Contamination of selected heavy metals in (Boulenger, 1906) in the four strata of Lake Kariba Zambia: are the consumers at risk?

Pollution of aquatic ecosystems is one of the major challenges affecting many countries of the world. Heavy metal pollutants, in particular, threaten the life of aquatic organisms (fauna and flora) and, more importantly, humans who consume aquatic products as a critical source of proteins. In the present study, the concentrations of selected heavy metals (cobalt- Co, Chromium-Cr, nickel- Ni and manganese- Mn) in , locally known as 'Kapenta' were assessed using the Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer (MP AES) 4200 at the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI).

Plant-frugivore networks are robust to species loss even in highly built-up urban ecosystems.

Animal seed dispersal processes are an important aspect of ecosystem services, as they shape the survival of seed dispersers and the balanced distribution of propagules for many plant communities. Several studies within tropical wild ecosystems have generally shown that seed dispersal processes are highly generalised and robust to extinction. Studies examining seed dispersal networks in highly built-up urban ecosystems and their robustness to species loss or extinction are rare.

Modification of the third phase in the framework for vertebrate species persistence in urban mosaic environments.

Urbanisation is rapidly transforming natural landscapes with consequences for biodiversity. Little is documented on the response of African wildlife to urbanisation. We reviewed case studies of vertebrate species' responses to urbanisation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to determine trends.

Tracing enteric pathogen contamination in sub-Saharan African groundwater.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) can rapidly screen for an array of faecally-derived bacteria, which can be employed as tracers to understand groundwater vulnerability to faecal contamination. A microbial DNA qPCR array was used to examine 45 bacterial targets, potentially relating to enteric pathogens, in 22 groundwater supplies beneath the city of Kabwe, Zambia in both the dry and subsequent wet season. Thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms, sanitary risks, and tryptophan-like fluorescence, an emerging real-time reagentless faecal indicator, were also concurrently investigated.

In-situ tryptophan-like fluorescence: A real-time indicator of faecal contamination in drinking water supplies.

Enteric pathogens are typically inferred from the presence of surrogate indicator organisms such as thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms (TTCs). The analysis of TTCs requires time-consuming incubation in suitable laboratories, which can limit sampling resolution, particularly during critical pollution events. Here, we demonstrate the use of in-situ fluorimeters targeting tryptophan-like compounds as a rapid, reagentless indicator of TTCs in groundwater-derived potable water supplies in Africa.

Emerging contaminants in urban groundwater sources in Africa.

The occurrence of emerging organic contaminants within the aquatic environment in Africa is currently unknown. This study provides early insights by characterising a broad range of emerging organic contaminants (n > 1000) in groundwater sources in Kabwe, Zambia. Groundwater samples were obtained during both the dry and wet seasons from a selection of deep boreholes and shallow wells completed within the bedrock and overlying superficial aquifers, respectively.