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A microplastic meal: a baseline assessment of microplastic polymer presence within manta-ray (Mobula alfredi) feeding grounds at D'Arros Island and the St. Joseph Atoll
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026) Choppy, Monik T.; Duncan, Murray Ian; Gordon, Nuette; Pouponeau, Dillys K.; Bullock, Robert W.; Grimmel, Henriette M.V.; Rajkaran, Anusha
Microplastic ingestion by reef manta rays ( Mobula alfredi ) is a threat to their health and population stability. Seychelles' outer islands are vital habitats for M. alfredi but nothing is known about marine microplastic pollution in the area. Using plankton tows from D'Arros Island and St. Joseph Atoll – a key aggregation site, we quantified microplastic polymer type and relative abundance from locations where reef manta rays were actively feeding. We found polybutylene terephthalate (PBT, 1079 particles, 66%) to be the most abundant polymer using our screening technique. A polymer concern assessment identified polyurethane (PU), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and PBT as “Very High” concern polymers that warrant further attention. We find no significant relationship between total microplastic abundance and zooplankton biomass indicating M. alfredi does not ingest relatively greater quantities of MPs while feeding at this aggregation site.
Sociotechnical analyses of households’ comprehension of land use and land cover change in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
(Springer Nature, 2026) Ndhleve, Simbarashe; Kabiti, Hlekani Muchazotida; Ayisi, Kingsley Kwabena; Zhou, Leocadia; Nakin, Motebang Dominic Vincent; Dube, Timothy I.
Communal land systems are undergoing degradation, and this has implications for food and water security. This study examines land use and land cover changes in communal land system of Mthatha river catchment, South Africa, by using a juxtaposition of GIS and Remote Sensing imageries and ethnography aimed at understanding how custodians of this land system comprehend LULC changes in their localities. The article examines the extent of divergence and/or convergence of inhabitants’ perceived LULC changes and GIS and Remote Sensing imageries of their area. A semi structured questionnaire was used to collect perceptions data from 183 randomly selected households within the catchment. Mitigation and adaptation strategies were also identified in the paper. Findings revealed that most participants (90%) correctly perceived an increase in built up areas, decreases in cultivated land (77%), water bodies (56%), plantations (72%), grasslands (52%) and natural forests (59%). Bare lands were perceived to be decreasing (72%) in contrast to an observed 11% increase through satellite imagery. Lack of consensus between perceived changes and findings from satellite images indicates gaps in existing knowledge about LULC. These divergence and convergence of understanding between the technical outputs of GIS and Remote Sensing and local communities’ knowledge, perceptions and practical experiences can be useful in managing LULC changes in context specific ways. How individuals perceive the problem determines the level of commitment to solving it. The findings of this study are important for policymakers and scientific communities as they create the important base for dialogue with communities.
An overview of current knowledge on microalgae and macrophytes in South African estuaries, highlighting progress made and future research directions
(Elsevier B.V., 2026) Adams, Jb B.; Rajkaran, Anusha; Riddin, Taryn
South Africa’s 3000 km coastline, 290 estuaries and high levels of biodiversity provide an outdoor laboratory for studies on microalgae and macrophytes. The history of botanical research on estuaries is presented, focusing on studies of primary producers, highlighting progress made since 2016. Published articles were organised in seven categories representing the dominant primary producers in estuaries. Research priorities were identified for each category based on the systematic review of literature from 2017 to January 2025, complemented by expert input on emerging trends and knowledge gaps. Invasive alien aquatic plants and forested wetlands (swamp forest) are emerging research themes. Early studies focussed on autecology and ecophysiology. More recently, research has addressed ecological status, drivers of biodiversity, provision of ecosystem services, responses to climate change and the restoration and management of Blue Carbon Ecosystems. Since 2016, 212 articles have been published on these emerging themes. In South Africa, we have a good understanding of primary producers as indicators of water quality changes in estuaries. Research has informed the implementation of Estuary Management Plans and the National Water Act, which guides estuary environmental flow requirements. Taxonomic studies on salt marsh plants to inform the National Biodiversity Assessment and using artificial intelligence and automation to provide real time monitoring of priority systems were identified as knowledge gaps. We have long term monitoring sites to measure responses to sea level rise, and to measure the growth and survival of mangroves across biogeographic zones. However, a growing concern is personal safety and security that impacts field work, constraining ecological research and the maintenance of long-term datasets that are needed to track future responses to global pressures. We are well positioned to inform global research and policy agendas such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that aims to expand protection and restoration of coastal ecosystems to 30 % by 2030.
Engineering titanium dioxide-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite for electrooxidation of nitrite as a surrogate for electrochemical sensing of NO2
(Elsevier Ltd, 2026) Leve, Zandile Dennis; Januarie, Kaylin Cleo; January, Jaymi Leigh; Oranzie, Marlon; Sanga, Nelia Abraham; Uhuo, Onyinyechi Vivian; Ross, Natasha; Pokpas, Keagan; Iwuoha, Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a reddish-brown irritating gas characterised by sharp and biting odour. Its detection is imperative as it is harmful to the respiratory system and contributes to the acid rain formation. Aqueous NO2 gas is converted into nitrite (NO2−) ion in solution, which is considered an environmental pollutant with consequential health effects. Oxidation of NO2− has been reported to provide provisional insights for that of NO2 gas in electrolyte. However, detection of NO2− at electrode surface is encountered by difficulty due to high overpotentials. This study presents electrochemical behaviour of a titanium dioxide/reduced graphene oxide-palladium/silver nanocomposite-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (TiO2/rGO-PdAg/SPCE) for the detection of NO2− as a surrogate for NO2 oxidation mechanism in aqueous NaClO4 as electrolyte. Comparative analysis demonstrated superior performance of TiO2/rGO-PdAg/SPCE over bare, TiO2, and TiO2/rGO modified SPCEs due to the synergistic effect of its components. The sensor exhibited a broad detection range of 0.1 – 10 mM and a linear response at 0.1 – 1.4 mM with a limit of detection (LOD) = 1.07 µM NO2− and a sensitivity of 44.38 µA/mM. Simultaneous detection of NO2−and S2O32−demonstrated that the oxidation peak of the former was favoured while the latter was not observed in the investigated potential range. However, adsorption of S2O32− exhibited interference with a decrease in sensitivity to 24.15 µA/mM, which limits the selectivity of the sensor for oxidation of NO2−. Reproducibility exhibited an RSD of 4.18 % at five different electrodes, and stability tests with 74.02 % of peak current retained from initial response for a 12-day period. The recovery of NO2 gas in aqueous medium was studied using calibration curve of NO2−, with average of the triplicate experiments corresponding to 0.4 mM NO2−. These observations present TiO2/rGO-PdAg/SPCE sensor as a potential for reproducible, sensitive, and selective detection of NO2 in environmental monitoring.
Antibiotic prescribing and antimicrobial resistance: an evaluation of clinical teachers’ knowledge, attitude and practices at a South African dental school
(Public Library of Science, 2026) Ahmed, Suwayda; Ahmed, Rukshana; Adam, Razia Zulfikar; Coetzee, Renier
Introduction Indiscriminate antibiotic prescribing in healthcare continues to make a significant contribution to increasing global antimicrobial resistance rates. This public health threat has the potential to cause 10 million deaths per year, if no action is taken to address this phenomenon. In light of escalating AMR rates, the World Health Organization recommended a Global Action Plan against AMR in 2015, which highlighted global attention to AMR. One of the objectives of the Global Action Plan is to improve knowledge of antimicrobial resistance through effective education and training. Studies have suggested gaps in the knowledge and practice of antibiotic prescribing among healthcare professionals and undergraduate students, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacology and veterinary science. The dental profession has been identified as being a major contributor of excessive antibiotic prescribing, accounting for approximately 10% of systemic antibiotic prescriptions globally. Clinical knowledge, skills and practice gained during undergraduate dental programs can influence the clinical practice and competency of future prescribers. Clinical teachers thus play a critical role in shaping undergraduate dental students’ prescribing behaviours. This translates to effective undergraduate healthcare programs which offer adequate education on antimicrobial resistance and rational antibiotic prescribing practices to ensure that students are well prepared prior to entering clinical practice. Aim To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices related to antimicrobial prescribing and AMR awareness among clinical teachers at a dental faculty in South Africa. Methodology A quantitative, cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among clinical teachers at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape in South Africa during the period of 28 September 2024 till 24 March 2025. A non-probability convenience sampling method was used.