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Assessing the impact of different pollution sources on the type of microplastics, associated microbial communities, anti-microbial resistance and transport of microplastics in selected urban rivers in South Africa.
C.F. Nnadozie
Sponsor: Water Research Commission
Collaborators: I.D. Amoah, R. Indhur, N. Malambule and S. Kumari (Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa)
April 2022 – March 2025
The goal of this project is to use an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the risks associated with microplastic (MP) emissions into aquatic ecosystems. The study examines how MPs can act as carriers for bacterial and viral pathogens, as well as for antibiotic-resistant genes, in both wastewater and freshwater environments. This approach integrates chemical analysis, microbiological assessments, and molecular techniques to investigate these issues. The Umgeni River in KwaZulu-Natal and the Swartkops River in the Eastern Cape have been selected for this research. Initial results from the microplastic sampling indicate that fibres are the most common type of microplastic found in both rivers. The patterns of land use and activities within the river catchments are also identified as factors that may influence the presence of microplastics.
Last Modified: Tue, 06 Aug 2024 14:43:05 SAST