrine used them. The water treatment through “boiling” (from 70.1% to 75.0%) in HHs has improved, but not significantly. Open defecation (OD) decreased from 78.9% to 34.7% (by 56.0%). However it is still practised by more than a third of HHs. OD is one of the highest transmission risks of diarrhoea and can only be eliminated by 100.0% sanitation within the community (WHO, 2008). Hand washing There has been a significant increase of interviewees washing their hands with water and soap (from 8.0% to 38.0%). This result was confirmed by observing the existence of soap in kitchens with 33.0% and in latrines with 20.3% of HHs. The ORs calculated for hand washing “with water and soap” and compared for each stratum of the variables gender, formal education and age group show no statistical difference, but there is a statistical difference regarding income and washing hands “with water and soap”. Relevant occasions for hand washing, such as “after defecation” and “before food preparing”, that could reduce the risk of the transmission of diarrhoeal diseases have not achieved a meaningful improvement. Waste disposal Waste disposal, such as collecting and burning has increased from 23.4% to 42.5% (by 81.6%) according to the HH responses. A matter of concern is the increased HHs (from 26.8% to 29.0%) that disposed their waste by “throwing the waste outside the village”. This waste disposal method is statistically different regarding formal education. The number of HHs with non-educated interviewees where this method was practised has increased over the intervention time in contrast to the number of HHs with educated interviewees. Knowledge about diarrhoea Knowledge was tested. The definition/signs of diarrhoea, its prevention, danger, treatment and modes of transmission were not known by more than 50.0% of the interviewees. It seems that hygiene indicators can improve without this awareness, if improved water and sanitation facilities are provided. However, further investigations are required. The results show that knowledge about diarrhoea is not statistically different regarding formal education and age, but regarding gender. Giving at least one right answer was higher in women than in men. Results and income The results of the pre-survey show that income is significantly associated with owning a latrine and using water vessels, such as pots and jars for drinking, but not associated with using soap for hand washing. However after the implementation of the health interventions, the comparison of the ORs of the HHs with low income per capita (≤200,000 LAK, exchange rate: 1 EUR=10,000 LAK) versus the HHs with high income per capita (>200,000 LAK) shows a statistical difference regarding hand washing “with water and soap”. The OR of the high income per capita group is stronger than the OR of the low income per capita group. Owning a latrine does not show a statistical difference regarding income due to the provision of subsidized latrines by the health intervention project. Occurrence of diarrhoeal diseases The pre-survey results clearly show that diarrhoeal diseases ranked at the top of all recorded cases of diseases. The post-survey results show fewer villages with diarrhoeal outbreak and reduced numbers of reported cases. Summary: An improvement by 50.0% has been reached in hand washing with water and soap, reduction of OD, safe food (by covering), waste disposal (by collecting and burning) and cleanliness but no improvement has been reached in the hygiene indicators “water use and treatment” and in crucial “occasions for hand washing (after defecation, before food preparing)”. Therefore the CBHFA intervention is considered only partially effective in the field of hygiene behaviour change.

碩士
國立臺灣科技大學
建築系
95
Generally speaking, resource condition and environment are different from high-mountain zone above alpine of 3000 meters and level ground. Besides comfort for users, it is also necessary to consider environment, water and electric supply, communication and local eco-awareness as building alpine latrine. Owing to the special geographic environment, it becomes important on the procedure and technology of defecation in high-mountain zone. According to the official data recorded latrine forms in climbing zone in the Yushan National Park and Shei-Pa National Park, alpine latrine above alpine of 3000 meters almost belongs to dried toilets but Paiyun Lodge in the Yushan National Park. It shows the dried toilet is the main form and trend because of water resource lacking in alpine zone. However there are many kinds of dried toilets and the principle of defecation process is not all the same. The purpose of this study is based on present procedure of alpine latrine and questionary information as to analyze climbing activity and users’ problem in the national park above alpine of 3000 meters. The result of this study includes of setting eco-latrine mode by climbers’ walk distance, period from dying for urine in the beginning to be not able to bear, climbers’ equipment load, water and electric supply, local geology and carrying ability. Fore mentioned achievement could provide planers to estimate and choose applicable eco-latrine.

The deep row trenching of ventilated improved pit-latrine (VIP) and waste water treatment works (WWTW) sludge is a unique alternative cost effective land application method that will prevent odour and health problems and may permit higher application rates than surface application. The goal of this research is to assess the environmental consequences of employing deep row incorporation of VIP and WWTW sludge to forest plantation lands for the production of Eucalyptus dunnii. The objectives are to monitor, define and quantify the fluxes of nutrients (nitrate and phosphorus) from the buried sludge to the surrounding soils, groundwater and surface water. The WWTW study was conducted on a forestry plantation located near the Shafton Karkloof Falls, about 10 km from Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The land for the research is owned by SAPPI, a timber plantation company. The trenching was done with stockpiled secondary sludge from Umgeni WWTW in Howick. VIP sludge trenching was done at the Umlazi E-ponds site in Durban owned by EThekwini Municipality. This site was formally used as a wastewater treatment plant sludge drying bed. The treatment works comprised three oxidation ponds and was operated until 1999, when it was decommissioned after a heavy flood, resulting in damage to the oxidation ponds. The sites were instrumented with wetting front detectors, piezometers and boreholes for collection and analysis of leachate from which were determined subsurface loss of nitrogen and phosphorus. Soil water status and groundwater levels were also monitored. Simulation of the process of water, nitrate and phosphorus transport was performed in order to aid the development of the sustainable management methodologies for land application and the trenching of VIP/WWTW sludge. The study focuses on the entrenched sludge to determine the concentration of pollutants, monitorchanges in concentration over time and to monitor the movement of solutes and any change taking place in the surrounding soil water and groundwater. The results contribute to the development of guidelines and protocols for VIP/WWTW sludge handling and trenching in South Africa. It was demonstrated that the nutrient migration processes can be approximated with the conceptual simplifications of the inputs to the model based on field evidence, soil survey data and applicable literature. In the study, it was found that high concentrations of nutrients were evident in the water infiltrating into and through the sludge in all trench types. The nitrate concentration median values in the trenches were 234mg/l and 36mg/l for SAPPI and Umlazi respectively, while the recorded median value for phosphorus was 1.0mg/l and 3.5mg/l for SAPPI and Umlazi respectively. However the effect of vertical seepage of nutrients, into the deep aquifer in fractured rock has not been observed in the deep borehole with the nitrate concentration median values at 5mg/l and 0.6mg/l for SAPPI and Umlazi respectively, while the phosphorus concentration median values were 0.03mg/l and 0.15mg/l for SAPPI and Umlazi sites respectively. The study revealed significant differences between the sandy alluvial site at Umlazi and the shale dolorite site at the SAPPI forests. Where an unsaturated zone below the entrenched sludge existed at the Umlazi site, nutrient transport was retarded, whereas in the shales of the SAPPI site, preferential delivery flowpaths transported high concentrations of nutrients rapidly from the entrenched sludge to the base of the hillslope. These mechanisms needed to be treated differently in the simulation exercise.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

The provision of sanitation services during the apartheid era in South Africa was minimal or non-existent in the previous "black" areas and for farm workers. Whatever service that was provided was often in a bad state of disrepair. One of the priorities established in the post 1994 elections was to improve the quality of lives for the previously marginalised and neglected communities. This was done through the development and implementation of a policy for reducing the sanitation backlog, and for the provision of a basic level of sanitation. The principles encompassed in the policies developed for poverty alleviation and sustainable development had many points in common with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and targets declared in 2000. The provision of Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines by municipalities satisfies the minimum requirements for basic sanitation. This provision together with the awareness programs are seen to offer communities an improved environment and hence living conditions. Problems arise however, due to the rapid filling, blockages and even the overflow of these pits. The emptying of these pits is also hazardous due to the nature of the waste. One of the solutions proposed by entrepreneurs was to supply additives that would enhance the degradation processes in the pit thereby increasing the Iifespan of these pits as well as offering other benefits; reduced odours, and flies. The aim of this research work was to test the claim of enhanced degradation by determining the effectiveness of an additive, M, which was deemed to be representative of a group of additive; made up of aerobic microbes and enzymes. The objective was to supply information to the municipality planners and decision makers in municipalities to assist them in their planning for improved management of pits. Waste was removed from suitable VIPs and used as samples for laboratory scale experiments. Reactor vessels were designed to simulate pit conditions. The additive was tested on the waste as recommended by the supplier and compared in activity against waste tested as references. The reference tests had (i) no addition of additive or water, as well as (ii) varying the volume of water added and (iii) varying the frequency of water addition, no additive added. Measurements were made of the following variables: • Total mass • Chemical oxygen demand. • Total solids • Volatile solids. • Ash. The results of the experimental vessels were analysed and compared with the reference vessels to reveal any differences. The results obtained did not present enough precision and reliability to make any conclusive decision as to whether the additive is effective or not. Recommendations made were to improve the test methodology using the same additive, to obtain results that would make a conclusive decision possible.
Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag media were studied through a series of laboratory, modeling and field studies as a potential treatment material for use in on site wastewater disposal systems. Microsphere enumeration methodology was examined in a factorial experiment to evaluate the minimum density and minimum number of microspheres that should be counted to ensure accurate and precise estimations of concentration. The results suggest that to minimize variability at least 350 microspheres should be counted and a microsphere density of 25-40 microspheres field-1 is necessary. A review of existing methodologies for high-titer bacteriophage production was conducted and an amalgamation of existing methodologies was chosen that reliably achieves elevated concentration and ensures a purified suspension. A combination of batch and column studies was conducted to evaluate the removal of the bacteriophage, PRD-1, and virus-sized fluorescent microspheres by BOF media, and to delineate the relative contributions of the two principle attenuation processes, inactivation and attachment. In the batch studies, substantial removal of PRD-1 does not occur in the pH 7.6 and 9.5 suspensions, but at pH 11.4, removal of the virus was 2.1 log C/C0 day-1 for the first two days, followed by 0.124 log C/C0 day-1 over the subsequent 10 days. Two column studies were conducted after 60 and 300 days of saturation with artificial groundwater at a flow rate of 1 pore volume day-1 using two BOF mixtures. After 300 days of column saturation, microsphere concentrations approached input levels, indicating a removal of 0.1-0.2 log C/C0 and suggesting attachment processes were negligible. PRD-1 removal was more pronounced (1.0-1.5 log C/C0). The reduction of PRD-1 is likely the result of a combination of virus inactivation at elevated pH (10.6-11.4), and attachment processes. Geochemical factors controlling microsphere attachment were compared between the two sets of experiments after 60 and 300 days of column saturation. Differences in attachment efficiency may be due to higher influent DOC concentration in the second experiment, conversion of amorphous iron phases to more crystalline forms over time, reductive dissolution of preferable attachment sites on iron phases, or precipitation of calcite. Hydrus-1D, a one-dimensional numerical model, was used to quantify transport processes, inactivation and attachment/detachment, occurring in the column experiments by model inversion. Fitted microsphere breakthrough closely matched observed data, whereas PRD-1 breakthrough with realistic parameter values does not closely match the peaked nature of the observed curves. The model achieved improved fits for microsphere and PRD-1 breakthrough when both strongly- and weakly-binding sites are represented. A unique set of parameter estimates could not be determined because of overparameterization of the inverse modeling for the experimental systems. An alternative latrine incorporating BOF slag media was constructed in a periurban community located near São Paulo, Brazil. Pathogen indicator removal is approximately 4-5 orders of magnitude in less than one meter of vertical transport through the BOF slag media. In a control latrine, constructed with similar hydraulic characteristics and inert materials, comparable reductions in pathogenic indicators were observed over three meters of vertical transport.