Algae colonisation of brick pavement at the University of Venda: A potential slippery hazard
Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Algae colonisation of brick pavement at the University of Venda: A potential slippery hazard | |
| Creator | Munyai, Thabelo R. Sonqishe, Thantaswa Gumbo, Jabulani R. | |
| Description | A brick pavement, tramped by humans, is exposed to atmospheric elements, thus allowing cyanobacteria and algae to colonise. In this article, we report on the factors that contribute to the slipperiness of a brick pavement at the University of Venda in the Limpopo province of the South Africa. Samples were collected from brick surfaces either colonised by green algae (treated) or not (control). The samples were acid-digested and analysed for metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS) in parts per billion (ppb). The treated bricks, with green algae, had average high metal contents (ppb): Al 9456.02, Ti 731.23, V 46.44, Cr 78.85, Mn 862.93, Fe 16295.18, Co 23.57, Ni 59.36, Cu 66.31, Zn 160.57, As 7.92, Se 10.45, Mo 6.74, Cd 5.19, Sn 4.65, Sb 2.31 and Pb 19.51. In contrast, control bricks had a low average of metal content (ppb) as follows: Al 2.99, Ti 0.28, V 4.04, Cr 1.42, Mn 4.29, Fe 20.89, Co 0.36, Ni 2.74, Cu 5.64, Zn 4.21, As 0.56, Se 3.00, Mo 0.88, Cd 0.01, Sn 1.05, Sb 0.04 and Pb 0.04. Other factors that promote algae colonisation include high solar radiation, neutral pH, nutrients, low electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. The algae colonisation of brick pavement results in an unaesthetic sighting and a slippery surface that is hazardous to humans. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2019-07-04 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/jamba.v11i2.689 | |
| Source | Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies; Vol 11, No 2 (2019); 7 pages 1996-1421 2072-845X | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/689/1446
https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/689/1445
https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/689/1447
https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/689/1444
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