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Microplastics in municipal water: analysing variations in contamination in a Lowveld city, South Africa.

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Microplastics in municipal water: analysing variations in contamination in a Lowveld city, South Africa. Authors: Dalu, Tatenda.; Xozumti, Ayanda P.; Dalu, Mwazvita T. B.; Munyai, Linton F.; Nkosi, Stanford M.; Themba, Samkelisiwe T.; Mudzielwana, Rabelani.; Mpopetsi, Pule P. Abstract: There are some concerns regarding the presence of microplastics in drinking water, and thus, the potential effects of this on human health. This study assessed water quality and the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in municipal drinking water across different locations within Nelspruit, South Africa. Furthermore, variations in microplastic types and plastic polymers were analysed, along with household tap aerator cleaning frequency and water consumption patterns. Microplastics were classified by colour and type, and their polymer composition was verified using a Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). Study findings showed no significant association between water quality and aerator maintenance and water quality and municipal water consumption patterns amongst locations. However, a weak negative correlation was observed between fibre microplastics and household faucet aerator cleaning frequency, suggesting that less frequent cleaning may contribute to higher microplastic fibre accumulation in municipal treated water. Diversity indices revealed low variability in microplastic distribution, indicating relatively uniform contamination levels across the study area. Fragments and/or fibres were the most dominant microplastics identified among the different localities. Low–density polyethylene (LDPE), high–density polyethylene (HDPE), and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), were the most commonly detected polymers and were evenly distributed. The occurrence of microplastics in drinking water could, in part, be attributed to the poor water treatment methods, employed by the contracted water services provider, in capturing and removing microscopic particles. Additionally, less frequent aerator cleaning may also contribute towards increased microplastic accumulation in municipal treated water, subsequently exacerbating microplastic contamination in drinking water systems. These findings indicate the need for further evaluation of the water treatment processes and the importance of routine faucet aerator maintenance to minimise household microplastic exposure. In addition, the findings provide an important baseline information on microplastic presence in drinking water of African systems. Description: Published version

Fungal-mediated solid-state fermentation ameliorates antinutritional factors but does not improve in vitro digestibility of marama (Tylosema esculentum) beans.

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Fungal-mediated solid-state fermentation ameliorates antinutritional factors but does not improve in vitro digestibility of marama (Tylosema esculentum) beans. Authors: Gbenle, Joel.; Mert, Marlin.; Phasha, Nkateko N.; Madibana, Molatelo Junior.; Manyeula, Freddy.; Bamidele, Oluwaseun Peter.; Toefy, Rashieda.; Dibakoane, Siphosethu Richard.; Mlambo, Victor. Abstract: Beans from the orphan legume Tylosema esculentum (marama plant) have the potential to partially or completely replace soybeans in human and animal diets. However, their high levels of antinutritional factors and low levels of certain essential amino acids may limit this utility. This study aimed to enhance the food/feed value of marama beans through fungal-mediated solid-state fermentation (SSF) using Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus sojae, and their co-culture, focusing on the beans’ functional and nutritional properties. Contrasts revealed that fermented beans had lower (p < 0.05) acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), cellulose, and hemicellulose levels compared to non-fermented beans, while crude fat content was unchanged (p > 0.05). Beans fermented with A. sojae showed higher crude protein (CP) content (p < 0.05) than non-fermented beans. Fermented beans exhibited lower (p < 0.05) phytic acid and trypsin inhibitor activity, but significantly higher (p < 0.05) total phenolic content compared to non-fermented beans. Non-fermented beans had higher (p < 0.05) in vitro enzyme protein digestibility (IVPD) than single-strain-fermented beans. Fungal fermentation increased (p < 0.05) dispersibility and reduced water and oil absorption capacities but did not affect (p > 0.05) pH and bulk density. In conclusion, fungal-mediated SSF reduced some fiber fractions, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitor activity in marama beans, though this did not result in enhanced simulated protein digestibility. Description: Published version

Socio-economic determinants of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Mbombela: a binary logistic regression analysis.

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Socio-economic determinants of climate change adaptation strategies among smallholder farmers in Mbombela: a binary logistic regression analysis. Authors: Dyanty, Thando.; Agholor, Isaac Azikiwe.; Nkambule, Tapelo Blessing.; Nkuna, Andries Agrippa.; Nkosi, Mzwakhe.; Ndlovu, Shalia Matilda.; Mokoena, Jabulani Johannes.; Nkosi, Pretty Nombulelo.; Nkosi, Nombuso Precious.; Makhubu, Thulasizwe Hopewell . Abstract: Climate change poses significant challenges to smallholder farmers, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture is highly vulnerable to changing climatic conditions. This study examines the socioeconomic determinants influencing the adoption of strategies for adapting to climate change among smallholder farmers in Mbombela, South Africa. A quantitative research approach was employed, using structured questionnaires to collect data from 308 randomly selected smallholder farmers. Furthermore, the study utilised binary logistic regression to analyse the relationship between socioeconomic factors and the adoption of adaptation strategies. The results revealed that gender, age, income sources, access to climate information, and cooperative membership significantly influenced farmers’ adoption of adaptation strategies. Findings further showed that female farmers, older farmers, and those relying solely on farming income were less likely to adopt adaptation strategies, while younger farmers and those with diversified income sources were more likely to embrace adaptation strategies. Moreover, the study found that access to climate information and cooperative membership were negatively associated with the adoption of adaptation strategies. This negative association may be attributed to inefficiencies in current information dissemination, where climate-related information may not be tailored to the specific needs of farmers, or to cooperative structures that may not effectively facilitate knowledge sharing or collective action. The study concludes that targeted interventions, such as gender-sensitive policies, livelihood diversification, improved extension services, and strengthened cooperative structures, are essential to enhance smallholder farmers’ adaptive capacity. Description: Published version

The status of giraffe in South Africa: the importance of private land for conservation.

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The status of giraffe in South Africa: the importance of private land for conservation. Authors: Hoffman, Rigardt.; Marneweck, Courtney J.; Fennessy, Julian.; Brown, Michael Butler.; Fennessy, Stephanie.; Parker, Dan M. Abstract: Giraffe(Giraffa spp.) populationsarenaturallydistributedacross21Africancountriesbut havedeclinedbyapproximately30%overthreeandahalfdecades,from150 000to117 000 individuals, duetoavarietyofanthropogenicthreats.Ofthefourspeciesofgiraffe, the southerngiraffe(Giraffa giraffa) hasthelargestknownpopulationwiththehighest abundancefoundintherangestateofSouthAfrica.Apopulationassessmentin2019 estimated 21 053–26 919individuals.However,theseestimateswereextrapolatedfroma small datasetandlackeddatafromprivatepropertiesintheEasternandWesternCape,Free State andKwaZulu-Natal.Toprovideupdatedabundanceestimatesandrangeforsouthern giraffeinSouthAfrica,weconductedacountry-widepopulationsurveyusingmultipledata sourcesandmethods,includingonlinequestionnaires,reviewsofpeer-reviewedandgrey literature, in situ propertyownerinterviews,citizensciencesightings,anddatarequests fromprovincialauthorities.Ourdatabaseincludedrecordsfromallnineprovinces,covering 86 publicand913privatelands,andresultedinanestimateof29536(likelyrange= 21 744–39 859)southerngiraffeinSouthAfrica.LimpopoandtheEasternCapereportedthe highest abundance.KrugerNationalParkhostedthelargestpublicpopulationwith12 412 (range=10 345–14554)southerngiraffe.Privateland,whichpreviouslywasnotsufficiently counted, accountedfor49.4%ofthetotalestimate.Importantly,weconsiderourupdated southern giraffeestimateconservativeasnotallstakeholderswerewillingtocontribute. Additionally,thepotentialimpactofhybridizationbetweenthetwosubspeciesofthe southern girafferequiresfurtherresearchtoaccuratelyassesstheirstatusinSouthAfrica. Despite thisrestriction,ourrevisedpopulationestimateanddistributionforsoutherngiraffe will contribute to improved conservation efforts in South Africa. Description: Published version