Members
Dr N. Basopo (PI), Prof. Y.S. Naik, Prof. A.H. Siwela, Miss S. Mnkandla, Mr C. Teta, Mr D. Ndebele
Research Activities
1.Determination of residue levelsof anthropogenic pollutants in aquatic and terrestrial environments using analytical techniques (GC, AAS, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Mercury analyzer, etc).
2.Assessment of environmental health/quality using biomarkers which include enzymatic (esterases, anti-oxidant, metabolic enzymes) levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, embryo toxicity tests, vitellogenin for endocrine disruptors and comet assay gene toxic pollutants.
3.Indicator species used determinations (snails, amphibians, fish and earthworms).
Group members: Dr N. Basopo(PI), Prof Y. S. Naik, Prof A. Siwela, Mr D. Tapfuma, Mr C.Teta, Miss S. Mnkandla, Mr D. Ndebele.
Overview
The Ecotoxicology Research Group was established within the National University of Science & Technology (NUST) in 1999 with sponsorship from the International Foundation for Science in Sweden. To date, Sweden has continued supporting the group with grants from Uppsala University (International Programme in Chemical Sciences), with additional support from the UK (Department for International Development) as well as the NUST Research Board. Prof Yegeshkumar S. Naik was the group leader until the year 2014, after which Dr Norah Basopo took over. The research activities mainly focus on the effects of anthropogenic pollutants on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as well as identifying ways to reduce ecological risks so as to protect the environment.
Objectives
To emerge as a centre of excellence in the field of Ecotoxicology in Zimbabwe, providing information on the health status of both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
To become an educational centre for Environmental Toxicologists in the country and the
Southern African region.
To be a centre that promotes and facilitates research in Environmental Toxicology in the country and a centre where government, city councils and industry can bring their samples for analysis and comparison of results.
Research interests
The presence of pollutants in the environment disturbs the health of the ecosystem which necessitates the investigation of biological changes due to exposure to pollutants. The mission of the research group is to identify the source, fate and effects of toxic substances in the environment, particularly due to activities of man. These pollutants include: pesticides used in the quest for improved agricultural productivity and the removal of pests; heavy metals that are released into the environment at levels above allowable thresholds resulting from activities like mining, industrial production, domestic and agricultural use of metal containing chemicals. Some pharmaceutical and healthcare / beauty products also become pollutants once ineffectively disposed.
A major area of concern has been the contamination of water bodies by such pollutants due to runoffs, soil erosion and leaching, ultimately affecting aquatic biota. The research group conducts studies, measuring residue levels (organic and inorganic) in water bodies using analytical chemistry techniques and further looks at the effects on aquatic organisms such as fish, frogs and mollusks. These organisms serve as good model systems for the investigation of stress induced by pollutants, observing biochemical changes in e.g. selected enzyme activities such as the antioxidant and esterase enzymes.
Currently, the ecotoxicology research group is extending these studies to terrestrial environments, as data on these systems is still lagging behind. Effects of heavy metals, pesticides and selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils and organisms such as birds,land snails and plants are being investigated.The vast majority of our ongoing work is best classified as analytical research and the group is dedicated to developing a better understanding of the ecotoxicological consequences of environmental change arising from human activities.
Collaborations
The group has engaged in collaborations with the following individuals at both national and international levels since it started:
- Prof L. Norrgren. SLU, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Prof S. Mukanganyama. Biochemistry Dept, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe. Dr H.Chirwa. Applied Chemistry Dept, NUST, Zimbabwe.
- Dr S. Majoni. Applied Chemistry Dept, NUST, Zimbabwe. Dr P. Makoni. NUST, Zimbabwe.
- Prof C. Masimirembwa. African institute of Biomedical Science & Technology, Zimbabwe.
- Prof L. Forlin. University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Prof V Wepener. University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Dr D Garwe. Kutsaga Research station, Zimbabwe
- Dr J. V. Burumu. Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Zimbabwe.
- Dr L. Mupondi (late). Zimbabwe Sugar Association Experiment Station, Zimbabwe.
The group still plans to expand the biomarkers it employs and is open to more collaboration with experts in the multidisciplinary ecotoxicology field.