Elvis Fosso-Kankeu

• Professor (Associate) at North-West University

The exploration of alternative acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment agents remains crucial, given the consistent rise in AMD release globally. Herein, a municipal wastewater (MWW)-derived byproduct, struvite, is investigated for the treatment of AMD, including the recovery of iron oxide pigments, where geochemical modelling is employed as a prelimina...

The mineralogical characteristics of Copperbelt ores undergo continuous stratigraphic changes due to ongoing mining activities and weathering changes. These variabilities in mineralogy lead to drastically different behaviors in hydrometallurgical processing during the recovery of Cu and Co. Consequently, the technologies currently used in several h...

In this study, the synthesis of struvite from municipal wastewater is evaluated and its application for treating acid mine drainage (AMD). To achieve the goals of this research, batch experiments were conducted to assess the effectiveness of struvite in neutralizing AMD, particularly focusing on raising the pH from an initial value of 1.881 and as...

Acid mine drainage (AMD) from the Nestor Mine Tailings Storage Facility (MTSF) is a serious threat to the surrounding ecosystem, particularly the Sabie River system. This study aims to develop mitigation measures for AMD from the Nestor MTSF (NTS) using materials from the Glynns Lydenburg MTSF (GTS). Two mixtures were prepared using samples from th...

Galvanic interactions present alternative strategies to achieve a more efficient Cu dissolution from CuFeS2. The present work studied the interaction between chalcopyrite–magnetite (CuFeS2-Fe3O4) in acidified ferric sulphate Fe2(SO4)3-H2SO4 at a solution pH of 1.8 and a temperature of 25 or 50 °C. The addition of Fe3O4 to CuFeS2 forms a galvanic co...

An insightful attempt has been made in this review and the primary objective was to meticulously provide an update on the sustainabilities, advances and challenges pertaining the removal of ammonia from water and wastewater. Ammonia is a versatile compound that prevails in various spheres of the environment. If not properly managed, this compound c...

The present study investigated the hydrochemical characteristic changes of the Sabie River catchment. Water sampling was done in November and December (wet season, 2019) and July (Dry season, 2020). Physicochemical parameters and metal speciation were analyzed to assess their impact on water quality and fitness for human consumption. The hydrochemi...

Herein, a pilot study on the removal of ammonia from surface water using the integration of struvite precipitation and breakpoint chlorination is reported. A two staged pilot plant with a capacity of 1000 litres (1 m3) per run (LPR) was utilised, of which, stage one comprised struvite precipitation and stage two comprised breakpoint chlorination. O...

In our concept, the mineral struvite which is a by-product from the treatment of municipal wastewater can be used as an alternative to lime; this by-product was added to AMD of pH 2 and the pH was raised in a stepwise manner giving the opportunity to recover ferric phosphate. The addition of struvite to AMD resulted in the neutralisation of AMD and...

There is limited awareness about atmospheric water (AW) and its harvesting for drinking purposes in South Africa and Sub-Sahara African countries at large, this trend is mainly characterized by the shortage of articles related to this topic from this region. Most of the referenced papers from search engines are either from Northern Africa or from o...

With the growing population worldwide, the demand for fresh water is expected to continuously increase over the year, putting an unnecessary pressure on the surface and groundwater. Atmospheric water harvesting which is an air to water system therefore presents a suitable alternative that does not depend on the limited surface water resource and do...

The ever-growing contamination of surface water due to various catchment activities poses threats and stress to downstream water treatment entities. Specifically, the presence of ammonia, microbial contaminants, organic matter, and heavy metals has been an issue of paramount concern to water treatment entities since stringent regulatory frameworks...

Water pollution and wastewater management is a global issue and gaining attention worldwide. Among several other wastewater treatment technologies, photocatalytic treatment is a promising and sustainable approach to recycle wastewater into clean water for various applications. Several semiconductor photocatalysts have been proven successful candida...

Water is one of the prime substances for all plants, animals, and human for their survival. If there was no water, we cannot imagine life on earth and clean water is equally important for humans. Therefore, at present, we have to find out the way to use water from wastewater. Advanced oxidation process is excellent technique to remove organic and h...

From the last few decades, heterogeneous photocatalysts have flourished significant consideration especially concerning energy and the environment. Heterogeneous photocatalysts play a vital role in the cleavage of solar water and in the removal of environmental pollutants, including organic and inorganic species from aqueous or gas phase systems in...

Heterogeneous photocatalysts have been widely used for the removal of various organic pollutants from wastewater. The main challenge so far resides in the sustainability of the process, with regard to the synthesis and the application under visible light. In this study the precipitated materials from the Moringa oleifera seed (MO), groundnut shells...

This research booklet was compiled to guide postgraduate students and emerging researchers through their research career development. The sections covered within the booklet aim to equip the reader with necessary tools needed to choose an area of innovative research, proposal writing, publishing in accredited journals, supervision of postgraduate s...

This research booklet was compiled to guide postgraduate students and emerging researchers through their research career development. The sections covered within the booklet aim to equip the reader with necessary tools needed to choose an area of innovative research, proposal writing, publishing in accredited journals, supervision of postgraduate s...

Wastewater treatment has been widely focused on the undesirable pollutants derived from various activities such as coking, coal gasification, oil spills, and petroleum. These activities tend to release organic pollutants, however polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) happen to be highlighted as the most carcinogenic pollutant that easily comes in...

Acid mine drainage (AMD) caused by the oxidation of sulphide minerals found in mine waste is a global environmental concern, especially in water-restricted countries with heavy mining industries. Implementing AMD treatment and prevention programs can be extremely expensive, hence the need to identify environmentally sustainable treatment and preven...

Heterogeneous photocatalysts have been widely used for the removal of various organic pollutants from wastewater. The main challenge so far resides in the sustainability of the process, with regard to the synthesis and the application under visible light. In this study the precipitated materials from the moringa oleifera seed (MO), groundnut shells...

Fe(III)–chitosan microbeads (Fe–CTB) were prepared using a chemical coprecipitation method. SEM–EDX, FTIR, XRD, TGA, BET, and pH pzc were performed for the characterization of the adsorbent. Various parameters were optimized as pH, adsorption time, adsorbent dose, initial Cr(VI), and PO4³⁻ ion concentration and the effect of assorted ions for adsor...

The maintenance of consistent electric power production remains a challenge. This could be achieved if the intermittent part of the system is effectively controlled. The activities of microorganisms and the type of nutrients available determine to a large extent the amount and continuous generation of electricity. The ideal microorganism or communi...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been a problem in the environment for an extended period. They are mostly derived from petroleum, coal tar and oil spills that travel and are immobilized in wastewater/water sources. Their presence in the environment causes a hazard to humans due to their toxicity and carcinogenic properties. In the stud...

In this investigation, two ore bodies (silicate and carbonate), carefully sized, containing chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) were assessed for their Cu dissolution in acidic ferric sulfate (H2SO4-Fe2(SO4)3) at various pH (1.0, 1.5 and 1.8) and temperature (25 and 50 C) under atmospheric pressure. Experiments were conducted with a size fraction of 53 + 38 for...

Mining supplies key resources necessary for technological advancement to ameliorate challenges imposed by the increase in the human population worldwide. One of the legacies of mining resources is the formation and discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) during and even after active mining. It is a major environmental concern because it enhances the...

The valorisation of wastewaters for minerals recovery and their potential beneficiation has gained enormous attention recently. In this study, the removal of phosphate and ammonia from municipal wastewater using activated magnesite resulted in the formation of struvite. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of struvite were 60 mins of mixing, 30...

Heavy metals like Cu, Pb are required in small concentrations but their overconsumption leads to diseases and disorders which ultimately threatens human life. This chapter presents an overview of biofiltration. This chapter will deal with the toxicity of metals, conventional methods for their treatment, and advantages of biofilter over other treatm...

The dissolution of a carbonatitic chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) was studied in H2SO4−Fe2(SO4)3−FeSO4−H2O at varying pH values (0.5−2.5) and 25 °C for 12 h. Experiments were conducted with a size fraction of 53−75 µm. Low Cu recoveries, below 15%, were observed in all pH regimes. The results from the XRD, SEM−EDS, and optical microscopic (OM) analyses of th...

A multifunctional nanobiocomposite polymer was developed in this study through a cross-linking polymerization of cyclodextrin with phosphorylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes followed by sol-gel to incorporate TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles. This work’s novelty was to prove that the developed nanobiocomposite polymer is a potential filter nanosponge ca...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a class of persistent organic water pollutants that raise serious concerns owing to their carcinogenicity and other negative impacts on humans and ecosystems. In this study, Bi2MoO6/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites were designed and prepared for the adsorption-assisted photodegradation of naphthalene...

A consortium of microbial community was used for the treatment of acid mine drainage wastewater laden with sulphate and heavy metals. The wastewater was treated in an anaerobic continuously stirred tank bioreactor. The microbial community activity increased the pH from 5.6 to 6.5, and improved sulphate removal up to 85% from an initial sulphate con...

In this study, the ecology of biofilms collected from sediments and efflorescent crusts (EFC) along an acid mine drainage (AMD) system was determined using 16S bacterial metagenomics. The dissolution of coal tailing and EFC by bacteria hosted in biofilms was investigated. Results revealed the predominance of acidophilic bacteria such as Acidithioba...

Nowadays, water-borne diseases including hepatitis remain the critical health challenge due to the inadequate supply of potable and safe water for human activities. The major cause is that the pathogenic microorganisms causing diseases have developed resistance against common techniques used by sewage water treatment plants for water disinfection....

The rapid increase in population and industrialization has led to an increase in pollution and also the contamination of water resources. Since the removal of waste became a necessity due to an increase in pollution, anaerobic digesters (ADs) were brought into the picture. An AD is a system that is used to convert biodegradable waste into renewable...

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are very difficult to remove from water sources by means of conventional methods and thus require a new and improved technique. One of the options, that is investigated in this study, is the use of the photocatalyst, graphene oxide bismuth molybdate. The purpose of the photocatalyst is to break down the PAHs...

Mine wastewater (MW) is often rich in heavy metals that can have measurable effects on humans. The storage and treatment of MW remains a challenge for most mining companies. Iron (Fe) in MW was removed by using extracts from Eucalyptus globulus (EG); Callistemon viminalis (CV); and Persea americana (AS). Fe was removed from MW samples with an initi...

South Africa is an important mining region, and nearly every province has remnants of active and closed metalliferous mining sites. Metalliferous mines produce a large quantity of metalliferous solid waste (MSW) because the ore is minutely portioned in comparison to the mined material. In the metalliferous industry, production of Cu, Pb, and Zn cul...

Today, the overall occurrence of re-emerging and rising illnesses has been a serious load on economies as well as public health. Here, we describe a simple, nontoxic and eco-friendly method for the synthesis of milk protein (MP)-stabilized silver nanoparticles (MP-s-AgNPs) using ultrahigh-temperature full cream milk. Highly stable AgNPs were prepar...

This study investigated the effect of carbon sources (n = 2) on the performance of a microbial community in an anaerobic moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) treating acid mine drainage (AMD). The 1.5 L anaerobic MBBR was operated across a range of hydraulic retention times - HRT's (3-18 days), using different substrates, i.e. brewing wastewater and l...

Microbial diversity in acid mine drainage from eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, South Africa. Enrichment of SRB improves its performance in sulphate reduction. Microbial community shows synergy between SRB Proteobacteria and facultative Bacilli. Sulphate reduction of 85% and cadmium reduction of 98% were observed within 7 days of continuous operational mode...

In this study, a ZnO/Ag/GO nanocomposite was synthesised and used as photocatalyst for effective photodegradation of naphthalene from simulated wastewater under visible light. Chemical and morphological characterisation were successfully done using XRD, PL, UV-vis, FTIR, XPS, FESEM and HRTEM analytical tools. Photocatalytic degradation experimen...

The metagenomic data presented herein contains the bacterial community profile of a drinking water supply system (DWSS) supplying O'Kiep, Namaqualand, South Africa. Representative samples from the source (Orange River) to the point of use (O'Kiep), through a 150km DWSS used for drinking water distribution were analysed for bacterial content. PCR am...