Abstract
The current pressures placed on river systems by industrial giants, coupled with use by indigenous squatter development as well as changing climatic conditions resulting in increased temperatures and lower rainfalls have impacted negatively on the amount of unpolluted available water for human consumption, agricultural utilization as well as industrial functionality. This is visible in the current drought situation that South Africa is facing. Small scale indigenous farmers develop sustainable gardens to facilitate a source of income. However, the indiscriminate use by many for purposes other than human consumption delimits the available water for essential purposes. These indigenous people rely heavily on the freshwater resources that should be readily available. Coupled with the agricultural need, industrial needs for water are ever increasing with more and more small and medium enterprises are being established to create entrepreneurs. When water levels are in excess, industrial chemical pollutants expelled into water systems are diluted to the extent that minimal is detected when analyses are carried out. However due to this resource being limiting and with the recent drought situation in Southern Africa (which is still prevalent in Western Cape), the impact from industry as well as rural agricultural communities on the river systems results in increased chemical and domestic pollution. This pollution inadvertently impacts the riverine biodiversity extensively eradicating indigenous vegetation and making way for alien species invasion. These drastic environmental changes resulting in drought are a major threat globally, impacting agriculture, industrial, infrastructure, and sociology-economic activities.
Presenters
Sibonelo Thanda MbanjwaLecturer, Nature Conservation , Mangosuthu University of Technology, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Climate Change, Unpolluted, Pollution
