The accumulation of heavy metals in soil and vegetables irrigated with wastewater effluent in the Bauffalo City Region
- Authors: Nzube, Silumko
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Heavy metals -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Sewage irrigation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10436 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d10207673
- Description: The present study was conducted to assess selected heavy metal levels (Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni and Pb) in soil and plants that are irrigated by mixed industrial and domestic wastewater in the Buffalo City region. Three types of samples were studied: soil, water and vegetables (spinach and beetroot). Soil analysis showed that most of the heavy metals were found to be acceptable within the SEPA limits. Most of the heavy metal concentrations found in the wastewater indicate that the water is not suitable for irrigation or for livestock use, according to guidelines from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry of South Africa. The level of copper in the wastewater effluent exceeded the level specified by SEPA limits. In the wastewater the lead concentration averaged 3.24 and 1.98 ppm in Tshatshu (TS) and Mlakalaka (ML) respectively, which shows that both sites are not suitable for both irrigation and livestock usage. The heavy metal levels (Ni, Pb, and Cu) in both spinach and beetroot samples exceed the criteria specified by the WHO and SEPA standards. The study recommends terminating the usage of effluent for irrigation and further investigation or monitoring in these water sources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Nzube, Silumko
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Heavy metals -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa -- Buffalo City , Sewage irrigation -- South Africa -- Buffalo City
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10436 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d10207673
- Description: The present study was conducted to assess selected heavy metal levels (Cu, Fe, Zn, Ni and Pb) in soil and plants that are irrigated by mixed industrial and domestic wastewater in the Buffalo City region. Three types of samples were studied: soil, water and vegetables (spinach and beetroot). Soil analysis showed that most of the heavy metals were found to be acceptable within the SEPA limits. Most of the heavy metal concentrations found in the wastewater indicate that the water is not suitable for irrigation or for livestock use, according to guidelines from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry of South Africa. The level of copper in the wastewater effluent exceeded the level specified by SEPA limits. In the wastewater the lead concentration averaged 3.24 and 1.98 ppm in Tshatshu (TS) and Mlakalaka (ML) respectively, which shows that both sites are not suitable for both irrigation and livestock usage. The heavy metal levels (Ni, Pb, and Cu) in both spinach and beetroot samples exceed the criteria specified by the WHO and SEPA standards. The study recommends terminating the usage of effluent for irrigation and further investigation or monitoring in these water sources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
The implications of late payments by government on emerging construction contractors
- Authors: Mayeko, Bathandwa R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public contracts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Transfer payments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3085 , vital:20397
- Description: The public sector is the biggest consumer of construction works in South Africa. Public sector is known for late payments to its service providers. This led to the study’s problem statement that stipulates that, the construction industry; particularly emerging contractors generally experience late payments from clients and employers. This is due to the fact that emerging contractors are vulnerable to failing as these contractors have limited financial resources and experience. The primary objective of the study was to develop a better understanding of the implications of late payments by the government on emerging construction contractors. The study therefore investigated the experiences of emerging construction contractors in the Eastern Cape. The secondary objectives of the study were: to identify the reasons for late payments by the public sector; determine the payment norms applicable to, and expectations of emerging construction contractors; establish construction contractors’ experiences with government payment methods; and to examine the implications of late payment on emerging contractors and their businesses. The study was conducted within a qualitative research paradigm. The participants were identified through non-probability snowball sampling. The sample consisted of five emerging construction contractors mainly from the Civil Engineering and General Building sectors in the Eastern Cape. The data was collected using semi-structured interviewing and was analysed using Tesch’s qualitative analysis explained by Hesse-Biber & Leavy (2011:201). The key results of the empirical study show that late payments have incapacitating effects on the development of emerging contractors. The conclusion reached from the empirical study includes recommendation that construction industry stakeholders form payment legislation aimed at curbing the delay of payments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mayeko, Bathandwa R
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Construction industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public contracts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Transfer payments -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Public works -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3085 , vital:20397
- Description: The public sector is the biggest consumer of construction works in South Africa. Public sector is known for late payments to its service providers. This led to the study’s problem statement that stipulates that, the construction industry; particularly emerging contractors generally experience late payments from clients and employers. This is due to the fact that emerging contractors are vulnerable to failing as these contractors have limited financial resources and experience. The primary objective of the study was to develop a better understanding of the implications of late payments by the government on emerging construction contractors. The study therefore investigated the experiences of emerging construction contractors in the Eastern Cape. The secondary objectives of the study were: to identify the reasons for late payments by the public sector; determine the payment norms applicable to, and expectations of emerging construction contractors; establish construction contractors’ experiences with government payment methods; and to examine the implications of late payment on emerging contractors and their businesses. The study was conducted within a qualitative research paradigm. The participants were identified through non-probability snowball sampling. The sample consisted of five emerging construction contractors mainly from the Civil Engineering and General Building sectors in the Eastern Cape. The data was collected using semi-structured interviewing and was analysed using Tesch’s qualitative analysis explained by Hesse-Biber & Leavy (2011:201). The key results of the empirical study show that late payments have incapacitating effects on the development of emerging contractors. The conclusion reached from the empirical study includes recommendation that construction industry stakeholders form payment legislation aimed at curbing the delay of payments.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
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