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Development of an embryo-larval chronic toxicity test using the sea urchins Tripneustes gratilla and Echinometra mathaei
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Agriculture in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, University of Zululand, 2020.Toxicity tests use organisms to assess the effects of the bioavailable fraction of toxicants in effluents and environmental media, such as water and sediment. Test organisms must be highly sensitive and ecologically relevant. Gametes of the sea urchins Echinometra mathaei and Tripneustes gratilla are used for acute toxicity testing purposes in South Africa through the fertilisation test (e.g. for testing effluents and seawater samples). However, this test has raised questions on the longer-term, sub-lethal effects of toxicants in effluents and other environmental media tested. The aim of this study was thus to develop a chronic toxicity test using the larvae of these sea urchins, to allow for more comprehensive toxicity testing. To achieve this aim, the influence of temperature on larval development to the 4-arm pluteus stage was first evaluated, to determine the duration of the toxicity test. Embryos of the sea urchins were exposed to three temperatures, namely 20, 23 and 26 °C, and development was documented at 24 h intervals until the 4-arm pluteus larva was attained. The optimum temperature for normal larval development for both species was 23 °C, with the 4-arm pluteus stage attained at 72 h for E. mathaei and 96 h for Tripneustes gratilla. The sensitivity of the sea urchin larvae to potential reference toxicants copper and zinc was evaluated. Reference toxicants are critical for quality assurance in toxicity testing. The EC50s were used to construct control charts for each species. The control charts and coeffiecient of variation identifies the preferred reference toxicant, for E. mathaei as zinc and for T. gratilla as copper. The larval development test was then used to test the toxicity of seawater desalination brine, effluent from two wastewater treatment works and water collected in a marine environment that receives effluent from a pulp mill effluent concurrently with the fertilisation test. This was to compare the sensitivity of each test in detecting toxicity. The minimum acceptable toxicant dilution (MATD) was calculated from dose-response curves using the linear interpolation model and the index of difference was used a measure of sensitivity. The larval development test was generally less sensitive in detecting toxicity of seawater desalination brine and effluent compared to the fertilisation test, but the difference was negligible. In contrast, the larval development test was more sensitive in detecting toxicity of seawater samples collected from the receiving water of pulp mill effluent, but the results were highly variable. The fertilisation test would be the preferred choice for toxicity testing of seawater desalination brine, effluent and receiving water samples of pulp mill effluent as it is generally more sensitive, rapid and cost effective for sample analysis. However, this is not a definitive
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decision because the larval development test may be more sensitive in other applications using different types of effluent or water samples from receiving environments.Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR
The provision of water and sanitation in previously disadvantaged rural communities: a study of Uthungulu/King Cetshwayo district municipality
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the academic requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Arts, University of Zululand, 2020.The principal aim of the study was to evaluate the status of the provision of water and sanitation in previously disadvantaged rural communities. The study was conducted in uThungulu/King Cetshwayo District Municipality. It was chosen as one of those local municipalities that incorporated rural areas like iNkandla, uMthonjaneni, uMfolozi, uMlalazi and uMhlathuze; where rural dwellers were likely to have no access to essential services. The idea was to evaluate the extent to which these basic services have been delivered to communities that were previously ostracised by the apartheid government and also to determine the strategies and interventions uThungulu/King Cetshwayo District Municipality has for the future development of the rural areas. The human rightsbased approach (HRBA) was used with an aim of enhancing human well-being. The study also intended to investigate whether local governments were able or not to carryout their mandate succinctly as stipulated in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa (Act 108 of 1996), section 87, (to provide basic services to communities). According to the researcher, the widespread of violent service delivery protests across the country (SA), where citizens complain about the poor delivery of essential services, were a sign that it was likely that communities were not afforded an opportunity to participate in the drawing of an integrated development plan(IDP). The quantitative research method was used in this study. The respondents were randomly chosen from uThungulu/King Cetshwayo District Municipality for the study. The questionnaires in a Likert scale; (a five-point scale) were used to solicit data for the study. The SPSS (Version 25) programme was used to process the results. From the findings of the study, it became evident that some parts of rural areas which were previously marginalised have been provided with both water and sanitation. However, residents in the peri-urban were still without piped water and flush/decent well ventilated toilets. The study also revealed that there was a lack of maintenance of the existing infrastructure within the local government. The study therefore, recommended that the policy-makers and politicians should explore the underlying relationship between the level of basic services provided and the violent service delivery protests taking place in municipalities. The provision of these essential services to rural communities would leave an indelible scratch in their minds, marking a realisation of a “Better life for all.
The hydrochemical characterization of the Mgobezeleni catchment in Sodwana Bay
Get PDFA dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in partial fulfilment of academic requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Hydrology at the University of Zululand, 2019.The Maputaland region comprises one of the world's most remarkable areas of biodiversity and aquatic systems. It also has the largest primary aquifers in South Africa, constituting 25% of all coastal plain aquifers found in the country.
The increasing number of rural households’ development along the Maputaland coastal plain pose significant eutrophication risks on the hydrological system, owing to the use of informal sewage management facilities. To understand the anthropogenic impacts on the hydrological system the Mgobezeleni catchment was selected in this study as it represents a microcosm of the Maputaland region. The Mgobezeleni Estuary is connected to the two lakes (Lake Mgobezeleni and Lake Shazibe), and large swamp forest, and mouth is affected by tidal influence.
The hydrological system in the catchment is directly controlled by the groundwater system. The overlying paleo-dune sands are permeable permitting high percolation of the annual rainfall. The catchment is dominated by three aquifers namely, the uppermost KwaMbonambi Formation, Kosi Bay Formation and Uloa Formation. The water table is dynamic, affecting the dimension of the unsaturated zones, the hydraulic gradient and the groundwater flow in the aquifers. The groundwater recharge only becomes visible as base flow in surface water resources after several years. Contaminants that have accumulated over decades are therefore still present in the aquifers, being restricted mainly in the upper KwaMbonambi Formation. Therefore, leaching of nutrients from the informal sanitation systems pose adverse impacts on the groundwater chemistry, which in turn can result in eutrophication of surface water resources.
The growth in population in the Mgobezeleni catchment has therefore increased the nutrient load in the groundwater system due to the presence of confining layer that restricts nutrients to the shallow aquifer. Nutrients are relatively elevated in groundwater close to highly populated areas such as Mbazwana. Moreover, the discharge of groundwater as a base flow component in surface water resources (lakes, estuary and wetland) causes the eutrophication (growth of dense macrophytes and microalgae, including toxic cyanobacteria species) due to high nutrient composition. The dense macrophytes species together with the cultivated peat, are decomposing to produce high levels of dissolved OM with humic substances (humic acid and fulvic acid) causing the blackwater in the surface water resources and also increasing the population of microalgal species.
The water in the catchment is generally characterized by a sodium-chloride ions signature with relatively low Ca, Mg, K, and SO4 concentrations. It is generally high in Al, Fe and Mn concentrations.
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The high levels of nutrients and planktonic algae in hydrological system threaten the ecological system in the Mgobezeleni catchment. The presence of the bacteria Microcystic aeruginosa can affect the domestic and wildlife including the water supply to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s residential areas. In addition, the cultivation of peat in the Mgobezeleni catchment causes the peat to decompose, thus also increases the N and P concentrations and OM content in the wetlands which are also influencing the water quality in the lakes and estuary
Neuroprotective Potential of a Lanosteryl Triterpene from Protorhus longifolia Stem Bark (Benrh.) Engl in high fat diet fed and STZ -induced diabetic neuropathy in rats
Get PDFA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for Masters degree in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Zululand,2019.Chronic hyperglycemia, observed in the diabetic state, is responsible for various diabetes related complications including development of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic neuropathy development and progression is linked to various hyperglycemia-induced cellular and tissue damaging factors such as advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation, oxidative stress and inflammation. Activation of these pathophysiological pathways alters the antioxidant defense of nerve cells and cause protein malfunction, resulting in loss of neurotrophic support. Currently, there is no specific treatment for neuropathy and the current antidiabetic drugs fail to prevent development of long-term diabetic complications. Therefore, researchers have renewed their interest in the exploration of natural products as alternative potential remedies for the disease treatment. The present study aimed at investigating the neuroprotective potential of lanosteryl triterpene (RA-3) from Protorhus longifolia stem bark in high fat diet (HFD) fed and streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic neuropathy in rats.
The triterpene was isolated from the chloroform extract of P. longifolia stem bark using silica gel column chromatography. The chemical structure of RA-3 was confirmed by spectral data analysis. The in vitro anti-glycation activity of the triterpene was investigated using BSA and haemoglobin-fructose assays. The HFD fed and STZ- induced diabetic neuropathy in the rat model was used to evaluate the diabetic neuroprotective potential of RA-3. The animals were initially divided into two major groups, the normal fed and HFD fed rats for 28 days. The HFD group rats were then injected (intraperitoneally) with a low dose of STZ (30 mg/kg body weight) to induce diabetes. The diabetic rats were further randomly divided into three groups: diabetic control, positive control treated with metformin (100 mg/kg) and RA-3 (100 mg/kg) treated group. The drugs were orally administered daily for 28 days. The tail flick method was used to assess the responses of the rats to cold and hot allodynia following 28 days of treatment with the respective drugs. On the last day of the experimental period, all rats were euthanized and blood (serum), sciatic nerve and brain tissues were collected for analysis of biochemical parameters.
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The in vitro results revealed the anti-protein glycation potential of RA-3, accompanied by reduced fructosamine content and enhanced protection of protein thiol groups. Elevated fasting plasma glucose and serum fructosamine levels, as well as a significant reduction in the sciatic nerve levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), were detected in the non-treated diabetic group. However, treatment of the diabetic rats with RA-3 effectively lowered the fasting blood glucose and serum fructosamine while increasing the NGF levels. Relatively reduced sensation to both hot and cold allodynia, along with reduced activity of acetylcholinesterase, were also detected in the RA-3-treated diabetic rats when compared to the increased parameters in the untreated diabetic group. Treatment of the diabetic rats with RA-3 further exhibited increased tissue (sciatic nerve) antioxidant status, superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione content accompanied by reduction in malondialdehyde levels. Relatively lower levels of pro-inflammatory markers (cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor beta-1) were also observed in both the serum and sciatic nerve tissue of the RA-3 treated diabetic rats. The levels of these inflammatory markers were elevated in the diabetic control group. The results obtained indicate that RA-3 possesses anti-diabetic neuroprotective potential. Its mechanism of action could be linked to its antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.National Research Foundation (NRF
Investigating the impact of and response to drought by small scale farmers in Mfekayi, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu Natal
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of Master of Science in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, at the University of Zululand, 2020The study investigated the impact of and response to drought by small scale farmers in Mfekayi, Mtubatuba, KwaZulu Natal between the periods 2014 to 2016. In order to achieve this, the study adopted a mixed method approach in the form of convergent parallel design. The results indicated that small scale farmers suffered numerous livestock deaths and crop failure as the impacts of persistent drought. Moreover, there were further challenges related to drought such as water shortage and low soil moisture. As such, small scale farmers realised low income during drought and this was worsened by the fact that most were unskilled and lacked resources. However, there were various measures taken by small scale farmers to respond to drought. These actions include buying expensive supplements and the application of indigenous knowledge such as livestock movement. There are further challenges experienced by small scale farmers in dealing with drought such as drought recovery costs, lack of information and further livestock deaths. On the basis of this, the study recommends government intervention and stakeholders support small scale farmers with the relevant equipment such as educational support and provision of proper resources for. In addition, the study recommends that the government should provide relief assistance and design a policy that specifically addresses small scale farmers concerns
Factors affecting level of use and applicability of climate-smart agriculture practices and implications for food security of small-scale farming households in Kwazulu-Natal province of South Africa.
No full textA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Agriculture at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2019.Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) has been identified to have the potential of creating a
sustainable agricultural system and enhance food security under changing climatic conditions.
However, experience has shown that some recommended solutions have not proven to be
suitable in many contexts, particularly in developing countries after they might have committed
their scarce resources in embracing such recommendations. Furthermore, the level of adoption
among farmers has shown that CSA adoption is not automatic despite its potential. Hence, this
study assessed the factors affecting the level of use and applicability of CSA in the small-scale
farming system, with its implications on the food security of small-scale farming households
in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province of South Africa.
This study adopted a cross-sectional research design, a quantitative research approach and
multi-stage sampling techniques. Data were generated from 327 small-scale farmers through
structured interviews using close-ended questionnaires. A comparative analysis was conducted
on two local municipalities (Mthonjaneni and uMhlathuze Local Municipalities) purposively
selected based on their agricultural potentials. The analysis made use of Adaptation Strategy
Use Index (ASUI), Acceptance Level Index (ALI), Composite Score Index (CSI), Generalized
Ordered Logit Regression (gologit), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) Regression, Household
Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS), Household Food Consumption Score (HFCS) and the Binary
Logistic Regression Model.
Results show that most (81%, 74% and 65%) of the sampled farmers, with an ASUI of 313,
289 and 249, respectively, reported the use of organic manure, rotational cropping and planting
of drought and heat tolerant crops, respectively, as the popular CSA practices adopted for crop
production. Concerning livestock farmers, most (83% and 70%) of the sampled farmers with
an ASUI of 116 and 104, respectively, reported the use of improved grazing and efficient
manure management, respectively, as the commonly adopted CSA practices. For mixed
farming, most (87% and 83%) with an ASUI of 292 and 282, respectively, reported the use of
organic manure and integrated crop-livestock management and rotational cropping,
respectively, as the popular CSA practices.
The majority (57%) of the sampled farmers fell in the medium category of users of CSA
practices, while the lowest proportion (18%) fell in the high user category in Mthonjaneni.
Farming experience (p = 0.010), distance of farm to homestead (p = 0.104), contact with
agricultural extension agents (p = 0.052), exposure to media (p = 0.061), agricultural
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production activity (p = 0.004), membership of an agricultural-related group (p = 0.059) and
the perception of the effect of climate change (p = 0.003) were found to be statistically and
positively significant with CSA adoption level of the sampled farming households. However,
off-farm income was found to be statistically and negatively significant (p = 0.061) with CSA
adoption level. Educational status (p = 0.080) was found to have a statistically significant and
positive effect on CSA adoption level in uMhlathuze. Results for Mthonjaneni reveal that farm
income (p = 0.015), marital status (p = 0.054 for the low user category, p = 0.059 for the
medium user category), agricultural production activity (p = 0.001 for the low category and p
= 0.049 for the medium category) and the perception of the effect of climate change (p = 0.036
for the low user category and p = 0.001for the medium user category) were statistically and
positively significant with CSA adoption level.
Furthermore, agroforestry (ALI = 559), cultivation of cover crops (ALI = 574) and diet
improvement for animals (ALI = 554), were highly accepted by the farmers concerning social
compatibility, while the use of organic manure (ALI = 545), rotational cropping (ALI = 529),
mulching (ALI = 525) and cultivation of cover crops (ALI = 533), were highly accepted by the
farmers concerning technical compatibility. In terms of economic compatibility, the farmers
showed high preference for organic manure (ALI = 542), rotational cropping (ALI = 515) and
mulching (ALI = 541), while the use of organic manure (ALI = 524) was highly embraced
based on environmental compatibility. CSA adoption had a positive significant effect on
Mthonjaneni, uMhlathuze and the combined analysis (KCDM) at 1 per cent (p = 0.000), 5 per
cent (p = 0.025) and 1 per cent (p = 0.000), respectively. The OLS regression model used
predicts that the adoption of an additional CSA practice would increase the total value product
of the farmers by about ZAR 309, ZAR 212 and ZAR 199 in Mthonjaneni, uMhlathuze and
KCDM, respectively.
Results further show that about 38 per cent were in the high dietary diversity category (HDDS
≥ 7), about 38 per cent in the medium dietary diversity (HDDS = 4 - 6), while only 24 per cent
were in the low dietary diversity category (HDDS ≤ 3). The majority (80%) of the sampled
farmers had an acceptable food consumption (HFCS > 35). Overall, taking the HDDS as a
proxy for food security, the majority (62%) of the sampled farming households could be
regarded as food secure. The binary logistic regression model predictions show that the
adoption of CSA (p = 0.001) will increase the chances of food security of the sampled
households. Household size (p = 0.044) and dependency ratio (p = 0.074) were found to be
statistically significant but negatively correlated with the food security of the sampled farming
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households. Farm income (p = 0.039), income from off-farm sources (p = 0.018), the farming
experience of the farmer (p = 0.063) and the participation of household members in farming
activities (p = 0.041) were found to be statistically significant and to positively correlate with
the food security status of the sampled households. Gender has no significant effect on the food
security status of the sampled households in the combined analysis (KCDM) but has a
statistically significant and positive influence on food security in Mthonjaneni.
This study argues that it is imperative to understand the pattern of adoption among small-scale
farmers for the successful mainstreaming of CSA related projects and the empowerment of
farmers for sustainable agriculture under climate change. The study recommends that relevant
stakeholders should endeavor to provide small-scale farmers with CSA-related extension
messages and expose them to relevant information on climate change. Farmers have differing
preferences for CSA technologies based on the demonstrable potential benefits and cost of the
technologies. Therefore, policies aimed at mainstreaming CSA technologies should pay
adequate attention to applicability in locations under consideration and emphasize the critical
role of information on CSA technologies or practices. This study recommends that efforts are
needed to encourage small-scale farmers to embrace CSA practices to enhance productivity
and food security.
Keywords: Adaptation strategy, adoption, applicability, climate change, climate-smart, food
security, mitigation, productivity
The efficacy of public participation in integrated development planning processes of UMkhanyakude District Municipality, Northern Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
No full textThe efficacy of public participation in integrated development planning processes of UMkhanyakude District Municipality, Northern Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaThe importance of public participation continues to gain great momentum in local government circles in South Africa, because it is considered as a strategy of ensuring that local government is responsive to the developmental needs of communities. Against this backdrop, this study investigated the efficacy of public participation in an Integrated Development Planning (IDP) process of uMkhanyakude District Municipality, northern KwaZulu-Natal. The study adopted the Interpretivist research paradigm because it was the most appropriate and relevant in assisting the researcher to get the emic or inside perspective through the interaction with the people under the study area. On this basis, the study utilised qualitative research approaches in the form of interviews with community members and key informants (officials) from uMkhanyakude District Municipality. The findings of the study indicated that community members were excluded from taking part in processes which should improve their communities. However, findings from key informants suggested that there was adequate application of public participation during the IDP process. The research also established that the majority of community members were not familiar with the municipal public participation framework which key informants (officials) were familiar with. The lack of understanding by community members was an indication of the inefficacy of the IDP process in the study area. In addition, the majority of community members were negative about their involvement in any existing plan by the municipality during the IDP process. As a result, they were dissatisfied with their involvement in the affairs of the municipality as well as in transforming a society that had been under apartheid to one which is democratic in nature. Consequently, the study concluded that uMkhanyakude District Municipality applied the technocratic approach to decision-making processes, not citizen participation. In other words, community members were not involved in decision making structures of the uMkhanyakude District Municipality IDP process. There is a gap in participation between the District Municipality and the community and herein lies the inefficacy of public participation in an IDP process in the study area. Therefore, there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between the uMkhanyakude District Municipality and the community in terms of all the phases of an IDP process
Alternatives to corporal punishment in maintaining discipline in rural primary schools
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of academic requirement for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Planning and Administration at the University of Zululand, 2019.The abolishment of corporal punishment has left many teachers with high stress on how to deal with undisciplined learners. Teachers in both public and independent rural primary schools find it difficult to maintain discipline resulting in the number of criminal activities and ill-discipline of learners. In South Africa, the department does not seem to be assisting educators in dealing with abusive and disruptive learners. The aim of this study was to investigate the application of alternatives to corporal punishment for maintaining discipline in rural primary schools. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used to collect data. The results of this study indicate that alternatives to corporal punishment are effectively applied in primary schools and are effective. However, some do not encourage those alternatives, they think these result in misconduct. Some educators suggest that learners need to be punished corporally in order to maintain discipline in them, which is why the majority of teachers are still practicing corporal punishment. They think it is effective in maintaining discipline. All schools using alternative methods have reported positive response to their methods in dealing with misbehaviour of learners in classroom and outdoors. It can be concluded that teachers are still applying corporal punishment in maintaining discipline and therefore need training in dealing with disruptive learners in maintaining discipline in schools as corporal punishment is lawfully banned in schools
Determination of the Spectroscopic Quadrupole Moment of 40Ar
Get PDFA thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in fulfilment of the requirement for the Master of Science in Physics in the Department of Physics at the University of Zululand, 2019.Coulomb excitation reorientation e ects measurement was performed at the
AFRODITE vault of iThemba LABS to determine the Qs(2+1 ) of 40Ar. A
beam of 40Ar at a laboratory energy of 134.94 MeV was Coulomb excited
on a 194Pt target at a safe distance between nuclear surfaces of 6.5 fm. The
backward scattered 40Ar particles were detected by an S3-CD double sided
silicon detector at a distance of 30 mm with an angular range of 130 to
159 . Eight HPGe clover detector array ( ve at 90 and three at 135 to the
beam axis) was employed to detect the de-excited
-ray energy emitted by
the 40Ar particles. The 40Ar particles and their corresponding
-rays were
collected in coincidence and stored. MTsort MIDAS was used in conjunction
with an o ine sorting code to sort the coincidence data. Coulomb excitation
analytical code, GOSIA, was used to extract the diagonal matrix element,
h2+1 kE2k2+1 i = 0:00(4) eb. From the relation, h2+1 kE2k2+1 i = Qs
0:75793 , the
Qs(2+1 ) was determined as +0:00(3) eb. This result indicates a spherical
shape for 40Ar at the 2+1 state
Financial development, economic growth and income inequality: a panel data approach
Get PDFA dissertation for the degree of Master of Commerce in the Department of Economics,
Faculty of Commerce, Administration & Law at the University of Zululand, 2019.Since the pattern of income distribution can be influenced by financial development, it is of major importance to both developing and developed economies. To add to the body of literature, this paper tested empirically, within a panel data framework, the theoretical foundations of the linear relationship between financial development and income inequality developed by Galor and Zeira (1993) and Banerjee and Newman (1993). Moreover, the nonlinear theoretical relationship advocated by Greenwood and Javanovic (1990) was evaluated. The study employed an unbalanced dataset over the 1970 - 2014 period, involving 142 developed and developing countries.
It was found that financial development increases income inequality as measured by the Gini coefficient, after controlling for country fixed effects. These results are robust to different measures of financial development and control variables. The policy implication is that a wealth tax, as advocated by Piketty (2014) to subsidise social spending, is critical in order to address the disparities caused by financial development.National Research Foundatio