@phdthesis{Abang2016, author = {Abang, Roger Atini}, title = {Thermodynamic modeling and experimental investigations of high temperature corrosion and oxidation due to increased power plant cycling}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-40032}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2016}, abstract = {With the rapid growth of renewable energy sources (RES) in the power generation mix in accordance with the German energy transition policy ('Energiewende'), fewer baseload coal power plants will be required. Future power generation will be supplied through decentralized power utilities such as off-shore wind parks and also through high operational flexibility of existing conventional coal power units. High operational flexibility means conventional power plants have to increase cyclic operations to cope with feed-ins from variable-RES such as wind and solar. Unlike medium and peak load power plants that can react quickly to load changes and power ramps, baseload power plants are not suited for such operations. Important technical requirements for flexible operation include among others; frequent start-ups and shut-downs, a minimum downtime, shorter startup time and short operational periods. Baseload coal power plants however do not meet these requirements. This increased cyclic mode of operation can have severe impacts on vital power plant components such as superheater and reheater tubes resulting in high temperature cyclic oxidation/corrosion especially because these plants were not designed for frequent cyclic operations. To optimize plant operations, minimize material damage and reduce operational and maintenance cost, it is therefore important to understand the oxidation and corrosion risk to plants materials associated with this flexible mode of operation. In this context, thermochemical modeling in FactSage 6.4ᵀᴹ as well as experimental investigations were carried out. For the experimental investigations, five commercial coal boiler superheater and reheater materials, namely T91, VM12-SHC, TP347-HFG, DMV304 HCu and DMV310 N were exposed for 1000 hours under discontinuous isothermal oxidation conditions and 1000 hours thermo-cyclic oxidation conditions at a metal surface temperature of 650 °C. The synthetic corrosive flue gas consisted of a mixture of CO₂, O₂, SO₂, N₂ and H₂O. The test material samples were partly covered in fly ash to investigate the effect ash deposits on the corrosion and oxidation behavior of the test materials. After exposure metallographic analysis by means of light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (LOM and SEM-EDS) were carried out to study the oxide morphology and micro-structural properties of the materials. The oxidation kinetics (weight change) results showed significant oxide growth rates (weight gain) under cyclic oxidation conditions especially in the martensitic alloys - T91, VM12-SHC. Furthermore, metallographic analysis revealed severe oxide spallation in the ash covered sections of these alloys. The austenitic materials (TP374-HFG, DMV310 N) with the exception of DMV304 HCu showed good oxidation behavior with minimal oxide growth both under isothermal and thermal cyclic conditions. However, severe grain boundary attack and internal sulphidation were found in these alloys. DMV310 N showed the best corrosion and oxidation performance. The thermochemical modeling calculations supported the experimental results.}, subject = {Thermo-chemical modeling; Oxidation; High temperature corrosion; Cycling; Flexible generation; Oxidation; Hochtemperaturkorrosion; Lastwechsel; Flexible Kraftwerke; Thermochemische Modellierung; Kraftwerk; Hochtemperaturkorrosion; Lastwechselverhalten; Oxidation; Thermodynamik; Modellierung}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Abdallat2016, author = {Abdallat, Ghaida}, title = {Optimization of nitrogen removal in various vertical flow constructed wetland designs and application of treated wastewater for reuse in irrigation in Jordan}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-37987}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2016}, abstract = {In arid countries, reclaimed water in irrigation is a widespread practice. Therefore, robust treatment designs are prerequisite to obtain effluent quality that conforms to the legal requirements for reuse and health standards. Vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) are attractive decentralized treatment plants in many countries and communities. VFCWs are capable of providing adequate treatment for organic and solids removal, even though there are limitations on nutrient and pathogen removal. Within this study, various VFCW systems were investigated, in Germany and Jordan, to optimize nitrogen removal using sustainable and low cost options to guarantee the safe reuse in Jordan. In Germany at Langenreichenbach research facility, two-stage VFCWs planted (Phragmites australis) and unplanted were evaluated and modified to compare the role of plants over two years. Generally, there was no significant role of plants on the treatment performance. Both systems showed high removal efficiency for TOC, BOD5, and TSS over the study period. During the first year of the study, effluent TN concentrations ranged from 60 - 61 mg/L in both systems as a result of high effluent NO3--N concentrations (50 - 52 mg/L). In the second year, the systems were modified, adopting a saturated layer in the 1st stage to enhance denitrification. Average effluent TN concentrations were reduced to 45 mg/L in both systems. In addition, during modifications, the E.coli removal was enhanced in both systems achieving 4 log reduction instead of 2 log reduction during the first year of the study. In Jordan at the Fuhais research facility, two VFCW systems were studied considering category-A (TN: 45 mg/L and NO3-N: 30 mg/L) in the Jordanian Standards for reuse in irrigation (JS 893/2006). Recirculating (ECO-1) and Multi-stage (ECO-2) VFCW designs have shown high removal efficiency of COD, TSS, and BOD5 over three years of monitoring. ECO-1 system combines simultaneous nitrification and denitrification by recycling portion of nitrified effluent into the recirculation tank. However, effluent TN and NO3--N concentrations were 55 and 44 mg/L, respectively, that the system conformed to the JS category-B (TN: 70 mg/L and NO3-N: 45 mg/L) during monitoring phase. Therefore, ECO-1 was modified by installing plastic media in the recirculation tank that attached growth increases the abundance and activity of microorganisms. TN concentration was reduced effectively of 40 mg/L, conforming to the JS category-A, whereas, NO3--N concentration was reduced to 37 mg/L, conforming to the JS category-B. However, over the study period, E.coli concentrations were conformed to the JS category-C (more than 1000 MPN/100 mL). ECO-2 consists of two unsaturated VFCWs in series; single-pass unplanted filter followed by planted filter (Phragmites australis). E.coli removal was relatively high before modification that the effluent conformed to the JS (category-B: 1000 MPN/100 mL), achieving 4.4 log reduction. The effluent TN and NO3--N concentrations did not conform to the JS of 77 and 76 mg/L, respectively, due to insufficiency of carbon source to promote denitrification (high BOD5 removal) during monitoring phase of the study. Thus, ECO-2 was modified adopting raw wastewater step-feeding strategy that a specific volume of raw wastewater was mixed with 1st stage effluent in the mixing tank. TN and NO3--N concentrations were reduced to 52 and 50 mg/L, respectively; conforming to the JS category-B. Whereas, E.coli removal was influenced by E.coli ingress from raw step-feeding, achieving 3.5 log reduction, conforming to the JS category-C. The short-term impact of irrigation with different water quality and quantity was investigated at the Fuhais site. Soil physicochemical and biological properties in three parallel experimental reuse plots were investigated. The plots were cultivated with lemon trees and were irrigated via a subsurface irrigation system. Moreover, each plot was divided into two subparts (A and B) whereby one part received 11 mm/day of irrigation water and the other received 6 mm/day. Using treated effluent and tap water showed the same trend of increased soli salinity (ECs). Significant difference in ECs, SAR, Mg+2, Ca+2, and Na+ were observed at 0-20 cm as a result of high evaporation and capillary rise that increased salts accumulation in the topsoil. However, using more water reduced the salts accumulation in sub soil layers due to continuous leaching. Whereas, results showed no significant variation in soil texture, structure, moisture, and infiltration rate among reuse plots and subparts. Additionally, results revealed an absence of total coliform, fecal coliform, and E.coli in the irrigated soils, indicating the effectiveness of using subsurface irrigation as a disinfection step for reuse.}, subject = {Constructed wetland; Nitrogen; Nitrification; Denitrification; Pflanzenkl{\"a}ranlage; Stickstoff; Nitrifikation; Denitrifikation; Jordanien; Pflanzenkl{\"a}ranlage; Abwasserreinigung; Denitrifikation; Wiederverwendung; Bew{\"a}sserung}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{AbduDanja2010, author = {Abdu Danja, Bertha}, title = {Analysis of analytical methods in environmental pollution control: a case study of some Nigerian environmental laboratories}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-19618}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Scientific data and results have to be accurate, precise and reliable and are subject to ever increasing scrutiny by regulators in industry, the environment and medicine, in validation and also in research and development. Given our numerous environmental problems, the need for accurate, precise and reliable results can not be overemphasized in environmental pollution control. In the light of this analytical environmentalists believe that there is need for a hierarchical scheme of methods to be used in environmental assessment studies. In this research the state and role of analytical instruments in environmental pollution control in Nigeria were studied with a focus on the state of the Nigerian environmental pollution control laboratories. A theoretical background of this work gives an overview of the state of the art of the environment globally and that of Nigeria. This work has established that, because mankind have put thousands of chemical substances to use in this century, there are many chemicals that have found their way into the natural environment in large quantities. Because of the nature of the environmental problems mankind is facing now, many researchers and manufacturers are dedicated to using and providing quality new and reliable instrumentation methods to ensure a healthy environment in our world. A brief study of Nigeria as the country of research is made to establish the background of possible problems. From the facts gathered in the literature Nigeria has the economic tools that it needs to put a good environmental management scheme in place, which includes good standards, laws, regulations and good analytical laboratories for compliance and monitoring. However the research has established that these economic tools are not effectively used in the management of environmental pollution control, especially monitoring of environmental pollutants. The research was undertaken by visiting four analytical laboratories involved in environmental pollution control in Nigeria, and three organizations that are the main environmental regulatory bodies in Nigeria. The analytical laboratories visited are those of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Kaduna, Ashaka cement factory, regional laboratory of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources Gombe, and the National Reference laboratory Lagos. In these laboratories and the organizations, results were collected in the laboratories, interviews were carried out and analytical instruments available were documented. It was discovered that, in these laboratories many standard analytical instruments needed for quality environmental pollution control and monitoring are lacking. Comparison of results generated in these laboratories with some from developed countries, revealed that many parameters measured in laboratories in developed countries are not measured in the research laboratories. The results obtained in these laboratories met Nigeria' maximum limits in some cases, but exceeded it in many cases. It is the position of this work that the gap between the environmental analytical instruments found in literature and developed countries, and that found in Nigeria is very large and calls for concern. The environmental regulatory bodies in Nigeria have many laws, rules, regulations and standards for environmental pollution control. These regulations, standards, laws and rules were compared with what is obtained in other countries of the world, especially developed countries and found to be lacking in many areas. The way and manner the analytical methods are stated in the Nigerian regulations and standards are way below the developed countries standard. This research concludes that the regulations and standards have big influence on the kind of environmental analytical instruments found in the environmental analytical laboratories in Nigeria. The final conclusion this study has reached is that analytical methods, equipments, and standards on ground in Nigeria are not sufficient for the purpose of good environmental pollution control and monitoring. The situations as regards analytical instruments, analytical methods, standards and guidelines used in environmental pollution control in Nigeria do not favourably compare to international situations. It is therefore recommended that the need for validity and reliability in data collection, analysis, guidelines, standards and use of data in environmental pollution control needs to be addressed by the Nigerian Government if monitoring of the Millennium Development Goals and environmental pollution control in general is to be effective.}, subject = {Nigeria; Industrie; Umweltverschmutzung; Analytische Methode; Umwelt; Analytisches Instrument; Nigerianische Industrie; Umweltverschmutzung; Standard; Environment; Analytical instrument; Nigerian industry; Pollution control; Standard}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{AbuElQomboz2011, author = {Abu El-Qomboz, Yasser Darwish}, title = {Entwicklung integrativer L{\"o}sungen f{\"u}r das Abfallmanagement in tempor{\"a}ren Fl{\"u}chtlingslagern am Beispiel des Fl{\"u}chtlingslagers Beach-Camp in Gaza (Pal{\"a}stina)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-20759}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Niemand flieht freiwillig, dass heißt, wenn sich Menschen zur Flucht entscheiden, so geschieht dies immer unter dem Druck einer Situation, die als aussichtslos und unertr{\"a}glich empfunden wird. Jahr f{\"u}r Jahr verlassen mehrere Millionen Menschen ihre Heimat in der Hoffnung auf ein besseres Leben in einem anderen Land. Die Globalisierung von Wirtschaft und Technologien sowie politische oder milit{\"a}rische Krisen zwingen sie dazu. Krieg, politische Repressionen oder Mangel an Lebensperspektiven im Herkunftsland machen eine R{\"u}ckkehr unm{\"o}glich. So sind die weltweit zunehmenden Migrationsstr{\"o}me ein untr{\"u}gliches Zeichen f{\"u}r soziale Ungleichheit und Benachteilung in der Welt. Umweltfl{\"u}chtlinge sind nicht nur eine Folge der Umweltzerst{\"o}rung durch nat{\"u}rliche oder vom Menschen und seiner Industrie entstandene Umweltkatastrophen, sondern auch eine Folge des Bev{\"o}lkerungswachstums. Dadurch kommt es zu einer dramatischen {\"U}berbeanspruchung landwirtschaftlicher Fl{\"a}chen, die letztlich ebenfalls zu deren Zerst{\"o}rung f{\"u}hrt. Obwohl das Stichwort der Bev{\"o}lkerungsexplosion in aller Munde ist, scheint bisher weithin unerkannt zu bleiben, wie dramatisch diese Entwicklung in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten verlaufen ist. Und den Entwicklungsl{\"a}ndern fehlen jegliche Kapazit{\"a}ten, dieser Entwicklung {\"o}konomisch und {\"o}kologisch entgegenzuwirken. Die in der letzten Zeit erarbeiteten alternativen Strategien zu einer L{\"o}sung des Pal{\"a}stinakonfliktes sind vor folgendem Hintergrund zu sehen: Bis Anfang der 90er Jahre wurden seit 1967 besetzte Gebiete von Israel beansprucht. Unter dem ge{\"a}nderten Bewusstsein der Welt{\"o}ffentlichkeit werden die pal{\"a}stinensischen Territorien aber nun als von Israel strukturell eigenst{\"a}ndige Einheit betrachtet. Nach dem langj{\"a}hrigen Konflikt zwischen Pal{\"a}stinensern und Israelis r{\"u}ckte durch den Friedensprozess die Frage nach der Zukunft der im Jahr 1967 besetzten Gebiete wieder ins Bewusstsein der Welt{\"o}ffentlichkeit. Seither haben Bombardierungen und Abriegelungen vor allem des Gaza-Streifens jedoch zu einer weiteren Versch{\"a}rfung der Krise gef{\"u}hrt. Eine L{\"o}sung des Konfliktes muss dringend gefunden werden, weil nur dadurch auch eine Verbesserung des Lebensstandards der Menschen im Westjordanland und im Gaza-Streifen erreicht werden kann. Als Ergebnis des Oslo-Abkommens von 1994 entstand die pal{\"a}stinensische Selbstverwaltung (PNA), zu deren vorrangigen Zielen es geh{\"o}rt, die Lebensbedingungen in den Autonomiegebieten zu verbessern und die angeschlagene Wirtschaft zu f{\"o}rdern. Nach Erl{\"a}uterung dieser politischen Prozesse in der Region konzentriert sich die Arbeit auf eine Diskussion {\"u}ber die dringend ben{\"o}tigte Entwicklung in der Region Gaza-Streifen, die als Teilgebiet eines zuk{\"u}nftigen pal{\"a}stinensischen Staates bisher umfangreiche Probleme und eine wahrhaftig deutliche Unterentwicklung erfahren hat. Die Sicherung der {\"o}kologischen Zukunft des Menschen ist eine zentrale Aufgabe f{\"u}r dien{\"a}chsten Jahre. Zu unserem Wohl und vor allem auch zum Wohl der nachfolgenden Generationen darf sich Umweltpolitik nicht darauf beschr{\"a}nken, bereits eingetretene Umweltsch{\"a}den zu beseitigen. Vielmehr m{\"u}ssen die Aspekte Natur und {\"O}kosysteme zuk{\"u}nftig ganz selbstverst{\"a}ndlich in alle Planungen und Maßnahmen des Menschen einbezogen werden. Umweltschutz ist Daseinsvorsorge. Folglich darf sie nicht nur als Schadensbeseitigung angesehen werden, sondern muss offensiv auf die Verhinderung umweltbelastender Entwicklungen abzielen. In diesem Zuge ist auch die Abfallbeseitigung zu einem zentralen Anliegen des Umweltschutzes geworden. Ein verantwortungsbewusster Umgang mit der Natur und den Ressourcen ist prinzipiell nur m{\"o}glich, wenn Abfallstoffe, soweit sie nicht vermieden werden k{\"o}nnen, durch eine sinnvolle Verwertung m{\"o}glichst weitgehend in den nat{\"u}rlichen Stoffkreislauf zur{\"u}ckgef{\"u}hrt werden. Der wesentliche Bestandteil einer geordneten Entsorgungswirtschaft ist die Absicherung {\"o}konomisch und {\"o}kologisch vertretbarer Entsorgungswege. Eine hohe Entsorgungssicherheit bei vertretbaren Kosten ist einer der Faktoren, die die Qualit{\"a}t eines Wirtschaftsstandortes verbessern. F{\"u}r eine vern{\"u}nftige Abfallwirtschaftsplanung sind die zuk{\"u}nftig zu erwartenden Abfallmengen abzusch{\"a}tzen, die durch das Wirtschaftswachstum sowie die Bev{\"o}lkerungsentwicklung bestimmt werden. Die gesetzlichen Rahmenbedingungen bestimmen die Zusammensetzung der Abf{\"a}lle und {\"u}ber die Regelungen der {\"U}berlassungspflicht letztendlich die zu beseitigenden Abfallmengen.}, subject = {Pal{\"a}stina; Fl{\"u}chtlingslager; Entsorgungswirtschaft; Pal{\"a}stina; Fl{\"u}chtling; Umwelt; Palestine; Refugee; Environment}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Abugiche2008, author = {Abugiche, Samuel Ajonina}, title = {Impact of hunting and bushmeat trade on biodiversity loss in Cameroon : a case study of the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-9550}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2008}, abstract = {The Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary is a multiple-use lowland tropical rainforest in South West of Cameroon. This area was designated by the government of Cameroon with a focus of protecting 11 species including the most endangered primates in Central and West Africa, the Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) and Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Local communities maintain user-rights of the forest and its natural resources as long as the conservation goals of the protected areas are not compromised. With many villages in and around the sanctuary and an ever-increasing population, most villagers rely on bushmeat to meet both dietary requirements and as a source of income. The purpose of the six-month study was to assess the current impact of hunting pressure on wildlife biodiversity loss with hope to recommend managed sustainable hunting system to the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. Carcasses of animals brought in daily by the eighty-four hunters who participated in the study were weighed, sexed and aged and socio-economic data collected by recording weapon type, use, price of each animal killed and its destination by 14 research assistants in 14 study villages. Hunters were interviewed in an attempt to understand hunters' perception of hunted game and their capacity to implement a managed hunting system. Study results indicated that 44 animal species were harvested with a total of 3,176 individual animals killed, giving an estimated total biomass of 22,397 kg in both the Banyang and Mbo areas. The Banyang ethnic group registered more harvest in terms of both off-take 1,888 animals and biomass 13,476 kg (13.5 tons) while the Mbo ethnic group extracted 1,288 animals with a biomass of 8,921.02 kg (9.00 tons) over the six-month study period. When placed into taxonomic groups, duikers constituting (34\%), rodents (22\%), other protected species (15\%) and monkeys (11\%) of the total animals extracted were most affected by hunting within the whole of BMWS. Larger-bodied animals like primates and duikers were most vulnerable to gun hunting while smaller carnivores and rodents were more vulnerable to wire snaring and trapping. Poisoned baits were used in some villages to trap Cane rats and Monkeys. Hunting peaks were attained during the raining season especially during the months of July and August. However, some small peaks occurred during the dry season especially in the months of November and January. More males (47\%) were killed than females (43\%) for all species over the six-month study period. Unknown sex constituted (10\%) of the total extracted animals registered. Adults comprised (69\%) of the total catch for all species registered, juveniles and infants constituted (23\%) and (8\%) respectively. Generally the Banyang ethnic group either consumed or sold locally (83\%) of their total harvested bushmeat and sold only (11\%) to outside traders. The Mbo ethnic group consumed or sold locally (47\%) of the total bushmeat killed and sold (39\%) to outside bushmeat dealers. Economic gains in terms of financial income from sale of bushmeat at the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary do not seem to be profitable as one hunter earned on average 22.629F CFA (US \$47) per month over the study period compared to 125.000F CFA (US \$258) earned by an average civil servant in Cameroon. One kilogramme of the most expensive bushmeat such as Pangolin (Manis gigantea) and Brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) was on the average about 4.7 times less expensive than the price of one kg of domesticated animals such as fresh cow beef or goat meat. The Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus) and the Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) are at high risk of local extinction in this area. Meanwhile species like the Leopard (Panthera pardus), Buffalo (Syncerus nanus), the African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the Giant pangolin (Manis gigantea) were not recorded killed in any of the 14 study villages and are feared to be locally extinct. There was a steady decline in off-take and biomass of large-bodied species like duikers and primates in the total harvest of both ethnic groups over time during the study period. This suggests that hunting of larger-bodied animals may not be sustainable within the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary. The future of Blue duikers seems bleak if hunting continues unchecked. Poverty, population increase, unemployment and the weak enforcement of existing wildlife laws are the driving forces behind the unsustainable harvest of wildlife resources at the Banyang-Mbo wildlife Sanctuary.}, subject = {Kamerun; Jagd; Fleischhandel; Biodiversit{\"a}t; Einfluß; Jagd; Buschfleischhandel; Biodiversit{\"a}tsr{\"u}ckgang; Banyang-Mbo Wild Schongebiet; Impact; Hunting; Bushmeat trade; Biodiversity loss; Banyang-Mbo wildlife santuary}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ackom2005, author = {Ackom, Emmanuel Kofi}, title = {Technical \& economic viability analysis of renewable energy technologies in Ghana}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-000000769}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2005}, abstract = {Ghana is far from attaining energy security status. The energy mix in Ghana comprises; traditional biomass (66.7\%), crude oil/petroleum products (26.2\%), and electricity (7.1\%) mainly from large hydro plants. The existing energy insecurity dilemma, where demand for energy services is desperately needed for sustainable development leaves Ghana with no other option than to exploit its renewable energy resources. The study seeks to address three main research questions namely: (a) Are Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) technically and economically viable in Ghana?; (b) Can RE projects be self sustained in Ghana without continual external support?; (c) Can RETs be used as an engine for local development? Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed in analyzing the issues raised. The four main RE resources identified in Ghana are biomass, solar, small hydro and wind energy. Detailed case study analysis for each resource was done for identification of technically and economically viable options. The study concludes with a strategy on the where, what, why and how to implement viable RE projects in Ghana and a 'best policy' recommendation for successful market diffusion of RETs. It proposes that RETs must be provided in forms that match the basic and economic self-reliance needs of the people and generated electricity should be tied directly to viable end-use activities.}, subject = {Ghana; Alternative Energiequelle; Renewable energy technology; Economic viability; Technical viability; Ghana}, language = {en} } @misc{Acquah2014, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Acquah, Michael}, title = {Decentralized Rural Electrification in Ghana-Evaluation of Technical and Socio-Economic Aspects for Sustainable Solutions}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-29999}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2014}, abstract = {Rural electrification has been one of the challenges faced by the government of Ghana due to extremely high cost of electricity extension to the rural areas. In order to meet up this challenge, the government of Ghana has been keen with the introduction of renewable energy programs as a solution for rural electrification. However, most of programs are also faced with the problem of being sustainable. After government and sponsors hand-over completed project to local users, they usually last only few years of their life span and are abandoned. This challenge has inspired this study to identify the potential barriers to the sustainability of rural electrification programs through technical and socio-economic evaluation of a solar PV rural electrification project in Ghana. The approach of this study selected an on-going solar PV project (community solar system-CSS), that has been introduced on a pilot base across the whole of Ghana, which is to be adopted as a standard system for electrification solutions in rural areas in Ghana. This project was subjected to both technical and socio-economic evaluations covering 13 rural communities across the southern part of the country. Stakeholder interviews and review of literature were additional methodologies employed to gather information pertinent to the theme of the study. The results of the study show that technically, the CSS project has simple design and operational technologies, which gives it high integration potential. However, the project faces the problem of technology misuse by the rural users and frequent failure of its components. The socio-economic barriers identified are: (1) ineffective management of the project due to a long chain of bureaucratic administrative management system, inadequate monitoring and supervision, and inconsistency in standardizing the cash flow of the project, and (2) low electricity capacity of the CSS project and other similar small scale renewable projects to meet the electricity requirements of the rural populates. These problems lead to gradual decline of users' interest for such small scale renewable energy projects and subsequently result in project abandonment. It was concluded that small scale renewable energy programs lack the capacity to fully meet the energy requirement of rural populates; however, they are crucial as intervening solutions and play key role in rural development.}, subject = {Ghana; Ghana; L{\"a}ndliche Elektrifizierung; Bewertung; Nachhaltigkeit; Rural Electrification; Evaluation; Sustainability}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Adesipo2021, author = {Adesipo, Adegbite Adeleke}, title = {Practical approach to reclamation of post-mining sites}, doi = {10.26127/BTUOpen-5871}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-58719}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2021}, abstract = {In order to integrate necessary interdisciplinary complexity, sustainability, defined targets and endpoints for reclamation progress, the objective of this research is to advance reclamation knowledge on (i) international scale and (ii) national scale, taking Nigeria as an example. On the international scale (i), a systematic reclamation threshold scale for assessing, evaluating, documenting, and monitoring reclamation progress was developed. The threshold stages begin from the initial state I0 down to degraded state D0 (depending on the type of mining). Reclamation starts with soil reconstruction R-2 up to revegetation R-1 (red zones) to reach minimum threshold R0 (amber zone). Beyond R0 are the green zones R1, R2, and R3 representing soil/abiotic condition, biological and improved threshold respectively. Adaptation of the threshold model to degraded ecosystems in national and international laws is recommended. On the national scale with Nigeria (ii), endowed with over 34 solid minerals and abundant crude oil, findings show that almost all mine sites are below the minimum threshold scale R0. The sites are adversely affected by Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM), whereby, contamination and soil lithology disturbances are the state-of-the-art discussions. However, bioremediation (phytoremediation) is the most feasible remediation technique. Therefore, for the crude oil contaminated sites, this study highlights typical cogitation for large in-situ implementation and potential species for remediation. For the mineral resources, gold mining was the typical example. As a practical approach, experimental areas on an abandoned mining site (Site 1), an active mining site (Site 2) and an undisturbed vegetation site (Control) in southwestern Nigeria were mapped out to represent its mining and farming activities. On the sites, (a) the impacts of the ASM activities on the floristic association were assessed. (b) the potential of 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) was explored to characterize the horizontal and vertical landscape homogeneity of the mine sites, and lastly, (c) the study identified native high-accumulating plants growing on the sites that can be employed for phytoremediation. Thus, the results show that (a) the floristic association of the mine sites have been stressed and disturbed. (b) the resistivity structure of the sites shows that ASM has greatly impaired the lithological status of the sites. (c) out of the 9 considered species, Crinum jagus has the highest accumulation factor of 8.71, 37.47, 1.08 and 29.38 for Pb, Cd, Fe and Cu respectively. It is a recommendable novel plant in the tropics. However, future studies must verify its hyperaccumulator potentials, identify other high accumulating species and develop effective approaches and policies to curb ASM activities and enhance remediation in Nigeria.}, subject = {Ecological indicators; Functional species; Dendroremediation; Geophysical techniques; Crinum jagus; {\"O}kologische Indikatoren; Funktionelle Arten; Dendrosanierung; Geophysikalische Techniken; Crinum jagus; Nigeria; Rekultivierung; Bergbaunachfolgelandschaft; Phytoremediation}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Afanasyev2010, author = {Afanasyev, Vyacheslav}, title = {Evaluating Ukraine's agro-industrial sector: comprehensive assessment with the view of sustainability improvement and European integration}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus-19027}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Being one of Ukraine's major sources of economic revenue, the country's agro-industrial sector proved, at the same time, to be perhaps the most vulnerable branch of economy in the times of political and social turbulence. While the state is searching for the ways of strengthening its positions at the global market, its agricultural potential to a considerable extent remains both under- and misused. Based on comprehensive historic analysis, this research establishes the origins of the current situation and assesses the possibilities of positive change. Utilizing the experience of other European countries' with regards to making agriculture more sustainable and competitive in the modern world, the author describes the ways of applying these practices against the background of Ukrainian socio-political system. Drawing knowledge from the experience of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) worldwide, this research aims at harmonizing their methods with evaluation demands in Ukrainian agriculture. It discusses and criticizes the existing assessment approach and suggests measures necessary for making it more comprehensive. The author offers profound analysis of Ukrainian agricultural policies to date, reviews national regulating directives and outlines country-specific challenges as to improving agricultural sustainability. In order to provide Ukrainian decision-makers with a clear and all-round tool for assessing the advances and failures of the acting state policies in the AIS, a set of reliable indices for evaluating agricultural performance has been developed by the author, which is largely based on the widely-acknowledged Driving Force - State - Response framework offered by the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Human Development Index (HDI) from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) methodology. At the same time, the newly developed set takes into consideration the peculiarities of Ukrainian socio-political setting. Three major categories of indicators were chosen as a backbone for further elaboration, namely economic, social and political. Therefrom results a list of twelve relevant indices. At the concluding stage of the research, they were processed and transformed to three top-level indices: Economic Development Index, Environmental Situation Index and Social Development Index. These three indices are intended for clear and illustrative presentation of the current situation for high level decision-makers and governmental bodies. Methodology utilized for the purposes of this research with necessary adaptation and fine tuning can also be used with other set of initial data, indicators and indices. Application field can also be downscaled from the highest (national) to the lowest (regional) level by adapting the indicator-indices system to the initial input data. This will considerably simplify the compilation and presentation of regional reports and will provide transparency for interregional comparison within the country.}, subject = {Ukraine; Landwirtschaft; Umweltvert{\"a}glichkeitspr{\"u}fung; Nachhaltigkeit; Ukraine; Landwirtschaft; Bewertung; Nachhaltigkeit; Indikator; Ukraine; Agriculture; Evaluation; Sustainability; Indicator}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Afanasyeva2015, author = {Afanasyeva, Dariya}, title = {Shared heritage: Sacred landscapes of Crimea, their development and protection in the multicultural context}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:co1-opus4-35938}, school = {BTU Cottbus - Senftenberg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Owing to its unique strategic position on the northern coast of the Black Sea, Crimea has, since Antiquity, been a highly diverse, multi-ethnic, multi-religious location. Throughout history, the peninsula's landscapes were shaped and transformed under the influence of its ever-changing populations. In this process, religion played a crucial role. Nowadays, Crimea abounds in sacred sites in the same way as it abounds in culturally and religiously diverse inhabitants. Rebirth in the 1990s of the religious and cultural life that had been repressed for over seventy years of the Soviet rule gave a powerful impetus to the revival of Crimea's sacred landscapes and enabled the different ethno-religious groups residing in the peninsula to re-establish the bond with the home of their ancestors. The notion of landscape as a memoryscape became central in this context, since it is the landscape that records, as well as reflects, the events in history. The sites communally regarded as sacred unite the people as much as common memories transmitted from one generation to the other do. The objectives of the theoretical part of this thesis are twofold. On the one hand, it aims to grasp the connection between religion, landscape and memory, whereby sacred sites are seen as landscapes of memory and anchors of people's cultural and religious identity. On the other hand, it seeks to explore the specific issues pertinent to the Crimean socio-cultural context, such as the peninsula's history and the evolving ethno-religious relationships among the diverse local population, which have impacted the development and protection of Crimea's sacred sites overtime. Method employed is the comparative literature review, whereby for each chapter a selection of authors was made, whose contributions towards the discussion of the aforementioned issues have been particularly relevant. Based on the theoretical background described above, the empirical section of the research targets two main groups of actors: the state on the one side, and the organizations representing local religious groups on the other. In relation to the state, the objective is to explore how the religious revival of the post-Soviet period correlates with Ukraine's current policies towards the safeguarding of Crimea's sacred landscapes, namely, to what extent they are being protected under the existing legislation, and which of the aspects are given most attention in the process. In relation to the organizations representing local religious groups, the task is to investigate to what degree the sacred sites under study remain relevant for various groups, and to establish how the knowledge about the local sacred places and their importance is being disseminated both within these groups and beyond. In order to fulfill these tasks, the set of indicators has been developed, which takes into consideration the specific Crimean socio-cultural context, and a selection of case studies has been made, which in their totality reflect the viewpoints of Crimea's prominent religious groups. The case studies are: (1) the Assumption Monastery, (2) the cave town of Chufut Kale with Balta Tiymez Karaite cemetery, and (3) the old town of Bakhchisaray with Salachiq historic district and Gazy Mansur cemetery. All of the three case studies are located on the territory of Bakhchisaray Historical and Cultural Preserve (BHCP). The evaluation of the Ukrainian state's policies with regards to safeguarding of the selected sacred sites revealed that while many of their elements are recognized as cultural heritage of high significance, protection activities are impeded by substantial obstacles of administrative nature, as well as by the lack general planning. Moreover, conservation and day-to-day management is carried out with little consideration for the opinions of the local people and with the insufficient involvement of the latter. The indicator-based assessment of relevance of the selected sacred locations for various local religious groups and the ways, in which the knowledge about these sites is being spread exposed a number of clear tendencies, as well as highlighted the existing challenges and deficiencies which need to be urgently addressed, so as to ensure the safeguarding of the studied sites for the future generations.}, subject = {Cultural landscape; Sacred landscape; Memoryscape; Cultural heritage; Heritage protection; Kulturlandschaft; Sakrales Erbe; Kulturerbe; Denkmalschutz; Krim; Kulturerbe}, language = {en} }