Water Quality Management is one of the critical challenges currently facing South Africa. The triad of water resource management, socio- economic development and environmental sustainability are key issues that require balance and compromise. The effects of anthropogenic activities on the Blesbokspruit catchment were examined. Water samples were collected from nine strategically selected sites along the stream for a period of ten months in six weekly intervals and analysed for physio-chemical, selected trace metals and microbial entities. Results revealed that variables of concern were Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Nitrates, Phosphates, Sulphates and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Mean levels of these parameters in this order ranged from 93.0-146.63mS/m; 11.25-39mg/L; 0.16-2.01mg/L; 0.5-0.96mg/L; 118.63-379.5mg/L and 15.0-34.0mg/L respectively. Levels of E. coli and F. coliforms also ranged from 19.13- 43999.125 cfu/100mL and 20.63-16878.5 cfu/100mL respectively which were of concern. Levels of analysed trace metals were tolerable except for Fe with a range of 0.04- 0.73mg/L. Generally, the results from this study indicate that the river is contaminated and therefore not suitable for direct human consumption as well as for irrigation purposes.

South African Air Quality Units are continuously undergoing changes, and improving their performance remains a constant endeavour. In addition, these units are also experiencing several challenges in terms of improving communication across the different spheres, accessing air quality data and using the information to support the decision-making required for efficient management of air quality in South Africa. This study investigated the concept of output efficiency within the South African air quality management context. Models that enable efficient resource allocation can be used to assist managers in understanding how to become efficient. There are, however, few models that focus on the output efficiency of the public sector and air quality management units. The primary purpose of the study was to develop a model to predict the extent to which organisational efficiency could be explained by the percentage of man-hours allocated to a range of management activities. In this study, the development of a model using the logistic regression technique is discussed. Data was collected for two financial years (2005/6 and 2006/7) from the air quality officers in the national, provincial and local spheres of government (N=228). The logistic regression model fitted indicates that the proportion of time spent on knowledge management activities contributes the most to the likelihood of an Air Quality Unit being efficient. The resource allocation model developed will ensure that air quality officers allocate resources appropriately and improve their output performance. / Graduate School for Business Leadership / D.B. L.

Inadequately treated wastewater effluent is harmful to the receiving aquatic environment. Water-borne chemicals and microbial pathogens pose a health risk to anyone living downstream from sewage treatment facilities. This study assessed the effluent from a package plant with a design capacity of 48kℓ/24 hours, servicing 12 household units and a restaurant in Mogale City. Over a 12 month period, fortnightly water samples were collected from ten selected sites including two boreholes, a river and two dams. Standard parameters including physical (pH, EC, temperature, DO and SS), chemical (nutrient concentration) and biological (bacterial counts) were analysed using handheld meters, standard membrane filter techniques and colorimetric methods. One borehole was affected by pathogen and nitrate runoff from an adjacent poultry farm. If regularly monitored, the package plant effectively removed microbes (most samples contained 0 cfu/100mℓ) but above limit COD, ammonia and phosphate was released in the effluent (with maximum values of 322 mg/ℓ, 42.52 mg/ℓ and 7.18 mg/ℓ, respectively). Generally, river and dam water at the site was of good quality. / Environmental Science / M. Sc. (Environmental Science)

This study assesses the contribution of agricultural non-point source pollution, to poor water quality of the Vaal River within the Grootdraai dam catchment area. The study evaluates agricultural pollutants affecting the quality of water within the study area. The impact of agricultural non-point source pollution on the water quality of the Vaal River was evaluated by establishing a correlation between the quantity of polluted runoff reaching the River and the quantity of measured nitrates and phosphates in its waters. A questionnaire using random sampling was used to capture data from 15 commercial farmers 35 local residents and the Department of Water Affairs management. The results of the study show that agricultural nutrients are heavily impacting and compromising the water quality of the Grootdraai Dam. The mean concentrations of Nitrogen and Phosphorus were found to be well above the water quality guidelines there by promoting eutrophication. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Thesis (PhD) -- Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Heavy metals are persistent environmental contaminants whose sources of inputs into the environment are both natural and anthropogenic. The levels of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc) in the False Bay intertidal zone were measured in the water, sediments and invertebrate species between August 2000 and August 2001. The results of the water and sediment analyses revealed that most pollution was associated with the northern shore of the bay between Strand and Muizenberg, where the most populated and industrial catchments occur. Significant spatial variations occurred, indicating the presence of localised contamination, while seasonal variations may be related to changes in precipitation and runoff at different times of the year. The concentrations of cadmium, nickel and lead were occasionally higher than the levels recommended by the South African Water Quality Standards. The possible sources of pollution at the different sites are also discussed. The concentrations of the five metals in the different invertebrate species (Oxystele tigrina, 0. sinensis, Choromytilus meridionalis, Patella oculus, Patiriella exigua and Tetraclita serrata) also revealed significant seasonal and spatial variations, with both the soft tissues and shells accumulating heavy metals. The barnacle T serrata from Rooiels had the highest cadmium concentration (70.67 J.lg/g dry weight), which may be related to historic pollution inputs from the military activities which took place at a weapons testing site at this site between 1987 and 1994, although no evidence was found to confirm this. The periwinkle 0. tigrina from Strand had the highest copper concentration (70.25 J.lg/g) while the limpet P. oculus from the same site had the highest nickel concentration (35.75 J.lg/g). The shells of the mussel C. meridionalis from Muizenberg had the highest concentration of lead (25.75 J.lg/g). Since cadmium occurs as a constituent of phosphate fertilisers used widely in the False Bay catchments, the effects of cadmium exposure on the different species were investigated during 14-day laboratory exposures to 200 and 400 J.lg/LCdCh. The results revealed a general pattern of tissue metal increase in the exposed organisms, followed by slight reductions after decontamination in clean seawater. The viscera and kidneys of C. meridionalis accumulated most of the dissolved cadmium. The shells of the mussels also accumulated cadmium, indicating the possible use of shells as a detoxification matrix. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Swaarmetale is persisterende omgewingskontaminante waarvan die insetbronne beide natuurlik of van menslike oorsprong kan wees. Die kontaminasievlakke van swaarmetale (kadmium, koper, nikkel, lood en sink) in die Valsbaai tussengetysone is in die water, sedimente en invertebraatspesies bepaal vanaf Augustus 2000 tot Augustus 2001. Voorlopige resultate van die water- en sedimentontledings het getoon dat die meeste besoedeling by die noordelikke oewer van die baai voorgekom het tussen Strand and Muizenberg, waar die mees digbewoonde en ge-industrialiseerde opvangsgebiede is. Betekenisvolle ruimtelike en seisoenale variasie het in die konsentrasies van swaarmetale voorgekom, met die ruimtelike variasie wat moontlik gelokaliseerde kontaminasie aandui terwyl die seisoenale variasies weer verband mag hou met veranderings in die neerslag en afloop gedurende verskillende tye van die jaar. Die konsentrasie van kadmium, nikkel en lood was somtyds hoer as die vlakke wat deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Waterkwaliteitsstandaarde voorgestel word. Die moontlike bronne van besoedeling in die verskillende areas is ook in bespreking genoem. Die konsentrasies van die vyf swaametale in die verskillende invertebraatspesies (Oxystele tigrina, 0. sinensis, Choromytilus meridionalis, Patella oculus, Patiriella exigua and Tetraclita serrata) het ook seisoenale en ruimtelike variasies vertoon, die swaarmetale het in die sagte weefsel en skulpe van die invertebrate geakkumuleer. Die hoogste gemiddelde konsentrasie van kadmium (70.67 ).lg/g droe massa) is in die heel-liggaam monsters van die eendemossel T serrata gemeet wat by Rooiels versamel is. Die vlakke mag verband hou met die oprigting en aktiwiteite van die wapentoetsingsaanleg in die opvanggebied van die Rooiels lokaliteit tussen 1987 en 1994, maar geen bewyse daarvan is gevind nie. Die tolletjie, 0. tigrina wat in die 10kaliteit by Strand versamel is het die hoogste gemiddelde konsentrasie koper gehad 70.25 pig droe massa), terwyl die klipmossel P. oculus by dieselfde versamelpunt die hoogste konsentrasie nikkel (35.75 ).lg/gdroe massa) gehad het. Eksperimentele studies is ook uitgevoer op vier invertebraat spesies wat vir 14 dae in akwaria blootgestel is aan see-water met 200 en 400 p,g/L CdCh, en daama gedekontamineer is in skoon seewater. / The NRF and the University of Stellenbosch, for funding this study.

Thesis (MScAgric (Conservation Ecology and Entomology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / A semi-arid country, like South Africa, with unpredictable seasonal rainfall, is subject to great scarcity in water and an ever-increasing demand from the rising human population. Therefore, efficient reservoirs as well as monitoring methods are needed to manage the South African water supply. This study was undertaken on the Eerste River in the Western Cape, South Africa, focusing on the impact of the Klein Plaas dam system on the benthic macroinvertebrates. The study also examined the use of benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality with special reference to the South African Scoring System Version 5(SASS5) that is currently being used nationally. The impoundment of the water, as well as the inter-basin transfer programme and the experimental cage-culture trout farm, all play a significant role in the disturbance impact of the dam on the Eerste River system. The disturbance is manifested as a drop in water quality that can be seen in the distribution of keystone species, changes in the riparian vegetation, as well as in physical-, chemical-, and biomonitoring evaluations. The study also indicated that the SASS5 is effective, but needs some adjustments, such as inclusion of a prediction phase, finer spatial-scale methodologies and greater consideration of the rarity of species.

South African Air Quality Units are continuously undergoing changes, and improving their performance remains a constant endeavour. In addition, these units are also experiencing several challenges in terms of improving communication across the different spheres, accessing air quality data and using the information to support the decision-making required for efficient management of air quality in South Africa. This study investigated the concept of output efficiency within the South African air quality management context. Models that enable efficient resource allocation can be used to assist managers in understanding how to become efficient. There are, however, few models that focus on the output efficiency of the public sector and air quality management units. The primary purpose of the study was to develop a model to predict the extent to which organisational efficiency could be explained by the percentage of man-hours allocated to a range of management activities. In this study, the development of a model using the logistic regression technique is discussed. Data was collected for two financial years (2005/6 and 2006/7) from the air quality officers in the national, provincial and local spheres of government (N=228). The logistic regression model fitted indicates that the proportion of time spent on knowledge management activities contributes the most to the likelihood of an Air Quality Unit being efficient. The resource allocation model developed will ensure that air quality officers allocate resources appropriately and improve their output performance. / Graduate School for Business Leadership / D.B. L.

Water Quality Management is one of the critical challenges currently facing South Africa. The triad of water resource management, socio- economic development and environmental sustainability are key issues that require balance and compromise. The effects of anthropogenic activities on the Blesbokspruit catchment were examined. Water samples were collected from nine strategically selected sites along the stream for a period of ten months in six weekly intervals and analysed for physio-chemical, selected trace metals and microbial entities. Results revealed that variables of concern were Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Nitrates, Phosphates, Sulphates and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Mean levels of these parameters in this order ranged from 93.0-146.63mS/m; 11.25-39mg/L; 0.16-2.01mg/L; 0.5-0.96mg/L; 118.63-379.5mg/L and 15.0-34.0mg/L respectively. Levels of E. coli and F. coliforms also ranged from 19.13- 43999.125 cfu/100mL and 20.63-16878.5 cfu/100mL respectively which were of concern. Levels of analysed trace metals were tolerable except for Fe with a range of 0.04- 0.73mg/L. Generally, the results from this study indicate that the river is contaminated and therefore not suitable for direct human consumption as well as for irrigation purposes.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Environmental Health in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013 / Water is an important daily requirement and in a clean, pure form, it promotes health and well-being. In addition to South Africa being one of the driest countries in the world, water availability is also being compromised by massive pollution of remaining water sources. The Berg- and Plankenburg Rivers are two of the surface water sources in the Western Cape, South Africa, which are highly polluted by sewage, industrial and agricultural run-off. The current investigation was aimed at comparing diagnostic tools, which are employed by municipalities and food industries, and molecular based techniques to routinely monitor water for indicator organisms in time- and cost-effective manner. These rivers were sampled twice a month (July 2010 to January 2011) at the sites closest to the informal settlements of Kayamandi in Stellenbosch (Plankenburg River) and Mbekweni in Paarl (Berg River). The contamination levels of the two river systems were evaluated by the enumeration of Escherichia coli and coliforms using the Colilert 18® system, Membrane Filtration (MF) and Multiple Tube Fermentation (MTF) techniques. The highest faecal coliform count of 9.2 × 106 microorganisms/100 ml was obtained in weeks 21 and 28 from the Plankenburg River system by the MTF technique, while the lowest count of 1.1 × 103 microorganisms/100 ml was obtained in week one for both river systems by the MTF technique. The highest E. coli count of 1.7 × 106 microorganisms/100 ml was obtained from the Berg River system (week 9) using the MTF technique, while the lowest count of 3.6 × 102 microorganisms/100 ml was obtained by the MF technique from the Plankenburg River system. The coliform and E. coli counts obtained by the enumeration techniques thus significantly (p > 0.05) exceeded the guidelines of 2000 microorganisms/100 ml stipulated by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF, 1996) for water used in recreational purposes. Overall the results obtained in this study showed that the water in the Berg- and Plankenburg River systems is highly polluted, especially where these water sources are used for irrigational and recreational purposes. For the coliform and E. coli counts obtained using the three enumeration techniques, it was noted that the MTF technique was more sensitive and obtained higher counts for most of the sampling weeks. However, the media (Membrane lactose glucuronide agar) used in the MF technique also effectively recovered environmentally stressed microbial cells and it was also better for the routine selection and growth of coliforms and E. coli. While E. coli and total coliforms were detected utilising the Colilert 18® system, accurate enumeration values for these two indicator groups was not obtained for the entire sampling period for both river systems. It has previously been shown that dilutions (up to 10-3) of highly polluted waters increase the accuracy of the Colilert 18® system to enumerate colifoms and E. coli in marine waters. As the results obtained utilising the Colilert 18® system were also not comparable to the MF and MTF techniques it is recommended that highly polluted water samples be diluted to increase the accuracy of this system as a routine enumeration technique. Water samples were directly inoculated onto MacConkey, Vile Red Bile (VRB) agar and the Chromocult Coliform agar (CCA) and single colonies were inoculated onto nutrient agar. Chromocult coliform agar proved to be more sensitive than MacConkey and VRB agar for the culturing of E. coli and coliforms. Preliminary identification of these colonies was done using the RapID ONE and API 20 E systems. The most isolated Enterobacteriaceae species by both systems, included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae in both river systems. The API 20 E system was more sensitive in the preliminary identification of the various isolates, as greater species diversity was obtained in comparison to the RapID ONE system. The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was firstly optimised using positive Enterobacteriaceae species. The optimised method was then applied to the analysis of river water samples, which were centrifuged to harvest the bacterial cells, with DNA extracted using the boiling method. The extracted DNA was amplified using conventional PCR with the aid of species specific primers. The Enterobacteriaceae species that were detected throughout the study period in both river systems include Serratia marcescens, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus cereus. Conventional PCR was the most reliable and sensitive technique to detect Enterobacteriaceae to species level in a short period of time when compared to RapID ONE and the API 20 E systems. Multiplex PCR was optimised using the positive pathogenic E. coli strains namely, Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC). It was then employed in river water sample analysis and enabled the detection of EAEC, EHEC, and EIEC strains in Berg River system, with only the EAEC detected in the Plankenburg River system. Real-time PCR was used to optimise the multiplex PCR in the amplification of E. coli strains and successfully reduced the time to obtain final results when using control organisms. Real-time PCR was found to be more sensitive and time-effective in the identification of E. coli strains, and also more pronounced DNA bands were observed in real-time PCR products compared to conventional-multiplex PCR amplicons. To sustain the services provided by the Berg- and Plankenburg Rivers in the Western Cape (South Africa), these water sources should frequently be monitored, results assessed and reported according to the practices acknowledged by responsible bodies. It is therefore recommended that the enumeration techniques be used in conjunction with the very sensitive PCR technique for the accurate detection of coliforms and E. coli in river water samples.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The noise produced by aircraft during operations around airports represents a senous social, technical, economic and environmental problem which is only going to get worse as air traffic volumes increase. Rapid urbanisation, development encroachment and poor planning in the past have resulted in noisy airport runways being situated too close to residents' living space. Rapid industrial growth and lack of funding exacerbate noise problems in developing countries. Moreover, developing countries and especially South Africa tend to have moderate climates and open-window living, which makes insulation an ineffective solution to the noise problem. This study aims at employing GIS to establish the potential noise exposure of various sensitive land use categories and population groups in the noise-controlled area at Cape Town International Airport. Firstly, options for the demarcation of a noise-controlled area were evaluated. Thereafter, incompatible land uses and priority areas for land use compatibility projects were identified and recommendations made for urban renewal projects for these areas. Lastly, the noise-exposed population were profiled according to vulnerability characteristics and vulnerable groups identified and located. A recommendation was made that Cape Town International Airport set up an interactive map-based website to disseminate information to the public about noise and any other important issues concerning the airport. An Internet GIS application would empower citizens by providing them with a dynamic and interactive tool for improved public participation and a better understanding of the potential environmental and socio-economic effects of the airport. Noise complaints could also be investigated through the website and prompt feedback given to the communities complaining about aircraft noise. At the local community level where people are being annoyed every day and night resulting in negative health effects, the problem of aircraft noise demands urgent attention, and measures should be put in place to reduce vulnerability to noise and improve the overall quality of life of noiseweary residents. Keywords: aircraft noise, noise mapping, noise-controlled area, noise contours, land use compatibility, noise exposure / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die geraas veroorsaak deur vliegtuie by lughawens bied ernstige sosiale, tegniese, ekonomiese en omgewingsprobleme, wat net erger gaan raak namate vlugverkeer toeneem. Snelle verstedeliking, ontwikkelings-oorskryding en swak beplanning in die verlede het veroorsaak dat raserige aanloopbane te nabyaan mense se leefruimte gebou is. Vinnige industriële groei en 'n tekort aan befondsing vererger geraasprobleme in ontwikkelende lande. Bowendien het ontwikkelende lande, en veral Suid Afrika, 'n matige klimaat en oop-venster-leefwyse wat isolering 'n oneffektiewe oplossing maak vir die geraasprobleem. Hierdie studie het ten doelom GIS te gebruik om die potensiële geraas blootstelling van sensitiewe grondgebruike en bevolkingsgroepe in die geraas-kontrole area by Kaapstad Internasionale Lughawe vas te stel. Eerstens is opsies vir die afbakening van die geraas-kontrole area geëvalueer. Daaropvolgend IS onversoenbare grondgebruike en prioriteitsareas VIr grondgebruikversoeningsprojekte geïdentifiseer en aanbevelings gemaak vir stedelike vernuwingsprojekte vir hierdie areas. Laastens is 'n profiel daargestel van die geraas-blootgestelde bevolkings volgens kwesbaarheidskenmerke en kwesbare groepe is geïdentifiseer en hulligging aangedui. 'n Voorstel is gemaak dat Kaapstad Internasionale Lughawe 'n interaktiewe kaart-gebaseerde webwerf in werking moet stelom inligting oor geraas- en ander belangrike probleme in verband met die lughawe beskikbaar te stel vir die publiek en ander belanghebbendes. 'n Internet-GIS toepassing sal mense bemagtig deur hulle te voorsien van 'n dinamiese en interaktiewe meganisme wat sal lei tot beter gemeenskapsdeelname en ook 'n beter begrip van die potensiële omgewings- en sosio-ekonomiese uitwerking van die lughawe. Klagte oor geraas kan ook deur die webwerf hanteer en ondersoek word, en verder hulp verleen word deur vinnige terugvoering aan die gemeenskap wat die klagtes gelê het. Op plaaslike gemeenskapsvlak, waar mense elke dag en nag geïrriteerd raak en waar dit dan kan lei tot negatiewe gesondheidsinvloed, sal die probleem van vliegtuiggeraas dringend aangespreek moet word, en stappe geneem word ten einde kwesbaarheid van inwoners teenoor vliegtuiggeraas te verminder. Dit sal dan lei tot die algehele verbetering van die lewensgehalte van geraas-moeë Inwoners. Sleutelwoorde: vliegtuiggeraas, geraaskartering. geraas-kontrole area, geraaskontoere, grondgebruik versoenbaarheid, geraas blootstelling