This talk to aims at (i) synthesizing literature on the nature, occurrence and ecological impact of NOM, its derivatives and EMP’s, (ii) evaluating the treatability and removal of NOM by various water treatment companies in the six different water quality regions of South Africa, and (iii) developing, optimization and implementation of various approaches that can be used to remove NOM in South Africa including the effective use of nanotechnology and the related ecotoxicology of the synthesized nanomaterials. Finally, this talk also aims at discussing areas of mutual interests between the University of South Africa and the Environmental Engineering and Water Resources program. The talk will also introduce the University of South Africa, particularly the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) as well as its research programmes that respond to Water Sustainability questions in South Africa.
Bio
Prof. Thabo T.I Nkambule is the Head of the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) at the University of South Africa, where he is also a professor. He is a C3-Rated researcher by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa. He is responsible for the strategic direction, operations and consolidation of all the research activities on water and nanotechnology within the institute. He is registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) as a professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) and a member of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), the International Water Association (IWA) and the American Chemical Society (ACS). His research interests are in the Urban Water Cycle, Conventional, Advanced and Integrated Water Treatment Technologies, Natural Organic Matter in Engineered Water Treatment Systems and Nanotechnology for Water Treatment. His research focus is specifically on Natural Organic Matter (NOM) in South African waters, studying its characterization, treatability and method development for effective NOM removal from water.