Research projects for 2022 mid-year intake are now available for Masters and Doctoral candidates. Interested candidates are to email their comprehensive CVs, transcripts, and project of choice (only one from the provided list) to Mr. Halahala Mbongo at inanows@unisa.ac.za, by 08 July 2022. |
Supervisor: Prof. H. Nyoni
Co-supervisors: Dr. W. Moyo and Dr. M.C. Moseki
Email: nyonih@unisa.ac.za (Prof. H. Nyoni)
Although surface water constitutes less than 1.5% of freshwater supply, historical development of surface water sources continues to mark the landscape. However, overexploitation of groundwater is now at its highest, and 25% of the world’s 1.7 billion population live in water scare regions. As glaciers and snowpack disappear due to climate change, sea level will continue to decrease our access to freshwater sources. Since aquifers hold substantial groundwater, managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a suite of strategies designed to enhance recharge for later development, including augmentation of stream flows. Mean global residence time of groundwater is estimated to exceed 250 years, while water maintained in above ground reservoirs has an average residence time of less than 4 years.
By retaining surface water with MAR, enhanced recharge can increase surface water residence time, especially in locations where excess flows can be captured before it is no longer available. The research approach here is a composition of various methods designed to assess MAR potential on different scales. Rooted in hydrogeological analyses, it is also very multidisciplinary, as it draws upon the fields of geology, engineering, spatial geography, water policy, and ecology. Research in MAR with a multidisciplinary approach is needed to enhance its use, yet it is in its infancy in South Africa as many locations lack groundwater data.
With technological advances in geographical information systems, increased resolution of satellite imagery, and rapid data processing speeds, the boundary of our understanding of MAR potential on a spatial scale is being pushed at a considerable rate. In this work, MAR option to be assessed is the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR), which injects and recovers water in the same well. The following methods of analyzing suitability include, an ASR site scoring system. This approach scores locations based on their hydrogeological properties, regulatory influences, and operational considerations suitable for ASR. Results will be coupled with analytical methods to approximate groundwater recharge rates. An analytical technique will also applied to estimate ASR potential within a principal confined aquifer.
The development of a System Dynamics Model for the various watersheds in South Africa will be used for rapid data processing, enhanced policy scenario alternatives, and to provide local and watershed-scale MAR potential against historical surface flow conditions that varied under climate-induced changes. To properly understand local-scale MAR feasibility, ‘soft’ factors such as public perception and trust among stakeholders will be required, as these factors can obstruct, dampen, or dismantle prospective projects.
Supervisor: Dr T.L. Botha
Co-supervisors: Dr I. Kamika and Prof N. Chaukura
Email: bothatl@unisa.ac.za (Dr T.L. Botha)
The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused unprecedented medical, socio-economic, and environmental impacts globally. Despite positive environmental effects such as reduced emission of critical pollutants like black carbon, carbon monoxide, methane, and nitrogen oxides due to lower industrial and human activity- the disposal of personal protective equipment and other devices used to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 has exerted pressure on the environment, which could last for a long time. Specifically, pesticides, soaps, detergents, single-use plastics, and other materials and chemicals have surged dramatically in the previous two years. Rapid antigen test kits have been intensively used to detect SARS-CoV-2. These are made of plastics and nano-structured materials, which ultimately contaminate the environment throughout their product life. Consequently, some will end up in rivers or oceans, while others are incinerated as medical waste before being disposed of. The pandemic has generated large volumes of data which can be incorporated into future risk predictions and mitigation. The study will treat historical data using mathematical models to estimate the amount of pollutants leached into South African aquatic systems to date. Furthermore, the ecotoxicity of potentially toxic compounds from SARS-CoV-2rapid antigen test kits will be investigated using model species consisting of a decomposer (Salmonella typhimurium), producer (Raphidocelis subcapitata) and primary consumer (Daphnia magna).
Supervisor: Prof L.M. Madikizela
Co-supervisor: Dr G. Mamba
Email: madiklm@unisa.ac.za (Prof L.M. Madikizela)
This study will be initiated by monitoring the occurrence of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in various wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) regarded as critical using solid-phase extraction and LC-MS analysis. Thereafter, Ultraviolet (UV)/persulphate oxidation will be employed as an advanced oxidation step to ensure simultaneous oxidation of the antibiotic drugs found in WWTPs and disinfection of the wastewater effluent. The influential reaction parameters such as pH, reaction time, photon flux, presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM), persulphate dose and inorganic ions, degradation pathways and mineralization efficiency of some selected antibiotic drugs will be investigated in detail to ensure an optimized treatment process.
Supervisor: Dr T.J. Malefetse
Co-supervisor: Dr J. Nure
Email: maleftj@unisa.ac.za (Dr T.J. Malefetse)
The challenge of access to clean and safe water for drinking and domestic use is a big challenge in South Africa and many communities are forced to use contaminated water from streams and rivers for personal and household purposes. Contamination of water with pathogenic microbes is one of the main causes of waterborne diseases because these pathogens can persist in polluted water for a long time ultimately leading to infections. The use of microbiologically contaminated waters for both personal and household purposes is of great concern because it poses a serious health risk to many communities, especially those in rural areas. To this end, assessing water quality is important because enables an investigation into the causes of pollution. In addition, such an investigation has the can avert potential waterborne diseases by providing evidence on the risks of human exposure related to different water uses.
While the function and purpose of a wastewater treatment plant is to reduce pollutant loads to acceptable prior to discharging the treated wastewater into receiving water bodies, airborne pathogenic microbes occurring in a wastewater treatment plant effluent poses a serious risk to people living and working near the wastewater treatment plant. This study is therefore geared towards assessing and quantifying levels of airborne microorganisms and other biological particles of concern (bioaerosols) that are generated during wastewater treatment processes.
Supervisor: Dr N.W. Hlongwa
Co-supervisors: Dr M.J. Madito and Dr X.G. Fuku
Email: hlongnw@unisa.ac.za (Dr N.W. Hlongwa)
The development of efficient, green, and sustainable eco-friendly renewable energy storage systems has become critical to meet the increasing energy demand for our society's socio-economic development due to major issues associated with the generation and use of electricity, grid reliability, and reliance on fossil fuels. The most promising technology for balancing the electric grid and more effectively shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy from the wind or sun are batteries and supercapacitors (electrochemical energy storage devices). Furthermore, because of its high energy density, batteries are employed to power portable electronics and hybrid cars. Due to decreased power density, significant capacity fading at high charge/discharge rates, and restricted cyclability, battery technology is severely hampered (lifespan). Supercapacitors, unlike batteries, offer good power rates and cyclability but have lower energy densities. Because of these flaws in batteries and supercapacitors, they are ineffective when used independently, especially when great power and energy density are desired at the same time. Using them together also limits the size of electrical gadgets. The concept of fully integrated rechargeable hybrid battery-supercapacitor (supercapbattery) electrical energy storage devices is a promising approach to develop next-generation energy-storage systems. With this end product in mind, we focus on synthesizing new hybrid electrode materials that combine the best features of batteries and supercapacitors to achieve enhanced energy, power density, and cyclability at a lower cost.
Supervisor: Prof U. Feleni
Co-supervisors: Prof B. Bartlett and Dr K.E. Sekhosana
Email: felenu@unisa.ac.za (Prof U. Feleni)
The nanocomposites written here appear to be a promising choice for further investigation into the water-splitting application. A probable mechanism referring to photo electron creation and transport will be highlighted.
Supervisor: Dr X.G. Fuku
Co-supervisors: Dr M.M. Motsa, Dr M.J. Madito, Dr M. Modibedi
Email: fukuxg@unisa.ac.za (Dr X.G. Fuku)
Reliable and sustainable energy supply is critical to a country's economic and social fabric, as well as its residents' well-being and quality of life. In an era when demand for traditionally exploited natural resources outpaces supply, traditional industrial practices contribute to unfavourable climatic change, and developing regions compete for a greater share of finite fuel stocks, finding innovative ways to meet this demand is more important than ever . In that front, Fuel cells (FCs) are an attractive option for energy conversion as they offer high efficiency with little or no pollution.
Supervisor: Dr X.G. Fuku
Co-supervisors: Dr N.W. Hlongwa, Prof U. Feleni and Prof L.M. Madikizela
Email: fukuxg@unisa.ac.za (Dr X.G. Fuku)
Contaminated water is a serious concern in many developing countries with severe health consequences particularly for children. Current methods for monitoring waterborne pathogens are often time consuming, expensive, and labour intensive, making them not suitable for these regions. Electrochemical detection in a microfluidic platform offers many advantages such as portability, minimal use of instrumentation, and easy integration with electronics. In many parts of the world, however, the required equipment for pathogen detection through electrochemical sensors is either not available or insufficiently portable, and operators may not be trained to use these sensors and interpret results, ultimately preventing its wide adoption. Counterintuitively, these same regions often have an extensive mobile phone infrastructure, suggesting the possibility of integrating electrochemical detection of bacterial pathogens with a mobile platform. Toward a solution to water quality interventions, we demonstrate a microfluidic electrochemical sensor combined with a mobile interface that detects the sequences from bacterial pathogens, suitable for rapid, affordable, and point-of-care water monitoring.
Supervisor: Prof A.T. Kuvarega
Co-supervisors: Mr T.N. Moja and Prof L. A. De Kock
Email: kuvarat@nisa.ac.za (Prof A.T. Kuvarega)
The nanocomposite will be used to remediate Cr(VI) and Cd(II) ions from aqueous solutions and characterized by different techniques such as ICP-OES-MS, SEM-EDS, TGA-DMA-DSC, XRD etc.
Supervisor: Prof L. A. De Kock
Co-supervisor: Mr T.N. Moja
Email: dkockla@unisa.ac.za (Prof L.A De Kock)
The clay-nanocomposite will be characterized using different techniques such as FT-IR, RAMAN, TGA-DMA-DSC, XRD, SEM-EDS, ICP-OES-MS etc. and it will be used to remove/remediate toxic divalent ions such as Cd(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) from coal/acid mine drainage (AMD) wastewater.
Supervisor: Prof A.T. Kuvarega
Co-supervisor: Dr X.G. Fuku
Email: kuvarat@unisa.ac.za (Prof A.T. Kuvarega)
The project involves synthesis and characterisation of visible light active heterojunction photocatalysts for removal of organic water pollutants.
Supervisor: Dr N.N. Gumbi,
Co-supervisor: Prof L.M. Madikizela and Dr M.M. Motsa
Email: gumbinn@unisa.ac.za (Dr N.N. Gumbi)
The study aims to fabricate composite nanofiltration hollow fiber membranes for water softening under low operating pressures. Aliphatic vs aromatic amine monomers will be investigated for the fabrication of the NF membranes as well as dominant separation mechanisms displayed by the fabricated membranes.
Supervisor: Dr M.M. Motsa
Co-supervisors: Dr T. Leswifi and Dr N.N. Gumbi
Email: motsamm@unisa.ac.za (Dr M.M. Motsa)
This work seeks to incorporate membrane processes in to existing biological process for treating wastewater for reuse purposes. As such, it will investigate the development of an efficient membrane bioreactor system for the post treatment of wastewater effluent to green water status. Intensive investigations will be directed at determining the mechanism of algae-bacteria consortium for heavy metal removal, such as biosorption, bio-convention or bioaccumulation. Furthermore, the synergistic effects of algae and bacteria will be studied.
Supervisor: Dr A.A. Muleja
Co-supervisors: Ms C.S. Tshangana and Prof R. M. Moutloali
Email: mulejaa@unisa.ac.za (Dr A.A. Muleja)
This project aims to integrate membrane technology and Advanced Oxidation Process (AOPs) to simultaneously degrade and separate organic pollutants by improving the overall process efficiency. Integrating AOPs and membrane filtration presents several advantages which include but not limited to the following: enhanced anti-fouling or self-cleaning properties that will be imparted on the membrane and overall improved membrane fluxes. Additional concept referred to as “self-healing” would be integrated to the combined system for continuous stability and application of the hybrid-membrane-AOPs component.
Supervisor: Dr A.A. Muleja
Co-supervisors: Prof P. Westerhoff and Prof TTI Nkambule
E-mail: mulejaa@unisa.ac.za (Dr A.A. Muleja)
The project seeks to valorise waste into carbon block membranes for drinking water treatment and energy production to ensure sustainability. Dry and/or wet carbon-based waste will be transformed into biochar and extruded into membranes. The biochar will be extruded to tubular membranes and evaluated for point of use system of drinking water. Furthermore, the gases released during biochar synthesis will be analysed and converted into energy for various uses i.e., heating; electricity and/or fuel. Gas/liquid chromatography will be performed to understand the products (water and gases) whereas focused beam reflectance measurement will be used for in-situ analysis of the process synthesis.
Last modified: Mon Aug 07 18:04:24 SAST 2023