Projects

Project leader: Dr Lindani Ncube (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)


Researchers:

HJ van Niekerk (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)

AM Mkonde (Unisa – Department of Mining Engineering)

B Zhao (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)



Collaborators:

B Yibas (University of Free State, Department of Geology)

K Madi (Mpumalanga University, Department of Geology)

N Junsheng (Lanzhou University, Department of Geography)

X Hu (Lanzhou University, Department of Geography)

EAF Garzanti (Universita’ di Milano-Bicocca, Dipartimento di Scienze dell' Ambiente e della Terra)



Post-graduate students:

VJ Dube (MSc)

Tyrone Holmes (PhD)

S Rasmeni (PhD)



1.2    Scope of the project:

We will use detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology to constrain the age of deposition of river sediment, reconstruct provenance, characterize sedimentary units within and next to the river channels (Limpopo and Zambezi rivers), and characterize many different aspects of source regions. Detrital zircon geochronology is of interest given the growth history recorded in individual crystals; the variety of detrital minerals that can provide complementary information. Further, we will apply Nd - Sr isotopes geochemistry, heavy mineral separation, whole rock and mineral geochemistry, and sandstone petrography to infer provenance of the sediments and sandstones in the river channels.



1.2.1    Duration of the project: 2018 – 2020



1.2.2    Ethics approval



1.3    Funders:

1.3.1    National Research Foundation (NRF) through the IRG - National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) / NRF Research Cooperation Programme

1.3.2    African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Small Research Grants in Climate Change Science



1.4    Data (Raw lab results)



1.5    Maps (of field trips and sample points)



1.6    Pictures (of field trips and sample points)

Project leader: Dr Lindani Ncube (Department of Environmental Sciences – Unisa)



Researchers:

HJ van Niekerk (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)

AM Mkonde (Unisa – Department of Mining Engineering)

B Zhao (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)



Collaborators:

N Junsheng (Lanzhou University, Department of Geography)

X Hu (Lanzhou University, Department of Geography)

EAF Garzanti (Universita’ di Milano-Bicocca, Dipartimento di Scienze dell' Ambiente e della Terra)

HM Sichingabula (University of Zambia, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies)

K Banda (University of Zambia, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies)

KH Mubanga (University of Zambia, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies)

M Muchanga (University of Zambia, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies)

C Chisaga (University of Zambia, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies)



Post-graduate students:

GJ Maneya (PhD)

H Mdala (PhD)

Tyrone Holmes (PhD)

S Rasmeni (PhD)



2.2    Scope of the project:

We will use detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology to constrain the age of deposition of river sediment, reconstruct provenance, characterize sedimentary units within and next to the river channels (Zambezi and Orange rivers), and characterize many different aspects of source regions. Detrital zircon geochronology is of interest given the growth history recorded in individual crystals; the variety of detrital minerals that can provide complementary information. Further, we will apply Nd - Sr isotopes geochemistry, heavy mineral separation, whole rock and mineral geochemistry, and sandstone petrography to infer provenance of the sediments and sandstones in the river channels.



2.2.1    Duration of the project: 2020 - 2023



2.2.2    Ethics approval



2.3    Funders:

2.3.1    Water Research Commission (WRC)



2.4    Data (Raw lab results)



2.5    Maps (of field trips and sample points)



2.6    Pictures (of field trips and sample points)



2.7    Publications:

2.7.1    Academic publications

2.7.2    Popular articles

2.7.3    Books

2.7.4    Presentations

Project leader: Dr Lindani Ncube (Department of Environmental Sciences – Unisa)



Researchers:

HJ van Niekerk (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)

AM Mkonde (Unisa – Department of Mining Engineering)

B Zhao (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)



Collaborators:

NJ Griffin (Rhodes University, Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality, Institute for Water Research)

ON Odume (Rhodes University, Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality, Institute for Water Research)

DA Forsyth (Rhodes University, Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality, Institute for Water Research)

PK Mensah (Rhodes University, Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality, Institute for Water Research)



Post-graduate students:

J Soondarjee (MSc)







3.2    Scope of the project:

We will revise the 1996 water quality guidelines of South Africa , we will investigate the possibilities of incorporating innovative ecosystem attributes other than species such as functional and trait-based measures into the new guidelines, so that the outcomes of the project are more reflective an ecosystem rather than just biological species. Despite their criticality in contributing to maintaining the functionality of the marine system and serving as an intermediate system between freshwater and marine ecosystems, and supporting unique biodiversity and functionalities, the 1996 guidelines completely excludes estuarine systems. This drawback implies that guidelines do not currently exist for estuaries in South Africa. It is thus important that the current endeavour include developing risk-based guidelines for estuaries, which must take into account their dynamic nature, drawing on the best available research and data. The proposed project will include estuarine system and the risk-based philosophy aligned to DEA (Department of Environmental Affairs) approaches to protecting and conserving estuarine systems. Further we will develop a multi-tier software-based decision support system (DSS) flexible enough to allow rapid decision making regarding the risk posed by pollutants of concern.



3.2.1    Duration of the project: 2020 - 2023



3.2.2    Ethics approval



3.3    Funders:

3.3.1    Water Research Commission (WRC)



3.4    Data (Raw lab results)



3.5    Maps (of field trips and sample points)



3.6    Pictures (of field trips and sample points)



3.7    Publications:

3.7.1    Academic publications

3.7.2    Popular articles

3.7.3    Books

3.7.4    Presentations

Project leader: Professor B. Zhao (Department of Environmental Sciences – Unisa)



Researchers:

HJ van Niekerk (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)

AM Mkonde (Unisa – Department of Mining Engineering)

L Ncube (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)



Collaborators:



Post-graduate students:



4.2    Scope of the project:

The aim of the project is to establish a UNESCO Global Geopark in South Africa. The geopark will be established within “a single, unified geographical area where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development”. The geopark will employ a bottom-up approach of combining conservation with sustainable development while involving local communities.  In addition, the geopark will “promote awareness of geo-disasters and  help prepare disaster mitigation strategies with local communities, promote "best practise" approach to using renewable energy and employing the best standards of "green tourism". Further, the geopark will “inform about the sustainable use and need for natural resources, whether they are mined, quarried or harnessed from the surrounding environment while at the same time promoting respect for the environment and the integrity of the landscape”.



4.2.1    Duration of the project: 2020 - 2023



4.2.2    Ethics approval



4.3    Funders:

4.3.1    Water Research Commission (WRC)



4.4    Data (Raw lab results)



4.5    Maps (of field trips and sample points)



4.6    Pictures (of field trips and sample points)



4.7    Publications:

4.7.1    Academic publications

4.7.2    Popular articles

4.7.3    Books

4.7.4    Presentations

Project leader: Professor B. Zhao (Department of Environmental Sciences – Unisa)



Researchers:

HJ van Niekerk (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)

AM Mkonde (Unisa – Department of Mining Engineering)

L Ncube (Unisa – Department of Environmental Sciences)



Collaborators:



Post-graduate students:



5.2    Scope of the project:

We will rectify the problem of acid mine drainage (AMD) emanating from mines in South Africa and China. AMD continues to be a major problem in the mining industry. Adverse effects of AMD on the environment is noticeable when it enters natural water paths, pollute water systems and severely impair the water bodies or systems. It poses a threat to the environment and negatively impacts human health. Preventing the formation of AMD or the migration from its source, is generally considered to be the preferable solution, although this is not feasible in many locations. In such cases, it is necessary to collect, treat, and discharge mine water using green remediation technologies such as off-line sulphidogenic bioreactors, developed and successfully used in South Africa. The offline sulphidogenic bioreactors focus on the development of a high‐rate sulphate reduction technology capable of reliably and cost‐effectively removing high loads of sulphate from mine waters. A South African research programme into high rate passive sulphate removal technology was started in 1994 by Pulles Howard & de Lange (PHD) Incorporated, and incorporated the inputs of a multitude of organisations, universities, research institutions, mining companies and researchers. The technology eventually developed in South Africa is able of operating at high sulphate reduction rates and was subsequently patented in South Africa, Australia and the United States. Unlike China, South Africa is at an advanced stage of treating mine water using green remediation technologies. Therefore, the research project is aimed at screening, optimizing and formulating a sustainable development policy system for green remediation technologies for mines in China and South Africa.



5.2.1    Duration of the project: 2020 - 2024



5.2.2    Ethics approval



5.3    Funders:



5.4    Data (Raw lab results)



5.5    Maps (of field trips and sample points)



5.6    Pictures (of field trips and sample points)



5.7    Publications:

5.7.1    Academic publications

5.7.2    Popular articles

5.7.3    Books

5.7.4    Presentations