This study investigated the levels of trace elements in two fish species, Kariba bream (Oreochromis mortimeri) and Kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) from Lake Kariba in two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. Both Kariba Bream fresh/sun-dried muscle and sun-dried Kapenta tissues were digested using a microwave digestion system and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Mean concentration of trace elements betwe...

This study monitored seasonal variations of metals and anions in the Vaal River and assessed health risks from water use. Water samples were collected over four seasons from locations spanning about 180 km and analyzed for physical and chemical properties. Concentrations of Fe, Al, and Mn exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) and South African National Standards (SANS) limits. Electrical Conductivity (EC) exceeded standards...

The presence of pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics, in aquatic environments can significantly contribute to the rise of antibiotic resistance, presenting a critical global public health challenge. This study investigates the presence of four selected antibiotics and an antiretroviral drug (nevirapine) in the Vaal River in South Africa. Grab samples collected at nine sampling sites across four seasons were extracted using...

Globally, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)–related research on paper products has focused on food packaging with less consideration on the presence of PFAS at different stages of the paper recycling chain. This study analysed the prevalence of PFAS in paper grades used for the manufacture of recycled paperboard. The presence of PFAS was attributed to the use of PFAS-containing additives, consumer usage, exposure to p...

Microplastics research in South Africa has focused on marine and coastal areas, with limited studies reporting microplastics in freshwaters. To address this gap, we conducted this study to investigate the presence, abundance, physical characteristics, and chemical composition of microplastics in the surface water of the Vaal River, one of the most important freshwater systems in South Africa. Twenty-two surface water samples w...

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a global environmental concern due to their persistent nature. In South Africa, microplastic research has primarily focused on marine systems. However, recent years have seen a shift in focus to studying MPs in South African freshwaters. In this study, MPs with a minimum size of 0.055 mm in surface water of the Vaal River, South Africa, were reported. MPs were 100% prevalent, with a mean num...