Book Chapters

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Browsing Book Chapters by browse.metadata.impactarea "Coastal Systems"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    5.9 - Modelling estuaries in data-poor environments
    (Elsevier, 2024-03) Scharler, UM; Gerber, G; Taljaard, Susan; Mackay, F
    Models are inherently data-hungry for the construction, calibration, validation and predictive capacity that is demanded of models. In data-poor environments, a severe challenge to modelling is the lack of historic data, and present lack of sufficient monitoring programmes of important variables and number of estuarine ecosystems. This is largely due to lack of infrastructure, skills, political will, and monetary support. However, environmental challenges do not wait for adequate datasets to arrive to inform decision-making, and therefore different pathways to modelling that inform both research and management are needed. We present approaches to water quality, ecosystem modelling and climate change research in South African estuaries, as a representative of a data-poor environment. Such approaches aim to use available data in novel ways to inform research and decision-making, and identify data and information gaps. We propose that such methods be used in other data-poor areas with similar types of estuaries as South Africa and we provide recommendations how to construct, validate and use models and their outcomes. The communication of model uncertainty for research purposes and to decision-makers takes an important place in such endeavours.
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    Complex Coastal Systems: Transdisciplinary Learning on International Case Studies
    (Delft Academic Press, 2020-02) Slinger, J; Taljaard, Susan; D'Hont, F
    The transdisciplinary research synthesised in this book represents an endeavour by a group of coastal researchers and policy analysts to learn from a cross-comparison of seven international case studies on tidal inlet or estuary mouth management situations, located in South Africa, Sri Lanka, California, Suriname, Ireland and the Netherlands. The conceptual framing is provided by a focus on systems knowledge and its development and use within coastal management.This book is intended for: • Transdisciplinary scholars who are interested in interdisciplinary learning and knowledge exchange, • Policy analysts, environmental historians and coastal policy specialists who are interested in the role of science in the evolution of coastal policy and management, • Coastal scientists and engineers interested in the dynamics of tidal inlets and estuary mouths, • Coastal managers looking to learn about tidal inlet and mouth management practices • Educators focussed on interdisciplinary skills or interested in using the case studies in coastal, management and engineering classes or as the basis for problem structuring exercises by policy students, and • Students interested in coastal systems management and wanting to broaden their interdisciplinary competence. We trust that this endeavour will inspire others to undertake transdisciplinary learning and contribute to wise coastal research and practice.
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    The contribution of the WRC to estuarine research in support of effective policy development and resource
    (Water Research Commission, 2021-01) Van Niekerk, Lara; Adams, J; Taljaard, Susan; Lamberth, S; Day, J; Day, B; Reizenberg, J
    The Water Research Commission (WRC) has been a staunch and enduring funder of estuarine research in South Africa, with support ranging from identifying research gaps, to the development of dedicated research programs, student advancement, capacity building and funding the development of policy and management tools. In drafting this overview, we have largely project leaders and steering committee members of a number of WRC projects. We have supported our experiential knowledge through a literature review to ensure that key outcomes were captured. The intent here is not to reflect all contributions through the decades, but rather to identify seminal research outputs that have resulted in clear policy and management interventions, or key research ‘stepping stones’ in the generation of new insights and knowledge on estuaries. In particular, we focus on the research that built multi-disciplinary understanding on estuarine ecosystem function, development of environmental water requirement methods, science that has contributed to integrated estuarine management, developments in estuarine monitoring in support of policy and management, and estuarine resource use and quantification of benefits. Finally, we touch on restoration,an emerging field of research supported by the WRC, and conclude with ideas on the role of the WRC in advancing future research in support of the protection and management of our valuable estuarine resources.
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    In living colour – South African aquatic scientists make a splash in biodiversity campaign
    (2024-01) Lain, Elisabeth J; Smith, Marie E
    A new age of satellite remote sensing is upon us. High-tech sensors capable of imaging the earth at over 100 spectral wavebands are now a reality. These sensors, known as hyperspectral radiometers, capture very fine spectral features of the colours emitted from the surface of the earth and its water bodies, offering opportunities for improved satellite-based environmental monitoring. South African researchers are primed and ready to make use of these new technologies to derive water quality parameters from hyperspectral radiometric measurements by applying it towards monitoring our diverse estuaries, dams and oceans. So writes Lisl Lain and Marie Smith of CSIR.
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    Metal oxide nanocomposites for adsorption and photoelectrochemical degradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in aqueous solution
    (Springer, 2020-04) Mdlalose, Lindani M; Chauke, Vongani P; Nomadolo, Elizabeth N; Msomi, P; Setshedi, Katlego Z; Chimuka, L; Chetty, Ashlen; Ama, OM; Ray, Suprakas S
    The global deterioration of water quality which is associated with industrialisation, urbanisation, and a growing population is reaching critical levels and thus needs to be addressed urgently. Common pollutants that are discharged from industries and sewage plants include unknown toxic chemicals, heavy-metals and micro-organisms; these are well known and thoroughly studied. Of growing and great concern to both human and animal health is the new emerging class of pollutants known as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs) or emerging organic compounds (EOCs); these are frequently associated with residues from pharmaceutical industries, i.e. they comprise of common drugs such as antibiotics, medication for chronic illnesses, pain killers. Regrettably, the traditional water purification systems cannot fully remove these pollutants, thus they are found in various water systems in minute concentrations. The danger is in the long run accumulative exposure to humans, animals and the environment. There are several methods that have been developed, reported and used for the removal of these pollutants. Several removal or remediation technologies have been studied and reported for the mineralisation of these emerging organic pollutants and of interest to this work is photocatalysis using light harvesting materials such TiO2 (i.e. semiconductors) and electrochemistry. The drawbacks associated with semiconductors are low quantum yields that emanate from rapid recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes with very low lifetimes. To overcome these drawbacks and to enhance degradation, an electrical external field can be applied across the catalyst or semiconductor to induce special separation of photo-generated electron hole pair to allow a sink for the electrons in a process called photoelectrochemistry. This chapter highlights the reported mineralisation of organic pollutants photoelectrochemistry using semiconductors; it also highlights the efficiency of photoelectrocatalysis when compared with photocatalysis alone.