Magister Philosophiae - MPhil (Earth Science)

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Browsing by Author "Dept. of Earth Science"

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5
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    A comparison of SAAS and chemical monitoring of the rivers of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project
    (University of the Western Cape, 2004) Rajele, Molefi Joseph; Okujeni, Charles; Jonker, Lewis; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of Science
    The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority routinely uses the South African Scoring System version 4 (SASS4) in conjunction with water chemistry to monitor water quality of rivers in the Lesotho Highlands Water Project areas. The objective of this study was to test the efficiency of SASS4 in these areas.
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    Optimisation of selective extraction techniques as a tool for geochemical mapping in the Southern Africa region
    (University of the Western Cape, 2008) Akinyemi, Segun Ajayi; Okujeni, Charles; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of Science
    The complex nature and composition of regolith cover in Southern Africa is a major challenge to geochemical mapping for concealed mineralization. Some of the setbacks to successful geochemical exploration may be ascribed to the use of various partial extraction techniques,without a profound understanding of the regolith components and their composition. This investigation therefore focuses on the use of hydroxylamine partial extraction geochemistry for geochemical mapping in regolith over two contrasting environments viz; aeolian sand-calcrete regolith over Au mineralization at Amalia Blue Dot Mine in South Africa and lateritic regolith covering the Ni-Cu deposit at Kabanga Main and Luhuma in Tanzania. Regolith samples from the above areas were sieved and extracted with hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution and analyzed for multi-element by AAS and ICP-MS techniques. A stepwise optimization of the hydroxylamine extraction technique of samples from both areas was carried out and incorporated into the analytical programme (in a pilot study). Results of hydroxylamine partial extraction generally gave better anomaly contrast and reflection of bedrock mineralization than the conventional aqua regia techniques that were previously used in the region. The results however show that lateritic regolith may be best extracted using 0.25M hydroxylamine while 0.1M concentration appears most suitable for extraction of aeolian-calcrete regolith. The above results are corroborated by principal component analysis of the analytical data that show various element associations, e.g. with Fe-Mn oxides while others possibly belong to the loosely adsorbed or exchangeable group. The gochemical maps in the pilot study areas at Amalia, Kabanga and Luhuma show elevated element contents or clusters of anomalies of diverse elements associated with Fe-Mn oxides. Geochemical mapping at Kabanga with deeply concealed mineralization however shows variability of subdued element patterns over mineralized areas. Geochemical signatures associated with hydroxylamine hydrochloride partial leach are therefore characterized by a lower geochemical background than that using conventional aqua regia leach. This study leads recommending for further investigations into partial extraction of the exchangeable group of elements, possibly using ammonium acetate.
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    Pre-paid water metering: social experiences and lessons learned from Klipheuwel pilot project, South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2006) Kumwenda, Moses; Jonker, L; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of Science
    This thesis examined a pre-paid water metering pilot project which was implemented in Klipheuwel , Cape Town, South Africa in 2001. It was anticipated that the implementation of pre-paid water meters would help improve the management of water service delivery in the Cape Metropolitan Area. However, just four years after its implementation the project has collapsed.
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    Stakeholder participation in the establishment of the Berg Catchment Management Agency, South Africa
    (University of the Western Cape, 2007) Gueze, Humberto; Jonker, Lewis; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of Science
    Enacted in 1998, the New South African Water Act has introduced a new approach to water resource management, founded on the principle of decentralization of the management of water resources to regional and local levels and the public participation. The approach has been captured in the new National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), which allows the establishment of Catchment Management Agencies. The overall purpose of this study was to understand the trends of public participation in the establishment of Catchment Management Agencies in South Africa, by presenting the case of the Berg Catchment Management Agency.
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    Water quality trends in the Eerste River, Western Cape, 1990 - 2005
    (University of the Western Cape, 2006) Ngwenya, Faith; Jonker, Lewis; Raitt, Lincoln; Dept. of Earth Science; Faculty of Science
    The Eerste River is a river system which has, over the years, been subjected to human interference. The purpose of this study was to investigatge temporal and spatial trends in the water quality of the Eerste River between 1990 and 2005. The study results revealed that the major trends in the water quality of the Eerste River are more spatial than temporal.