Evaluation of a Norwegian-developed ELISA to determine microcystin concentrations in fresh water

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 743-752 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Botha ◽  
P. N. Laver ◽  
A. Singo ◽  
E. A. Venter ◽  
G. C. H. Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Microcystis Aeruginosa ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Elisa Kit ◽  
Methanol Extraction ◽  
Efficient Detection ◽  
Resin Adsorption ◽  
User Friendly

Abstract Cyanobacteria are known for their extensive and highly visible blooms in rivers or dams in Africa. One of the most important cyanobacteria is Microcystis aeruginosa which can synthesise various microcystins that may affect the health of humans and animals. Accurate and efficient detection of microcystins in water is thus important for public and veterinary health. Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), a commercially-available ELISA kit (Abraxis) and a newly-developed Norwegian ELISA (putatively cheaper and more robust) were used to detect microcystins in fresh water in South Africa. Water samples were collected monthly at two sites, the Hartbeespoort Dam and a crocodile breeding dam. Extremely high microcystin concentrations (exceeding 360 μg L−1) were detected in the Hartbeespoort Dam during January 2015, whereas the microcystin concentrations in the crocodile breeding dam peaked during March–April 2015. Both ELISAs were positively correlated when analysing water samples ‘as is’ and following resin adsorption and methanol extraction. However, following resin adsorption and methanol extraction of the water samples, the correlation between the two assays was much stronger. These results suggests that the two ELISAs provide comparable results. If the Norwegian-developed ELISA can be packaged and made available as a user-friendly kit, it could be used successfully in surveillance programmes to monitor microcystin concentrations in fresh water bodies in Africa.

scholarly journals Determination of Potentially Harmful Element (PHE) Distribution in Water Bodies in Krugersdorp, a Mining City in the West Rand, Gauteng Province, South Africa

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1133
Author(s):  
Michael Shapi ◽  
Maryam Amra Jordaan ◽  
Andile Truelove Mbambo ◽  
Theophilus Clavell Davies ◽  
Emmanuel Chirenje ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Potentially Harmful Elements ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
The Town ◽  
Concentration Levels

The town of Krugersdorp in South Africa is the locus of an important wildlife game reserve, the Krugersdorp Game Reserve (KGR), which is juxtaposed by the (<1000 m) down-gradient of the large-scale gold mining outfits of Mintails Mogale Gold (MMG) and Rand Uranium (RU). The aim of the study was to determine the concentration levels of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) that have accumulated due to post-mining activities in the local water bodies in Krugersdorp and to use these data as a prerequisite and basis for formulation of the most appropriate remediation measures. Thirty water samples were collected and analysed in situ for: water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (mgl−1), dissolved oxygen (%), total dissolved solids (TDS), oxidation/reduction potential (ORP), and electrical conductivity (EC). This was later followed by laboratory analyses of aliquots of the water samples by ICP-MS for twelve PHEs whose concentration ranges were: As (0.70–32.20), Ag (0.16–105.00), Al (1.00–41.00), Co (0.07–6.16), Cr (1.60–5.00), Cu (0.80–8.00), Fe (23.00–117.00), Mn (0.14–12 255.00), Ni (0.20–7.00), Pb (0.80–6.30), V (1.90–55.20), and Zn (2.20–783.00). Areas of the town where excessive concentration levels of these elements have negatively impacted the health of its wildlife population and surrounding ecosystems are identified, and credible mitigation measures proffered.

scholarly journals The Value of Decentralisation in Wastewater Management: Gauteng Province Case Study, South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
Cornelius Chris Reynders ◽  
Harmony Musiyarira ◽  
Prvoslav Marjanovic
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Resource Conservation ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Plant Production ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Wastewater Management ◽  
Wastewater Generation

In a semi-arid water scarce country like South Africa, the efficient use of limited water resources and measures to extend the service value of these resources is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development. The conventional supply-sided management approach to water supply causes increased wastewater generation with accompanied increased pollution loads requiring higher levels of mitigation environmental pollution. Where disposal of wastewater treatment effluent takes place in rivers and natural water bodies, the lack of adequate natural compensating capacity of such water bodies typically result in severe ecological damage of the aquatic environment. With a shift of emphasis to a sustainable demand side management approach (as opposed to a supply side one), the avoidance of water wastage and high wastewater generation represents both resource conservation and environmental protection friendly approaches and contribute to overall sustainability. The integrated nature of water supply and wastewater management systems require an approach that considers these systems holistically. A new paradigm for water management is therefore needed to ensure that the issues of waste disposal and pollution are dealt with in a sustainable manner taking into account the emerging objectives of modern society for resource conservation and environmental protection.A balance therefore has to be found between the uses of additional fresh water resources as a means of satisfying en ever increasing water demand on the one hand and alternative unconventional resource exploration and employment, without the risk of depletion of natural available fresh water resource flow, irreversible harm to the environment and social and economic constraints.This paper explores wastewater and grey water reuse as unconventional resources in a qualitative manner within this balancing equation. It further proposes a methodology for deriving monetary indicator values for wastewater reuse by internalising negative environmental impacts. This is achieved through application of Lagrangian optimisation of the treatment plant production function (output distance function) for deriving marginal prices of contaminant removal and resulting avoided pollution.

ASSESSMENT OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM STATUS USING MACROPHYTE SPECIES AS KEY TOOLS INDICATOR FOR HEAVY METAL POLLUTION

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (30) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashidi Othman ◽  
Ruhul Izzati Shaharuddin ◽  
Zainul Mukrim Baharuddin ◽  
Khairusy Syakirin Has-Yun Hashim ◽  
Mohd Shah Irani Hasni
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Aquatic Plant ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Macrophyte Species ◽  
Freshwater Bodies

Aquatic plants or macrophytes are beneficial to fresh water bodies because they produce oxygen, which assists with overall fresh water bodies functioning, and provide food and shelter for aquatic living organisms. A lack of aquatic plants in a freshwater bodies system where they are expected to occur may suggest a reduced population of macro and micro fauna. In addition, the absence of macrophytes may also indicate water quality problems as a result of excessive turbidity, herbicides, or salinization. However, an over abundance of macrophytes can result from high nutrient levels and may interfere with freshwater bodies processing, recreational activities and detract from the aesthetic appeal of the system. In this study, sixteen water samples were collected from four different places (Selangor, Perak, Pahang and Kelantan) where six different macrophytes species were abundance and dominant. All the water samples were analyzed by using Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for six types of heavy metals which are iron (Fe), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and manganese (Mn). All six different macrophytes species which are Eichhorniacrassipes, Hydrillaverticillata, Cabombafuscata, Salvinianatans, Nelumbonuciferaand Pistiastratiotesexhibiting highly significant differences (P< 0.0001) between aquatic plant species widespread, locations and the heavy metals content. This clearly demonstrates that freshwater environment with abundance of invasive macrophyte species can have an important influence and indication on the accumulation of heavy metals content. The importance of the interaction components emphasises that the changes in heavy metals composition are complex and the responses are not consistent across all aquatic plant species. Examination of the summarised data revealed that, of the 6 macrophyte species analysed at all different locations, all exhibits as potential ecological indicator for unhealthy aquatic ecosystems or as phytoindicator for heavy metal contaminants either at low or high level contamination. Therefore, macrophyte is an effective tool in responding heavy metal in low level environmental contamination that might otherwise be difficult to detect.

SITE-SPECIFIC EQUATIONS OF STATE FOR COASTAL SEA AREAS AND INLAND WATER BODIES

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Andrulionis ◽  
Natalia Andrulionis ◽  
Ivan Zavialov ◽  
Ivan Zavialov ◽  
Elena Kovaleva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Equation Of State ◽  
Black Sea ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Equations Of State ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Ionic Composition ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Aral Sea ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Coastal Sea

This article presents a new method of laboratory density determination and construction equations of state for marine waters with various ionic compositions and salinities was developed. The validation of the method was performed using the Ocean Standard Seawater and the UNESCO thermodynamic equation of state (EOS-80). Density measurements of water samples from the Aral Sea, the Black Sea and the Issyk-Kul Lake were performed using a high-precision laboratory density meter. The obtained results were compared with the density values calculated for the considered water samples by the EOS-80 equation. It was shown that difference in ionic composition between Standard Seawater and the considered water bodies results in significant inaccuracies in determination of water density using the EOS-80 equation. Basing on the laboratory measurements of density under various salinity and temperature values we constructed a new equation of state for the Aral Sea and the Black Sea water samples and estimated errors for their coefficients.

scholarly journals Characterisation of mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr-3 and mcr-5) in river and storm water in regions of the Western Cape of South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yolandi Snyman ◽  
Andrew C. Whitelaw ◽  
Jo M. Barnes ◽  
Motlatji R. B. Maloba ◽  
Mae Newton-Foot
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Water Sources ◽  
Storm Water ◽  
Gene Variants ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Three Rivers

Abstract Background Colistin is regarded as a last-resort antimicrobial against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), therefore the dissemination of colistin resistance in the environment is of great concern. Horizontal transfer of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes to potential pathogens poses a serious problem. This study aimed to describe the presence of colistin resistant GNB and mcr genes in river and storm water in regions of the Western Cape. Methods Water samples were collected from three rivers during May 2019 and January 2020 and two storm water samples were collected in November 2019. Colistin resistant GNB were cultured on MacConkey agar containing colistin and identified by MALDI-TOF. Colistin resistance was confirmed using broth microdilution (BMD). mcr-1-5 genes were detected by PCR performed directly on the water samples and on the colistin resistant isolates. mcr functionality was assessed by BMD after cloning the mcr genes into pET-48b(+) and expression in SHuffle T7 E. coli. Results mcr-5.1 and various mcr-3 gene variants were detected in the Plankenburg-, Eerste- and Berg rivers and in storm water from Muizenberg, and only mcr-5.1 was detected in storm water from Fish Hoek. Colistin resistant GNB were isolated from all of the water sources. Aeromonas spp. were the most common colistin resistant organisms detected in the water sources; 25% (6/24) of colistin resistant Aeromonas spp. isolated from the Berg river contained novel mcr-3 variants; mcr-3.33 (n = 1), mcr-3.34 (n = 1) mcr-3.35 (n = 1) mcr-3.36 (n = 2) and mcr-3.37 (n = 1), which were confirmed to confer colistin resistance. Conclusions The mcr-5.1 and mcr-3 colistin resistance gene variants were present in widely dispersed water sources in regions of the Western Cape. The mcr genes were only detected in water sampled downstream of and alongside communities, suggesting that their presence is driven by human influence/contamination. This is the first documentation of mcr-3 and mcr-5 gene variants in any setting in South Africa. Spill-over of these genes to communities could result in horizontal gene transfer to pathogenic bacteria, exacerbating the challenge of controlling multidrug resistant GNB infections.

Modern nanobiotechnologies for efficient detection and remediation of mercury

Sensor Review ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulayam Singh Gaur ◽  
Rajni Yadav ◽  
Mamta Kushwah ◽  
Anna Nikolaevna Berlina
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Mercury Ions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efficient Detection ◽  
Sensitivity And Selectivity ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose This information will be useful in the selection of materials and technology for the detection and removal of mercury ions at a low cost and with high sensitivity and selectivity. The purpose of this study is to provide the useful information for selection of materials and technology to detect and remove the mercury ions from water with high sensitivity and selectivity. The purpose of this study is to provide the useful information for selection of materials and technology to detect and remove the mercury ions from water with high sensitivity and selectivity. Design/methodology/approach Different nano- and bio-materials allowed for the development of a variety of biosensors – colorimetric, chemiluminescent, electrochemical, whole-cell and aptasensors – are described. The materials used for their development also make it possible to use them in removing heavy metals, which are toxic contaminants, from environmental water samples. Findings This review focuses on different technologies, tools and materials for mercury (heavy metals) detection and remediation to environmental samples. Originality/value This review gives up-to-date and systemic information on modern nanotechnology methods for heavy metal detection. Different recognition molecules and nanomaterials have been discussed for remediation to water samples. The present review may provide valuable information to researchers regarding novel mercury ions detection sensors and encourage them for further research/development.

scholarly journals Ground-Water Quality in Islamkot and Mithi Talukas of District Tharparkar, Sindh, Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-150
Author(s):  
Jhaman Das Suthar ◽  
Inayatullah Rajper ◽  
Zia-ul- Hassan ◽  
Nizamuddin Depar ◽  
Velo Suthar
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Salt Content ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Ground Water Quality ◽  
Desert Region ◽  
Remote Areas

Surface water supplies are gradually becoming short in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Thus, assessment of groundwater quality for crop use appears to be very essential for management and utilization of precious natural water resources. This study reports the water quality of 52 hand pumps and one tubewell located in the most remote areas of desert region, viz. Islamkot and Mithi talukas of district Tharparkar. The water samples were collected during April 2016 (just before the start of rainy season). The water samples were analyzed for EC (Electrical Conductivity), pH, CO32-, HCO3-, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ concentration. The SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ratio) and RSC (Residual Sodium Carbonates) were estimated using their respective formula. The categorization of water samples based on their soluble salt content clearly revealed that the water bodies of majority (65%) of areas were hazardous, while 25% areas were marginal. Thus, only 11% water samples of the area under study had useable irrigation water. Because of SAR and RSC the majority (89 and 77%, respectively) of water samples were found to be free from the sodicity hazard. The study concluded that salinity, and not sodicity was the major threat to the area under irrigation with these water bodies. It is, therefore, suggested that the salinity tolerant crops and their genotypes may be used in this area to sustain crop production.

scholarly journals SOME COMMENTS ON WATER RIGHTS IN SOUTH AFRICA

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
N Gabru
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
South African ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Bill Of Rights ◽  
The South ◽  
Economic Rights ◽  
Basic Part ◽  
The Right

Human life, as with all animal and plant life on the planet, is dependant upon fresh water. Water is not only needed to grow food, generate power and run industries, but it is also needed as a basic part of human life. Human dependency upon water is evident through history, which illustrates that human settlements have been closely linked to the availability and supply of fresh water. Access to the limited water resources in South Africa has been historically dominated by those with access to land and economic power, as a result of which the majority of South Africans have struggled to secure the right to water. Apartheid era legislation governing water did not discriminate directly on the grounds of race, but the racial imbalance in ownership of land resulted in the disproportionate denial to black people of the right to water. Beyond racial categorisations, the rural and poor urban populations were traditionally especially vulnerable in terms of the access to the right.  The enactment of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1996, brought the South African legal system into a new era, by including a bill of fundamental human rights (Bill of Rights). The Bill of Rights makes provision for limited socio-economic rights. Besides making provision for these human rights, the Constitution also makes provision for the establishment of state institutions supporting constitutional democracy.  The Constitution has been in operation since May 1996. At this stage, it is important to take stock and measure the success of the implementation of these socio-economic rights. This assessment is important in more ways than one, especially in the light of the fact that many lawyers argued strongly against 1/2the inclusion of the second and third generation of human rights in a Bill of Rights. The argument was that these rights are not enforceable in a court of law and that they would create unnecessary expectations of food, shelter, health, water and the like; and that a clear distinction should be made between first generation and other rights, as well as the relationship of these rights to one another. It should be noted that there are many lawyers and non-lawyers who maintained that in order to confront poverty, brought about by the legacy of apartheid, the socio-economic rights should be included in a Bill of Rights. The inclusion of section 27 of the 1996 Constitution has granted each South African the right to have access to sufficient food and water and has resulted in the rare opportunity for South Africa to reform its water laws completely. It has resulted in the enactment of the Water Services Act 108 of 1997 and the National Water Act 36 of 1998.In this paper the difference between first and second generation rights will be discussed. The justiciability of socio-economic rights also warrants an explanation before the constitutional implications related to water are briefly examined. Then the right to water in international and comparative law will be discussed, followed by a consideration of the South African approach to water and finally, a few concluding remarks will be made.

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