An assessment of aerosol optical depth over three AERONET sites in South Africa during the year 2020.

It is important to notice that the world health organization (WHO) on  the 11th of March 2020,  declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and in response governments around the world introduced lockdowns that restricted human and traffic movements including South Africa. This pandemic resulted in a total lockdown from 26 March until 16 April 2020 in South Africa with expected  decrease in atmospheric aerosols. In this present study,  the aerosol optical depth (AOD) over Southern Africa based on ground-based remotely sensed data derived from three AERONET sites (Durban, Skukuza and Upington) during 2020 were used to detrermine the restriction resopnse on atmospheric aerosol pollution  The study used data from 2019, 2018 and 2017  as base years.

Edible Insects Consumption in Africa towards Environmental Health and Sustainable Food Systems: A Bibliometric Study.

Africa is home to an estimated wild edible insect population of 1000 species that offer an opportunity for sustainable food systems while also improving food and nutrition security on the continent. Edible insect consumption has been part of African communities for a long time and forms part of their diets and cuisines, particularly within low-income households with limited resources. The purpose of our study was to investigate and review the contribution that edible insects can make towards the realisation of sustainable food systems, and environmental/planetary health including the fulfilment of Sustainable Development Goal number 2 (zero hunger).

An assessment of NO atmospheric air pollution over three cities in South Africa during 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

To contain the spread of COVID-19 in 2020, several governments around the world imposed national lockdowns including that of South Africa. The purpose of this study was to investigate and give an overview of nitrogen dioxide column levels during the year 2020 over three South African cities (Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town) using AURA OMI derived measurements, the HYSPLIT model, complemented with NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. Our findings were that in 2020, all the cities recorded their daily maximum mean NO column levels during the winter season at 14.

State of ambient air quality in a low-income urban settlement of South Africa.

Air pollution remains one of the leading global environmental-health challenges the world is facing today, particularly within urban environments. amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, air pollution has been brought back into the spotlight as both attack the human respiratory systems. The purpose of the study was to investigate the quality of ambient air in a low-income urban settlement of Jabavu located within the City of Johannesburg during the year 2018.

Research trends in the field of ambient air quality monitoring and management in South Africa: A bibliometric review.

Air pollution is a leading environmental-health challenge facing the world today. Besides, the emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic has also put some spotlight on issues related to air pollution as both attack the same human respiratory organs. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of research performance, trends and evolution in the field of ambient air quality monitoring and management in South Africa over the last decade (2010-2021) through the application of a bibliometric approach and a data mining software VOSViewer.

Impacts of climate change to African indigenous communities and examples of adaptation responses.

Climate change negatively impacts the livelihoods of indigenous communities across the world, including those located on the African continent. This Comment reports on how five African indigenous communities have been impacted by climate change and the adopted adaptation mechanisms.