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Mr Mafuza Maya will be completing a project focussing on the development of hyperspectral remote sensingtechniques to map contamination associated with mining in the Witwatersrand basin, where gold mining activities led to the concentration of potentially harmful elements inmine residue areas. These contaminants have the ability to contaminate wetlands, streams and dams. His project title is: “Mineral and vegetation indicators of mining contamination using hyperspectral remote sensing in the Witwatersrand Basin”. The specific areas that will be focussed on include the Welkom area, the Orkney/Vaal area, the Carletonville area and a small transit from the Johannesburg CBD to Klerksdorp. The main aim of the project is to map minerals associated with gold mining and to identify specific plant spectral responses. Additionally, contaminant signatures will be identified within water bodies surrounding mine residue areas. Mr Maya has been accepted for studies at the University of Johannesburg. |
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Ms Nondumiso Dlamini will focus on developing remote sensing techniques for the assessment of shrink/swell clay concentrations in the Barberton region, where such clays are known to have caused infrastructure damage as a result of volume change related to changes in moisture. Her project will involve the collection of field spectrometer data as well as samples for laboratory analysis. The resulting field data will be used to develop techniques to identify shrink/swell clay potential using remote sensing data. The proposed study will investigate the spectral properties of swelling soils with multispectral imagery then correlate the data to the published mineralogical map of the study area (North-West, Pretoria). In support of the general aim of the proposed study, the following specific objectives will guide the research: 1) Detect and analyze distinct spectral signatures over the North-West, Pretoria by use of spectroscopic techniques, 2) Classify expansive soils according to dominant clay mineralogy and link the data with engineering parameters and reflectance spectra, 3) Derive empirical models for predicting specific parameters such as free swell and cation exchange of expansive soils from their reflectance spectra. Ms Dlamini has been accepted for studies at the University of Pretoria under supervision of Mr Joel Botai. |
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Ms Kerry Lee Callaghan completed her BSc in Geology at the University of Pretoria where she gained valuable remote sensing training in her first, second and third years of study. She consequently completed her BSc honours in Geology at the University of Stellenbosch. Ms Callaghan is passionate about remote sensing, GIS and 3D modelling for geological and geomorphological investigations. As such, her research project for her MSc will focus on developing remote sensing techniques for the assessment of coastal and beach erosion. This will include the analysis of various sources of data to map sediment dynamics and the assessment of cliff retreat. She is registered at the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at the University of Stellenbosch and is expected to graduate in December 2013 |
