Efficacy of Selected Compounds on Thermocyclops oblongatus,one of the Main Intermediate Hosts of Guinea Worm in Africa

Ten selected compounds were tested on Thermocyclops oblongatus to determine their ability to be used for treatment of drinking water sources. None were shown to be interesting for individual application in household water tanks. Tested compounds, such as potassium permanganate or chlorine-releasing products, were ineffective or affected dramatically the taste or colour of the water. For collective application in water sources, temephos appeared to be the most valuable pesticide because it was effective against cyclops and harmless for environment. Other pesticides should be proposed as substitutes in case of cyclops resistance to temephos.     

Tektonisches Verhalten und geologische Bedeutung von Kalksilikatfels-Lagen und -Spindeln im Damara-Orogen Südwest-Afrikas

Zusammenfassung Beschrieben wird das Verhalten von frühdiagenetisch gebildeten schichtparallelen Kalksilikatfels-Lagen, -Linsen, -Knollen und diffusen Ansammlungen während der Gesteinsdeformation in Teilen des Damara-Orogens. In Abhängigkeit von ihrer relativen Löslichkeit und/oder Kompetenz sowie vom Winkel zwischen Schichtung und Schieferung können Lagen und Linsen als solche erhalten bleiben oder in spindelförmige Körper zerlegt werden (Verkürzungsboudinage). Knollen werden zu Ellipsoiden oder Spindeln deformiert und diffuse Kalksilikatfels-Ansammlungen in eine Vielzahl von Spindeln aufgelöst. Alle im Zusammenhang mit der Anlage der Schieferung gebildeten Spindeln und Ellipsoïde sind streng in der Schieferung orientiert. Es wird deutlich, daß die Spindelform der Kalksilikatfels-Körper ein Produkt der Gesteinsdeformation ist.In Gebieten, in denen der Verdacht besteht, daß parallel zu einem deutlichen Materialwechsel eine Schieferung verläuft, kann aus der Existenz von Spindeln auf das Vorhandensein dieser Schieferung geschlossen werden.Die ungleichmäßige Verteilung von Kalksilikatfels-Körpern innerhalb der Khomas-Serie ermöglicht eine Unterteilung dieser bisher ungegliederten, bis zu 6000 m mächtigen Gesteinsfolge.

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The behaviour during rock deformation of diagenetically formed layers, lenses, nodules (concretions) and diffuse concentrations of calc-silicate rock is described from parts of the Damara belt. Depending on their relative solubility and/or competency and on the angle between bedding and cleavage planes the layers and lenses may either more or less retain their shape or be cut up into spindle-shaped bodies (boudinage due to shortening). Nodules are deformed to ellipsoides, while diffuse concentrations of calc-silicate rock are transformed into a number of spindles. All spindles and ellipsoides which are formed during the formation of the cleavage are strictly orientated parallel to the cleavage planes. It is therefore obvious that the spindleshape of these bodies is a consequence of rock deformation. Thus, in areas in which a cleavage is suspected to lie parallel to a distinct bedding, the occurrence of spindles may confirm the existence of this cleavage.The non-statistical occurrence of calc-silicate rock bodies within the Khomas Series may render possible a first subdivision of this up to 6000 m thick succession.

Diese Arbeit ist im Sonderforschungsbereich 48 Entwicklung, Bestand und Eigenschaften der Erdkruste, insbesondere der Geosynklinalräume, Göttingen, entstanden.     

Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment for Tulbagh,South Africa: Part I – Assessment of Seismic Hazard

In this part of our study the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) for Tulbagh was performed. The applied procedure is parametric and consists essentially of two steps. The first step is applicable to the area in the vicinity of Tulbagh and requires an estimation of the area-specific parameters, which, in this case, is the mean seismic activity rate, , the Gutenberg-Richter parameter, b, and the maximum regional magnitude, m_max. The second step is applicable to the Tulbagh site, and consists of parameters of distribution of amplitude of the selected ground motion parameter. The current application of the procedure provides an assessment of the PSHA in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and spectral acceleration (SA). The procedure permits the combination of both historical and instrumental data. The historical part of the catalogue only contains the strongest events, whereas the complete part can be divided into several subcatalogues, each assumed complete above a specified threshold of magnitude. In the analysis, the uncertainty in the determination of the earthquake was taken into account by incorporation of the concept of `apparent magnitude'. The PSHA technique has been developed specifically for the estimation of seismic hazard at individual sites without the subjective judgement involved in the definition of seismic source zones, when the specific active faults have not been mapped or identified, and where the causes of seismicity are not well understood. The results of the hazard assessment are expressed as probabilities that specified values of PGA will be exceeded during the chosen time intervals, and similarly for the spectral accelerations. A worst case scenario sketches the possibility of a maximum PGA of 0.30g. The results of the hazard assessment can be used as input to a seismic risk assessment.     

The Gravity Field of the Vogtland and NW Bohemia: Presentation of a Project

The Vogtland and NW Bohemia are characterized geoscientifically by periodically occurrence of swarm earthquakes. The basic geophysical mechanism is not yet sufficiently clarified, just like detail questions to geology in especially the deeper underground. Complex geophysical investigations in the seismoactive region indicate geodynamic phenomena like mass redistribution or stress accumulation and release (Spiák et al., 1998). According to Grünthal (1989) a weakness zone is suggested in the region of the swarm earthquakes. This zone can be caused by fluid-tectonics (Kämpf et al., 1992), a mantle plume (pers. com. J. Svancara, 1999) and/or by the geometry of the geological structures (Neunhöfer & Güth, 1988). A three-dimensional gravimetric model can clear up the underground situation. By means of high-resolution gravimetry a three-dimensional model will be developped for the Vogtland and NW Bohemia region. In the first step a homogeneous Bouguer map of the Vogtland and NW Bohemia was created (fig. 1) containing gravity structures analysed by Ibrmajer & Suk (1989) and Blízkovsky et al. (1985). The used gravimetric data were made available by the Saxonian National Office for Environment and Geology, by the Czech Geological Survey, Prague and by the GGA Hannover. In the context with the interpretation of the deep-seismic profile MVE 90 a two-dimensional gravimetric modeling was carried out (Behr et al., 1994), too. Anomaly-producing source bodies apparently do not offer themselves in a two-dimensional model, because after Jung (1961) the length of a gravimetric source structure must be about four times larger than it's width. The technique of the three-dimensional gravimetric modeling by means of any polyhedrons was developed by Götze (1976, 1984). Gravimetry is a potential method and supplies an infinite number of solutions, so the model has to be developed close to other geoscientific results. The aim is to construct a high-resolution three-dimensional underground model, which includes the upper earth's crust and the deep-seated structures of the middle and lower crust, too. The determination of the mass distribution in the underground supplies contradicting or supporting facts for geodynamic views in the Vogtland and NW Bohemia for example of Bankwitz et al. (1993). The interpretation of the Bouguer map of the Vogtland and a three-dimensional gravimetric model ought to contribute a substantial, also geodynamic part to understand the origin and the emergence of the swarm earthquakes in this region.     

南非陆相二叠系-三叠系界线研究进展

从岩石地层研究着手,介绍了南非卡鲁盆地内综合地层研究的相关成果.在生物地层方面,脊椎动物和植物化石的研究在该区具有传统优势,孢粉化石的研究则是在最近几年才取得较大进展,在陆相界线地层研究中菌孢化石在二叠系-三叠系界线处约1 m厚的地层内的富集事件属首次报道.在地球化学地层方面,南非有机碳同位素在二叠系-三叠系界线附近的变化趋势与海相二叠系-三叠系界线地层存在相似的对应关系,可以作为海、陆相界线地层对比的辅助标志.在磁性地层方面,南非卡鲁盆地内的磁极性存在从反向到正向然后再反转(R-N-R)的变化,二叠系-三叠系界线则位于第一反向极性带的顶部.同时,结合目前全球陆相二叠系-三叠系界线的研究现状及特点,分析了陆相界线地层研究中存在的基本问题,指出华南地区可能为突破传统观念的研究地区,陆地事件地层研究意义重大.     

Linking vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience science to practice: Pathways, players, and partnerships

Vulnerability, adaptation and resilience are concepts that are finding increasing currency in several fields of research as well as in various policy and practitioner communities engaged in global environmental change science, climate change, sustainability science, disaster risk-reduction and famine interventions. As scientists and practitioners increasingly work together in this arena a number of questions are emerging: What is credible, salient and legitimate knowledge, how is this knowledge generated and how is it used in decision making? Drawing on important science in this field, and including a case study from southern Africa, we suggest an alternative mode of interaction to the usual one-way interaction between science and practice often used. In this alternative approach, different experts, risk-bearers, and local communities are involved and knowledge and practice is contested, co-produced and reflected upon. Despite some successes in the use and negotiation of such knowledge for ‘real’ world issues, a number of problems persist that require further investigation including the difficulties of developing consensus on the methodologies used by a range of stakeholders usually across a wide region (as the case study of southern Africa shows, particularly in determining and identifying vulnerable groups, sectors, and systems); slow delivery of products that could enhance resilience to change that reflects not only a lack of data, and need for scientific credibility, but also the time-consuming process of coming to a negotiated understanding in science–practice interactions and, finally, the need to clarify the role of ‘external’ agencies, stakeholders, and scientists at the outset of the dialogue process and subsequent interactions. Such factors, we argue, all hinder the use of vulnerability and resilience ‘knowledge’ that is being generated and will require much more detailed investigation by both producers and users of such knowledge.     

Conservation and community in the new South Africa: A case study of the Mahushe Shongwe Game Reserve

The idealization of natural landscapes and peoples during colonialism, coupled with the popularity of sustainable development in the postcolonial era, has contributed to the expansion of conservation planning throughout the African continent. Concerns surrounding the promotion of national and international conservation agendas at the expense of local livelihood needs have generated interest in community conservation projects that attempt to include local participation and knowledge in natural resource management. The early excitement associated with community conservation has waned in light of recent assessments that it has been unsuccessful in meeting its ecological and social goals. This parallels other research that suggests communities are understood in generic or homogenous ways that influence how these initiatives are understood. Using a case study of the Mahushe Shongwe Game Reserve, this paper evaluates how rural households access environmental and economic resources to produce livelihoods, and how these access patterns impact their views of the project. It is argued that there are significant livelihood variations within the community that shape the ways households engage with, and benefit from, conservation planning. Rather than strictly viewing Mahushe Shongwe as a constraint to environmental resource access or site for limited employment, community members identify a number of benefits from its existence including education and development opportunities. Additionally, transformations in governance systems in the region impact community views of the project since younger residents are less likely to engage with the Matsamo Tribal Authority, which participates in managing the reserve. The consequence is that conservation has various impacts and meanings within a specific community that remain tied to the livelihood and governance systems being renegotiated in the post-apartheid era.     

几内亚红粘土的工程地质特征及成因探讨

介绍了几内亚体育场岩土层结构和粘土的工程地质特征,将其与国内红粘土进行了比较,认为是属于基性岩风化而形成的红粘土,并探讨了该红粘土的形成过程。从元素迁移规律着手,分析了形成该地剖面上特殊的岩土层序的形成原因,从化学成份和分子结构着手分析了该粘土物理力学性质的形成原因。进而分析了几内亚红粘土工程地质评价中应注意的问题。     

Petrological and geochronological constraints on the origin of the Palimé–Amlamé granitoids (South Togo, West Africa): A segment of the West African Craton Paleoproterozoic margin reactivated during the Pan-African collision

The Palimé–Amlamé Pluton (PAP) in southern Togo, consists of silica-rich to intermediate granitoids including enclaves of mafic igneous rocks and of gneisses. They are commonly called the “anatectic complex of Palimé–Amlamé” and without any convincing data, they were interpreted either as synkinematic Pan-African granitoids or as reworked pre Pan-African plutons. New field and petrological observations, mineral and whole-rock chemical analyses together with U–Pb zircon dating, have been performed to evaluate the geodynamic significance of the PAP within the Pan-African orogenic belt. With regard to these new data, the granitoids and related enclaves probably result from mixing and mingling processes between mafic and silicic magmas from respectively mantle and lower crust sources. They display Mg–calc-alkaline chemical features and present some similarities with Late Archaean granites such as transitional (K-rich) TTGs and sanukitoids.

The 2127 ± 2 Ma age obtained from a precise U/Pb concordia on zircon, points out a Paleoproterozoic age for the magma crystallization and a lower intercept at 625 ± 29 Ma interpreted as rejuvenation during Pan-African tectonics and metamorphism. Based on these results, a Pan-African syn to late orogenic setting for the PAP, i.e. the so-called “anatectic complex of Palimé–Amlamé”, can be definitively ruled out. Moreover according to its location within the nappe pile and its relationships with the suture zone, the PAP probably represents a fragment of the West African Craton reactivated during the Pan-African collision.     

BEEKEEPING AND LOCAL SELF-RELIANCE IN RURAL SOUTHERN AFRICA*

ABSTRACT. Beekeeping has the potential to supplement incomes in rural southern Africa. In light of regional economic constraints, self-reliance strategies that draw on local knowledge and skills take on a renewed importance. We consider the advantages and disadvantages of beekeeping and examine appropriate forms of development support. A short case study from Zimbabwe illustrates these issues.