Mineralogical and sorption characterization of lateritic soils from Southwestern Nigeria for use as landfill liners.

Lateritic soils are prevalent in the tropical regions, and they are used for various construction purposes including landfill liner applications. However, their contaminant attenuation potentials through sorption and the influence of parent rocks on this property are poorly understood. This study investigates lateritic soils from southwestern Nigeria as barrier to leachate migration in engineered landfills and related waste containment facilities.

Occurrence of Trace-Level Antibiotics in the Msunduzi River: An Investigation into South African Environmental Pollution.

The presence of antibiotics in the environmental matrix has raised concerns regarding their risk to the aquatic ecosystem and human health. Surface water, such as rivers, plays a pivotal role in the dispersion and transport of antibiotic residues. The effective monitoring of these contaminants requires investigating their sources and distribution.

Natural radioactivity and metal concentration in the Thyspunt area, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

Naturally occurring radionuclides and metals have adverse human health impacts when they occur at higher activity and concentration above the threshold value, respectively, in the water supply system. This study aimed to establish the baseline radionuclide and metal content in rocks, soils, and water in the Thyspunt area of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, which is selected as a potential site for the development of a nuclear power plant. Extensive sampling of rocks, soils, groundwater, and surface water was conducted in the area.

Environmental isotopic and hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater from the Sandspruit Catchment, Berg River Basin, South Africa.

The Sandspruit catchment (a tributary of the Berg River) represents a drainage system, whereby saline groundwater with total dissolved solids (TDS) up to 10,870 mg/l, and electrical conductivity (EC) up to 2,140 mS/m has been documented. The catchment belongs to the winter rainfall region with precipitation seldom exceeding 400 mm/yr, as such, groundwater recharge occurs predominantly from May to August. Recharge estimation using the catchment water-balance method, chloride mass balance method, and qualified guesses produced recharge rates between 8 and 70 mm/yr.