The necessity of cost effective, environmentally friendly technology has become increasingly important to remediate persistent organic pollutants in the environment. The emerging greener ultrasound technology has the potential to serve the remediation industry. In this study, the use of low power, high frequency (HF) ultrasound (1.6 MHz, 145 W/L) has been shown to effectively remediate DDT (90% of 8 mg/L) in water and sand slurries. Addition of iron powder accelerated DDT degradation in the sand slurry under ultrasonication. The potential of HF ultrasound (1.6 MHz, 160 W/L) in degradation of the non-volatile, polar model compound methylene blue (MB) was studied in MB spiked demineralised water and wastewater. A 70 % of 0.4 mg/L of MB was degraded in demineralised water whereas only 54% of MB degraded in MB spiked wastewater. There was a decrease in MB degradation rate with an increase in MB concentration. High power, low frequency (LF) ultrasound (20 kHz, 932 W/L) was used to desorb 400 mg/L of DDT added to three different natural soil slurries at 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt. % each. Each soil slurry was prepared in 0.1% v/v SDS surfactant solution, soaked for 30 min. and heated for another 30 min. at 40 oC before sonication. For the neutral pH soil slurry with higher dissolved organic carbon, the desorption efficiency achieved was over 80% in 30 s sonication. Alkaline soil with higher surface area than neutral soil indicated 60% desorption efficiency while the acidic soil, with the highest surface area and a higher amount of non-soluble organic matter, yielded 30% desorption efficiency under similar desorption conditions. Coconut fibre, used to biosorb the desorbed DDT in the decanted solution, was found to have over 25 g/kg of biosorption capacity for DDT. The surfactant SDS and associated DDT were completely separated from decanted liquid of the desorbed slurry with alum using adsorptive micellar flocculation in 60 min. settling. Acidic pH and molar concentration ratio of Al3+/SDS = 0.5 was used to completely remove the DDT. Using 20 kHz, 1125 W/L of sonication in an 80 mL reactor with air saturated 50 mg/L DDT at 20oC, the DDT removal efficiency achieved was 80% in 20 min. With zero valent iron addition, DDT removal efficiency in 15 min. is 100% with 15 and 22 mg/L of initial DDT concentrations. The settled DDT slurrywas remediated using 20 kHz at 240 W/L achieving DDT removal efficiency of 87% in 15 min. Also LF ultrasound was found to be effective in remediating chloroform (8 mg/L in 60 min) from spiked demineralised water and contaminated groundwater in both batch (120 W/L) and flow cell (6000 W/L) modes. Modeling and simulation of the ultrasonic reactor under 20 kHz ultrasonication was performed for various shape reactors using commercially available software. For almost all reactors, the highest ultrasonic intensity was observed near the transducer???s vibrating area. It was found that the highest acoustic pressure distribution, which is critical to the performance of the reactor, occurred in the conical reactor and flow cell configuration. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2010

This thesis presents a first ever extensive analysis of pesticides in water and sediments from the Okavango Delta, Botswana, employing green sample preparation techniques that require small volumes of organic solvents hence generating negligible volumes of organic solvent waste. Pesticides were extracted and pre-concentrated from water by solid phase extraction (SPE) and headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) while supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) and pressurized fluid extraction (PFE) were employed for sediments. Subsequent analysis was carried out on a gas chromatograph with electron capture detection and analytes were unequivocally confirmed by high resolution mass spectrometric detection. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), trans-chlordane, 4,4′-DDD and 4,4′-DDE were detected after optimized HS-SPME in several water samples from the lower Delta at concentrations ranging from 2.4 to 61.4 μg L-1 that are much higher than the 0.1 μg L-1 maximum limit of individual organochlorine pesticides in drinking water set by the European Community Directive. The same samples were cleaned with ISOLUTE C18 SPE sorbent with an optimal acetone/n-hexane (1:1 v/v) mixture for the elution of analytes. No pesticides were detected after SPE clean-up and pre-concentration. HCB, aldrin and 4, 4‟-DDT were identified in sediments after SFE at concentration ranges of 1.1 - 30.3, 0.5 – 15.2 and 1.4 – 55.4 μg/g, respectively. There was an increase of pesticides concentrations in the direction of water flow from the Panhandle (point of entry) to the lower delta. DDE, fatty acids and phthalates were detected after PFE with optimized extraction solvent and temperature. The presence of DDT metabolites in the water and sediments from the Okavango Delta confirm historical exposure to the pesticide. However their cumulative concentration increase in the water-flow direction calls for further investigation of point sources for the long-term preservation of the Delta. The green sample preparation techniques and low toxicity solvents employed in this thesis are thus recommended for routine environmental monitoring exercises.

Un alliage métallique complexe (CMA) est un composé intermétallique dont la maille élémentaire est constituée d’un nombre important d’atomes formant bien souvent des aggrégats de haute symmétrie. De la complexité de ces composés peuvent découler des propriétés physico-chimiques intéressantes pour divers domaines d’application. Le système binaire aluminium-iridium est un système qui présente de nombreux composés intermétalliques dont la moitié sont des CMA. Malgré l’étude approfondie dont ce système a fait l’objet dans la littérature, certaines incertitudes demeuraient irrésolues, nous amenant ainsi à réexaminer le diagramme de phase Al-Ir. Nous avons également exploré les systèmes ternaires dits "push-pull" Al-Au-Ir et Al-Ag-Ir, propices à la formation de phases CMA selon certains auteurs. Au total, une centaine d’échantillons ont été préparés par fusion à l’arc puis analysés par diverses techniques de caractérisations: diffraction des rayons X (XRD), microscopie électronique à balayage (SEM), analyse dispersive en énergie (EDS) et analyse thermique différentielle (DTA). Quatre nouveaux composés intermétalliques ont ainsi été identifiés: Al2.4Ir, Al72Au2.5Ir29.5, Al3AuIr et Al11SiIr6, ce dernier étant issu d’une manipulation accidentelle. La structure cristallographique de chacun de ces composés a été résolue, révélant Al2.4Ir et Al72Au2.5Ir29.5 comme étant des CMA possédant une centaine d’atomes dans la maille. Des calculs basés sur la théorie de la fonctionnelle de la densité (DFT) sont venus apporter des précisions concernant la stabilité des composés Al3AuIr et Al11SiIr6. Pour le système Al-Ir, une variante structurale de deux CMA déjà connus de la littérature a également pu être mise en évidence. Les structures cristallographiques de la variante de Al2.75Ir et de celle de Al28Ir9 ont ainsi été approchées, présentant 240 et 444 atomes dans leur maille respective. Les propriétés de surface comptent parmi les aspects les plus intéressants des CMA, par exemple pour la catalyse hétérogène. En l’absence de monocristaux de taille macroscopique, nous avons étudié la possibilité de former des composés de surface par dépôt de Ir sur une surface Al(100) suivi de recuits. Des caractérisations par diffraction d’électrons lents (LEED), spectroscopie de photoélectrons excités par rayons X (XPS) et microscopie à effet tunnel (STM) supportés par ces calculs ab initio ont révélé qu’à partir de 320°C, le composé Al9Ir2 se formait en surface mais également dans une partie du volume du substrat / A complex metallic alloy (CMA) is an intermetallic compound whose unit cell contains a large number of atoms oftenly forming highly-symmetric clusters. From the complexity of these compounds can arise physical and chemical properties interesting for various fields of application. The aluminium-iridium binary system exhibits numerous intermetallic compounds of which half of them are actually CMAs. Despite this system being extensively studied in the literature, some uncertainies remained unsolved, leading us to reinvestigate the Al-Ir phase diagram. In addition, the "push-pull" systems Al-Au-Ir and Al-Ag-Ir, favorable for the formation of CMA according to the literature, have been explored. Thus, near a hundred of samples have been prepared by arc-melting before being analyzed with different characterizations techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). From this study, 4 new intermetallic compounds could be identified: Al2.4Ir, Al72Au2.5Ir29.5, Al3AuIr and Al11SiIr6, the latter being the result of a fortuitous manipulation. The crystallographic structure of each of these compounds has been solved, revealing Al2.4Ir and Al72Au2.5Ir29.5 to be two CMAs with around one hundred of atoms in their unit cell. Calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) brought further details about the stability of the two other Al3AuIr and Al11SiIr6 compounds. In the Al-Ir binary system, a structural variant of two well-known CMAs has been also unveiled. The crystallographic structures of the Al2.75Ir and Al28Ir9 variant have been approached, revealing 240 and 444 atoms in their respective unit cell. The CMAs oftently exhibit interesting surface properties. In order to study the Al-Ir compound surfaces, iridium adsorption on Al(100) surface followed by annealing has been investigated. The characterizations by lowenergy electrons diffraction (LEED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning tunneling miscoscopy (STM) supported by ab initio calculations revealed that, from 320 C, the Al9Ir2 compound is formed at the surface but also in the substrate bulk

This thesis is concerned with experimental and computational studies on pulse detonation engine (PDE) that has been envisioned as a new concept engine. These engines use the high pressure generated by detonation wave for propulsion. The cycle efficiency of PDE is either higher in comparison to conventional jet engines or at least has similar high performance with much greater simplicity in terms of components. The first part of the work consists of an experimental study of the performance of PDE under choked flame and partial fill conditions. Detonations used in classical PDEs create conditions of Mach numbers of 4-6 and choked flames create conditions in which flame achieves Mach numbers near-half of detonation wave. While classical concepts on PDE's utilize deflagration-to-detonation transition and are more intensively studied, the working of PDE under choked regime has received inadequate attention in the literature and much remains to be explored. Most of the earlier studies claim transition to detonation as success in the working of the PDE and non-transition as failure. After exploring both these regimes, the current work brings out that impulse obtained from the wave traveling near the choked flame velocity conditions is comparable to detonation regime. This is consistent with the understanding from the literature that CJ detonation may not be the optimum condition for maximum specific impulse. The present study examines the details of working of PDE close to the choked regime for different experimental conditions, in comparison with other aspects of PDEs. The study also examines transmission of fast flames from small diameter pipe into larger ducts. This approach in the smaller pipe for flame acceleration also leading to decrease in the time and length of transition process. The second part of the study aims at elucidating the features of deflagration-to-detonation transition with direct numerical simulation (DNS) accounting for and the choice of full chemistry and DNS is based on two features: (a) the induction time estimation at the conditions of varying high pressure and temperature behind the shock can only be obtained through the use of full chemistry, and (b) the complex effects of fine scale of turbulence that have sometimes been argued to influence the acceleration phase in the DDT cannot be captured otherwise. Turbulence in the early stages causes flame wrinkling and helps flame acceleration process. The study of flame propagation showed that the wrinkling of flame has major effect on the final transition phase as flame accelerates through the channel. Further, flame becomes corrugated prior to transition. This feature was investigated using non-uniform initial conditions. Under these conditions the pressure waves emanating from corrugated flame interact with the shock moving ahead and transition occurs in between the flame and the forward propagating shock wave. The primary contributions of this thesis are: (a) Elucidating the phenomenology of choked flames, demonstrating that under partial fill conditions, the specific impulse can be superior to detonations and hence, allowing for the possibility of choked flames as a more appropriate choice for propulsive purposes instead of full detonations, (b) The use of smaller tube to enhance the flame acceleration and transition to detonation. The comparison with earlier experiments clearly shows the enhancements achieved using this method, and (c) The importance of the interaction between pressure waves emanating from the flame front with the shock wave which leads to formation of hot spots finally transitioning to detonation wave.

Extraction is required to separate and concentrate trace level analytes from the sample matrix prior to gas chromatography (GC). Classical extraction procedures utilise large amounts of hazardous solvents, generate waste, and sensitivity limitations are associated with the injection of microlitre amounts of the final solvent extract. In response to real world challenges, and to overcome the problems associated with solvent extraction, novel silicone rubber (polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)) samplers were developed for solvent free enrichment of trace level analytes from indoor air, contaminated soil, desert soil, ultra high temperature (UHT) milk and Pinotage wine. Versatile PDMS samplers as a loop, a multichannel trap, or a denuder for trace environmental forensics, geochemical and aroma investigations are presented. A unique off-line multidimensional GC approach involving heart-cut gas chromatographic fraction collection is described, as is off-line olfactory assessment of recombined heart-cuts for synergistic odour effects. PDMS loop samplers were used for the extraction of DDT (1,1,1- trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane) and its associated environmental pollutants from soil samples. Miniature denuder samplers accomplished separate concentration of vapour phase and of particulate phase fractions of DDT and its associated environmental pollutants from indoor air, in a single step. Ratios of airborne p,p’-DDD/p,p’-DDT and of o,p’-DDT/p,p’-DDT are unusual and do not match the ideal certified ingredient composition required of commercial DDT. Results suggest that commercial DDT used for indoor residual spraying may have been compromised with regards to insecticidal efficacy, demonstrating the power of this new environmental forensics tool. Multichannel PDMS trap samplers were used in a unique heart-cut multidimensional GC approach for off-line enantiomeric separation of o,p’-DDT and o,p’-DDD in air and soil. This alternative multidimensional method is compared to the complementary technique of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry detection (GCxGC-TOFMS). PDMS loop samplers were also employed for the solvent free extraction of hydrocarbons from desert soil to investigate, for the first time, a possible geochemical origin of the enigmatic fairy circles of Namibia. It is proposed that microseepages of natural gas and low volatility hydrocarbons are expressed at the surface as a geobotanical anomaly of barren circles and circles of altered vegetation. Multichannel PDMS trap samplers were utilised for sampling of the headspace of UHT milk and of Pinotage wine, and to study off-line, using a portable olfactometer, synergistic effects between recombined heart-cut aroma compounds. Olfactory results show that a synergistic combination of 2- heptanone and 2-nonanone was responsible for a pungent cheese-like odour in UHT milk, while a synergistic combination of furfural and 2-furanmethanol was responsible for a roast coffee bean-like odour in coffee style Pinotage wine. The small, low cost samplers are quick and easy to assemble and they fit commercial thermal desorber systems. The PDMS samplers are reusable. Solvent extraction of the sampling materials, extract clean-up and pre-concentration are not required. Thus, potential loss of analyte, introduction of contaminants and waste disposal are minimised. Solvent free thermal desorption permits transfer of the entire sample mass to the cooled injection system (CIS) inlet of a GC resulting in greater sensitivity when compared to injection of microlitre amounts of a solvent extract. This allowed for sampling of smaller sized soil samples, shorter air sampling times and lower air sampling flow rates when compared to solvent based methods. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Chemistry / unrestricted

Antecedents: No hi ha gaire coneixement sobre el neurodesenvolupament de preescolars i la seva susceptibilitat enfront a factors ambientals. Objectius: Avaluar les respostes del neurodesenvolupament en nens i les seves característiques psicomètriques, i, si factors ambientals primerencs (ex., duració de la lactància materna i mares que fumen) poden influir tals respostes. Mètodes: Dues cohorts prospectives des del naixement en població general (Menorca (N=421) i Ribera d'Ebre (N=79)) van se seguides fins als 4 anys d'edat durant un període de dos anys (2001-2003). Els nens van ser avaluats per tres psicòlegs i els seus respectius mestres per les funcions neuropsicològiques (MCSA), els comportaments de dèficit d'atenció i d'hiperactivitat (TDAH-DSM-IV) i la competència social (CPSCS); junt amb l'administració (en persona) a les mares de qüestionaris generals.Resultats: Les respostes van mostrar característiques psicomètriques acceptables i els patrons neuropsicològics del TDAH eren consistents amb altres troballes sobre TDAH. La lactància materna de llarga durada estava associada amb una millora de totes les àrees comportamentals avaluades. Fumar durant l'embaràs estava associat a puntuacions cognitives més baixes.Conclusions: Avaluar el neurodesenvolupament a preescolars sans és factible i necessari per investigar efectes primerencs de factors ambientals i aplicar polítiques preventives de salut pública. / Background: Little is known about neurodevelopment among preschoolers and its susceptibility to environmental factors.Objectives: Assess neurodevelopmental outcomes and their psychometric characteristics in children; and, if early environmental factors (i.e., duration of breastfeeding and maternal smoking) influence the neurobehavioral outcomes. Methods: Two prospective population-based birth cohorts (Menorca (N=421) and Ribera d'Ebre county (N=79)) were followed up at the age of 4 years during a two year period (2001-2003). Children were assessed by three psychologists and their respective teachers for neuropsychological functions (MCSA), inattention-hyperactivity behaviors (ADHD-DSM-IV) and social behavior (CPSCS); in addition to maternal in person general questionnaires. Results: Outcomes showed acceptable psychometric characteristics and ADHD neuropsychological patterns were consistent with other ADHD findings. Long-term breastfeeding was associated with the improvement of all behavioral areas assessed. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was associated with lower cognitive scores.Conclusions: Assessing neurodevelopment in healthy preschoolers is feasible and necessary to investigate early effects of environmental factors and apply public health preventive policies.

With parts of SA in a malaria endemic area, a preventative way of fighting malaria is with the use of pesticides such as 1,1,1–Trichloro–2,2–bis(pclorophenyl) ethane, also known as DDT. DDT is listed under the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and considered an endocrine disruptive compound (EDC) under the Stockholm Convention. SA registered an exemption to use DDT as means to fight malaria. DDT and its isomers are, however, known EDCs. Combined with their ability to persist in the environment while not being target specific motivates further studies into possible detrimental effects. The present study aimed to establish if ED was present by comparing the male reproductive organs from snails from an area currently sprayed with DDT (for malaria control) to an area not sprayed with DDT in the Limpopo Province. A possible endpoint (the penis sheath/preputium length ratio or PSPLR) was identified for the freshwater snail Bulinus tropicus. B. tropicus and sediment samples were collected from DDT–sprayed and nonsprayed areas located close together. The snails were dissected and various morphometric parameters measured. Sediments from the sites where the snails were collected were analysed for DDT using GC–MS. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in PSPLR (and therefore possible ED) between snails from the two areas. The difference in PSPLR values was mainly due to a relatively shorter preputium for the snails from the DDT–sprayed area. Even though the sediment samples showed that DDT was present in most of the DDT–sprayed sites and not in the non–DDT sprayed sites, causality of the possible ED could not be established from this field study. This study indicated the possibility of using the PSPLR as endpoint for ED. Recommendations are made for further development of the PSPLR and B. tropicus as biological indicators for endocrine disruption, but causality must first be established. / Thesis (M.Sc (Environmental Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

With parts of SA in a malaria endemic area, a preventative way of fighting malaria is with the use of pesticides such as 1,1,1–Trichloro–2,2–bis(pclorophenyl) ethane, also known as DDT. DDT is listed under the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and considered an endocrine disruptive compound (EDC) under the Stockholm Convention. SA registered an exemption to use DDT as means to fight malaria. DDT and its isomers are, however, known EDCs. Combined with their ability to persist in the environment while not being target specific motivates further studies into possible detrimental effects. The present study aimed to establish if ED was present by comparing the male reproductive organs from snails from an area currently sprayed with DDT (for malaria control) to an area not sprayed with DDT in the Limpopo Province. A possible endpoint (the penis sheath/preputium length ratio or PSPLR) was identified for the freshwater snail Bulinus tropicus. B. tropicus and sediment samples were collected from DDT–sprayed and nonsprayed areas located close together. The snails were dissected and various morphometric parameters measured. Sediments from the sites where the snails were collected were analysed for DDT using GC–MS. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in PSPLR (and therefore possible ED) between snails from the two areas. The difference in PSPLR values was mainly due to a relatively shorter preputium for the snails from the DDT–sprayed area. Even though the sediment samples showed that DDT was present in most of the DDT–sprayed sites and not in the non–DDT sprayed sites, causality of the possible ED could not be established from this field study. This study indicated the possibility of using the PSPLR as endpoint for ED. Recommendations are made for further development of the PSPLR and B. tropicus as biological indicators for endocrine disruption, but causality must first be established. / Thesis (M.Sc (Environmental Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Le risque d’explosion des mélanges H2/air revêt toujours une importance cruciale pour la gestion des accidents graves dans les centrales nucléaires. Des critères expérimentaux ont été proposés dans les années 2000 par Dorofeev et al. afin de déterminer les conditions nécessaires à l’accélération de flamme et à la TDD. Ce travail de thèse a l’objectif de mieux comprendre les mécanismes d’accélération des flammes de prémélange H2/air et de fournir une solide base de données expérimentales pour la validation des codes utilisés pour les études de sûreté. Les expériences ont été menées dans un tube muni d’obstacles (taux de blocage entre 0.3 et 0.6) avec un diamètre interne de 12 cm et une longueur d’environ 5 m. Les effets de la pression initiale et de la dilution en azote sur des mélanges pauvres en H2 ont été étudiés. Les résultats montrent que la pression favorise l’accélération seulement pour les mélanges les plus réactifs et que la surpression induite par la combustion est directement proportionnelle à la pression initiale. Les interactions flamme-choc ainsi que les instabilités thermo-diffusives jouent un rôle important sur la propagation de flamme. Une nouvelle technique a été développée dans le but d’obtenir une représentation plus fine du profil de vitesse de flamme. Des mesures d’absorption IR résolues dans le temps ont été effectuées en dopant le mélange avec un alcane. Le profil de vitesse a été obtenu en mesurant la variation d’extension du gaz frais pendant l’avancement de la flamme. Enfin, des analyses préliminaires ont été menées pour la conception d’un nouveau dispositif expérimental pour l’étude des effets de la combustion sur des structures en acier inox. / Flame acceleration and explosion of hydrogen/air mixtures remain key issues for severe accident management in nuclear power plants. Empirical criteria were developed in the early 2000s by Dorofeev and colleagues providing effective tools to discern possible FA or DDT scenarios. The objectives of the present work are to better understand the mechanisms of acceleration for premixed H2/air flames and to provide a solid base of experimental data for the validation of the codes used for safety analyses. The experiments were performed in an obstacles-laden tube (blockage ratio between 0.3 and 0.6) with 120 mm internal diameter and about 5 m length. The effects of the initial pressure and the nitrogen dilution on lean H2 mixtures have been studied. The results show that pressure promote flame acceleration only for highly reactive mixtures. Moreover, the overpressure induced by the combustion is directly proportional to the initial pressure. Besides, flame-shock interactions and thermo-diffusive instabilities play an important role in flame acceleration. A new technique to track the flame position along the tube has been developed in order to obtain a finer representation of the flame velocity profile. The method consists in performing time-resolved IR absorption measurements by doping the mixture with an alkane. The velocity profile is then derivedby measuring the variation of the extension in depth of the unburnt gas along the tube axis. Finally, analyses on the effects of combustion generated loads on stainless steel structures were performed in order to provide preliminary results for the design of a new experimental device.

Ph.D. / The toxicant dichlorodiphenyl-trichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, is a broad spectrum insecticide and is currently banned in most countries due to its toxic effects. However, in some countries restricted use of DDT has been authorized as an effective vector control within malarial control programmes. South Africa is one such country, where spraying of DDT occurs in three provinces including the Limpopo Province, KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga. Specifically in the Limpopo Province, spraying of DDT has been ongoing for almost 56 years within the eastern malaria belt of the province. Despite this long term spraying there is still a scarcity of data regarding DDT and its effects on indigenous aquatic organisms in South Africa. Any research regarding DDT will therefore be of the utmost value. It was in this context that the present study was initiated, which primarily aimed to assess the extent of contamination within DDT sprayed areas in South Africa and the associated effects on indigenous species, whilst identifying techniques that could be used in future monitoring of these areas. This assessment was done in the Luvuvhu River catchment at three reference sites and four exposure sites situated within the areas where indoor residual spraying of DDT is done annually. At these sites the extent of DDT contamination within the water, sediment and biota (using the bioindicator pecies C. gariepinus from only the lentic sites) in the Luvuvhu river was evaluated. The results showed that DDT concentrations were well above recommended levels in all three of the measured phases, with the highest concentrations predominantly observed at the Xikundu weir. This site was particularly impacted by DDT due to a combination of its close proximity to the DDT sprayed areas, concentration accumulation from upstream sources and environmental conditions that accentuated contamination. These elevated levels of DDT did, however, not induce significant quantifiable effects in the bioindicator C. gariepinus or in the fish and macro-invertebrate community structures. Specifically, the effects in the catfish, C. gariepinus, were assessed using a range of biomarkers specific to the endocrine disrupting effects of DDT, including indirect measures of vitellogenin (calcium, zinc, magnesium and alkali-labile phosphate (ALP) that are all present on the VTG molecule in high abundances), gonad-somatic index (GSI), condition factor (CF), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) manipulated gonads, protein carbonyls (PC) and intersex. Although none of these biomarkers could be significantly correlated with the DDT contaminations, DDT was shown to induce a slight sub-organismal effect by slightly inducing the synthesis of ALP and Ca as well as reducing the gonad mass (shown by GSI and adjusted gonad mass biomarkers) and body condition. In contrast, the fish and macroinvertebrate communities showed no conclusive relationship with DDT contamination, using a variety of methodologies, including informal assessments, univariate diversity indices, multivariate statistics, abundance models, fish response assessment index (FRAI) as well as average score per taxon (ASPT) and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) richness. In conclusion, it was shown that DDT concentrations within the Luvuvhu River only induced effects at the lower levels of complexity, which highlights the importance of the utilisation of biomarkers to measure more subtle long-term effects as compared to the usage of community level effects.