Publications by authors named "Gletwyn Rubidge"
Article Synopsis
- - The study examines the levels of organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in sediments from two South African estuaries (Sundays Estuary and Swartkops Estuary), highlighting their significance for biodiversity and tourism, but noting the lack of previous research on OPFRs in these areas.
- - OPFR concentrations varied, with Sundays Estuary showing levels between 0.71 to 22.5 ng/g and Swartkops Estuary showing levels from 0.61 to 119 ng/g, primarily dominated by alkyl-OPFRs, while certain compounds like TBP, TCPP, and TCrP were most abundant.
- - The ecological risk assessment indicated low to medium risks
Article Synopsis
- This study evaluates how different wetland plants handle metal exposure and their potential to act as metal sinks.
- Seagrass (Zostera capensis) showed significant metal uptake in leaves, while salt marsh plants (Spartina maritima and Salicornia tegetaria) primarily accumulated metals in their roots with minimal translocation.
- The research suggests the need for further analysis of various plant species to understand their ecological roles in wetland environments effectively.
This study assessed the tissue distribution, dietary intake, and potential health risks of eight OPPs in Pomadasys commersonnii (Spotted grunter) and Mugil cephalus (Flathead mullet) from the Sundays and Swartkops estuaries in South Africa. The highest concentration in fish tissues was found in muscles of M. cephalus (178 ± 80.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe seasonal variation, spatial distribution, and ecological risks of thirteen organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) were studied in the Sundays and Swartkops estuaries in South Africa. Ten pesticides were detected in surface water samples from both estuaries, while all OPPs were detected in sediments. The highest concentration of OPPs (18.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrganophosphate pesticides (OPPs) are persistent in the environment, but little information is available on their bioaccumulation in seagrass. In this study, the seagrass - Zostera capensis was collected from Swartkops Estuary in South Africa to investigate the bioaccumulation of OPPs from contaminated sediments and the water column. This plant was chosen because it grows abundantly in the estuary's intertidal zone, making it a viable phytoremediator in the urban environment.
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- - The study examined how the common reed, Phragmites australis, absorbs organophosphate pesticides (OPPs) in the polluted Sundays Estuary, South Africa, assessing water, plant, and sediment samples for 13 different OPPs.
- - Findings revealed that leaves of P. australis had the highest pesticide concentrations, while the plant showed the ability to bioaccumulate certain OPPs and effectively transport them from roots to leaves.
- - The research indicates that P. australis could be a useful plant for cleaning up contaminated environments, highlighting its potential for removing OPPs from water and sediment.
The long-term health of many South African estuaries is impacted by pollutants entering these systems through industrial and agricultural runoff, sewage outfalls, contaminated storm water drainage, flows from informal settlements, and plastic materials in marine debris. Uncontrolled inputs combined with poor environmental management often result in elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in affected estuaries. Data on POPs research from 1960 to 2020 were analysed in terms of their sources, environmental investigations, and health implications.
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