Macroinvertebrate colonisation of macroplastic litter in minimally disturbed river sites, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Ali, Andrew A, Akamagwuna, Frank C, Nnadozie, Chika F, Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Authors: Ali, Andrew A , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Nnadozie, Chika F , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2025
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484474 , vital:78916 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-024-10159-6
- Description: Macroplastic pollution remains a growing global environmental concern, and our understanding of its interaction with aquatic organisms is underdeveloped. It is also less clear how hydraulic biotopes influence macroinvertebrates colonisation of macroplastic relative to natural substrates. We investigated temporal and spatial patterns of macroinvertebrate colonisation on macroplastic litters in contrasting stream hydraulic biotopes (riffle, pool, and run) in minimally impacted headwater streams of Eastern Cape, South Africa. Plastic substrates of different proportions of natural and plastic litter were deployed across four sites. The Substrate group included 100% natural substrates (NS), 50% natural material and 50% plastic litters (NP), and 100% plastic (PD) litters. Each substrate group was deployed in riffle, pool, and run habitats for six months at each site.
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- Authors: Ali, Andrew A , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Nnadozie, Chika F , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2025
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484474 , vital:78916 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-024-10159-6
- Description: Macroplastic pollution remains a growing global environmental concern, and our understanding of its interaction with aquatic organisms is underdeveloped. It is also less clear how hydraulic biotopes influence macroinvertebrates colonisation of macroplastic relative to natural substrates. We investigated temporal and spatial patterns of macroinvertebrate colonisation on macroplastic litters in contrasting stream hydraulic biotopes (riffle, pool, and run) in minimally impacted headwater streams of Eastern Cape, South Africa. Plastic substrates of different proportions of natural and plastic litter were deployed across four sites. The Substrate group included 100% natural substrates (NS), 50% natural material and 50% plastic litters (NP), and 100% plastic (PD) litters. Each substrate group was deployed in riffle, pool, and run habitats for six months at each site.
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Trends and geographic distribution of bacterial zoonoses in veterinary cases in the Eastern Cape: A ten-year retrospective analysis
- Nnadozie, Chika F, Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Authors: Nnadozie, Chika F , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2025
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484518 , vital:78920 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102738
- Description: Diseases affecting livestock can have ripple effects on surrounding ecosystems, especially by contaminating water sources. Their occurrence poses significant public health issues, especially in areas such as the Eastern Cape province in South Africa, susceptible to climatic variations and where people and animals often share water sources, increasing the risk of transmission of waterborne zoonoses. Waterborne zoonoses are infectious diseases caused by zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic helminths transmitted from animals through the aquatic environment to humans and vice versa. Tracking zoonoses in livestock is an early indicator of potential contamination of water sources used by animals and humans. This study analysed trends in prevalence of water-transmissible bacterial zoonoses over ten years, identifying the most frequently recorded zoonoses, their geographical distribution, and determining the animal species most commonly associated with these diseases.
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- Authors: Nnadozie, Chika F , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2025
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484518 , vital:78920 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jiph.2025.102738
- Description: Diseases affecting livestock can have ripple effects on surrounding ecosystems, especially by contaminating water sources. Their occurrence poses significant public health issues, especially in areas such as the Eastern Cape province in South Africa, susceptible to climatic variations and where people and animals often share water sources, increasing the risk of transmission of waterborne zoonoses. Waterborne zoonoses are infectious diseases caused by zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasitic helminths transmitted from animals through the aquatic environment to humans and vice versa. Tracking zoonoses in livestock is an early indicator of potential contamination of water sources used by animals and humans. This study analysed trends in prevalence of water-transmissible bacterial zoonoses over ten years, identifying the most frequently recorded zoonoses, their geographical distribution, and determining the animal species most commonly associated with these diseases.
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Perceptions and knowledge of ecosystem services in urban river systems, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Mack, Elizabeth A, Akamagwuna, Frank C, Murata, Chenai, Materechera-Mitochi, Fenji, Nnadozie, Chika F, Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Authors: Mack, Elizabeth A , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Murata, Chenai , Materechera-Mitochi, Fenji , Nnadozie, Chika F , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484496 , vital:78918 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01562-w
- Description: The ecosystem services concept has been studied in rural contexts but not as much in urban landscapes, particularly for aquatic ecosystems in Africa. There is little knowledge of how people perceive ecosystem services (ES) supplied by rivers in urban centres and the factors influencing their perceptions. To fill this gap, the research presented here addresses two objectives: 1) to assess local communities’ perception and knowledge of different types of ecosystem services of an urban river in South Africa, 2) to assess the influence of particular demographic characteristics (age and gender), socio-economic characteristics (education, housing type, income, and years of residence), and prior knowledge of the ecosystem services concept on people’s perception of the ecosystem services provided by the Swartkops River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. To address these objectives, a team of ten trained field staff collected 181 surveys between May–June 2021 in communities within the river catchment. We used multinomial logit models to analyse the relationships between demographic and socio-economic variables, and people’s perception of ecosystem services.
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- Authors: Mack, Elizabeth A , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Murata, Chenai , Materechera-Mitochi, Fenji , Nnadozie, Chika F , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484496 , vital:78918 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-024-01562-w
- Description: The ecosystem services concept has been studied in rural contexts but not as much in urban landscapes, particularly for aquatic ecosystems in Africa. There is little knowledge of how people perceive ecosystem services (ES) supplied by rivers in urban centres and the factors influencing their perceptions. To fill this gap, the research presented here addresses two objectives: 1) to assess local communities’ perception and knowledge of different types of ecosystem services of an urban river in South Africa, 2) to assess the influence of particular demographic characteristics (age and gender), socio-economic characteristics (education, housing type, income, and years of residence), and prior knowledge of the ecosystem services concept on people’s perception of the ecosystem services provided by the Swartkops River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. To address these objectives, a team of ten trained field staff collected 181 surveys between May–June 2021 in communities within the river catchment. We used multinomial logit models to analyse the relationships between demographic and socio-economic variables, and people’s perception of ecosystem services.
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Spatiotemporal variations in the occurrence of Campylobacter species in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Chibwe, Mary, Odume, Oghenekaro N, Nnadozie, Chika F
- Authors: Chibwe, Mary , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Nnadozie, Chika F
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484507 , vital:78919 , 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28774
- Description: An increase in the incidence of Campylobacter species in rivers raises concerns on the safety of river water for humans who get exposed to river water. This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of Campylobacter species in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers, analysing patterns of its occurrence in relation to meteorological conditions, physicochemical parameters, seasons, and sampling sites. Physico-chemical parameters and meteorological conditions were measured during water sampling from various sites along the rivers over a year, while Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was utilised to detect Campylobacter genus-specific genes and selected antibiotic-resistant genes.
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- Authors: Chibwe, Mary , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Nnadozie, Chika F
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484507 , vital:78919 , 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28774
- Description: An increase in the incidence of Campylobacter species in rivers raises concerns on the safety of river water for humans who get exposed to river water. This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of Campylobacter species in the Bloukrans and Swartkops rivers, analysing patterns of its occurrence in relation to meteorological conditions, physicochemical parameters, seasons, and sampling sites. Physico-chemical parameters and meteorological conditions were measured during water sampling from various sites along the rivers over a year, while Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was utilised to detect Campylobacter genus-specific genes and selected antibiotic-resistant genes.
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Stakeholder contestations of water quality use and management in the Vaal Barrage catchment
- Odume, Oghenekaro N, Chili, Asanda, Nnadozie, Chika F, Slaughter, Andrew R
- Authors: Odume, Oghenekaro N , Chili, Asanda , Nnadozie, Chika F , Slaughter, Andrew R
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480606 , vital:78459 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-sajsci-v120-n9-a18
- Description: The water resources within the lower section of the Upper Vaal catchment, where the Vaal Barrage is situated, are highly utilised and developed, and water quality regulation has become a contested space between resource users and the regulators. The credibility and scientific defensibility of discharge standards in water-use licences (WULs), the relationship between upstream and downstream waste loads, the relationship between flows and water quality standards in WUL, and the water quality components of the resource quality objectives (RQOs) are being contested. This study explores the perceptions and motivations underlying these contestations as a contribution to scientific understanding of water quality management in a highly developed system. Perceived unrealistic RQOs, perceived lack of scientific credibility of the methods for deriving water quality standards in WUL, data inadequacy, as well as poor institutional capacity were identified as the top motivations for contesting applicable regulatory instruments in the catchment. Punitive measures, incentives, and education and awareness-raising were identified as key to accelerating compliance. Overall, this paper contributes to our general understanding of the intricacies of water quality management within a contested space.
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- Authors: Odume, Oghenekaro N , Chili, Asanda , Nnadozie, Chika F , Slaughter, Andrew R
- Date: 2024
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/480606 , vital:78459 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-sajsci-v120-n9-a18
- Description: The water resources within the lower section of the Upper Vaal catchment, where the Vaal Barrage is situated, are highly utilised and developed, and water quality regulation has become a contested space between resource users and the regulators. The credibility and scientific defensibility of discharge standards in water-use licences (WULs), the relationship between upstream and downstream waste loads, the relationship between flows and water quality standards in WUL, and the water quality components of the resource quality objectives (RQOs) are being contested. This study explores the perceptions and motivations underlying these contestations as a contribution to scientific understanding of water quality management in a highly developed system. Perceived unrealistic RQOs, perceived lack of scientific credibility of the methods for deriving water quality standards in WUL, data inadequacy, as well as poor institutional capacity were identified as the top motivations for contesting applicable regulatory instruments in the catchment. Punitive measures, incentives, and education and awareness-raising were identified as key to accelerating compliance. Overall, this paper contributes to our general understanding of the intricacies of water quality management within a contested space.
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A critical review of environmental factors influencing the transport dynamics of microplastics in riverine systems: implications for ecological studies
- Owowenu, Enahora K, Nnadozie, Chika F, Akamagwuna, Frank C, Noundou, Xavier S, Uku, Jude E, Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Authors: Owowenu, Enahora K , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Uku, Jude E , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484452 , vital:78907 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-023-10029-7
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) in rivers present an ecological risk. In this paper, we review hydro-geomorphological, biological, and allochthonous factors that may influence the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems. We also review MPs characteristics that may impact their distribution and transport. At the reach scale, hydraulic biotopes and their key features such as flow velocity, bed roughness, depth, and channel morphology are important features that shape the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems and should be considered in the design of MPs studies. Microbial-MPs interaction may impact MPs density, aggregation and thus transport dynamics. Instream vegetation may act as a physical trap of MPs, which may impact their horizontal transport and aggregation. Lateral transport of MPs is impacted mostly by precipitation, run-off, point and non-point discharges. The polymer density, size and shapes of MPs are critical factors that influence their transport dynamics in riverine systems. Microplastic sampling protocols should be designed to reflect hydro-geomorphological considerations. The unique interaction of MPs physical characteristics and hydraulic biotopes creates differential exposure of riverine organisms to MPs and should be used to unravel potential impacts. Biomonitoring studies should integrate the complex MPs-hydraulic interaction for ecologically meaningful investigation into organismal exposure to MPs in their preferred biotopes. Overall, our review indicates the influences of hydro-geomorphological features on the transport dynamics of MPs and their ecological significance for the study of MPs in rivers.
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- Authors: Owowenu, Enahora K , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Uku, Jude E , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484452 , vital:78907 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-023-10029-7
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) in rivers present an ecological risk. In this paper, we review hydro-geomorphological, biological, and allochthonous factors that may influence the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems. We also review MPs characteristics that may impact their distribution and transport. At the reach scale, hydraulic biotopes and their key features such as flow velocity, bed roughness, depth, and channel morphology are important features that shape the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems and should be considered in the design of MPs studies. Microbial-MPs interaction may impact MPs density, aggregation and thus transport dynamics. Instream vegetation may act as a physical trap of MPs, which may impact their horizontal transport and aggregation. Lateral transport of MPs is impacted mostly by precipitation, run-off, point and non-point discharges. The polymer density, size and shapes of MPs are critical factors that influence their transport dynamics in riverine systems. Microplastic sampling protocols should be designed to reflect hydro-geomorphological considerations. The unique interaction of MPs physical characteristics and hydraulic biotopes creates differential exposure of riverine organisms to MPs and should be used to unravel potential impacts. Biomonitoring studies should integrate the complex MPs-hydraulic interaction for ecologically meaningful investigation into organismal exposure to MPs in their preferred biotopes. Overall, our review indicates the influences of hydro-geomorphological features on the transport dynamics of MPs and their ecological significance for the study of MPs in rivers.
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A review of antibiotic resistance among Campylobacter species in human, animal, and water sources in South Africa: a One Health Approach
- Chibwe, Mary, Odume, Oghenekaro N, Nnadozie, Chika F
- Authors: Chibwe, Mary , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Nnadozie, Chika F
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484622 , vital:78977 , https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2022.146
- Description: Campylobacter species are among the aetiological agents responsible for 400–500 million human diarrhoea cases per annum. The risk of dissemination of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter species between humans, animals, and the environment is anticipated, given its transmissibility through these sources. The objective of this paper is to present a situation analysis that reports the current patterns and determinants of Campylobacter antibiotic resistance in South Africa. This review applies the One Health (OH) Approach to systematically review and collate the current antibiotic resistance status among Campylobacter spp. in South Africa.
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- Authors: Chibwe, Mary , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Nnadozie, Chika F
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484622 , vital:78977 , https://doi.org/10.2166/wh.2022.146
- Description: Campylobacter species are among the aetiological agents responsible for 400–500 million human diarrhoea cases per annum. The risk of dissemination of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter species between humans, animals, and the environment is anticipated, given its transmissibility through these sources. The objective of this paper is to present a situation analysis that reports the current patterns and determinants of Campylobacter antibiotic resistance in South Africa. This review applies the One Health (OH) Approach to systematically review and collate the current antibiotic resistance status among Campylobacter spp. in South Africa.
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Assessment of risk of exposure to Campylobacter species and their antibiotic-resistant genes from selected rivers in the eastern cape, South Africa
- Chibwe, Mary, Odume, Oghenekaro N, Nnadozie, Chika F
- Authors: Chibwe, Mary , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Nnadozie, Chika F
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484463 , vital:78908 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122625
- Description: Contaminated rivers play a critical role in the transmission of Campylobacter and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in many parts of the world. South Africa is a water-scarce country which relies on its freshwater systems such as rivers for recreation, irrigation, and domestic activities. This study assesses the potential human exposure to Campylobacter and its ARGs from rivers through the ingestion route in two South African rivers. The concentration of viable Campylobacter and ARGs in selected rivers was determined using quantitative PCR. The concentrations were then used to estimate the number of gene copies a person could ingest after swimming in the contaminated water for 1 h (intake burden).
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- Authors: Chibwe, Mary , Odume, Oghenekaro N , Nnadozie, Chika F
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484463 , vital:78908 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122625
- Description: Contaminated rivers play a critical role in the transmission of Campylobacter and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in many parts of the world. South Africa is a water-scarce country which relies on its freshwater systems such as rivers for recreation, irrigation, and domestic activities. This study assesses the potential human exposure to Campylobacter and its ARGs from rivers through the ingestion route in two South African rivers. The concentration of viable Campylobacter and ARGs in selected rivers was determined using quantitative PCR. The concentrations were then used to estimate the number of gene copies a person could ingest after swimming in the contaminated water for 1 h (intake burden).
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Microplastics as vectors of chemical contaminants and biological agents in freshwater ecosystems: Current knowledge status and future perspectives
- Tumwesigye, Edgar, Nnadozie, Chika F, Akamagwuna, Frank C, Noundou, Xavier S, Nyakairu, George W A, Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Authors: Tumwesigye, Edgar , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Nyakairu, George W A , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484484 , vital:78917 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121829
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) are becoming ubiquitous, and their environmental fate is becoming an issue of concern. Our review aims to synthesize current knowledge status and provide future perspectives regarding the vector effect of MPs for chemical contaminants and biological agents. The evidence in the literature indicates that MPs are a vector for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and pharmaceuticals. Concentrations of chemical contaminant in orders of six-fold higher on MPs surfaces than in the surrounding environmental waters have been reported. Chemical pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PAFSs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), exhibiting polarities in the range of 3.3–9 are the commonest chemicals reported on MP surfaces. Regarding metals on MPs including chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), the presence of C–O and N–H in MPs promote a relatively high adsorption of these metals onto MP surfaces. Regarding pharmaceuticals, not much has been done, but a few studies indicate that commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen have been associated with MPs. There is sufficient evidence supporting the claim that MPs can act as vectors for viruses, bacterial and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, and MPs act to accelerate horizontal and vertical gene transfer. An area that deserves urgent attention is whether MPs can act as vectors for invertebrates and vertebrates, mainly non-native, invasive freshwater species. Despite the ecological significance of invasive biology, little research has been done in this regard. Overall, our review summarises the state of the current knowledge, identifies critical research gaps and provides perspectives for future research.
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- Authors: Tumwesigye, Edgar , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Nyakairu, George W A , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484484 , vital:78917 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121829
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) are becoming ubiquitous, and their environmental fate is becoming an issue of concern. Our review aims to synthesize current knowledge status and provide future perspectives regarding the vector effect of MPs for chemical contaminants and biological agents. The evidence in the literature indicates that MPs are a vector for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and pharmaceuticals. Concentrations of chemical contaminant in orders of six-fold higher on MPs surfaces than in the surrounding environmental waters have been reported. Chemical pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PAFSs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), exhibiting polarities in the range of 3.3–9 are the commonest chemicals reported on MP surfaces. Regarding metals on MPs including chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), the presence of C–O and N–H in MPs promote a relatively high adsorption of these metals onto MP surfaces. Regarding pharmaceuticals, not much has been done, but a few studies indicate that commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen have been associated with MPs. There is sufficient evidence supporting the claim that MPs can act as vectors for viruses, bacterial and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, and MPs act to accelerate horizontal and vertical gene transfer. An area that deserves urgent attention is whether MPs can act as vectors for invertebrates and vertebrates, mainly non-native, invasive freshwater species. Despite the ecological significance of invasive biology, little research has been done in this regard. Overall, our review summarises the state of the current knowledge, identifies critical research gaps and provides perspectives for future research.
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