M. Agric. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg 2014. | While South Africa may be food secure as a country, large numbers of households within the country, particularly female-headed households, are food insecure. Unequal distribution of agricultural production resources between men and women has been identified as one of the main causes of household food insecurity in developing countries. However, information on how the social, economic, cultural and institutional factors affect access to production resources across household head’s gender is limited. Therefore, this study set out to understand the disparities in women’s access to land and water resources and, how these differences impact the food security status of different households. A random sample of 159 households was selected in Msinga local municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. Data were analysed using both descriptive statistics and econometric analysis (OLS, Tobit, binary and ordered logit models). The study results indicated that gender of the household head determines access to land, perceived water and land security, and household food security. The results indicated that female-headed households always have smaller sizes of land and their frequency of access to irrigation water is less than that of male-headed households. This implies that there is gender discrimination against women with regards to access to production resources, which leads to their worsened food insecurity. Marital status was also found to be an important determinant of households’ access to both land and water, implying that women gain or improve their access to resources through marriage. The Tobit model results indicated that land access was also influenced by factors such as the source of land and livestock head size. Water access was also determined by age of the household head, membership to farmer associations, irrigation type and extension services. Results indicate that level of education, water security and access to irrigation improved household food security. Therefore, there is need for a multifaceted approach, where some interventions will improve access to water security while others will improve land security. Improved water security improves food security via its impact on irrigation. Moreover, women should be empowered through farming education, opening formal job opportunities and access to support services such as extension, credit and farming inputs to close the gender gap.

The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of food shortage on growth performance, by means 24 of energetic reserves (proteins, glycogen and lipids) mobilization and hepatopancreas cells 25 analysis in C. quadricarinatus juveniles maintained in groups, as well as the effect on culture 26 water quality. Two experiments were performed, each of them with two feeding regimes during 27 45 days. The Control feeding regime, in which crayfish were fed daily (once a day) throughout 28 the experimental period (DF), and the Cyclic feeding regime, in which juveniles were fed for 2 or 29 4 days (once a day) followed by 2 or 4 days of food deprivation (2F/2D and 4F/4D, respectively) 30 in repeated cycles. Cyclic feeding influenced growth, biochemical composition from 31 hepatopancreas and muscle, and water quality. Juveniles cyclically fed were unable to maintain a 32 normal growth trajectory during 45 days. Apparent feed conversion ratio, apparent protein 33 efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index and relative pleon mass were similar in cyclic and daily fed 34 animals and no structural damage was found in the hepatopancreas of juveniles subjected to 35 cyclic feeding. The novelty of this study was the significant accumulation of proteins in pleonal 36 muscle in both cyclic feeding regimes (~18%) suggesting that the storage of this constitutive 37 material during food shortage may be an adaptation for a compensatory growth when food 38 becomes abundant again. The cyclic feeding regimes had a positive effect on water quality 39 decreasing inorganic nitrogen concentration. This was due to the reduction in the amount of 40 animal excretes and feces in the group that received ~50% less feed. Additionally, water pH was 41 higher in cyclic feeding tanks, as a result of lower organic matter decomposition and consequent 42 release of CO2. Accordingly, total ammonia in the water was significantly lower for the cyclic 43 feeding regimes compared to their respective controls. This study suggests that the protocol of 44 cyclic feeding could be applied at least 45 days in 1 g juveniles maintained in group conditions, 45 3 without affecting the energetic reserves and hepatopancreas structure, emphasizing the high 46 tolerance of this species to food restriction. | Fil: Stumpf, Liane. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción y Crecimiento de Crustáceos Decápodos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina | Fil: Castillo Díaz, Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción y Crecimiento de Crustáceos Decápodos; Argentina | Fil: Viau, Veronica Elizabeth. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción y Crecimiento de Crustáceos Decápodos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina | Fil: Valenti, Wagner C.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil | Fil: Lopez, Laura Susana. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción y Crecimiento de Crustáceos Decápodos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina

A simple and highly sensitive separation and preconcentration procedure, which has minimal impact on the environment, has been developed. The procedure is based on the carrier element‐free coprecipitation of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions by using 2‐{4‐[2‐(1H‐Indol‐3‐yl)ethyl]‐3‐(4‐chlorobenzyl)‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl}‐N′‐(pyrrol‐2‐ylmethyliden)acetohydrazide (ICOTPA), as an organic coprecipitant. The levels of analyte ions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limits for Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions were found to be 0.27 and 0.58 μg L⁻¹, respectively, and the relative standard deviations for the analyte ions were lower than 4.0%. Spike tests and certified reference material analyses were performed to validate the method. The method was successfully applied for the determination of Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions levels in sea and stream water as liquid samples and red lentil and rice as solid samples.

Options were explored for fulfilling the legally required safety assessment for a widely applied epoxy/amine coating used for restoring corroded domestic drinking water supply systems. The coating was made up of two components mixed shortly before application, the first mainly consisting of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), the second of various amines. The analytically identified starting substances were all authorised, but only constituted a small proportion of the low molecular mass material left after curing and potentially migrating into water. Reaction products synthesised from constituents of the starting components (expected oligomers) could not be eluted from GC even after derivatisation, indicating that standard GC-MS screening would miss most potential migrants. They were detectable by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) after acetylation. HPLC with MS or fluorescence detection was possible for constituents including a BADGE moiety, but phenalkamines could not be detected with adequate sensitivity. Possibilities for determining long-term migration relevant for chronic toxicity are discussed. Analysis in water shortly after application of the coating overestimates migration if migration decreases over time and requires detection limits far out of reach. Analysis of a solvent extract of the coating is easier and provides an upper estimate of what could migrate into the drinking water over the years. However, to satisfy the regulatory requirements, components of the complex mixture need to be identified at lower proportions than those accessible. In vitro testing of the whole mixture for genotoxicity is expected to fail because of the required sensitivity and the glycidyl functions probably wrongly resulting in positive tests. The difficulties in dealing with this situation are discussed.

The Maltese Islands food-water-energy nexus faces substantial challenges. These include increasing levels of land fragmentation and abandonment, an aging farming population and decreasing returns possible for remaining, often part-time, farmers. Demand for high quality, locally produced vegetables and seafood from natives, tourists and migrants continues to increase while production shrinks in the context of a rich traditional food culture. The country’s aquaculture sector also faces serious obstacles with exports facing tough competition and the tuna fattening industry dwindling because of reduced quotas. Water resources are also very scarce. Malta has no lakes or rivers and ground water is becoming increasingly brackish because of over-extraction, In terms of water resources per inhabitant, Malta is the most water stressed country in Europe and one of the ten most water-short countries in the world. Domestic supply of water is highly dependent on desalinization – an energy intensive process. Moreover, 90% of groundwater is of poor status and unfit for drinking because of nitrate pollution. This paper uses Malta as a case study to scope the potential of aquaponics to meet the complex demands of an economy with a high standard of living but extreme water-scarcity. Aquaponics – a closed cycle, soil-less method of cultivating crops that is highly water efficient and can reuse the limited effluents from intensive fish culture as a nutrient source, is assessed.

This paper describes a novel sorbent based on 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol functionalised magnetic nanoparticles and its application for the extraction and pre-concentration of trace amounts of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions. The nanosorbent was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, thermal analysis, elemental analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of various parameters such as pH, sorption time, sorbent dosage, elution time, volume and concentration of eluent were investigated. Following the sorption and elution of analytes, Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions were quantified by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The limits of detection were 0.07 and 0.7 μg l ⁻¹ for Cu(II) and Pb(II), respectively. The relative standard deviations of the method were less than 7%. The sorption capacity of this new sorbent were 92 and 78 mg g ⁻¹ for Cu(II) and Pb(II), respectively. Finally this nanosorbent was applied to the rapid extraction of trace quantities of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions in different real samples and satisfactory results were obtained.

The In Conversation video series brings to light the range of development research carried out by IDRC's partners, through short interviews with project teams. | French version available in IDRC Digital Library: Entretien avec Munir Ahmad : comment les changements climatiques locaux se répercutent-ils sur la sécurité hydrique et alimentaire au Pakistan? | How are water and food security in Pakistan being affected by changes in the local climate? Munir Ahmad from the Pakistan Institute for Development Economics (PIDE) is leading a project that looks at the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity in Pakistan, and explores how farming communities are adapting in response.

with 09 fish farms authorized by the corresponding entity to produce a total of between 2 to 50 metric tons per year (smaller scale), which make use of the balanced food for the feeding of the fish in the entire production process, food that currently found in the local market in its different presentations. Through this research work was able to ascertain the degree concentration of total suspended solids in the water that is used in the fish raising, solids to be increased by the use of balanced food in the productiva process; todo this from the total of fish farms authorized leve! of smaller scale is proceeded to monitor the resource water by placing two monitoring stations for each fish-breeding farm evaluated (four farms in total), one of the income of the water to the fishbreeding farm and another in the center of the pond that is in production; the frequency of monitoring were with thirty days intervals by a time of four consecutiva months. For the fish farms assessed selection it was taken into account criteria such as location, entry and exit of independent water, production leve!, the activity authorization, production start, and use the 1 00% balanced food in the productiva process. The results obtained tells us that food supply extruzado balanced in the power of the activity of raising fish in ponds controlled is increasing, in the present account with 09 fish farms authorized by the corresponding entity to produce a total of between 2 to 50 metric tons per year (smaller scale), which make use of the balahced food for the fish feeding in the entire production process, food that currently found in the local market in its different presentations. Through this research work was able to ascertain the degree concentration of total suspended solids in the water that is used in the raising of fish, solids to be increased by the use of balanced food in the productiva process; to do this from the total of fish farms authorized level·of smaller scale· is proceeded to monitor the resource water by placing two monitoring stations for each fishbreeding farm evaluated (Four farms in total), one of the income of the water to the fishbreeding farm and another in the center of the pond that is in production; the frequency of monitoring were with thirty days intervals by a time of four consecutiva montlls. For the. selectio.n of fish fariXIS assessed it was. taken into. · account criteria such as location, entry and exit of independent water, production level, authorization of the activity, start of production, and use the 100% balanced food in the productiva process. The results obtained tells us that food supply extruzado balanced in the hydro biological species diet of fish farms assessed increases the solids in suspension in 54.49 ppm to 202.38 ppm what percentage represents a 371 %. The average value equivalent to 202.38 does not exceed the Environmental Quality Standards for Water Conservation of jungle that is 400 ppm, established by the environment Ministry. The presence of suspended solids in the ponds supply product of balanced food leads us to establish possible negative environmental | La actividad de crianza de peces en estanques controlados se viene incrementando, en la actualidad cuenta con 09 Granjas Piscícolas Autorizadas por la entidad correspondiente para producir un total de entre 2 a 50 Toneladas Métricas al Año (Menor Escala), los cuales hacen uso del alimento balanceado para la alimentación de los peces en todo el proceso productivo, alimento que en la actualidad lo encontramos en el mercado local en sus diferentes presentaciones. Mediante el presente trabajo de investigación se logró determinar el grado concentración de Sólidos Totales Suspendidos en el agua que es usado en la crianza de peces, sólidos que se va incrementado por el uso de alimento balanceado en el proceso productivo; para ello del total de granjas piscícolas autorizadas de nivel de Menor Escala se procedió a monitorear el recurso agua ubicando dos estaciones de monitoreo por cada granja piscícola evaluada (cuatro granjas en total), uno al ingreso del agua a la granja piscícola y otro en el centro del estanque que se encuentra en producción; la frecuencia de monitoreo fueron con intervalos de treinta días por un tiempo de cuatro meses consecutivos. Para la selección de las granjas piscícolas evaluadas se tuvo en cuenta criterios como ubicación, ingreso y salida de agua independiente, nivel de producción, autorización de la actividad, inicio de producción, y uso al 100% de alimento balanceado en el proceso productivo. Los resultados obtenidos nos indica que suministro de alimento balanceado extruzado en la alimentación de las especies hidrobiológicas de las granjas piscícolas evaluadas incrementa los Sólidos en Suspensión de 54.49 ppm a 202.38 ppm lo que representa de manera porcentual un 371%. El valor promedio equivalente de 202.38 no sobrepasa los Estándares de Calidad Ambiental para Conservación de Agua de Selva que es de 400 ppm, establecidos por el Ministerio del Ambiente. La presencia de sólidos suspendidos en los estanques producto del suministro de alimento balanceado nos conlleva a establecer posibles impactos ambientales negativos como la reducción del oxígeno disuelto, incremento del contenido orgánico, generando condiciones no adecuadas para el crecimiento. | Tesis