Development of a GIS-based knowledge hub for contaminants of emerging concern in South African water resources using open-source software: Lessons learnt
Tarryn Lee Botha,
Emomotimi Bamuza-Pemu,
Ashira Roopnarain,
Zibusiso Ncube,
Gert De Nysschen,
Busiswa Ndaba,
Ntebogeng Mokgalaka,
Maryam Bello-Akinosho,
Rasheed Adeleke,
Akani Mushwana,
Michael van der Laan,
Phedisho Mphahlele,
Fanelesibonge Vilakazi,
Penny Jaca,
Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa
Affiliations
Tarryn Lee Botha
Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, 1710, South Africa; Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa; Corresponding author. Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Florida Science Campus, 1710, South Africa.
Emomotimi Bamuza-Pemu
OptimalEnviro; Postnet Suite 073, Private Bag X21, Queenswood, Pretoria, 0121, South Africa
Ashira Roopnarain
Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
Zibusiso Ncube
Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
Gert De Nysschen
Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
Busiswa Ndaba
Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
Ntebogeng Mokgalaka
University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa; Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
Maryam Bello-Akinosho
Pathogenic Yeast Research Group, Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa
Rasheed Adeleke
Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, South Africa
Akani Mushwana
Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa
Michael van der Laan
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) – Natural Resources and Engineering, Private Bag X79, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20 Hatfield, Pretoria, 0028, South Africa
Phedisho Mphahlele
Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Chemistry, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
Fanelesibonge Vilakazi
Microbiology and Environmental Biotechnology Research Group, Agricultural Research Council – Natural Resources and Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, South Africa
Penny Jaca
Water Research Commission, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park, Bloukrans Building, 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa
Eunice Ubomba-Jaswa
Water Research Commission, Lynnwood Bridge Office Park, Bloukrans Building, 4 Daventry Street, Lynnwood Manor, Pretoria, 0081, South Africa
With population growth and dwindling freshwater sources, protecting such sources has come to the forefront of water resource management. Historically, society’s response to a problem is based on funding availability, current threat, and public outcry. Achieving this is largely dependent on the knowledge of the factors that are resulting in compromised water sources. These factors are constantly changing as novel contaminants are introduced into surface water sources. As we are in the information age, the interest in contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) is gaining ground. Whilst research is being conducted to identify contaminants in South African water sources, the research outputs and available information is not collated and presented to the science community and stakeholders in readily available formats and platforms. Current research outcomes need to be made known to regulators in order to develop environmental laws. By using fourth industrial revolution technology, we were able to collate available data in literature and display these in a user-friendly online format to regulatory bodies as well as researchers. A standardized excel spreadsheet was developed and uploaded to a PostgreSQL, running a PostGIS extension and was then processed in the GeoServer to allow for visualization on an interactive map which can be continuously updated. The near real-time access to information will reduce the possibility of duplication of research efforts, enhance collaboration in the discipline, and act as a CEC early warning system.
