VLIR-IUC Limpopo

Project 5: Water Pollution

Key focus Biomonitoring the impact of land-use on the ecosystem functions of the Limpopo and Olifants River systems, Limpopo province, South Africa.
Objectives
  • Establishment of sustainable water research and training programmes/capacity at UL.
  • Enhancing departmental research capacity through increased postgraduate output, publications and staff development.
  • Monitoring the water and sediment quality, fish health and parasites, bio-accumulation of pollutants in aquatic biota and the impact thereof on the ecosystem and society.
  • Assessing the impact of land-use on water and sediment quality on the aquatic ecosystem and society in general.
  • Assessing the impact of contaminated water and aquatic biota on human health.
  • Dissemination of knowledge to the society: workshops and river health projects like monitoring and cleaning up programmes in the communities.

The impact of water-related stressors on the ecosystem project

The university’s existing work on the Olifants River since 1974, as a research model is incorporated into the human-wellness-in-global-change theme of the VLIR-UOS programme. The bio-monitoring of water quality, sediment, biota, fish health and fish parasites of this river system is providing invaluable data for rural development planning. This in turn is leading to the implementation of water awareness programmes in schools, and ultimately to monitoring and clean-up programmes in collaboration with Eco-Schools and water NGOs. In addition, the strengthening of the research endeavour will help to address the current shortage of qualified aquatic scientists in the SADC region. Some collaborations with American universities have also been established.