Abundance and distribution of microplastics in benthic sediments and Cladocera taxa in a subtropical Austral reservoir.

Pollution of the natural environment by microplastics has become a global issue in ecosystems as it poses a potential long-term threat to biota. Microplastics can accrue in high abundances in sediments of aquatic ecosystems while also contaminating pelagic filter feeders, which could transfer pollutants up trophic webs. We assess the abundance and distribution of microplastics in benthic sediments and Cladocera taxa in a subtropical Austral reservoir using a combination of geospatial techniques, physicochemical analyses, diversity indices, and multivariate statistics between two seasons (i.

Water and sediment chemistry drivers of chlorophyll-a dynamics within a Ramsar declared floodplain pan wetland system.

Floodplain pans are hydrologically dynamic in nature and characterised by variables such as chlorophyll-a (chl-a), water, and sediment chemistry over their hydroperiods. The present study investigated the spatio-temporal variations in water and sediment physico-chemical, and chlorophyll-a concentration characteristics of six floodplain pans found in the Ramsar declared Makuleke wetlands, Kruger National Park, South Africa. The water and sediment physico-chemical variable values were generally elevated during the high-water period, whereas chlorophyll-a concentrations varied across pans and hydroperiod.

Chlorophyll-a unveiled: unlocking reservoir insights through remote sensing in a subtropical reservoir.

Effective water resources management and monitoring are essential amid increasing challenges posed by population growth, industrialization, urbanization, and climate change. Earth observation techniques offer promising opportunities to enhance water resources management and support informed decision-making. This study utilizes Landsat-8 OLI and Sentinel-2 MSI satellite data to estimate chlorophyl-a (chl-a) concentrations in the Nandoni reservoir, Thohoyandou, South Africa.

Spatiotemporal variation in macroplastic abundances along a subtropical Austral river system.

Plastic pollution is a ubiquitous problem that poses a threat to society and the environment. The issue is especially pervasive in the aquatic environment, where large amounts of plastic debris accumulate from numerous anthropogenic pathways. Relatively little is known about the extent of macroplastics in African subtropical Austral rivers, where management strategies are lacking.

Groundwater quality evaluation for domestic and irrigation purposes for the Nwanedi Agricultural Community, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

In addition to quantity of water supply for various water uses, water quality is also of concern. The current state of the water quality is not known; neither is its suitability for domestic and agricultural uses. The current study investigated the suitability of the groundwater resource for domestic and agricultural uses in Nwanedi agricultural community.

Informing spread predictions of two alien snails using movement traits.

Invasive alien species are a growing global problem, and aquatic ecosystems have been regarded as particularly vulnerable. Biological invasions can alter ecosystem functioning, threaten native biodiversity and burden the global economy. Understanding alien species ability to disperse via locomotion following arrival to new environments is critical for prediction of spread rates.

Effects of urbanisation and a wastewater treatment plant on microplastic densities along a subtropical river system.

Global freshwaters are increasingly threatened by pollutants emanating from human activities around watersheds. Microplastic pollution is an increasing problem for rivers worldwide, potentially threatening ecological integrity, ecosystem services and human health. We present quantifications and characterisations of sediment microplastic pollution in a subtropical river system in southern Africa, and relate distributions to wastewater treatment works, abiotic variables and urban environments.

Quantifying Metal Contamination and Potential Uptake by Adans. (Poaceae) Along a Subtropical River System.

Metal pollution is pervasive across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems owing to anthropogenic activities. Sediments can accrue high concentrations of metals and act as secondary sources, and thus may be valuable indicators of metal contamination across spatiotemporal scales. In aquatic systems, the extent of metal pollution may be further mediated by transference among sediments and living organisms, with plant metal contaminants potentially predictive of underlying sediment concentrations.