The science of Ecotoxicology is a relatively new science. The gathering of information regarding chemicals and other anthropogenic effects only started in the 1950’s with the development of sensitive techniques to analyse chemical residues in natural systems. During the 1960’s a picture emerged of the widespread, but low, concentrations of chemicals in birds, fish and mammals. This has stimulated a major research effort into the effects of chemicals in the natural ecosystem, which continues to present day.
For the past 15 years the Department of Zoology has been involved in research related to determining the effects of pollutants on aquatic ecosystems. During this period the Department has developed into a Centre of Excellence in ecotoxicology and this is clearly evident when considering that between 1990 and 2002, 80 publications relating to aquatic ecotoxicology were published in peer-reviewed journals. In the Department, ecotoxicological research is undertaken at different levels of biological organisation ranging from molecular/subcellular to community responses. The Department specialises in linking pollutant uptake (bioaccumulation) to biological responses (biomarkers at cellular levels and biomonitoring of vertebrate and invertebrate community structure changes).
The Department’s acknowledged expertise in the field has resulted in a number of national and international collaborative research projects (e.g. Pretoria University – endocrine disrupting biomarkers, University of Plymouth – biomarkers, University of Antwerp – biomarkers and bioaccumulation, University of Tuurka - endocrine disrupting biomarkers). Researchers in the Department are also currently involved in a number of Water Research Commission-funded projects specifically aimed at incorporating ecotoxicology into ecological risk assessment, which forms the basis of water quality management within water resource management in South Africa. This expertise base has lead to ecotoxicology being presented as modules in the BSc degree programme. The RAU is the only university in South Africa that currently presents ecotoxicology at undergraduate level. Ecotoxicology also forms an important component of the Honours, Masters and PhD programmes in Aquatic Health.
For more information contact: Dr. Victor Wepener