An assessment of the impact of the black village communities, their associated land-use and related practices on water quality of the Kat River in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Soviti, Malixole Knottien
- Date: 2002 , 2013-05-16
- Subjects: Water quality -- South Africa -- Kat River , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004638 , Water quality -- South Africa -- Kat River , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Amongst others, the South African National Water Act No. 36 of 1998 acknowledges that access to sufficient safe and clean water is a basic right to all South Africans. However, it is well known that millions of inhabitants of rural communities in South Africa are still deprived of this right. Many rural communities in South Africa are thus consuming unsafe, untreated water everyday, thereby exposing themselves to waterborne diseases. The main reason of concern however is the fact that, nevertheless, little is known about rural water quality in South Africa as most water quality work is being undertaken in urban areas. The study's aim is twofold: first, the study examines the impact of Black rural communities' land-use and related activities on water quality and second is specifically, to study the washing practices of the rural communities in the upper Kat River area. To understand the potential impacts of the upper Kat River Black village communities and their associated land-use practices on the quality of upper Kat River catchment, prominent land-use and related activities in the area were investigated. Study area maps were studied and field surveys undertaken to observe major land-use and related activities in the area. The results of the study show that most used land in the area is being utilised for agricultural activities. Settlements and commercial forestry also occupy considerable areas of land. The literature survey suggests that such land-use could have a considerable degrading impact on the quality of both surface and groundwater. The study also investigated the impact of the in-stream use of detergents on water quality in the upper Kat River valley, Eastern Cape - South Africa. In-stream washing practices of certain communities in the upper Kat River valley were investigated and the impact of detergents on water quality was assessed. Recovery of the flow from the input of detergents was also measured. During the study, it has been ascertained that doing laundry by the stream is the common practice in the study area. Water quality analysis results show a remarkable increase on the levels of chloride, turbidity, and electrical conductivity in water as a consequence of direct input of detergents practice into the river during the washing. The recovery of the water quality at a distance of 1km from site of input was almost complete. Water quality monitoring programme was undertaken to establish a link between land-use and the quality of water. In a water quality study routine carried out for a period of 40 weeks on a twice monthly frequency, the state of the flows of the river was determined; water samples were collected at pre-determined points; and the in situ analysis of selected water quality variables (with the exception of the faecal coliforms whose analysis was carried out in the biotechnology laboratory) was carried out. Results of the study showed that the concentration of the studied water quality variables in the area varied widely with time. A clear distinction in concentration of variables such as electrical conductivity, turbidity, pH, total hardness, chloride, and nitrate was evident at the high compared to the low flow period of the study. The concentration of the studied water quality variables in the upper Kat River catchment area also seemed to vary over space. The concentration of variables such as electrical conductivity, pH, total hardness, chloride, nitrate, potassium, number of faecal coliform bacteria per 100ml was observed to be higher in most of the tributary streams than the main river. Turbidity however was orders of magnitude higher in the Kat River than the rest of the tributaries. Most importantly however, results of the study showed that there is a strong link between the quality of water and land-use and related activities in the area. The spatial results of the study showed a strong connection between some land-use and the concentrations of water quality variables. For example, areas of intense grazing were noted with high concentrations of nutrients like nitrate and a higher number of faecal coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water. It was established during the study that land-use and related activities in the upper Kat River valley are negatively impacting on the quality of water thereby rendering it less fit for use for domestic purposes. The continued use of the polluted water by the communities is thus accompanied by a danger of the outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera. When the concerned communities met in a workshop to discuss the issue of quality of their water, they committed themselves to: • shunning water polluting activities, • at least boiling their drinking water before consuming it. The communities also requested a meeting with the Department of Water and Forestry officials to request a treated, piped supply of water. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Soviti, Malixole Knottien
- Date: 2002 , 2013-05-16
- Subjects: Water quality -- South Africa -- Kat River , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4810 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004638 , Water quality -- South Africa -- Kat River , Water -- Pollution -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: Amongst others, the South African National Water Act No. 36 of 1998 acknowledges that access to sufficient safe and clean water is a basic right to all South Africans. However, it is well known that millions of inhabitants of rural communities in South Africa are still deprived of this right. Many rural communities in South Africa are thus consuming unsafe, untreated water everyday, thereby exposing themselves to waterborne diseases. The main reason of concern however is the fact that, nevertheless, little is known about rural water quality in South Africa as most water quality work is being undertaken in urban areas. The study's aim is twofold: first, the study examines the impact of Black rural communities' land-use and related activities on water quality and second is specifically, to study the washing practices of the rural communities in the upper Kat River area. To understand the potential impacts of the upper Kat River Black village communities and their associated land-use practices on the quality of upper Kat River catchment, prominent land-use and related activities in the area were investigated. Study area maps were studied and field surveys undertaken to observe major land-use and related activities in the area. The results of the study show that most used land in the area is being utilised for agricultural activities. Settlements and commercial forestry also occupy considerable areas of land. The literature survey suggests that such land-use could have a considerable degrading impact on the quality of both surface and groundwater. The study also investigated the impact of the in-stream use of detergents on water quality in the upper Kat River valley, Eastern Cape - South Africa. In-stream washing practices of certain communities in the upper Kat River valley were investigated and the impact of detergents on water quality was assessed. Recovery of the flow from the input of detergents was also measured. During the study, it has been ascertained that doing laundry by the stream is the common practice in the study area. Water quality analysis results show a remarkable increase on the levels of chloride, turbidity, and electrical conductivity in water as a consequence of direct input of detergents practice into the river during the washing. The recovery of the water quality at a distance of 1km from site of input was almost complete. Water quality monitoring programme was undertaken to establish a link between land-use and the quality of water. In a water quality study routine carried out for a period of 40 weeks on a twice monthly frequency, the state of the flows of the river was determined; water samples were collected at pre-determined points; and the in situ analysis of selected water quality variables (with the exception of the faecal coliforms whose analysis was carried out in the biotechnology laboratory) was carried out. Results of the study showed that the concentration of the studied water quality variables in the area varied widely with time. A clear distinction in concentration of variables such as electrical conductivity, turbidity, pH, total hardness, chloride, and nitrate was evident at the high compared to the low flow period of the study. The concentration of the studied water quality variables in the upper Kat River catchment area also seemed to vary over space. The concentration of variables such as electrical conductivity, pH, total hardness, chloride, nitrate, potassium, number of faecal coliform bacteria per 100ml was observed to be higher in most of the tributary streams than the main river. Turbidity however was orders of magnitude higher in the Kat River than the rest of the tributaries. Most importantly however, results of the study showed that there is a strong link between the quality of water and land-use and related activities in the area. The spatial results of the study showed a strong connection between some land-use and the concentrations of water quality variables. For example, areas of intense grazing were noted with high concentrations of nutrients like nitrate and a higher number of faecal coliform bacteria per 100 ml of water. It was established during the study that land-use and related activities in the upper Kat River valley are negatively impacting on the quality of water thereby rendering it less fit for use for domestic purposes. The continued use of the polluted water by the communities is thus accompanied by a danger of the outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera. When the concerned communities met in a workshop to discuss the issue of quality of their water, they committed themselves to: • shunning water polluting activities, • at least boiling their drinking water before consuming it. The communities also requested a meeting with the Department of Water and Forestry officials to request a treated, piped supply of water. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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The geology, geochemistry and silicate mineralogy of the upper criticial zone of the north-western Bushveld Complex, at Rustenburg Platinum Mines, Union Section
- Authors: De Klerk, William Johan
- Date: 1982 , 2013-03-20
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geology -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Rustenburg Platinum Mines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006140 , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geology -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Rustenburg Platinum Mines
- Description: Rustenburg Platinum Mines, Union Section, is located in the mafic phase of the north-western sector of the Bushveld Complex. This part of the Complex is characterised by transgressions of Upper zone ferrogabbros across the lower sequence of mafic rocks. These transgressions have effectively isolated a roughly triangular segment of Lower, Critical and Main zone rocks. It is in the upper part of the Critical zone that the Merensky Reef, with a strike length of 9,5 km, is found to suboutcrop below a 2-3 m black turf soil cover and it constitutes the orebody being mined at Union Section. Underground mining and development have exposed a stratigraphic succession from the Middle Group chromitites to within the lower part of the Main zone gabbros. A detailed investigation of a 100 m stratigraphic succession was undertaken in the upper part of the Critical zone, which includes the Bastard Reef, Merensky Reef, Pseudo Reef, UG 2 and UG 1 layers. Stratigraphic descriptions are presented for both a normal and potholed succession, as well as a description of pothole characteristics. The variations of Merensky Reef thickness, pothole distribution and structure of the are body are also discussed. Forty seven whole-rock major- and trace-element analyses were carried out on selected samples from both normal and potholed successions, although more emphasis was placed on the former. These samples were taken from just below the UG 1 to above the Bastard Reef. Trace elements determined included Sr, Rb, Y, Nb, Zr, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and V. The cyclical nature of the layering is clearly defined by breaks in the trends of both the major- and trace element analyses, although some elements are strongly influenced by the modal proportions of the mai n mineral phases. Although major breaks are observed for individual elements , insignificant variation of the Mg/Mg+Fe 2 + ratio is observed throughout. New electron microprobe data are presented for the main silicate phases olivine , orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase , while only a limi ted number of analyses were carried out on the spine l phase. There would appear to be a reversal of the expected fractionation trend from the hanging wal l of the UG 2 to the Pseudo Marker layer. There is an upward increase of the Fo content of the olivine from F0₇₆ , ₇₋₈₁,₆ . A similar trend is observed for the orthopyroxene analyses . The Merensky unit, as a whole, exhibits a gradual decrease in the Mg end member of the Ca-poor pyroxenes from En ₇₈,₅₋₇₄ . was found to be markedly more calcic Cumulus plagioclase (An ₇₂, ₈-₈₁, ₇) than the intercumulus phase (An₅₆,₃₋₇₁, ₉) ' A further feature of the cumulus plagioclase is that strong zonation was observed with the cores of individual crystals being consistently lower in Ca relative to their margins . , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: De Klerk, William Johan
- Date: 1982 , 2013-03-20
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geology -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Rustenburg Platinum Mines
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5013 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006140 , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Geology -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Platinum mines and mining -- South Africa -- North-Western Transvaal , Rustenburg Platinum Mines
- Description: Rustenburg Platinum Mines, Union Section, is located in the mafic phase of the north-western sector of the Bushveld Complex. This part of the Complex is characterised by transgressions of Upper zone ferrogabbros across the lower sequence of mafic rocks. These transgressions have effectively isolated a roughly triangular segment of Lower, Critical and Main zone rocks. It is in the upper part of the Critical zone that the Merensky Reef, with a strike length of 9,5 km, is found to suboutcrop below a 2-3 m black turf soil cover and it constitutes the orebody being mined at Union Section. Underground mining and development have exposed a stratigraphic succession from the Middle Group chromitites to within the lower part of the Main zone gabbros. A detailed investigation of a 100 m stratigraphic succession was undertaken in the upper part of the Critical zone, which includes the Bastard Reef, Merensky Reef, Pseudo Reef, UG 2 and UG 1 layers. Stratigraphic descriptions are presented for both a normal and potholed succession, as well as a description of pothole characteristics. The variations of Merensky Reef thickness, pothole distribution and structure of the are body are also discussed. Forty seven whole-rock major- and trace-element analyses were carried out on selected samples from both normal and potholed successions, although more emphasis was placed on the former. These samples were taken from just below the UG 1 to above the Bastard Reef. Trace elements determined included Sr, Rb, Y, Nb, Zr, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu and V. The cyclical nature of the layering is clearly defined by breaks in the trends of both the major- and trace element analyses, although some elements are strongly influenced by the modal proportions of the mai n mineral phases. Although major breaks are observed for individual elements , insignificant variation of the Mg/Mg+Fe 2 + ratio is observed throughout. New electron microprobe data are presented for the main silicate phases olivine , orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and plagioclase , while only a limi ted number of analyses were carried out on the spine l phase. There would appear to be a reversal of the expected fractionation trend from the hanging wal l of the UG 2 to the Pseudo Marker layer. There is an upward increase of the Fo content of the olivine from F0₇₆ , ₇₋₈₁,₆ . A similar trend is observed for the orthopyroxene analyses . The Merensky unit, as a whole, exhibits a gradual decrease in the Mg end member of the Ca-poor pyroxenes from En ₇₈,₅₋₇₄ . was found to be markedly more calcic Cumulus plagioclase (An ₇₂, ₈-₈₁, ₇) than the intercumulus phase (An₅₆,₃₋₇₁, ₉) ' A further feature of the cumulus plagioclase is that strong zonation was observed with the cores of individual crystals being consistently lower in Ca relative to their margins . , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
The effect of varying heavy metal balances in the nutrient medium, on the growth and development of Aspergillus Sp. and Penicillium Sp.
- Authors: Breen, C M
- Date: 1965
- Subjects: Heavy metals -- Absorption and adsorption , Aspergillus -- Growth , Penicillium -- Growth , Fungi -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014597
- Description: The study was conducted to investigate the effects of: (i) varying the level of supply of the heavy metals iron, manganese, copper and zinc. (ii) varying the ratio between different pairs of metals in the medium. In particular the iron:manganese and zinc:copper ratios were studied. Initially the two fungi Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, (variety and strain) and Penicillium notatum Westling, were used. Penicillium notatum Westling was subsequently discarded, in favour of Penicillium glancum Link, because it did not sporulate freely in liquid culture. The fungi were grown in controlled nutrient solutions, and during the course of tho growth and development, the form and sporulation of the felts was noted. After a period of growth, the felts were removed, dried and weighed. The pH of the liquor was measured. the results were studied to determine the effect of varying levels of supply of the heavy metals, and of the varying heavy metal ratios in the culture solution. In the investigation of the effect of varying the level of supply of individual heavy metals, optimum concentrations were demonstrated for copper and manganese. Increaning the concentration of pairs of heavy metals cimultaneously was found to influence the appearance and degree of symptoms of toxicity. Cultures of Aspergillus and Penicillium were found to be able to tolerate concentrations of copper, in particular, considerably greater than the observed optima, when zinc was present in equal concentration. Citric acid, and subsequently ethylene- diaminetetra-acetic acid, were used as chelating agents, in order to prevent the precipitation of the metals in the culture solution during autoclaving. It was found that the use of chelating agents markedly reduced symptoms of toxicity. There was no conclusive evidence that the iron:manganese ratio in the culture medium was an important factor in the growth and development of cultures of Aspergillus and Penicillium. However there is considerable evidence that in cultures of Penicillium, the zinc:copper ratio in the medium is of some importance in the determination of the dry weight yield trends. This effect was not demonstrated in cultures of Aspergillus.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Breen, C M
- Date: 1965
- Subjects: Heavy metals -- Absorption and adsorption , Aspergillus -- Growth , Penicillium -- Growth , Fungi -- Nutrition
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4268 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1014597
- Description: The study was conducted to investigate the effects of: (i) varying the level of supply of the heavy metals iron, manganese, copper and zinc. (ii) varying the ratio between different pairs of metals in the medium. In particular the iron:manganese and zinc:copper ratios were studied. Initially the two fungi Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, (variety and strain) and Penicillium notatum Westling, were used. Penicillium notatum Westling was subsequently discarded, in favour of Penicillium glancum Link, because it did not sporulate freely in liquid culture. The fungi were grown in controlled nutrient solutions, and during the course of tho growth and development, the form and sporulation of the felts was noted. After a period of growth, the felts were removed, dried and weighed. The pH of the liquor was measured. the results were studied to determine the effect of varying levels of supply of the heavy metals, and of the varying heavy metal ratios in the culture solution. In the investigation of the effect of varying the level of supply of individual heavy metals, optimum concentrations were demonstrated for copper and manganese. Increaning the concentration of pairs of heavy metals cimultaneously was found to influence the appearance and degree of symptoms of toxicity. Cultures of Aspergillus and Penicillium were found to be able to tolerate concentrations of copper, in particular, considerably greater than the observed optima, when zinc was present in equal concentration. Citric acid, and subsequently ethylene- diaminetetra-acetic acid, were used as chelating agents, in order to prevent the precipitation of the metals in the culture solution during autoclaving. It was found that the use of chelating agents markedly reduced symptoms of toxicity. There was no conclusive evidence that the iron:manganese ratio in the culture medium was an important factor in the growth and development of cultures of Aspergillus and Penicillium. However there is considerable evidence that in cultures of Penicillium, the zinc:copper ratio in the medium is of some importance in the determination of the dry weight yield trends. This effect was not demonstrated in cultures of Aspergillus.
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