1. Shale gas group

2. 10th Inkaba yeAfrica/!Khure Africa (AEON) Conference/Workshop
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein - Karoo
29 September – 3 October 2014
Diversity of Invertebrates in temporary wetlands of the Eastern Cape Karoo Region earmarked for shale gas exploration
Annah Mabidi,
Renzo Perissinotto and Matthew Bird
SARChI Chair: Shallow Water Ecosystems
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

3. Outline of the presentation
Study’s relation to fracking
Significance of invertebrates
Aims of the study
Study area
Field and laboratory methodology
Summary

4. Significance of invertebrates survival to humans

5. Fracking in relation to the spineless wonders (invertebrates)
Traffic disturbance, possible sedimentation to the water body
Wastewater disposal
Fracking well pad
Primary risks to surface water bodies
sediment runoff from deforestation
leakage and spillage of chemicals
unsustainable water withdrawal
landscape fragmentation
contamination from insufficiently treated wastewater

6. Invertebrates as bioindicators
Aquatic invertebrates are sensitive to organic and various other toxic compounds.
have capacity to integrate these effects during their lifetime,
thus any alteration is reflected in changes of the species present and their abundances

7. - possibility of endemism - future monitoring of environmental change.
Aim of the study
Baseline Survey:
Inventory of the invertebrates
- possibility of endemism
- future monitoring of environmental change.
Understand patterns and processes structuring the
communities

8. Study Area

9. A sweep net will be used to catch the invertebrates
Field Methods
Sweep net
Zooplankton nets
swept through all microhabitats and the water column from bottom to the surface for collection of invertebrate samples
Night trap
Materials and Methods
Physico-chemical parameters of the water bodies will be measured, using probes
A sweep net will be used to catch the invertebrates
Sediment from the water bodies will be collected and crustaceans hatched after exposure to saline water approximating fracking waste water quality quality

10. A sweep net will be used to catch the invertebrates
Water quality testing
Dissolved oxygen meter
Probes: Temperature, Conductivity, Dissolved oxygen, pH, Turbidity
Physical characteristics of the wetland
HACH DR 2010 Spectrophotometer
Total phosphorus
Orthophosphate
Nitrate
Ammonia
Total nitrogen
Materials and Methods
Physico-chemical parameters of the water bodies will be measured, using probes
A sweep net will be used to catch the invertebrates
Sediment from the water bodies will be collected and crustaceans hatched after exposure to saline water approximating fracking waste water quality quality

11. Laboratory Methodology
Centrifuge and Fluorometer for Chlorophyll-a
Laboratory Total Dissolved Solids measurements
Stereo microscope
Materials and Methods
Physico-chemical parameters of the water bodies will be measured, using probes
A sweep net will be used to catch the invertebrates
Sediment from the water bodies will be collected and crustaceans hatched after exposure to saline water approximating fracking waste water quality quality

12. Laboratory Methodology
Salinity threshold experiments in the greenhouse
Materials and Methods
Physico-chemical parameters of the water bodies will be measured, using probes
A sweep net will be used to catch the invertebrates
Sediment from the water bodies will be collected and crustaceans hatched after exposure to saline water approximating fracking waste water quality quality

13. Summary

14. Summary

15. FRACKING IN THE KAROO: EFFECTS ON VEGETATION
10th Inkaba yeAfrica/!Khure Africa (AEON) Conference/Workshop
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein - Karoo
29 September – 3 October 2014
FRACKING IN THE KAROO: EFFECTS ON VEGETATION
K. Ellis1, E.E. Campbell1 , M. De Wit2
1: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Botany Department, South Campus, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth
2: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Geology Department, South Campus, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth
logo here…

16. Objectives of this study
Introduction
Shell’s application area - Aberdeen, Beaufort-West, Carnarvon, Graaff-Reinet, Middelburg, Murraysburg, Noupoort, Richmond and Victoria-West = approx. 30 000 km2
Biomes most affected - Nama-Karoo and Albany Thicket
Preliminary research indicates a number of Species of Conservation Concern at risk in these areas should fracking go ahead
Objectives of this study
Survey the proposed fracking areas & evaluate the flora highlighting Species of Conservation Concern
Investigate ecophysiological responses of Karoo plants to exposure to fracking fluid, with particular emphasis on phreatophytes.

17. Eco-physiological responses to fracking
Methodology
Vegetation Surveys
Braun-Blanquet method of assessing total floristic compositions will be used
Quadrat size of m2 for Nama-Karoo and m2 for Albany Thicket
Samples of each species present in a quadrat will be collected, identified and recorded
A species list for the areas most likely to be affected by fracking will be compiled, highlighting any Species of Conservation Concern
Eco-physiological responses to fracking
Species to be used: all the major life forms represented in each of the biomes. Boscia albitrunca (Burch.) Gilg & Gilg-Ben. already selected as a representative phreatophyte.
Seeds will be planted in the greenhouse at NMMU & treated with a solution containing the most commonly used fracking chemicals
Percentage seed germination will be assessed (radicle emerged >1 mm = successful germination)
Biomass will be measured and mortality rate recorded.
Condition (leaf condition, leaf colour, leaf fall) will be visually observed
A Plant Efficiency Analyzer will be used to measure stress in the treated plants
Boscia albitrunca

18. The end
Thank you
Materials and Methods
Physico-chemical parameters of the water bodies will be measured, using probes
A sweep net will be used to catch the invertebrates
Sediment from the water bodies will be collected and crustaceans hatched after exposure to saline water approximating fracking waste water quality quality