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Impact of anthropogenic activities affecting the water quality of Umhlathuze River in KwaZulu Natal
(2025) Bhengu, Makhosonke Simon
uMhlathuze River and its three main tributaries experiences various anthropogenic activities including agriculture, urbanization and industrialization before forming an estuary with the Indian Ocean. This River which is in the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa supports a rapidly growing agricultural, domestic and industrial community. The comprehensive study was aimed to assess the potential impact of these anthropogenic activities over a 12-months period in 2023/4. The study showed that elementary levels were mostly within the permissible limits along uMhlathuze River, but the impact of anthropogenic activities along its tributaries was evident. Chlorides ranged between 400 and 655 mg/L along the Mholweni tributary during the rainy season while Na, Mg and Ca were also consistently above permissible limits along Mholweni and Ntambanana tributaries. Among non-toxic trace elements, only Fe exceeded its health-based precautional value during the rainy season for all sites. Trace toxic metal levels were also within permissible limits. Hg was only detected along the tributaries in the 0.017 - 0.399 µg L-1 range. The source of elevated levels of parameters along the tributaries was linked to quarry and agricultural activities and the wastewater effluents and urban runoff. The WQI values were in the 10.7 - 36.1 range implying the river water could be classified as good to excellent. The possibility of using these waters for agricultural purposes was assessed by calculating the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR). The SAR results of the present study ranged from 29.5 to 76.3 which indicated that the water from the three tributaries (NTA, MH and EM) was unsuitable for irrigation. A health risk assessment identified that the river water was safe for domestic use to adults but infants and children were more likely to develop non-carcinogenic effects with HI values of 1.07 - 3.28. The ILCR values ranged between 1.20 and 9.93 indicating that consumption of unprocessed water from UMhlathuze and its tributaries will result in carcinogenic effects over one’s lifetime with infants and children affected most.
Exploring the convergence of artificial intelligence and big data analytics for resilience in humanitarian supply chains
(2024) Ahatsi, Emmanuel; Olanrewaju, Oludolapo Akanni
While there is great promise in AI-BDA applications revolutionising humanitarian operations through predictive analytics and resource optimisation, they are underexplored in disaster response contexts, especially in developing economies. The aim of this research was to evaluate current AI-BDA techniques and their effect on supply chain resilience in humanitarian settings focusing on Ghana and South Africa. The study employed an explanatory research design with a quantitative approach, analysing data from purposively sampled 200 supply chain professionals in Ghana and South Africa. Structured questionnaires measuring the implementation of four key AI-BDA techniques: Time-Series Forecasting (TSF), Early Warning Systems (EWS), Logistics Optimization (LO) and Real-time Monitoring (RTM) were used for data collection. Exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis were performed to analyse the relationship between AI-BDA techniques and supply chain resilience, controlling for organisational size and technological readiness. The results of the findings show that the AI-BDA techniques have significant effects on humanitarian supply chain’s resilience with TSF and LO having the highest predictive power with technology readiness and organisational size facilitating the adoption of AI-BDA. Moreover, the findings revealed that resource-related barriers, particularly skill gaps among staff and lack of technical expertise, represent the most significant challenges to AI-BDA adoption. The study recommends implementing a holistic AI-BDA approach that aligns with humanitarian principles. This involves a multi-faceted strategy that not only emphasizes the ethical use of AI-BDA but also prioritizes personnel capacity building through tailored training programs. These programs should focus on enhancing technical skills, such as data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and ethical considerations in data usage. By integrating these elements, organizations can ensure that AIBDA tools are utilized responsibly and effectively, ultimately leading to improved outcomes in humanitarian efforts while maintaining public trust and safeguarding individual rights.
A novel environmental framework for cleaner cement production in a cement plant
(2025) Akintayo, Busola Dorcas; Olanrewaju, Oludolapo Akanni
Meeting the Paris Agreement goal of maintaining the global temperature ‘less than 2°C and towards 1.5°C above preindustrial temperatures requires combined CO2 emissions from all countries and sectors to fall to zero and then become progressively negative by 2050–2055 (1.5°C) to 2070–2075 (2°C). Cement production is a critical component of modern infrastructure but is associated with significant environmental impacts, including high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, substantial energy consumption, and excessive resource usage. To address these challenges, this doctoral study proposes a novel environmental framework for cleaner cement production, structured into four integrated components: (i) Environmental Impact Assessment, (ii) Material Substitution Strategies, (iii) Optimized Production Model, and (iv) Validated Cleaner Production System. The urgency of mitigating these environmental consequences necessitates a comprehensive assessment of cement production, particularly within the South African (SA) context, where research remains limited. This study conducts a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of SA cement plants utilizing both midpoint and end-point approaches of the Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA). A cradle-to-gate analysis of 1 kg of cement produced in a typical South Africa plant revealed that 0.993 kg CO2 eq emissions are released per kilogram of cement, with 98.8% attributed to actual CO2 emissions, significantly contributing to global warming. Furthermore, emissions of 1.6 kg of 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (1,4-DCB) eq into air and water exacerbate toxicity levels, while 0.139 kg of oil eq is linked to fossil resource scarcity. The end-point analysis highlights the potential endangerment of 55,404 human lives and 133 species annually, with a projected economic impact of R6.2 billion due to resource scarcity. To mitigate these environmental concerns, material substitution emerges as a viable strategy. This study reviews the effectiveness of various material replacement approaches, including waste and recycled materials, in reducing energy use and GHG emissions in cement production. Findings indicate that partial (1%-60%) and total material substitution can reduce energy consumption by 5.5%-40% and GHG emissions by 1%-94%. To determine the most environmentally beneficial method of cement manufacturing, an integrated life cycle assessment multi-criteria decision-making technique was employed. The LCA is employed to quantitatively evaluate the environmental effects of ten different methods of cement production across eighteen distinct categories. Meanwhile, the CRITIC weighted TOPSIS and EDAS MCDM approaches are utilized to rank the various alternatives by determining their proximity to the optimal solution. The LCA results showed that CEM III/A slag cement had lower environmental impacts than Portland cement. With a ranking score of 0.9094 and 1.7228 for EDAS and TOPSIS techniques, respectively, both MCDM identified CM10: ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) as the most recommended. Also, material substitution strategies were assessed through the valorisation of industrial waste as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for sustainable concrete was carried out using two-step framework and screening over 25 waste materials, followed by a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) analysis using the EDAS method to rank top-performing SCMs Fly Ash, GGBFS, Silica Fume, Calcined Clay, and Metakaolin with Fly Ash emerging as the most suitable SCM. The evaluation incorporated technical parameters, pozzolanic reactivity, environmental benefits, and regulatory compliance. These findings are validated by life cycle assessment (LCA) results indicating major carbon and energy savings and highlights the importance of waste consistency, regional supply chains, and performance-based material standards in scaling SCM implementation. To systematically optimize cement production processes, this study employs Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to model adaptive fly ash substitution strategies. The MILP model minimizes GHG emissions while maintaining production efficiency, with optimal substitution rates of 30%-40% reducing CO2 emissions by 33% and energy consumption by 19.8%. Coupled with LCA, this approach ensures a quantitative evaluation of environmental impacts, aligning industry practices with sustainability goals. In the LCA of 1 ton of cement production process with and without replacement shows that estimated amount of 80% of the impact categories reduced by 100% in the system that incorporates the partial replacement when compared to the one that doesn’t. Global warming potential and Terrestrial ecotoxicity reduces by 41% and 38% respectively. Significant reduction in CO2 as a major contributor to GW was observed. However, further analysis on TE suggests that partial replacement of clinker with fly ash (30-40%) can slightly increase the amount of some heavy chemicals (Lead, Mercury, Nickel, Vanadium and Zinc) that is emitted into the environment. In conclusion, this research provides a holistic evaluation of cement production’s environmental footprint and offers practical mitigation strategies. It underscores the urgent need for sustainable practices in cement production, highlighting material substitution as a key strategy to mitigate environmental impacts. By integrating LCA methodologies with optimization technique, the study analyses the potential of material substitution in reducing energy consumption and GHG emissions, thereby promoting a more sustainable cement industry. In conclusion, this research presents a novel environmental framework for cleaner cement production, integrating LCA, SCM screening with MCDM, MILP-based optimization, and validation through impact reduction. The framework both improves environmental performance and supports industry alignment with global sustainability goals through actionable, evidence-based strategies.
Characterisation of gluten-free dough mixes from traditional food crops with reduced starch digestibility for baking applications
(2025) Govender, Samantha; Amonsou, Eric
Gluten-free (GF) baking is challenging because gluten, which is absent, gives wheat-based doughs their elasticity, structure, and ability to retain gas. Developing gluten-free dough mixes requires a strategic selection of substitute ingredients that can mimic gluten's functional properties. This calls for the use of various starches, flours, hydrocolloids, and proteins to achieve desirable dough rheology and final product characteristics. The challenge lies in optimizing the interactions between these ingredients to create a cohesive and elastic dough structure that can withstand processing and deliver acceptable sensory attributes. The choice of suitable ingredients and their proportions is crucial for achieving a balance between dough stability, gas retention, and crumb structure. Therefore, food scientists and technologists find it challenging to create baked foods that are gluten-free. For glutenfree products to be more widely accepted by consumers, these ingredients must ensure that they resemble typical bakery goods as much as possible. Amadumbe, millet, and psyllium offer unique properties that can be harnessed to create gluten-free dough mixes. Amadumbe, a starchy root crop rich in resistant starch, can reduce the glycemic load of baked goods. Millet is a gluten-free grain with high nutritional value, providing vital amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants. Psyllium, a soluble fibre, has been shown to improve dough handling, increase viscosity, and improve the textural properties of gluten-free baked goods. The combination of these ingredients can address the textural and nutritional deficiencies often associated with gluten free products. The focus of this research was the characterization of gluten-free dough mixes with reduced starch digestibility for baking applications. This was done by A; investigating the effect of hydrothermal treatments: annealing (ANN) and heat-moisture treatment (HMT) combined with 3% psyllium husk fibre (PHF), on the structural, rheological, pasting, and digestibility properties of maize starch with varying amylose content. B; evaluation of the functional and digestibility profiles of a gluten-free (GF) premix blend made from amadumbe and millet, supplemented with psyllium fibre, and C; the optimized gluten-free flour blend was tested for its dough-forming ability and baking quality. Hydrothermal treatments: annealing (ANN) and heat-moisture treatment (HMT), combined with 3% psyllium fibre supplementation, significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced the rheological, pasting, and starch digestibility profiles. However, hydrothermal treatment alone caused minimal to no change in these functional properties. The results demonstrated that fibre supplementation of both HMT- and ANNtreated starches increased peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity, and setback viscosity, with ANN exhibiting significantly higher values. ANN fibre-supplemented normal maize starch showed the largest increase in storage modulus (G'), according to rheological analysis. Profiling of starch digestibility revealed that fibre-supplemented high amylose maize starch produced the greatest levels of resistant starch (RS). These findings highlight the importance of developing healthier starches that promote well-being by reducing digestibility and increasing resistance to enzymatic breakdown. This will support the creation of low-glycemic, fibre-rich products. The results of the investigation proved useful in establishing the criteria for the amadumbe-millet and psyllium flours used to produce glutenfree composite blends. The evaluation of processed gluten-free (GF) flour blends made from amadumbe, millet, and psyllium flours revealed that the inclusion of psyllium fibre significantly improved the pasting properties (PV, FV, BV) two-fold. The rheological properties showed enhanced viscoelasticity of the dough, as indicated by the storage modulus (G') consistently being greater than the loss modulus (G") across the frequency range. Starch structural analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that all blends exhibited a typical A-type crystalline structure. The analysis of starch digestibility showed a significant increase in resistant starch (RS) and a decrease in rapidly digestible starch (RDS) due to the presence of psyllium fibre. Results obtained from this study suggest that fibre-supplemented gluten-free flours have great potential for baking, owing to their improved functional properties and reduced digestibility profile. The optimized gluten-free blend of amadumbe, millet, and psyllium (in a ratio of 70-30-3) was further evaluated for its dough-forming properties by examining water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), rheological properties, and textural properties. All the tests performed showed improvement with the inclusion of fibre. To assess the baking quality of the bread, textural analysis and sensory evaluation were conducted. Sensory evaluation assessed the amadumbe-milletpsyllium bread (AMP1) with a commercially available gluten-free bread. The results for overall acceptance indicated comparable findings (6.62±1.86) for AMP1 bread and (6.91±1.63) for the commercial gluten-free bread. However, starch digestibility results showed a reduction in resistant starch (RS) content, which was attributed to the increased baking temperature and time. This research contributes to the advancement of gluten-free bread with enhanced nutrition, texture and shelf life, meeting the growing demands of health-conscious consumers and gluten-intolerant individuals. Therefore, this study furnishes valuable insights for food scientists, bakers, and ingredient manufacturers, guiding the preparation of novel gluten-free products with enhanced nutritional and sensory attributes.
Seasonal consumption and contribution of indigenous leafy vegetables to household food security and daily recommended intakes in a rural community in Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal
(2025) Hlekwane, Ayanda; Grobbelaar, Heleen; Napier, Carin E.
Food insecurity remains a significant challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. Improving food security in rural South Africa can be achieved by assisting smallholder farmers, offering agricultural loans, providing competent agricultural services, and promoting the consumption of indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs). Studies indicate that ILVs can alleviate food and nutrition insecurity while enhancing dietary diversity, particularly among rural families. However, ILVs are still underutilised. This study investigated the seasonal patterns of ILV consumption and their role in household food security and daily nutrient intake recommendations in Mangangeni village, Ndwedwe, KwaZulu-Natal. A group of 118 participants (aged 18 and older) was selected through snowball sampling. Various questionnaires were employed, including those for demographic information, food frequency, 24-hour food recall, and food coping strategies. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27, utilising descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA for comparative analysis. The findings revealed that women (62.7%) primarily handled food preparation. Many participants were unemployed and relied on family members for essential needs. ILVs such as Bidens pilosa, blackjack, black nightshade, and amaranth were mainly foraged from the wild, household gardens, or farms. Households regularly consumed approximately six ILVs, with most participants eating them at least once or twice a week. All participants perceived ILVs as healthy, cheaper than other vegetables, tasty, beneficial for preventing and regulating illnesses, high in nutrients, quick to cook, and energy-giving. Seasonal shifts in ILV consumption were noted, with higher levels in summer and spring and a decrease in autumn and winter due to limited availability. Nutrient intake assessments revealed high carbohydrate consumption and imbalances in micronutrients. The most common strategy for coping with food insecurity involved choosing less expensive foods, while the least common strategy was consuming seed stocks intended for planting. While ILV consumption is influenced by seasonal availability, the results indicate that ILVs are crucial for mitigating food insecurity in rural South Africa. Enhancing access to ILVs year-round and promoting a balanced diet could improve dietary intake and diversity.