An environmental liability and risk management approach to landfill groundwater quality monitoring in South Africa.

ABSTRACT Governments and companies are continually faced with a challenge to effectively manage all risks so as to protect their assets, financial health, property, reputation, constituents, and natural resources. “Risk management is the decision-making process whereby a policy or regulation is developed after a risk has been identified and is integrated with other issues including political, social, historical, and economic factors” (Zondi, 2000). In South Africa, environmental risk (i.e. risks associated with environmental damage and compliance) in waste management is currently considered in the setting of standards for landfill siting, design and water quality monitoring. It is the author’s opinion that this current approach has been poorly managed because potential sources of major environmental liability have not been identified and quantified (DWAF, 1998). Environmental liability is defined as the obligation to compensate or restore the environmental damage caused by the past, use, release, or threatened release of a particular substance; or by other activities that adversely affect the environment and/or human health (ICMA, 2001). The author looks at a case study of a landfill in Johannesburg highlighting their implementation of the water quality monitoring plan and proposes that the monitoring plan be integrated into a proposed environmental liability and risk management approach to managing ground water pollution from landfill sites. As not every landfill is the same as the other, a comprehensive analysis as stated in the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) Minimum Requirements (1998) is used to gather a list of relevant parameters for that landfill. The comprehensive analysis constitutes macro-constituents and all other constituents likely to be present in quantities higher than the normal background values or to contaminate the groundwater storage (aquifer) in the future. Once done, the landfill operator can then discuss with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) on how to prioritise the parameters. They would also decide which parameters are to be used for the regular indicator analysis when monitoring because of cost reasons. All the parameters above background value are to be used as environmental liability parameters for that landfill site. The indicator analysis constitutes measurement of the most likely parameters that would, at an early stage, indicate the possibility of groundwater pollution. It is to be used in the regular monitoring exercises at the landfill by the operator. If an indicator parameter exceeds standards, a full comprehensive analysis must be performed and reported to DEAT. Each environmental liability parameter will be assigned a penalty charge and weight depending on a number of factors including: • Location of the landfill i.e. distance to acquifer and GW level • Geology of area • Type of aquifer • Type of landfill i.e. General of Hazardous • Risk level of that parameter to human health i.e. Health Risk Assessment The author proposes the introduction of an environmental liability costs fund with a compulsory monthly fee, which will be set up by both the landfill operator and the relevant government department. The water quality monitoring protocol will not differ much from the present structure. If pollution is shown during detection monitoring and a further detailed investigation indicates that exposure is higher than allowable limits, then a combined environmental liability penalty will be evaluated and the monetary value will be charged into the landfill operator’s account in the liability costs fund, although the landfill operator and DEAT can decide to use another method to determine the environmental liability e.g. liability insurance assessors. If the penalty required exceeds what has been accumulated in the liability fund account, then the difference will be demanded directly from the landfill operator. If the quarterly monitoring reports compiled by the operators show no mitigation claims into the liability find then the money accumulates in their account and a certain percentage will be paid back to the landfill operator as an incentive

The banking sector’s response to environmental sustainability

The major theme of this research has been to understand the South African banking sector’s response to environmental sustainability. The research was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. To elicit understanding of these responses, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with representatives from seven South African banks. The research interviews revolved around four core themes; the environmental drivers, environmental strategy implementation, the corresponding practices undertaken and their frame of reference according to the sustainable value framework, together with the relevant benefits and costs realised. The key research findings of the study include: all of the banks have either formalised or are in the process of formalizing a response to the pursuit of environmental sustainability; the banks either have or are in the process of developing a sustainability strategy; the growing environmental concerns and credit risks are currently the primary drivers of pursuing environmental sustainability. Furthermore, the practices adopted by the banks to pursue environmental sustainability were currently internally focused with priority for operational quick wins addressing risk and cost reduction. Based on the research findings, recommendations have been made to further enhance the pursuit of environmental sustainability. These include: integration of environmental sustainability factors in performance reporting for all business units; integration of environmental sustainability criteria in all business case assessments. CopyrightDissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010.Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)unrestricte

The effects of alcohol consumption on student life at a rural campus

Universities ought to provide an enriching, joyful and wholesome learning experience for a student; however, recent trends in alcohol advertising as well as the lack of recreational activities in rural environments have nurtured an environment for alcohol abuse in rural universities. Most of the students who attend a rural university are compelled to stay on campus or board close by. More and more of these students are falling prey to alcohol abuse directly or indirectly. Very often the safety of students is compromised and most victims of alcohol abuse endure the torment in silence. Others quit studying and go back home. This study attempts to examine the fears, the risks of alcohol as part of the student culture, the harmful effects of alcohol and the consequence of peer pressure on students at a rural campus. This study is undertaken by using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research was undertaken at the University of Zululand which is situated in the rural community of KwaDlangezwa (KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). Perceptions and attitudes on the effects of alcohol consumption on student life at a rural campus are surveyed. Stratified random sampling allowed the researcher to divide the population into various groups. The target population of this study are students from the campus. Data was collected by means of a comprehensive literature review and through the administration of in-depthquestionnairesKeywords: Alcoholism, alcohol abuse, alcohol effects, student life, University of Zululand

Planning and monitoring tool to control profitability in a manufacturing concern : a case study at C Chemicals

The aim of this paper is to analyse the key profit drivers in a manufacturing concern, and develop a decision tool based on optimisation techniques. The aim is planning and managing these profit drivers so that the target revenue and profit are realised during an operating period. This was done through developing a forecasting tool based on Visual Basic that was used by the organisation to project the future demand of its products. This tool was linked to a database that had details on past product performance. Planning software was developed using linear programming, which identified the optimum product mix and the sales outlets locations to maximise revenue and profi

LEVERAGING MIGRATION FOR AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

This paper examines whether Africa can leverage migration for its economic development. Migration and the resulting remittances lead to increased incomes and poverty reduction, improved health and educational outcomes, and promote economic development. The paper employed a qualitative research approach where a review of the literature was undertaken. The functionalist theory was employed to examine migratory patterns and their association with development. The paper revealed that Africa has ample opportunities to leverage migration for development. However, for this to happen, there is a need to consolidate remittance channels, improve migration management frameworks and support the integration of migrants, Additionally, governments in Africa need to change the way they perceive migration, rather than observing migration as a threat, there is need to observe migration as a process which has the potential to contribute to the development of the continen

Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic modelling of the sorption of metals from aqueous solution by a silica polyamine composite

Batch sorption studies were conducted to assess the potential of a phosphonated silica polyamine composite (BPAP) to remove metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Ni, U and Zn) from mine waters. The metal adsorption showed a good Langmuir isotherm fit. Ni and Mn fitted both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The activation energies (Ea) of Co, Mg and Ni ranged between 5 and 40 kJ∙moℓ-1, signifying physisorption while U showed a chemisorption type of adsorption (with Ea > 50 kJ∙moℓ-1). Cu and Fe on the other hand gave negative Ea values, indicating their preference to bind to low-energy sites. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided the best correlation of the experimental data, except for Mg and Ni for which the pseudo-first-order model and the Elovich model gave a better fit, respectively. Adsorption was almost constant over a wide pH regime and increased with time. Adsorption increased with concentration of the metals with the exception of Co, Fe and Ni which displayed about a 40% drop at a concentration of 200 mg∙ℓ-1. Desorption experimental data gave poor results except for U which showed 99.9% desorption.Keywords: silica polyamine composite, sorption, kinetics, isotherms, desorptio

Countrywide roll-out of Xpert(®) MTB/RIF in Swaziland: the first three years of implementation.

SETTING: All 19 public health laboratories in Swaziland that had Xpert(®) MTB/RIF machines installed as part of a countrywide roll-out between June 2011 and June 2014. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utilisation and functionality of Xpert from 2011 to mid-2014. DESIGN: Descriptive study of Xpert implementation using routinely collected data. RESULTS: Of 48 829 Xpert tests conducted, 93% were successful: 14% detected Mycobacterium tuberculosis and 12% showed rifampicin resistance. The most common cause of unsuccessful tests was an 'Error' result (62%). Similar findings were obtained in government-supported and partner-supported laboratories. Annual utilisation of Xpert improved from 51% of maximum capacity in 2011 and 2012 to 74% in 2013 and 2014. A monitoring and supervision exercise of all Xpert testing sites in 2014 showed a generally good performance, with over 50% of laboratories achieving a ⩾80% score on most components. However, poor scores were obtained with equipment use and maintenance (6% achieving a score of ⩾80%), internal audit (19% achieving a score of ⩾80%) and process control (25% achieving a score of ⩾80%). CONCLUSION: Countrywide roll-out of Xpert in Swaziland has been successful, although operational issues have been identified and need to be resolved

First report of bacterial endophytes from the leaves of Pellaea calomelanos in South Africa

Abstract: Bacteria have an endosymbiotic association with plants. Previous studies have identified endophytic bacteria and their importance in biocontrol and drug development. However, most medicinal plants identified have not been assayed for bacterial endophytes. In this study, we characterised and identified bacterial endophytes from surface-sterilised leaves of Pellaea calomelanos, a common fern in the Limpopo and Gauteng Provinces, South Africa. Using morphological data and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we differentiated and identified six putative endophytic bacteria, with Pantoea as the dominant genus; the other two identified bacteria belong to genera Arthrobacter and Bacillus. Data from this study are an addition to the previously less studied phylloplane bacteria. This study is a pilot in cataloguing bacterial endophytes from Pellaea calomelanos

Integration of the Demographic Dividend into Government Plans: A Case of the Kwazulu-Natal Province of South Africa

The Population reference Bureau policy brief, (Gribble and Bremmer, 2012):1) described the demographic dividendas “…the accelerated economic growth that may result from a decline in a country’s mortality and fertility and thesubsequent change in the age structure of the population. With fewer births each year, a country’s young dependentpopulation grows smaller in relation to the working-age population. With fewer people to support, a country has awindow of opportunity for rapid economic growth if the right social and economic policies developed and investments made”. Several South Africa based studies have explored age structure and the prospects of a demographic dividend. These studies range from those that explore timing of the dividend to those that investigate readiness to harness the dividend. Three aspects of the demographic dividend are investigated by this research. Firstly, the paper will explorethe age structure of KwaZulu-Natal population to ascertain the timing of the age-structure (youth bulge) that is a pre-requisite for the dividend. Secondly, demographic, health and education characteristics that are knows to affect the achievement of the dividend will be examined. Lastly, the extent of integration of the demographic dividend into Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) in the province will be explored