A baseline assessment of microplastic pollution in river systems in Gauteng

This project aims to determine a baseline assessment of microplastic pollution in river systems in Gauteng in collaboration with Dr Lee Ann Moodley from University of Johannesburg and a new PhD student in her programme. The Objective of this project is to 1) collect microplastic samples from identified rivers, 2) use current and innovative methods to extract microplastics from samples, 3) determine the concentration and character of these microplastics in aquatic systems. The deliverables and outputs will include scientific research papers, op-ed, conference presentations and a PhD for the student conducting the project.

Related Outputs

Selected Presentations

Media Engagements

Brainstorm Magazine: Counting the cost of microplastic pollution

Related Publications

Singh, S., Gray, A., Nemati, M., Schwabe, K., and Wang, L.(2025). Microplastic exposure disparities in California communities through bottled water consumption. Microplastics and Nanoplastics, 5(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00150-9

Singh, S., Gray, A.B., Murphy-Hagan, C., Hapich, H., Cowger, W., Perna, J., Le, T., Nogi, H., Badwal, B., McLaughlin, K. and Kessouri, F. (2025). 'Microplastic pollution in the water column and benthic sediment of the San Pedro Bay, California, USA'. Environmental Research, 269, p.120866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.120866