The spatial footprint of the non-ferrous metal industry in Lubumbashi

in Tropicultura (in press)

In the south-eastern part of the Katanga Province (Democratic Republic of the Congo), high concentrations of copper and cobalt are found in the soils of the well-known “Copper Belt”. Due to the dominant ... [more ▼]

In the south-eastern part of the Katanga Province (Democratic Republic of the Congo), high concentrations of copper and cobalt are found in the soils of the well-known “Copper Belt”. Due to the dominant south-eastern winds, the metallurgic industry in Lubumbashi has been the source of spatially concentrated atmospheric deposits of non-ferrous metal particles and associated substances in a cone-shaped zone, situated north-west of the metal processing site. The existence of this zone has been evidenced using two different techniques: firstly, by means of landscape metric comparisons of the vegetation and bare soil patterns in two study areas, one inside the pollution cone and one outside; secondly, by means of the theory on city perception developed by Kevin Lynch. Higher fragmentation and lower vegetation presence were observed inside the pollution cone, reflecting the negative impact of atmospheric deposits. Those differences were higher for sites closer to the emission source. Lynch’s approach outlined the negative impact of diverse industrial plants on the perception by the local population. Six pollution districts and several contaminated paths, limits, nodes and polluting landmarks were identified. Citizens even recognize them as part of the collective image of the city. [less ▲]

Anthropisation des paysages: Structure spatiale, impact écologique, entropie

Poster (2012, February 29)

Structural and thermodynamic applications of entropy related to spatial heterogeneity under growing anthropogenic pressure have been examined. 16 zones from classified LANDSAT TM scenes presenting ... [more ▼]

Structural and thermodynamic applications of entropy related to spatial heterogeneity under growing anthropogenic pressure have been examined. 16 zones from classified LANDSAT TM scenes presenting different anthropogenic effect intensities have been used. Anthropogenic effects, compositional and configurational entropy have been measured. The scatter plot shows bell curves with maximal entropy at intermediate anthropogenic effects. Distinction of natural and anthropogenic classes shows opposed tendencies according to class and compositional/configurational type. These results have been interpreted as spatial transformation processes, energy production and release, and linked to the habitat heterogeneity and intermediate disturbance hypotheses. [less ▲]

PHYTOSTABILISATION OF COPPER-CONTAMINATED SOIL IN KATANGA: AN EXPERIMENT WITH THREE NATIVE GRASSES AND TWO AMENDMENTS

in International Journal of Phytoremediation (2010), 12(6), 616-632

This study evaluates the feasibility of using the grass species Rendlia altera, Monocymbium ceresiiforme, Cynodon dactylon and amendments (compost and lime) for the phytostabilisation of soils ... [more ▼]

This study evaluates the feasibility of using the grass species Rendlia altera, Monocymbium ceresiiforme, Cynodon dactylon and amendments (compost and lime) for the phytostabilisation of soils contaminated by Cu in the province of Katanga (Democratic Republic of Congo). Species were grown on control and Cu-contaminated plots (artificially contaminated with 2,500 mg kg-1 Cu) unamended (NA), amended with 4.5 kg compost m-2 or 0.2 kg lime m-2. R. altera was also grown on contaminated plots amended with 22.5 kg compost m-2 or 1 kg lime m-2. Plant survival, growth and reproduction were monitored for two years. Cu-concentration in leaves of R. altera and M. ceresiiforme were analysed. pH and extractable Cu (0.01 M CaCl2) in soil were analysed in April 2007 and 2008. Results showed that R. altera seems to be the best candidate because of its highest survival on NA, followed by M. ceresiiforme, while liming was necessary to ensure survival of C. dactylon. Lime increased plant reproduction and reduced Cu accumulation in leaves compared to compost. However, higher survival and number of spikes of R. altera obtained in experiment 2 with 22.5 kg compost m-2 suggest that lime x compost interactions should be investigated in further studies. [less ▲]