Chapter I: This chapter briefly gives an introduction about microorganisms, their varieties, growth, reproduction etc. In particular, about bacterial function. A sincere attempt is made to review this briefly, including an account of the studies already reported in the literature. Chapter II deals with the antimicrobial activity of Ag/agar film on Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Candida albicans (C. albicans). In particular, films were repeatedly cycled for its antimicrobial activity. The antimicrobial activity of Ag/agar film was found to be in the order, C. albicans > E. coli > S. aureus. Chapter III describes the synthesis of Ag@AgI NPs in agarose matrix. A detailed antibacterial studies including repetitive cycles are carried out on E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. EPR and TEM studies are carried out on the Ag@AgI/Agarose and the bacteria, respectively, to elucidate a possible mechanism for killing of the bacteria. The hybrid could be recycled for the antibacterial activity many times and is found to be non toxic towards human cervical cancer cell (HeLa cells). Chapter IV reports the antibacterial efficacy of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) deposited alternatively layer by layer (LBL) on chitosan polymer in the form of a thin film over a quartz plate and stainless steel strip against E. coli. AFM studies are carried out on the microbe to know the morphological changes affected by the hybrid film. The hybrid films on aging (3 months) are found to be as bioactive as before. Cytotoxicity experiments indicated good biocompatibility. Chapter V describes the fabrication of carbon foam porous electrode modified with reduced graphene oxide-Ag nanocomposites. The device can perform sterilization by killing pathogenic microbes with the aid of just one 1.5V battery with very little power consumption. Chapter VI Here we have studied in particular a property say the influence of surface defect in the production of ROS by ZnO NPs and in turn the bactericide activity. Secondly, a homogeneous ZnO and ZnO/Ag nanohybrid has been synthesized by employing chitosan as mediator. The synergistic antibacterial effect of ZnO/Ag nanohybrid on bacteria is found to be more effective, compared to the individual components (ZnO and Ag). A possible mechanism has been proposed for the death of bacteria by ZnO/Ag nanohybrid, based on EPR studies and TEM studies.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of the application of low cost high capacity inorganic ion exchange material, synthesized form collected fly ash and acid mine drainage solid residues, for the decontamination of secondary co-disposal process waters, with emphasis on investigating the processes governing the solid/solution interface.

CNPq / Florações de cianobactérias em reservatórios de abastecimento de água têm ocorrido com uma frequência cada vez maior, causando diversos problemas de ordem operacional nos sistemas de tratamento de água em decorrência da elevada densidade de células, além de preocupações quanto à eficiência do tratamento na remoção de metabólitos como cianotoxinas e compostos odoríferos. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a aplicabilidade da Moringa oleifera Lam pura e associada ao policloreto de alumínio (PACl) na remoção de células de Microcystis aeruginosa, microcistinas, 2-MIB e geosmina por meio de flotação por ar dissolvido e filtração rápida, utilizando carvão ativado granular. Primeiramente, os sais NaCl e CaCl2 foram avaliados para a extração do coagulante de M. oleifera. As amostras consistiram em água sintética adicionada de ácido húmico e células de M. aeruginosa para valores iniciais de 25 uT. O coagulante obtido com 1M CaCl2 de M. oleifera apresentou maior eficiência de remoção de cor, turbidez e número de células, sendo, para ele, indicada como ideal a dose de 50 mg L-1. É indicado que o CaCl2 não permite uma maior eficiência de extração do coagulante, mas sim que participe na formação dos flocos. A partir desses resultados, considerou-se a substituição de 10 a 50% do coagulante salino por PACl. O conjunto de coagulantes em proporções de 70:30 e 60:40 de M. oleifera e PACl permitiram uma melhoria na eficiência de remoção de células e redução do carbono orgânico residual. Finalmente, para essas proporções, foi avaliada a contribuição do uso de carvão ativado granular (CAG) como camada intermediária de filtro de areia visando à remoção de microcistinas, 2-MIB e geosmina. As amostras foram adicionadas de 50 ng L-1 de 2-MIB e geosmina, e 25 μg L-1 de microcistina-LR equivalente, antes dos ensaios. O uso do filtro com camada intermediária de CAG para o conjunto de coagulantes na proporção 70:30 (M.oleifera:PACl) resultou em eficiências globais acima de 95% para a remoção de cor, turbidez, células de M. aeruginosa, microcistinas e geosmina, e de 51 a 75% de remoção de 2-MIB e carbono orgânico dissolvido. Deste modo, o uso de M. oleifera como clarificante de águas com a substituição de 30% por PACl pode reduzir gastos com reagentes por parte de alguns países que hoje importam seu material para clarificação da água, e a adição de CAG no filtro de areia poderia reduzir custos e espaço com a instalação de mais de uma etapa para a remoção de metabólitos. Assim, este conjunto é indicado como uma alternativa de tratamento convencional de água, devido à sua capacidade de remoção de células e metabólitos, além da manutenção de cor, turbidez e microcistinas abaixo dos níveis estipulados para água de consumo. / Nutrient inputs leads to more frequent algal blooms in water supply reservoir which causes operational problems in water treatment plants due to high density of cells, aside from complications induced by its capacity of production of cyanotoxins and taste and odour compounds. The present study had as purpose an evaluation of the applicability of Moringa oleifera Lam as a coagulant with and without polyaluminium chloride (PACl) in the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa cells, microcystins, 2-MIB and geosmin using dissolved air flotation and filtration, using granulated activated carbon (GAC). First, NaCl and CaCl2 salts were studied for extraction of the coagulant. Samples were obtained by the addition of humic acid and M. aeruginosa cells in synthetic water in order to obtain 25 NTU. Coagulant obtained with 1M CaCl2 showed a better performance for color, turbidity and cells removal, being indicated 50 mg L-1 dosage. CaCl2 would not extract better the active component of M. oleifera seeds, but participate on flocs formation. Based on this, PACl addition was evaluated and added in the ranges of 10 to 50% substitution of the saline coagulant. 70:30 and 60:40 proportions of M.oleifera:PACl were indicated in order to to remove turbidity, color and cells. Finally, the use of GAC as an intermediate layer in rapid sand filtration bed was evaluated as a function of microcystins, 2-mib and geosmine retention capacity. Cited proportions were followed by filtration, added of 2-MIB and geosmin 50 ng L-1 as well as 25 μg L-1 of microcystin-LR equivalent before tests. A 70:30 (M.oleifera:PACl) proportion followed by rapid sand filtration combined with GAC led to removal efficiencies above 95% for color, turbidity, M. aeruginosa cells, geosmin and microcystins, and 51 to 75% efficiencies for 2-MIB and dissolved organic carbon. Hence, M. oleifera usage as water coagulant with 30% of PACl can reduce costs for some countries, and the addition of a GAC layer on a sand filter can reduce cost and space in water treatment plants. This process is indicated as an alternative conventional treatment for the removal of cyanobacteria cells and metabolites, besides its capacity to maintain turbidity, color and microcystins below the stipulated levels for water consumption.

CNPq / Florações de cianobactérias em reservatórios de abastecimento de água têm ocorrido com uma frequência cada vez maior, causando diversos problemas de ordem operacional nos sistemas de tratamento de água em decorrência da elevada densidade de células, além de preocupações quanto à eficiência do tratamento na remoção de metabólitos como cianotoxinas e compostos odoríferos. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a aplicabilidade da Moringa oleifera Lam pura e associada ao policloreto de alumínio (PACl) na remoção de células de Microcystis aeruginosa, microcistinas, 2-MIB e geosmina por meio de flotação por ar dissolvido e filtração rápida, utilizando carvão ativado granular. Primeiramente, os sais NaCl e CaCl2 foram avaliados para a extração do coagulante de M. oleifera. As amostras consistiram em água sintética adicionada de ácido húmico e células de M. aeruginosa para valores iniciais de 25 uT. O coagulante obtido com 1M CaCl2 de M. oleifera apresentou maior eficiência de remoção de cor, turbidez e número de células, sendo, para ele, indicada como ideal a dose de 50 mg L-1. É indicado que o CaCl2 não permite uma maior eficiência de extração do coagulante, mas sim que participe na formação dos flocos. A partir desses resultados, considerou-se a substituição de 10 a 50% do coagulante salino por PACl. O conjunto de coagulantes em proporções de 70:30 e 60:40 de M. oleifera e PACl permitiram uma melhoria na eficiência de remoção de células e redução do carbono orgânico residual. Finalmente, para essas proporções, foi avaliada a contribuição do uso de carvão ativado granular (CAG) como camada intermediária de filtro de areia visando à remoção de microcistinas, 2-MIB e geosmina. As amostras foram adicionadas de 50 ng L-1 de 2-MIB e geosmina, e 25 μg L-1 de microcistina-LR equivalente, antes dos ensaios. O uso do filtro com camada intermediária de CAG para o conjunto de coagulantes na proporção 70:30 (M.oleifera:PACl) resultou em eficiências globais acima de 95% para a remoção de cor, turbidez, células de M. aeruginosa, microcistinas e geosmina, e de 51 a 75% de remoção de 2-MIB e carbono orgânico dissolvido. Deste modo, o uso de M. oleifera como clarificante de águas com a substituição de 30% por PACl pode reduzir gastos com reagentes por parte de alguns países que hoje importam seu material para clarificação da água, e a adição de CAG no filtro de areia poderia reduzir custos e espaço com a instalação de mais de uma etapa para a remoção de metabólitos. Assim, este conjunto é indicado como uma alternativa de tratamento convencional de água, devido à sua capacidade de remoção de células e metabólitos, além da manutenção de cor, turbidez e microcistinas abaixo dos níveis estipulados para água de consumo. / Nutrient inputs leads to more frequent algal blooms in water supply reservoir which causes operational problems in water treatment plants due to high density of cells, aside from complications induced by its capacity of production of cyanotoxins and taste and odour compounds. The present study had as purpose an evaluation of the applicability of Moringa oleifera Lam as a coagulant with and without polyaluminium chloride (PACl) in the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa cells, microcystins, 2-MIB and geosmin using dissolved air flotation and filtration, using granulated activated carbon (GAC). First, NaCl and CaCl2 salts were studied for extraction of the coagulant. Samples were obtained by the addition of humic acid and M. aeruginosa cells in synthetic water in order to obtain 25 NTU. Coagulant obtained with 1M CaCl2 showed a better performance for color, turbidity and cells removal, being indicated 50 mg L-1 dosage. CaCl2 would not extract better the active component of M. oleifera seeds, but participate on flocs formation. Based on this, PACl addition was evaluated and added in the ranges of 10 to 50% substitution of the saline coagulant. 70:30 and 60:40 proportions of M.oleifera:PACl were indicated in order to to remove turbidity, color and cells. Finally, the use of GAC as an intermediate layer in rapid sand filtration bed was evaluated as a function of microcystins, 2-mib and geosmine retention capacity. Cited proportions were followed by filtration, added of 2-MIB and geosmin 50 ng L-1 as well as 25 μg L-1 of microcystin-LR equivalent before tests. A 70:30 (M.oleifera:PACl) proportion followed by rapid sand filtration combined with GAC led to removal efficiencies above 95% for color, turbidity, M. aeruginosa cells, geosmin and microcystins, and 51 to 75% efficiencies for 2-MIB and dissolved organic carbon. Hence, M. oleifera usage as water coagulant with 30% of PACl can reduce costs for some countries, and the addition of a GAC layer on a sand filter can reduce cost and space in water treatment plants. This process is indicated as an alternative conventional treatment for the removal of cyanobacteria cells and metabolites, besides its capacity to maintain turbidity, color and microcystins below the stipulated levels for water consumption.

The biosorption of copper, nickel, gold and platinum from single metal aqueous solutions by the nickel hyperaccumulator Berkheya coddii plant biomass was investigated. Potentiometric titrations of the biomass and determination of optimal sorption pH for each metal showed that nickel ions were released from the biomass into solution. The presence of free nickel ions interfered with the uptake of the other three metals and further biosorption investigations were discontinued. Three fungal isolates found colonising metal solutions were cultured and screened for their ability to remove 50 mg.l⁻¹ of copper, nickel, gold and platinum from solution and to survive and grow in precious metal refinery wastewaters. One isolate was selected for further studies based on its superior metal uptake capabilities (35 and 39 mg.l⁻¹ of gold and platinum, respectively) and was identified as Phoma glomerata. Copper, nickel, gold and platinum uptake studies revealed that nickel and gold were the most toxic metal ions, however, toxicity was dependent on pH. At pH 6 more biomass growth was achieved than at lower pH values and metal uptake increased by 51 and 17 % for copper and nickel, respectively. In addition, the production of extracellular polymeric substances played a role in base metal interaction. Precious metals were observed to be preferentially removed from solution, complete removal of gold and platinum was observed at all initial pH values, 89 % of copper was bioaccumulated at an initial metal concentration of 55 mg.l⁻¹ (pH 6) and only 23 % of nickel was removed from solution under the same conditions. Metal bioaccumulation was confirmed through transmission electron microscopy and micro particle induced X-ray emission. The effect of P. glomerata immobilised in a packed bed reactor on precious metal refinery wastewaters was investigated. It was found that the fungal isolate was not able to remove the high salt and chemical oxygen demand concentrations found in the wastewaters, however due to its ability to survive and grow in undiluted wastewater and remove metal ions from solution it may be utilised as a metal detoxification step in the treatment process train. / PDFCreator Version 0.9.0 / AFPL Ghostscript 8.53

Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-01T18:20:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 niedja_maria_lima.pdf: 795946 bytes, checksum: b99ca26748bebcf7d658bc27cda960b0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-22 / One of the greatest challenges for science is searching for methodological processes which reflect directly or indirectly in the environment, decreasing the environmental impact and at the same time, providing the development of these processes. Water is currently one of those challenges, especially with regard to the availability and the pattern of physical-chemical and microbiological quality for consumption. Because of this problem, is that the work aims using moringa seeds to reduce turbidity, by presenting a biological coagulant that has advantages, when compared with the chemical coagulants. The water was collected in the Capibaribe River, in the municipality of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The physical and chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity and turbidity were determined before (pH=8 .11; CE=8.35 mS/cm; turbidez= 16.62 NTU) and after treatment. The Moringa powder oleifera were 0, 50, 100, 200, 250 and 300 mg/200mL of water, related to contact time corresponding to 0.1, 2, 4, and 6:0, which are adjusted for planning experimental CCRD. After the tests, the result obtained in the removal of up to 100 of the turbidity was with the concentration of 200 mg, with the time of sedimentation 2:0, proving the efficiency of biological coagulant present in Moringa seed oleifera for clarifying the water. Before and after the treatments were determined turbidity, pH and electrical conductivity. The results were analyzed by ANOVA table and the chart of Pearson representing respectively a significance level of 5 and correlation between variables. It was found that the time of sedimentation and pH showed correlation of 0.63; turbidity and pH was 0.49. The results observed in the electronic scanning photomicrographs indicate improvement in the particle biological sorvente dissolved. / Um dos grandes desafios para a Ciência é buscar processos metodológicos que reflitam direta ou indiretamente no ambiente, diminuindo o impacto ao meio e ao mesmo tempo, proporcionando o desenvolvimento desses processos. A água é, atualmente, um desses desafios, principalmente quanto à disponibilidade e ao padrão de qualidade microbiológico e físico-químico para consumo. Por causa desta problemática, é que o trabalho teve como objetivo utilizar sementes de moringa para redução da turbidez, por apresentar um biocoagulante que apresenta vantagens, quando se compara com os coagulantes químicos. A água foi coletada no rio Capibaribe, no município de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Os parâmetros físico-químicos como pH, condutividade elétrica e turbidez foram determinados antes (pH=8,11; CE=8,35 mS/cm; turbidez=16,62 NTU) e após o tratamento. As concentrações do pó da Moringa oleífera foram 0, 50, 100, 200, 250 e 300 mg/200mL de água, relacionados com tempo de contato correspondente a 0,1, 2, 4 e 6 horas, sendo estes ajustados pelo planejamento experimental DCCR. Após os ensaios, o resultado obtido na remoção de até 100 % da turbidez foi com a concentração de 200 mg, com o tempo de sedimentação de 2 horas, comprovando a eficiência do biocoagulante presente na semente da Moringa oleífera para a clarificação da água. Antes e após os tratamentos foram determinadas turbidez, pH e condutividade elétrica. Os resultados foram analisados pela tabela ANOVA e o gráfico de Pearson que representavam respectivamente um nível de significância de 5 % e correlação entre as variáveis. Verificou-se que o tempo de sedimentação e o pH apresentou correlação de 0,63; e de turbidez com pH foi de 0,49. Os resultados observados nas fotomicrografias eletrônicas de varredura indicam melhoria da biossorvência de partículas dissolvidas.

D. Tech. (Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences), Vaal University of Technology. / Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni are the leading causes of Salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis that is characterised by gastroenteritis. These waterborne diseases can be easily prevented by home water treatment methods such as solar disinfection (SODIS). The SODIS process involves placing microbiologically unsafe water in clear plastic or glass bottles and exposing them to direct sunlight for approximately six to eight hours. SODIS kills microbes through a combination of DNA-damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation and thermal inactivation from solar heating. The result is microbiologically safe water. Continuous drinking of SODIS treated water may confer some immunological effects on the consumer. These immunological effects have not been thoroughly explored. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to firstly, characterise the effects of solar irradiation on the viability of S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni; secondly, to determine the cytotoxicity and modulation of cell death of solar irradiated S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni on macrophages. Thirdly, to analyse the chemokine and cytokine profiles of macrophages infected with solar irradiated S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni. Lastly, to analyse the host-cell interactions of macrophages infected with solar-irradiated and non-solar irradiated S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni using a proteomic approach. In all the experiments, S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni were (i) heat/chemically treated, (ii) solar and non-solar irradiated for 4 and 8 hours. A murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7 was co-cultured with the differentially treated bacteria species for 3 and 24 hours. Appropriate controls were included. The impact of solar irradiated S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni on intracellular growth, proliferation, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis on macrophages was assessed. Intracellular growth of the both bacterial species was assessed with the gentamicin protection assay, and cytotoxicity was determined by Lactate Dehydrogenase Assay (LDH). The macrophages treated with solar irradiated S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni showed no intracellular growth after 48 hours post-infection. However, the non-irradiated S. Typhimurium survived within the macrophages and were highly toxic to the macrophages (average cytotoxicity of 91%±32). The non-solar irradiated C. jejuni were metabolically active but non-culturable, whereas the solar-irradiated C. jejuni was metabolically inactive. Thus, solar irradiated C. jejuni showed a lower percentage cytotoxicity (2.57% ± 0.32%) in comparison to non-solar irradiated C. jejuni at 24 hours post-infection (p.i.) (30.28% ± 0.05%). Flow cytometric analysis showed that the non-irradiated S. Typhimurium brought about a statistically significant increase in the percentage of necrotic cells (48% ± 2.99%), whereas bacteria irradiated for 8 hours produced a lower percentage of necrotic cells (25% ± 5.87%). The heat/chemical attenuated samples had the lowest percentage of necrotic cells (21.15% ± 5.36%) at 24 h p.i. Macrophages treated with solar irradiated and non-solar irradiated C. jejuni did not induce necrosis, but apoptotic cell death. At 24 h p.i., the highest proportion of apoptotic cell death was observed in macrophages treated with non-solar irradiated C. jejuni whereas the solar irradiated C. jejuni showed a lower percentage of apoptotic cell death. Therefore, there is great possibility that S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni could become avirulent after SODIS treatment and this could prevent gastroenteritis in consumers of SODIS-treated water. The activation of macrophages infected with solar irradiated S. Typhimurium and C. jejuni was also assessed in this study. The production of nitric oxide (NO) was determined using the Greiss Reagent Assay, whereas the production of chemokines, cytokines, and growth stimulating factors by the RAW264.7 cells in vitro was measured using the Luminex 200. The results showed that both solar and non-solar irradiated S. Typhimurium inhibited the production of nitric oxide in the RAW264.7 cells. The heat/chemically attenuated S. Typhimurium induced a significant increase (p<0.0.5) in the production of NO2− in the macrophages when compared to the unstimulated RAW264.7. The chemokine and cytokine levels produced by the macrophages were similar in the solar inactivated S. Typhimurium and the live untreated S. Typhimurium. However, macrophages treated with heat/chemically attenuated S. Typhimurium showed an anti-inflammatory response by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-17 in macrophages. The macrophages treated with solar and non-solar irradiated C. jejuni possibly produced an anti-inflammatory effect since the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the samples was significantly reduced during the late infection period (24 h p.i.). This study also analysed the proteomic profiles of macrophages treated with LPS, non-solar irradiated, solar irradiated, heat/ chemical inactivated S. Typhimurium, and C. jejuni. This was carried out using SWATH-mass spectrophotometry-based proteomics. Proteins were extracted from infected macrophages after 24 hours p.i. HILIC-based sample clean-up and digestion, DDA LCMS-MS (spectral library), SWATH LCMS-MS, and data processing were carried out. A total of 15,077 peptides matching to 2,778 proteins were identified at 1% FDR with numerous differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) detected in macrophages treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), non-solar irradiated C. jejuni (NS), heat-attenuated C. jejuni (HA) and 4h-solar irradiated (SI4) and 8h-solar irradiated (SI8) C. jejuni, respectively. Pathway analysis revealed that most of the upregulated proteins in macrophages treated with solar irradiated C. jejuni were involved in oxidation-reduction processes, endoplasmic reticulum stress, transport, antigen processing and presentation of exogenous peptide antigens via MHC class I (TAP-dependant) and ATP-biosynthetic processes. The KEGG-pathways also revealed the roles of some upregulated proteins in lysosomal and phagosome pathways. In conclusion, our results revealed that there is coordinated up-regulation of MHC-I processing pathways occurred at 24 h p.i. It is likely that proteins from solar irradiated C. jejuni may undergo proteasomal degradation, and the peptides are transported to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and loaded onto MHC-I molecules. Peptide loading results in class I complexes consolidation and transit to the cell surface where antigens can be presented to circulating CD8 + T cells. Additionally, solar irradiated C. jejuni also undergoes degradation in the phagosome. The phagosome has the potential to create antigens that can be expressed on the cell surface of macrophages to stimulate different lymphocytes and induce appropriate immune responses, thus, connecting the innate to adaptive immunity, and this could also have health benefits via the consumption of SODIS treated water. However, proteomic analysis of S. Typhimurium showed no significant differentially expressed proteins in macrophages treated with LPS, non-solar irradiated, and solar irradiated S. Typhimurium. This may be due to an overestimation of the extracted protein. However, DEPs in macrophages treated with heat-attenuated S. Typhimurium showed that macrophages may have adapted an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype because the IFN-γ signalling pathway was downregulated. This may have contributed to non-expression of the chemokine IFN-γ in RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, proteins such as Hmox1 and Sqstm1 were upregulated, and this is also characteristic of M2 macrophages. This study provided new insights on the effect of solar irradiated Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni on the proliferation and activation of macrophages in vitro.

Algae and cyanobacteria occur naturally in source waters and are known to cause extensive problems in the drinking water treatment industry. Cyanobacteria (especially Anabaena sp. and Microcystis sp.) are responsible for many water treatment problems in drinking water treatment works (DWTW) all over the world because of their ability to produce organic compounds like cyanotoxins (e.g. microcystin) and taste and odour compounds (e.g. geosmin) that can have an adverse effect on consumer health and consumer confidence in tap water. Therefore, the monitoring of cyanobacteria in source waters entering DWTW has become an essential part of drinking water treatment management. Managers of DWTW, rely heavily on results of physical, chemical and biological water quality analyses, for their management decisions. But results of water quality analyses can be delayed from 3 hours to a few days depending on a magnitude of factors such as: sampling, distance and accessibility to laboratory, laboratory sample turn-around times, specific methods used in analyses etc. Therefore the use of on-line (in situ) instruments that can supply real-time results by the click of a button has become very popular in the past few years. On-line instruments were developed for analyses like pH, conductivity, nitrate, chlorophyll-a and cyanobacteria concentrations. Although, this real-time (on-line) data has given drinking water treatment managers a better opportunity to make sound management decisions around drinking water treatment options based on the latest possible results, it may still be “too little, too late” once a sudden cyanobacterial bloom of especially Anabaena sp. or Microcystis sp. enters the plant. Therefore the benefit for drinking water treatment management, of changing the focus from real-time results to future predictions of water quality has become apparent. The aims of this study were 1) to review the environmental variables associated with cyanobacterial blooms in the Vaal Dam, as to get background on the input variables that can be used in cyanobacterial-related forecasting models; 2) to apply rule-based Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithms (HEAs) to develop models using a) all applicable laboratory-generated data and b) on-line measureable data only, as input variables in prediction models for harmful algal blooms in the Vaal Dam; 3) to test these models with data that was not used to develop the models (so-called “unseen data”), including on-line (in situ) generated data; and 4) to incorporate selected models into two cyanobacterial incident management protocols which link to the Water Safety Plan (WSP) of a large DWTW (case study : Rand Water). During the current study physical, chemical and biological water quality data from 2000 to 2009, measured in the Vaal Dam and the 20km long canal supplying the Zuikerbosch DWTW of Rand Water, has been used to develop models for the prediction of Anabaena sp., Microcystis sp., the cyanotoxin microcystin and the taste and odour compound geosmin for different prediction or forecasting times in the source water. For the development and first stage of testing the models, 75% of the dataset was used to train the models and the remaining 25% of the dataset was used to test the models. Boot-strapping was used to determine which 75% of the dataset was to be used as the training dataset and which 25% as the testing dataset. Models were also tested with 2 to 3 years of so called “unseen data” (Vaal Dam 2010 – 2012) i.e. data not used at any stage during the model development. Fifty different models were developed for each set of “x input variables = 1 output variable” chosen beforehand. From the 50 models, the best model between the measured data and the predicted data was chosen. Sensitivity analyses were also performed on all input variables to determine the variables that have the largest impact on the result of the output. This study have shown that hybrid evolutionary algorithms can successfully be used to develop relatively accurate forecasting models, which can predict cyanobacterial cell concentrations (particularly Anabaena sp. and Microcystis sp.), as well as the cyanotoxin microcystin concentration in the Vaal Dam, for up to 21 days in advance (depending on the output variable and the model applied). The forecasting models that performed the best were those forecasting 7 days in advance (R2 = 0.86, 0.91 and 0.75 for Anabaena[7], Microcystis[7] and microcystin[7] respectively). Although no optimisation strategies were performed, the models developed during this study were generally more accurate than most models developed by other authors utilising the same concepts and even models optimised by hill climbing and/or differential evolution. It is speculated that including “initial cyanobacteria inoculum” as input variable (which is unique to this study), is most probably the reason for the better performing models. The results show that models developed from on-line (in situ) measureable data only, are almost as good as the models developed by using all possible input variables. The reason is most probably because “initial cyanobacteria inoculum” – the variable towards which the output result showed the greatest sensitivity – is included in these models. Generally models predicting Microcystis sp. in the Vaal Dam were more accurate than models predicting Anabaena sp. concentrations and models with a shorter prediction time (e.g. 7 days in advance) were statistically more accurate than models with longer prediction times (e.g. 14 or 21 days in advance). The multi-barrier approach in risk reduction, as promoted by the concept of water safety plans under the banner of the Blue Drop Certification Program, lends itself to the application of future predictions of water quality variables. In this study, prediction models of Anabaena sp., Microcystis sp. and microcystin concentrations 7 days in advance from the Vaal Dam, as well as geosmin concentration 7 days in advance from the canal were incorporated into the proposed incident management protocols. This was managed by adding an additional “Prediction Monitoring Level” to Rand Waters’ microcystin and taste and odour incident management protocols, to also include future predictions of cyanobacteria (Anabaena sp. and Microcystis sp.), microcystin and geosmin. The novelty of this study was the incorporation of future predictions into the water safety plan of a DWTW which has never been done before. This adds another barrier in the potential exposure of drinking water consumers to harmful and aesthetically unacceptable organic compounds produced by cyanobacteria. / PhD (Botany), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Algae and cyanobacteria occur naturally in source waters and are known to cause extensive problems in the drinking water treatment industry. Cyanobacteria (especially Anabaena sp. and Microcystis sp.) are responsible for many water treatment problems in drinking water treatment works (DWTW) all over the world because of their ability to produce organic compounds like cyanotoxins (e.g. microcystin) and taste and odour compounds (e.g. geosmin) that can have an adverse effect on consumer health and consumer confidence in tap water. Therefore, the monitoring of cyanobacteria in source waters entering DWTW has become an essential part of drinking water treatment management. Managers of DWTW, rely heavily on results of physical, chemical and biological water quality analyses, for their management decisions. But results of water quality analyses can be delayed from 3 hours to a few days depending on a magnitude of factors such as: sampling, distance and accessibility to laboratory, laboratory sample turn-around times, specific methods used in analyses etc. Therefore the use of on-line (in situ) instruments that can supply real-time results by the click of a button has become very popular in the past few years. On-line instruments were developed for analyses like pH, conductivity, nitrate, chlorophyll-a and cyanobacteria concentrations. Although, this real-time (on-line) data has given drinking water treatment managers a better opportunity to make sound management decisions around drinking water treatment options based on the latest possible results, it may still be “too little, too late” once a sudden cyanobacterial bloom of especially Anabaena sp. or Microcystis sp. enters the plant. Therefore the benefit for drinking water treatment management, of changing the focus from real-time results to future predictions of water quality has become apparent. The aims of this study were 1) to review the environmental variables associated with cyanobacterial blooms in the Vaal Dam, as to get background on the input variables that can be used in cyanobacterial-related forecasting models; 2) to apply rule-based Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithms (HEAs) to develop models using a) all applicable laboratory-generated data and b) on-line measureable data only, as input variables in prediction models for harmful algal blooms in the Vaal Dam; 3) to test these models with data that was not used to develop the models (so-called “unseen data”), including on-line (in situ) generated data; and 4) to incorporate selected models into two cyanobacterial incident management protocols which link to the Water Safety Plan (WSP) of a large DWTW (case study : Rand Water). During the current study physical, chemical and biological water quality data from 2000 to 2009, measured in the Vaal Dam and the 20km long canal supplying the Zuikerbosch DWTW of Rand Water, has been used to develop models for the prediction of Anabaena sp., Microcystis sp., the cyanotoxin microcystin and the taste and odour compound geosmin for different prediction or forecasting times in the source water. For the development and first stage of testing the models, 75% of the dataset was used to train the models and the remaining 25% of the dataset was used to test the models. Boot-strapping was used to determine which 75% of the dataset was to be used as the training dataset and which 25% as the testing dataset. Models were also tested with 2 to 3 years of so called “unseen data” (Vaal Dam 2010 – 2012) i.e. data not used at any stage during the model development. Fifty different models were developed for each set of “x input variables = 1 output variable” chosen beforehand. From the 50 models, the best model between the measured data and the predicted data was chosen. Sensitivity analyses were also performed on all input variables to determine the variables that have the largest impact on the result of the output. This study have shown that hybrid evolutionary algorithms can successfully be used to develop relatively accurate forecasting models, which can predict cyanobacterial cell concentrations (particularly Anabaena sp. and Microcystis sp.), as well as the cyanotoxin microcystin concentration in the Vaal Dam, for up to 21 days in advance (depending on the output variable and the model applied). The forecasting models that performed the best were those forecasting 7 days in advance (R2 = 0.86, 0.91 and 0.75 for Anabaena[7], Microcystis[7] and microcystin[7] respectively). Although no optimisation strategies were performed, the models developed during this study were generally more accurate than most models developed by other authors utilising the same concepts and even models optimised by hill climbing and/or differential evolution. It is speculated that including “initial cyanobacteria inoculum” as input variable (which is unique to this study), is most probably the reason for the better performing models. The results show that models developed from on-line (in situ) measureable data only, are almost as good as the models developed by using all possible input variables. The reason is most probably because “initial cyanobacteria inoculum” – the variable towards which the output result showed the greatest sensitivity – is included in these models. Generally models predicting Microcystis sp. in the Vaal Dam were more accurate than models predicting Anabaena sp. concentrations and models with a shorter prediction time (e.g. 7 days in advance) were statistically more accurate than models with longer prediction times (e.g. 14 or 21 days in advance). The multi-barrier approach in risk reduction, as promoted by the concept of water safety plans under the banner of the Blue Drop Certification Program, lends itself to the application of future predictions of water quality variables. In this study, prediction models of Anabaena sp., Microcystis sp. and microcystin concentrations 7 days in advance from the Vaal Dam, as well as geosmin concentration 7 days in advance from the canal were incorporated into the proposed incident management protocols. This was managed by adding an additional “Prediction Monitoring Level” to Rand Waters’ microcystin and taste and odour incident management protocols, to also include future predictions of cyanobacteria (Anabaena sp. and Microcystis sp.), microcystin and geosmin. The novelty of this study was the incorporation of future predictions into the water safety plan of a DWTW which has never been done before. This adds another barrier in the potential exposure of drinking water consumers to harmful and aesthetically unacceptable organic compounds produced by cyanobacteria. / PhD (Botany), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Technology: Environmental Health, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / The study entailed the determination of key water quality parameters significantly influencing treatment cost in uMngeni Basin. Chemical dosage was used as a substitute for treatment cost as the study indicated that cost, in its monetary value, is influenced by market forces, demand and supply, which are both not directly linked to water quality. Chemical dosage is however, determined by the quality of water and thus provides a clear illustration of the effect of pollution on treatment cost. Three specific objectives were set in an effort to determine key water quality parameters influencing treatment costs in uMngeni Basin. The fourth objective was to develop a model for predicting chemical dosages. The first approach was analysis of temporal and spatial variability of water quality in relation to chemical dosage during production of potable water. The trends were explained in relation to river health status. For this purpose, time-series, box-plot, and the Seasonal-Kendal test were employed. The results showed that the quality of water significantly deteriorated from upstream to downstream in relation to algae, turbidity and Escherichia coli (E. coli). High mean range of E. coli (126-1319 colony count/100mL) and turbidity (2.7-38.7 NTU) observed indicate that the quality of water along the basin is not fit for human consumption as these parameters exceeded the target range stipulated in South Africa’s guidelines for domestic use. For water intended for drinking purpose, turbidity should be below 5 NTU, while zero E. coli count is expect in 100 mL. Among the six sampling stations considered along the uMngeni Basin, three dam outflows (Midmar, Nagle and Inanda) showed an improved quality compared with their respective inflow stations. This was expected and could be attributed to the retention and dilution effects. These natural processes help by providing a self-purification process, which ultimately reduces the treatment cost. While considering the importance of disseminating water quality information to the general public and non-technical stakeholders, the second objective of the study was to develop two water quality indices. These were; (1) Treatability Water Quality Index and (2) River Health Water Quality Index. The Treatability Water Quality Index was developed based on the Canadian Council Minister of Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI). The technique is used to determine fitness of water against a set of assigned water quality resource objectives (guidelines). The calculated Harmonised Water Quality Resource Objectives (HWQRO) were used to compare the qualities of the raw water being abstracted at Nagle and Inanda Dam for the purpose of treatment. The results showed that Nagle Dam, which supplies Durban Heights, is significantly affected by E. coli (42% non-compliance), turbidity (20% non-compliance) and nitrate (18% non-compliance) levels. Wiggins Water Treatment Plant which abstracts from Inanda Dam has a problem of high algae (mean 4499 cell/mL), conductivity (mean 26.21 mS/m) and alkalinity (mean 62.66 mg/L) levels. The River Health Water Quality Index (RHWQI) was developed using the Weighted Geometric Mean (WQM) method. Eight parameters, namely, E. coli, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonia, turbidity, alkalinity, electrical conductivity and pH were selected for indexing. Rating curves were drawn based on the target ranges as stipulated in South Africa’s guidelines for freshwater ecosystems. Five classes were used to describe the overall river health status. The results showed that the water is still acceptable for survival of freshwater animals. A comparison of the RHWQI scores (out of 100) depicted that dam inflow station (MDI(61.6), NDI(74.6) and IDI(63.8)) showed a relatively deteriorated quality as compared with their outflows (MDO(77.8), NDO(74.4) and IDO(80)). The third objective was to employ statistical analysis to determine key water quality parameters influencing chemical dosage at Durban Heights and Wiggins Water Treatment Plants. For each of the two treatment plants, treated water quality data-sets were analysed together with their respective raw water data-set. The rationale was to determine parameters showing concentration change due to treatment. The t-test was used to determine the significance of concentration change on each of the 23 parameters considered. Thereafter, the correlations between water quality parameters and the three chemicals used during treatment (polymer, chlorine and lime) were analysed. The results showed that the concentrations of physical parameters namely, algae, turbidity and total organic carbon at both treatment showed a significant statistical (p<0.05) reduction in concentration (R/Ro<0.95). This results implies that such parameters were key drivers for chemical dosage. From the results of the first three objectives, it is recommended that implementing measures to control physical parameter pollution sources, specifically sewage discharges and rainfall run-off from agricultural lands along the uMngeni Basin should assist in reducing the chemical dosage and ultimately cost. The fourth objective was to develop chemical dosage models for prediction purposes. This was achieved by employing a polynomial non-linear regression function on the XLStat 2014 program. The resultant models showed prediction power (R2) ranging from 0.18 (18%) up to 0.75 (75%). However, the study recommends a comparative study of the developed models with other modelling techniques.