Browsing by Author "Mlalazi, Nkanyiso"

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    Compost-assisted phytoremediation of mine tailings and footprint areas using chrysopogon zizanioides (l) roberty enhanced with moringa leaf extract biostimulant in the Witwatersrand goldfields of South Africa: a sustainability initiative
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024) Mlalazi, Nkanyiso; Chimuka, Luke; Simatele, Mulala Danny
    In the Witwatersrand goldfields of South Africa, mine tailings and footprint areas are significant environmental problems because they are major sources of toxic metals. These metals can leach into soils, and both surface and ground water, causing serious risks to human, animal, and plant life. In this study, the compost-assisted phytoremediation of tailing storage facilities (TSFs) and footprint soil using Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver grass) enhanced with moringa leaf extract (MLE) was investigated. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to identify the most favorable parameters, and was followed by a field study to test the optimized parameters under real-environment settings. For the greenhouse experiment, a 3×2×2 fully crossed factorial design was used to determine the optimum variables. Vetiver growth was assessed under three compost concentrations (0%, 30% and 60%), two types of MLE (laboratory extracted MLE and commercial MLE) and two application regimens (once a week and twice a week) were used. The biomass and metal concentrations in the vetiver grass roots and leaves were measured after sixteen weeks followed by a two-way ANOVA analysis and the post-hoc tests. All the vetiver that was planted in 0% compost died within four weeks regardless of the MLE treatment. Vetiver grass planted on the 60% compost amendments and sprayed with laboratory extracted MLE had the highest biomass production, followed by plants grown in 30% compost amendments and sprayed with commercial biostimulant. However, the heavy metal removal or uptake data by the plant was inconclusive, as most of the toxic metals were not removed by vetiver grass which was attributed to the effect of compost. Based on biomass data, the 30% compost amendment and commercial bio-stimulant was the ideal treatments for the phytoremediation of gold mine tailings using vetiver grass. Although metal accumulation by plants is one of the attributes considered in phytoremediation, it is not the most significant factor in the phytostabilisation process. Plant growth and biomass production are the most significant, therefore it is concluded that vetiver, MLE and compost can be used in the phytostabilisation of gold mine tailings, however reduction in compost may be considered in future to improve the accumulation of metals in the roots for improved results. Following the conclusion of the greenhouse study, a field study was conducted during the rainy season of 2021. Two field experiments were carried out concurrently at two sites: the footprint area (that was used as a rock dump) and the tailings storage facility (TSF 4). A split-plot design was used in this study. The experiment at each site assumed a 3×1×2 factorial design, with three levels of compost treatment (0%, 15% and 30%), 1 level of vetiver cultivar (Chrysopogon zizanioides), and 2 levels of MLE treatment (commercial MLE and tap water, both sprayed once a week). Three blocks measuring 1 m × 2 m, each with 20 holes filled with equal amounts of soil amended with the different compost levels were prepared in triplicates. A single vetiver grass slip was planted in each hole. The blocks were then divided into 2 sections, each with 10 holes, and commercial MLE was sprayed on one section, while only water was sprayed on the other section once a week. After sixteen weeks, three plants were harvested from each section and the number of leaves, leaf length, number of tillers, biomass for roots and leaves and element concentrations were measured. Data analysis was done using two-way ANOVA
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    Metal content in soil and a wild leafy vegetable, Bidens pilosa L. on the Witwatersrand gold fields
    (2017) Mlalazi, Nkanyiso
    Metal pollution could result in health and economic risks to communities. Plant absorbs both essential and toxic elements from polluted soil and water. Consumption of contaminated vegetables and incidental ingestion of soils have been confirmed to be a pathway of contaminants for humans and livestock. Previous studies have established that some species which are utilized as wild leafy vegetables (WLVs) grow on polluted land in Witwatersrand goldfields, and people harvest these vegetables for consumption. An edible plant that is harvested and consumed is Bidens pilosa (black jack). Samples of soil and corresponding B. pilosa leaves were collected from a mine contaminated site on the Witwatersrand known as the Varkenslaagte, in Gauteng Province which is being monitored since the implementation of phytoremediation about 14 years ago. Metal concentrations were compared with those in soil and leaf material collected from different sites, viz., (i) the nearby Kraalkop nature reserve (n=2); (ii) a commercial/industrial site in Johannesburg’s central business district (n=1) and (iii) a residential site in Johannesburg (n=1). Different soil particle size fractions and leaf material subjected to different treatments were analysed for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and lead (Pb) concentrations. Concentration of As in unfractionated soils were highest in Kraalkop plot 2 (52.6 mg/kg). Johannesburg commercial area had the least As concentration (6.3 mg/kg). Zinc concentrations in soils were highest in Johannesburg commercial area (649.3 mg/kg) and lowest in Varkenslaagte (84.0 mg/kg). Kraalkop plot 1 had the highest Fe concentrations (61000 mg/kg) and Johannesburg residential suburb had the lowest Fe concentrations (31720 mg/kg). Lead concentrations in soils were highest in Johannesburg commercial area (185.9 mg/kg) and lowest in Varkenslaagte (32.6 mg/kg). While the mean concentrations of Pb, As and Zn in soil and B. pilosa in Varkenslaagte (n=8) was in some cases lower than concentrations in some of the comparison sites, the metal concentrations in some plots in Varkenslaagte were above the concentrations of the samples obtained from the comparison sites. This indicates that metal concentrations are still high in some areas of the Varkenslaagte despite remediation. There was no significant difference in distribution of metal concentrations between different soil particle size ranges. Different preparatory and cooking methods resulted in different concentrations of Fe and Pb. However, concentrations of As and Zn were not affected by different categories of B. pilosa treatment and cooking methods. Concentrations of Zn and Pb exceeded minimum allowable limit levels as stipulated in FAO/WHO, European Union (EU) and South African regulations relating to maximum levels of metals in leafy vegetables. A dietary risk index (DRI) indicated that there is no obvious risk to adult populations from B. Pilosa consumption, particularly as this species is not consumed in the same volumes as other, more popular, wild leafy vegetables. However, this preliminary study does not include DRI in children, dietary exposure through consumption of other foods besides B. pilosa and does not encompass dermal and inhalation exposure pathways which are important contributing factors to health risk indices. Key words: Wild leafy vegetables, gold mining, pollution, contaminated land, dietary risk