Engineering and the Built Environment Departments

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    An operating strategy of run-of-river abstractions for typical rural water supply schemes using Siloam Village as a case study
    (2009-10) Makungo, Rachel; Odiyo, J. O.; Mwaka, B.; Ndiritu, J. G.
    See the attached abstract below
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    Hydrological Characterisation of the Shingwedzi and Mphongolo River Basins in Kruger National Park, South Africa
    (2010-01) Ramusiya, Fhedzisani; Odiyo, J. O.
    See the attached abstract below
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    Investigation of the Origin, Distribution and Potential Impacts of Heavy Metals within and around Polokwane City and Ebenezer Dam, Limpopo Province, South Africa
    (2010-06) Mundalamo, Humbulani Rejune; Ogola, J. S.; Brandl, G.
    See the attached abstract below
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    Impact of vegetation clearance on the hydrology of Luvuvhu River Basin in Soutpansberg area using Working for Water as a case study
    (2010-08) Maumela, Azwihangwisi Doris; Odiyo, J. O.
    See the attached abstract below
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    Development of a modeling framework for design of low-cost and appropriate rehabilitation strategies for Nyala abandoned mine
    (2013-10-01) Mhlongo, Sphiwe Emmauel; Amponsah-Dacosta, F.; Mphephu, N. F.
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    Trace element concentrations in geothermal springs and their impact on soil and vegetation in Siloam and Tshipise
    (2015-10-20) Durowoju, Olatunde Samod; Odiyo, J. O.; Ekosse, G. E.
    ABSTRACT Siloam and Tshipise Springs are scalding geothermal springs geologically located within the Soutpansberg Group in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. These geothermal springs are associated with faults and impermeable dykes and are assumed to be of meteoric origin. The optimal use of a geothermal spring largely depends upon its physical and chemical properties as well as the geological controls at source and surrounding pathway to the surface. This study aimed at investigating trace element concentrations in these geothermal springs in order to quantify their impacts on neighbouring soil and vegetation. Impact on vegetation was assessed by incorporating seasonal variations of the trace element mobility from the geothermal springs to the vegetation (Mangifera indica at Siloam and Acacia robusta at Tshipise) via soil. The geothermal spring water, soil and vegetation samples at both sites were collected from May – July (winter) and September – November (summer), 2014. The soil samples were collected at 5 m intervals up to 20 m away from the geothermal spring in each of the sites. The bark and leaf parts of the vegetation were sampled. The control samples for water, soil and vegetation were obtained from Riverside residence at University of Venda, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, where there is non-geothermal source of water. The temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total dissolved solid (TDS) of the geothermal spring water and control samples were determined in situ and in the laboratory. The water samples were acidified for major cations and trace elements determination. There were also non-acidified water samples for major anion analyses. The soil and vegetation samples were digested using microwave and hot block methods, respectively. Concentrations of arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), boron (B), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lanthanum (La), lead (Pb), lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), tin (Sn), strontium (Sr), tellurium (Te), thallium (Tl), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), vanadium (V), and zinc (Zn) were determined by inductively coupled plasma – mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (Agilent 7700 series). Concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were analysed using inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) (X – Series 2) whereas the concentrations of chloride (Cl-), fluoride (F-), nitrate (NO3-), phosphate (PO42-), bicarbonate (HCO3-) and sulphate (SO42-) were determined by ion chromatography (IC) (Dionex Model DX 500). Results from this study revealed that the geothermal springs were rich in trace elements compared to that from non-geothermal source of water. The mineral elements present were vii mainly due to rock-water interaction in the deep aquifer at both sites. The geothermal spring water is not fit for drinking because it is particularly high in fluoride (F) having 6.66 and 5.97 mg/L at Siloam ; 6.72 and 7.28 mg/L at Tshipise for winter and summer, respectively. Also, high Nickel (Ni) with 462 µg/L and 868 µg/L: Lead (Pb) with 652 µg/L and 211 µg/L at Siloam and Tshipise respectively, for summer season. In addition, it is not suitable for irrigation owing to high sodium absorption ratio (SAR) values which were above the standard guidelines (˂1) by South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and World Health Organization (WHO) at both sites. In summer season, there were higher trace elements concentrations than in the winter season. The higher concentration values could be attributed to rainfall, which aids in the dissociation of rock particles, resulting in higher concentrations of these elements. Siloam spring water was more mineralised than Tshipise spring water, hence its neighbouring soils and vegetation possess more trace elements concentrations than the latter. Owing to their high mineral elements content, the geothermal spring water flows across the soil, making it vulnerable to sorption of the trace elements. The trace elements present in the surrounding soil of the geothermal spring were as a result of geothermal water and soil pedogenesis. The geothermal water contaminates the surrounding soil with substantial quantity of trace elements, which decreases with the distance from the geothermal spring, making far distanced soil less-contaminated. High levels of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb at Siloam soil can be attributed to more minerals present in the spring, therefore making absorption by Mangifera indica inevitable. Soils at Tshipise are moderately concentrated owing to moderate trace elements concentrations from the geothermal spring water. Generally, seasonal variations were observed in the parameters analysed in the geothermal spring water, surrounding soil and vegetation to ascertain the most favourable season in terms of the trace elements concentrations. There were higher concentrations of trace elements in the geothermal spring, particularly during the summer season, compared to the winter season; this leads to more contamination of the surrounding soils and vegetation. This study showed that geothermal spring has potential to enrich the neighbouring soils and vegetation with trace elements, which could result in contamination. It can be concluded that geothermal spring, despite its benefits to humans, also contaminates the surrounding surface soils with toxic trace elements. Soils are a platform for vegetation. Therefore, if the soil is contaminated by toxic elements, there are high possibilities that these trace elements are absorbed by the neighbouring vegetation, which is likely to affect human beings adversely.
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    An assessment of water quality of the wetland downstream of Makhado oxidation and its potential effects on irrigation waters
    (2016) Shibambu, C. S.; Gumbo, Jabulani; Gitari, W. M..; Pindihama, Glen
    Wetlands are known of their pollution reduction characteristics due to their flat topography and dense vegetation which capture pollutants on the settling sediments. Three processes take place on the captured pollutants in the sediments, the physical, chemical and biological processes, which facilitate the removal of pollutants from the wetlands. This research was carried out in order to assess the Water Quality of wetland downstream of Makhado oxidation ponds and its potential effects on Irrigation Waters by determining the Physical-chemical parameters (pH, Dissolved Oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity and turbidity); the nutrient levels (Nitrates, phosphates, nitrites, bromide) and heavy metals. The water samples were collected from the effluent discharge of Makhado oxidation ponds (upstream), the middle section of the wetland (midstream) and downstream of the wetland. The climate data for the study was also used assess the contribution to variation in the physical-chemical parameters during their passage through the wetland. The use of waters in the wetland by subsistence farmer’s was also assessed to determine their farmer’s perception on wastewater reuse, sustainability, water quality, health hazards and crop yield. At the discharge and midstream point, the physical parameters tested were found to be mostly outside the target water quality range of irrigation water set out by DWAF but are within the DWAF guidelines for discharge of wastewater. The exceptions were with total dissolved solids which were higher than 25 mg/l guideline value of the said standards. The anions were analysed by Ion chromatography and showed spatial variation in content and seasonality. The nutrients (nitrates, nitrites and phosphates) and chloride were higher than the DWAF guidelines for discharge of wastewater. The heavy metal content in the wetland was analysed by ICP-OES and varied throughout the wetland. The following metals were reduced during their passage in wetland and were within DWAF guidelines: zinc, lead, cadmium and total chromium. Iron and manganese were reduced during the drier season but were above the DWAF guideline values during the wet season. Also the metal contents in the wetland are out of the target water quality range of the same standards bringing forth the risks of toxicity in the wetland. The anion analysis also suggests that the wetland is becoming a nutrient rich environment bringing forth risks of eutrophication. Nitrite concentrations did not conform to the South African viii Water Guidelines on target water quality ranges for irrigation water. Farmers have expressed a positive opinion on wastewater use for irrigation since there are loads of nutrients. The presence of nutrients in wetland may contribute to development of harmful algal blooms.
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    A study into the interaction of gold nanoparticles released into drinking water and wastewater system
    (2016) Raedani, Shumani Alfred; Gumbo, J. R.; Gitari, W. M.; Keter, Franklin K. K.
    This research involves the investigation of the interaction of different sized Nano Gold particles released into municipal drinking water and municipal waste water. Waste water was collected from Malamulele waste water treatment plant and the municipal water was collected at Mintek in Johannesburg, Randburg, South Africa. The waste water was analysed using ICP-MS to detect the metals and anions in it. The results showed the abundance of Sulphur (464 ppm), Calcium (28 ppm), Chloride (27.8 ppm), Iron (20 ppm), Magnesium (8.2 ppm), silicon (6.192 ppm) in descending order and other trace elements, including gold, that were immeasurable (<0.1). The simulated situation was created by adding 20nm gold and 40nm gold nanoparticles into municipal drinking water and waste water and kept at different environmental conditions (light, light and agitation, dark, dark and agitation) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions over a period of two months. Physico-chemical properties (pH and chemical oxygen demand) of the solutions were checked once in a month. The pH fluctuated between the acceptable ranges (5.5 – 9.5) for the two month period. Both municipal water and waste water, with and without gold nanoparticles, under aerobic condition showed an increase in chemical oxygen demand. The gold content in waste water under anaerobic condition showed an increase while under aerobic condition the decline in gold content was evident. The zeta potential of gold nanoparticles in waste water in light and agitation showed (-30 mV) while waste water on other environmental condition (light, dark and dark with agitation) presenting unstable (-18 mV) charge, but the charge shifted positively on the second month rendering them also unstable. Dynamic light scattering and TEM were used to check any possible aggregation or agglomeration of nanoparticles in the waste water. There were some few discrepancies where TEM and DLS contradict, but overall there was no significant probability of any aggregation of gold nanoparticles. The EDX was used to confirm the presence of Au0 in the waste water (with added gold nanoparticles). The research did show that the gold nanoparticles would exist as Au0 in the waste water and thus the discharge of Au-NPs to the sewer system is not recommended, but rather recycle them.
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