Fate and transport of Microplastics in Groundwater (GWD WCape)
Event description
About this event
Candice Lascher at City of Cape Town is a PhD candidate at UWC supervised by Dr Jaco Nel and Dr Sumaya Israel.
Candice Lasher-Scheepers (Pr. Sci. Nat, MSc.), a Principal Professional Officer – Geohydrology: Bulk Water Branch; Water and Waste Directorate at the City of Cape Town, did her BSc EWS and BSc Honours (EWS) and Masters at UWC. She is currently registered as a PhD candidate at UWC.
She will be our first presenter in the Western Cape. Her topic of research is very interesting!
Date: Fri Jun 19, 2020 2:30pm – 3:30pm (SAST)
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm (SAST)
Topic: Fate and transport of Microplastics in Groundwater
Microplastics are tiny particles (smaller than 5mm) found in the environment. They are synthetic polymers and are either produced in their microform to be utilized in personal care products and detergents or disintegrated from larger plastics or synthetic materials (e.g. recycled polyethylene terephthalate items), respectively known as primary or secondary microplastics. Sources of microplastic pollutants contributing to the environment occur through discharge of treated effluent, stormwater runoff, irrigation of greywater produced during laundry, etc. To date, microplastics have been found in the ocean, lakes, estuaries, rivers, and recently in groundwater. As a result, this study will focus primarily on the presence of microplastics in groundwater. More specifically, the physical and chemical impacts it has on the Cape Flats Aquifer Scheme and the Atlantis Aquifer Scheme. Both these groundwater schemes are designed to artificially recharge the aquifer with either treated effluent or stormwater. As previously mentioned these sources are contributors of microplastics to the environment, if not properly treated.
The following research questions will therefore form the basis of this study:
1) What is the spatial distribution of microplastic in the City of Cape Town (groundwater, surface water, source water, processed water?
2) What is the fate and mobility of microplastic in the Cape Flats aquifer and Atlantis Aquifer?
3) Does the presence of microplastic in the aquifer influence the hydraulic properties of the aquifers?
4) Does microplastics change the fate of a toxins in the aquifers?
5) How does this impact the Atlantis and Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge Schemes?
A number of laboratory experiments have been designed to address the aforementioned research questions. The spatial distribution of microplastics in the City of Cape Town will however require field sampling. Information obtained from both the fieldwork and lab experiments will be used to determine the possible impacts of microplastics on the City of Cape Town Aquifers and a sampling and monitoring protocol will be developed to assist the City with the management thereof.
Speakers
Candice Lascher
Principal Professional Officer Topic: Fate and transport of Microplastics in Groundwater
Candice Lascher at the City of Cape Town is a Ph.D. candidate at UWC supervised by Dr. Jaco Nel and Dr. Sumaya Israel.
Candice Lasher-Scheepers (Pr. Sci. Nat, MSc.), a Principal Professional Officer – Geohydrology: Bulk Water Branch; Water and Waste Directorate at the City of Cape Town, did her BSc EWS and BSc Honours (EWS) and Masters at UWC. She is currently registered as a PhD candidate at UWC.
Fate and transport of Microplastics in Groundwater (GWD WCape)
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