Waste and pollution research
relating to environmental sustainability
Research addressing waste and pollution plays an essential role in addressing sustainability concerns. At Rhodes University, projects in this field may be considered under a number of categories.
Integrated Algal Ponding System
The Institute for Environmental Biotechnology at Rhodes University (EBRU) has for ten years tested and refined an alternative to standard sewerage treatment technologies, the Integrated Algal Ponding System (IAPS). This is a simple and quiet sewerage treatment system that makes use of micro-organisms to break down the sewerage and produce safe outflow. (Source: Garth Cambray, 2007, Science in Africa, www.scienceinafrica.co.za) .
Explore research opportunities: Institute for Environmental Biotechnology
Wastewater research
The Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology is carrying out research into several diverse topics. The Biotechnology discipline initiated research on grey water recycling and biological treatment of wastewaters from the mining and wine industries. All of these projects take waste materials and use them as the raw materials for making other products, usually a metal, and enzyme and clean water. All of the processes used to make the products are as energy- and material- conserving as possible.
Explore research opportunities: Biochem Micro Biotech
Biosensor research
The Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology hosts diverse research projects. The Biotechnology division is running a project on the design of portable devices for field testing of organic pollutants in the environment, monitoring of metal pollution in the environment, development of biosensors for monitoring of pesticides in animals and the development of sensors for monitoring specific biomarkers in the environment.
Explore research opportunities: Biochem Micro Biotech
Mathematical modelling
Research in a diversity of fields draws on mathematical modelling to address sustainability concerns. For example, research in collaboration with the Mathematics Department has used mathematical modelling of bioreactors in the treatment of industrial waste water.
Explore research opportunities: Mathematics
Elemental recovery
The Biochemistry division of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology is conducting research on the recovery of elemental platinum group metals from industrial wastes by using sulphate-reducing bacteria.
Explore research opportunities: Biochem Micro Biotech
Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za
