This research study investigated the anthropogenic contamination of water sources (surface, groundwater and tap water) in Kaduna metropolis, Nigeria. The water sources were identified and delineated on the basis of land use; domestic, commercial, agricultural, industrial and refinery areas. The water sampling programme was undertaken from 2009 to 2011 in accordance with the Standard Methods (APHA, 2005) covering hand dug wells, streams and rivers. Water samples were analysed for various water quality parameters, including pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand and faecal coliforms. Also analysed were trace element levels by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (lCP-MS). The results were compared with drinking water guideline legislations of relevant agencies and governments. Groundwater samples were found to be most contaminated with microbiological coliforms from the improper disposal of domestic sewage and the proximity of these water wells to the sewage points. Surface water (streams and rivers) were found to be more chemically contaminated than groundwater due to urban run-off and the discharge of solid wastes. In general, trace elements (As, Mo, Se, Cd, Sb & Pb) levels were found to be generally below the guideline limits of the regulatory bodies with the exception of Mn near textile industries; Ni near vehicle assembly plant and Cu & Zn were higher in tap water. The detennination of anthropogenic water contamination led to the selection and design of a multi stage filtration system to treat water at point of use for residents without access to potable water. Experiments at pilot scale were undertaken using raw and chemically modified lake water. The results showed that this basic filtration system was capable of reducing the turbidity and faecal coliform levels of the lake water. Furthermore, AI, Mn and Fe levels were reduced. The pilot filtration system was scaled-up for field application in Kaduna, Nigeria (December 2012 to March 2013). Five filtration plants were established to treat raw water from domestic and commercial ground/surface waters, and industrial surface water of the Nigerian study area. The results showed that it is not capable of providing water that is completely potable but can produce water that is, to a great extent treated for turbidity and bacterial contamination better than the water available for domestic use by people in low income bracket and those in emergency situations such as aftermath of natural disasters e.g. Typhoon Haiyan.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This study, which formed part of the Morecambe Bay Feasibility Study, aims to assess the biology of the river systems flowing into Morecambe Bay and to offer a prediction of the possible biology of the waters to be impounded to supply potable water. It describes the present condition of the algal flora and analyses the biological potential of the waters in the different rivers of the Kent and Leven basins. The rivers and tributaries were sampled at regular intervals to determine the species and numbers of phytoplankton present and the chlorophyll a concentration. Both investigations suggested that these waters are oligotrophic. Because the river- waters may be impounded in large shallow lakes in Morecambe Bay, it was essential to discover just how rich the river waters were in fact. Samples of the river waters were cultured in different environments and used in a bioassay. The results of these experiments along with the results of a nutrient loading determination indicated that the river waters had the potential of maintaining a rich flora. The different reservoir systems proposed for Morecambe Bay will,,. therefore, probably be mesotrophic-eutrophic. But variations in the productivity of the different river systems provide the biological basis for making additional recommendations concerning the structure of the reservoirs proposed by the consulting engineers for Morecambe Bay.

Ziel des Projektes VODAMIN war eine effizientere Bewältigung der Hinterlassenschaften des sächsischen und tschechischen Kohlen- und Erzbergbaus. Dazu wurden Untersuchungen und Datenermittlungen vorgenommen, die zur Erarbeitung von Lösungsansätzen für die Behandlung von Grund- und Oberflächenwasser beitragen sollen. Als Bearbeitungsgebiet dienten hierfür die Braunkohlenreviere in der Lausitz und in Nordböhmen, das ehemalige Steinkohlenrevier in Oelsnitz/Erzgebirge und der untertägige Erzabbau in Cínovec/Zinnwald. Diese Broschüre fasst sämtliche Projektstudien und -berichte zusammen, die im Rahmen von VODAMIN entstanden sind.

The speciation of trace metals plays a very important role in conditioning their biogeochemical cycles in the marine system. Their species are found to be strongly related to organic matters such as humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA). This thesis aims to develop appropriate techniques to improve our understanding of the speciation of some trace metals, mainly in marine waters. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and chromium (Cr) which are widely used in industry were analytzed. The concentration of lead in uncontaminated seawater is between 10 and 100 pM, whilst in coastal waters it is higher at up to low nanomolar levels. Little is known about the chemical speciation of lead since it is difficult to be determined at picomolar levels. The work in this dissertation was to develop a suitable electrode and procedure to determine lead in seawater, with the objective that the electrode could be applied for in-situ measurement (without reagents) and for speciation. Several electrodes and materials were tested, including a solid bismuth rod and different microwire materials. Vibration was used to enhance mass transport, instead of solution stirring, to decrease detection limits and facilitate in-situ monitoring. The bismuth electrode was found to be suitable for monitoring lead in coastal waters: it is mercury-free and therefore environmentally friendly, but insufficiently sensitive for oceanic lead concentrations. Comparison of microwires of carbon, gold and silver showed that all of these bare electrodes give a signal for lead, but they suffer variable interference from cadmium, although this is minor if the cadmium concentration is lower than lead. A large improvement was obtained by coating the electrodes with mercury, which gave good peak resolution between cadmium and lead, and good sensitivity. The carbon and gold electrodes had good reproducibility and sensitivity when the mercury was renewed for each measurement. Once coated with mercury, the silver electrode formed amalgam with the silver which could not be completely removed. This electrode was thus not suitable to be used as a renewable mercury film electrode. However, as a permanently amalgamated silver electrode, it was found to have good sensitivity for lead, good separation from cadmium, and was stable for long time usage. This electrode, the silver amalgam microwire (SAM) electrode, was selected for further speciation study of Pb in oceanic waters. Optimum conditions for using the SAM electrode for trace lead detection in seawater involve the use of conditioning potentials. The limit of detection for lead was 4 pM lead in acidified seawater and 12 pM lead in seawater of pH 8. The higher limit of detection at pH 8 is due to the inorganic speciation at that pH. The SAM electrode was successfully used for pseudopolarography of lead to determine its organic complexation. This method was calibrated using model compounds and applied for the first time to estuarine, coastal and oceanic samples at natural concentrations of Pb. It was found that lead occurs mostly as a labile (reactive, organic) species, with a smaller fraction as a strongly organically bound species. The SAM electrode was also tested for chromium analysis using cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) in natural waters. Its detection limit is as good as the mercury drop electrode but reduces consumption of mercury.

Thesis (M.Sc)--University of Limpopo, 2008. / Three sites at the Phalaborwa Industrial Complex (PIC) and one site at the Phalaborwa Barrage in the Olifants River were selected to illustrate the possible influence of different water quality parameters on the health and parasite composition of the Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Ten fish were collected seasonally at each site using gill nets of different mesh sizes. Selected water quality variables were determined at all the sites to establish possible differences in water quality between the sites. Hosts were examined for mobile ectoparasites, weighed and measured. Blood samples were drawn and skin smears were made. Fish were killed, dissected and all external and internal organs were examined as prescribed in the fish health assessment index (HAI). The condition factor was determined for each fish population from the different sites. All parasites were collected, fixed and preserved using standard methods. A parasite index(PI), abundance, prevalence and mean intensity of the parasite infestations were calculated.Results obtained for the system variables (pH, water temperature and dissolved oxygen) indicated that the pH levels and water temperature fell within the target water quality range (TWQR) for aquatic ecosystems, but the dissolved oxygen recorded during most of the surveys were below 5mg O2 l-1 which may adversely affect the functioning and survival of biological communities. The mean turbidity values were high at sites A, C and D (caused by fine particles such as silt, clay and organic matter). The total dissolved solids (TDS) and the electrical conductivity (EC) were very high at sites B and C throughout the study. The total water hardness and salinity were also very high at sites B and C which can be attributed to the mine tailings water as well as the geology of the region. The cations (calcium, magnesium and potassium) and anions (chloride, fluoride and sulphate) were above the TWQR for aquatic ecosystems at all sites. The fluoride and sodium levels were high at sites B and C. All the major ions contributed significantly to increased levels of TDS, salinity and EC at sites B and C. The nitrogen and phosphate levels indicated that there was an influx of nutrients into the four sampling sites at varying degrees, which can have an effect on eutrophication conditions at the sampling sites. Trace and heavy metal concentrations differed significantly between all the sites. Aluminium, iron and manganese levels were within the TWQR for aquatic ecosystems at all sites. Copper, lead and zinc levels were above the TWQR and sometimes above the chronic and acute effect values for aquatic ecosystems throughout the study (except for lead concentrations at site A). Thus, the mining activities do affect the water quality at sites B and C adversely in terms of the dissolved salts, nutrients and trace and heavy metals (with the water at site C more impacted than that of site B). The toxicity of some metals is however, dependant on the pH (if it changes to be more acidic, some metals may become toxic) and water hardness of the specific site. The lowest population HAI values (indicating healthier fish populations) were mostly recorded from sites A and D (the sites with better water quality) and the highest at site C(the site with poorer water quality) for three surveys. The high HAI values at site C can mainly be attributed to liver discoloration and abnormal haematological parameters. The fish condition factor values ranged from 0.92 to 1.2 with the lowest mean value recorded at site A and the highest mean value recorded at site B. But, the condition factors indicated that the fish from all sites were generally in good health. The values attained for the haematological parameters, liver discolorations, fins (due to parasitic infestation),abnormal gills, as well as the type of parasites present in/on the fish, were the most indicative parameters in the HAI. No abnormalities in the kidneys, opercules and spleens of fish were observed at any of the four sampling sites during this study. Results from the HAI thus indicated that the fish population from site C was more affected by the water quality (with a higher HAI) compared to the fish populations from the other sites. Also, dissimilar water quality at the different sites affected the health of fish differently. The results recorded for the HAI of the different fish populations thus substantiate the results obtained from the water analysis, indicating that fish from site C (with the poorest water quality) was more affected by their environment. The parasites recorded from O. mossambicus were all site-specific and seem to be moderately influenced by the water quality of the different sites. Some groups, e.g. monogeneans were more affected by the differences in water quality than other parasitic groups. The following ectoparasites were recorded: Cichlidogyrus sp. from the gills and Lernaea cyprinacea and Argulus japonicus from the skin. Endoparasites included digenean larvae from the skin (“black spot”) and gills, Neutraclinostomum larvae in the branchial region, Diplostomum metacercariae from the eyes and swimbladder,Diplostomum tregenna from the brain, dilepidid cestode larvae from the liver and outer surface of the intestine, Contracaecum larvae from the body cavity and sinus venosus of the heart, adult acanthocephalans from the intestine, and pentastomatid larvae of two genera (Subtriquetra rileyi and Alofia sp.) from the swimbladder. The hypothesis that the number of ectoparasites will be lower in more polluted water and the number of endoparasites will be higher was well supported for O. mossambicus at all sites except at site C during Spring survey. The PI for endoparasites was higher at all the mine sites (except during Spring) but similar results were also obtained at sites A and D (the less impacted sites). However, all sites tested during this study were impacted to a lesser or higher degree and the PI for endoparasites can thus be higher at all sites. Some ectoparasites (i.e. Lernaea cyprinacea) were present in high numbers at the more polluted site (site C), but the abundance of monogeneans (also ectoparasites) was most of the time lower at sites B and C, suggesting that monogeneans have been strongly influenced by the poorer water quality at these sites. The specific water parameter/s that influenced the abundance of certain ectoparasites needs further investigation which would most probably best be tested under controlled laboratory conditions. In conclusion, all sites sampled during this study were contaminated to some degree with sites B and C more impacted than the other two sites. The water quality results thus confirmed the results obtained using the HAI and to a lesser extent, the PI. The water quality differed between the four sites and had dissimilar impacts on the health of O. mossambicus and the prevalence of some parasites at the different sites. / the National Research Foundation,the Sasol Nitro

Thesis (M.A.) (Development management) --University of Limpopo, 2010. / Gender equality in local water governance is currently envisaged as a necessary aspect for achieving efficient, effective and sustainable water resources management. Based on the premise that men and women exhibit socially and culturally determined differences in behavior, roles and responsibilities, the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy holds that gender concerns in water resources management, including in all decisions regarding planning, design, location, operation and maintenance have to be based on the recognition of their differences. However, giving the pragmatic effect on the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy within the Water Resources Management Sector has met with many challenges relating to structural issues, sustainability, the commitment of actors involved, and the whole range of aspects of attitudinal change, both at individual and collective levels. The study investigates the challenges involved in the application of the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy within the Water Resources Management Sector in the rural community of Mogodi Village in Limpopo Village. The study argues that the challenges involved in the application of the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy leads to virtual mismanagement of the water resources within rural communities as attested to by the Mogodi Village. The survey results from Mogodi Village proved that gender mainstreaming was not fully applied within the water resources management. Women do not have access to all the positions in the water committee and furthermore, they are not always consulted and if they get the chance to raise their concerns, they are not always taken into consideration. Additionally, the patriarchal tradition within the village has a great impact on the application of the Gender Mainstreaming Initiatives. Some of the principles of this tradition are that women are household caregivers and men are leaders. The roles that women perform within their homesteads do not allow them time to participate in the water resources management. This leaves the water resources management roles in the hands of men in the village. The study therefore concludes that the genuine benefits of the Gender Mainstreaming Strategy in the water resources management would not be realised as long as the context within which it is applied remains traditional in terms of the gender status quo. / Extrata Mine

Thesis (M.Dev.) --University of Limpopo, 2010 / The aim of the research study was to examine and analyse the main constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in delivery water services to Mabokelele Village. For the researcher to be able to achieve the aim of the study, key research questions were posed which enabled the researcher to gather / collect data that helped shed more light in the research project. Research questions such as what are the constraints faced by the Polokwane Local Municipality in water delivery services, and what strategies are been to address those constraints and how effective are those strategies, were posed to the participants of this research study. The study used the qualitative research design. Respondents were seen as experts of their own life situation. Face to face interviews were used to collect data from the participants. Data analyses was done in the form of content data analysis. The key findings of the research project:- Shortage of skills in financial management, inadequate water service infrastructure, inadequate human resource for water service delivery, lack of co-operation between the Polokwane Municipality and the Mabokelele Induna and lack of community participation and consultation by the Polokwane Local Municipality and long delays caused by the tendering process were identified as the key findings for the study. Recommendations for the study was guided by the findings of the research project. The following served as recommendations for the study : Polokwane Local Municipality should ensure that people with financial management skills and project management are employed to avoid under-spending of the budget. Community participation and consultation should be key when implementing projects to the community, Department of Water Affairs to ensure that enough water service infrastructure is provided so that the Municipality can function properly. Dwarf should speed up the transfer of officials to Polokwane Local Municipality and lastly, the red tapes in the tendering processes should be minimized to avoid long delays in the approval of water projects.