Department of Earth Science

The use of gaming software and hive technology in the construction of virtual field education of the tanqua karoo

Mayekiso, Luyanda (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

Geology is a field-based profession where it is mandatory for students to travel to distant locations for field-based training. However, in times such as the COVID-19 global pandemic, tight budget constraints, and large ...

Environmental and socio-economic feasibility of solar powered groundwater pumps in drought affected areas of giyani Limpopo.

Mpambo, Mandelwa (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

In the South African context, large portions of rural population do not have access to water supply. Shallow groundwater in alluvial aquifers of ephemeral (or dry sand bed) rivers can potentially be an alternative sustainable ...

The present-day frost action environment and its geomorphological significance in the Western Cape Mountains, South Africa

Boelhouwers, Jan. C (University of the Western Cape, 1995)

Studies on periglacial features in the Western Cape mountains provide a fragmented picture on the existence of both active and relict frost action in the region. As anywhere else in the country quantitative analysis and ...

Using stable isotopes and hydrochemistry to quantify end-member source dynamics in the Berg River of the Franschhoek and Paarl Valley

Meyer, Celine (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

The Berg River is a main source of freshwater in South Africa's Franschhoek-Paarl valley for domestic use, industry, and agriculture, but climate change or variability and poor management threaten its quality and quantity. ...

Water use productivity of the rooibos tea crop in the winter rainfall region, Western Cape, South Africa

Mkhanzi, Wasanga (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

Aspalathus linearis, commonly known as rooibos or red tea, is one of the well-known herbal tea beverages in South Africa. A. linearis is known for its medicinal, economic, traditional and ecological values. This leguminous ...

Assessment of impacts of land use and land cover changes on runoff in the luvuvhu catchment area

Oscar, Mabuda Mpho (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

This study aims to assess the impacts of land use and land cover (LULC) changes on runoff in the Luvuvhu catchment in Limpopo, South Africa. To achieve this aim, the study had two specific objectives. The first objective ...

Application of geochemical characterization, multivariate statistics and geological modelling in assessment and prediction studies on selected coal and gold mine waste in South Africa

Abegunde, Oluseyi Blessed (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

Over the years, South Africa has generated vast amounts of coal fly ash and gold slime tailings, constituting over 70% of the country's waste materials. These byproducts contain elevated levels of trace metals, posing a ...

An evaluation of potential management options to Reduce water use in communal gardens on the cape Flats

Keet, JD (UWC, 2011)

The aim of this project was to evaluate various potential management options in their ability to reduce the water use of small and medium scale vegetable gardens on the Cape Flats. The water use of these gardens has a ...

An assessment of river and wetland morphology dynamics using geospatial techniques

Mbambi, Yamkela (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

Land surface modification has intensified in recent years, and it continues to be an ongoing process. This raises serious concerns about changes in land use and land cover (LULC) since some of these changes have led to ...

An assessment of factors influencing the spatial variability of iron concentrations in groundwater in selected areas of the Western Cape Province.

Bissonram, Presanta (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

Groundwater in South Africa, and more specifically the Western Cape Province (WCP), has become of major interest in recent years due to the unpredictable climatic conditions and the uncertainty of surface water to continuously ...

Rainfall induced transient pressure wave mechanisms and pore water pressure dynamics in tailings

Theron, Charné (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

Tailings Storage Facilities are some of the largest engineered structures responsible for the containment of mining waste, yet some physical/hydrological processes causing slope instability are still poorly understood. ...

An assessment of water use by riparian and non-riparian invasive alien plants and the effects on water resources at the catchment scale

Mkunyana, Yonela Princess (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

The diversity and increasing extent of invasive alien plants (IAPs) are currently a global ecological and economic problem, especially in semi-arid regions. The introduction of IAPs worsens the strain in South Africa’s ...

A lab based experimental study of a bioretention system to remove selected pharmaceuticals in stormwater

Maphiri, Refiloe (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

The use of treated stormwater as an alternative source of water supply in urban areas is receiving global recognition. This approach is being supported as an innovative initiative that improves urban water security and ...

The fate and occurrence of pharmaceuticals in Cape Town’s water network

Cloete, Mikyle (University of the Western Cape, 2022)

Thousands of pharmaceuticals, pesticides and microplastics are consumed and disposed of directly or indirectly into various water bodies globally. Which are collectively termed “contaminants of emerging concern” or CECs. ...

A study of high-grade calc-silicate rocks in the Southern Bushmanland Domain, Namaqua Metamorphic province, including the garies wollastonite deposit

van Wyk, Carmenlite (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

In the Namaqualand region, Northern Cape, South Africa, calc-silicate rocks are present in the highest-grade metamorphic zone (upper amphibolite to granulite facies) of the southern Bushmanland Domain, Namaqua Province. ...

Spatial and temporal dynamics of flows and pools along non-perennial rivers in arid and semi-arid areas, South Africa

Maswanganye, Sagwati Eugene (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

This study aimed to assess the use of multi-source remotely sensed data for monitoring the spatial distribution and dynamics of pools in two distinct sites (Touws and Molototsi) in South Africa. Various water extraction ...

Use of remotely sensed data and spatial modelling techniques to assess impacts of different land management practices on surface water quality

Cloete, Danielle (University of the Western Cape, 2023)

The study uses remote sensing and statistical techniques in assessing land use land cover impacts on surface water quality in the Heuningnes Catchment, Cape Agulhas, South Africa. Firstly, a review of the advancements made ...