Growing up surrounded by rivers, lakes and swamps in the oil-rich Niger Delta has inspired a young Grahamstown-based scientist to research innovative ways of preventing freshwater pollution.
Rising star in Rhodes University’s Institute for Water Research (IWR) 29-year-old Dr Oghenekaro Nelson Odume’s groundbreaking work in the Eastern Cape on early warning systems to manage industrial-sewage effluent and promote healthy rivers recently earned him the prestigious International Emerging River Professional Award in Australia.
“I realised our livelihoods were almost entirely dependent on the surrounding natural resources, particularly the freshwater resources,” Odume said about his childhood in a rural town on the Niger Delta.
“However, I also realised that these freshwater resources were often polluted by oil spillages and other activities associated with oil exploration, thus threatening our livelihoods.”
His passion and interest for freshwater resources management grew as he wondered whether there was anybody around who was responsible for
properly managing the precious commodity.
“Since then, my desires to contribute to the intellectual pool of freshwater management in Africa and to co-create knowledge and improve the livelihoods of people who are resource dependent, have kept me passionate about my research.”
Aimed at recognising and fostering young world experts in the early stages of their careers in river and water resource management, the award was made in Canberra at the 17th annual International River Symposium.
Now based at Rhodes University’s Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality at the IWR, Odume’s award-winning work was conducted in the Swartkops River where he used out-of-the-box techniques that included collaborating with Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality officials and other players to come up with lasting solutions.
“South Africa has one of the most progressive water laws in the world and if we are to achieve the overarching principles of equity, sustainability and efficiency enshrined in the National Water Act, then we must do water research differently – in an engaged, collaborative, reflective, integrated and multi-disciplinary way.”
Although a water resource scientist by training, Odume combined both scientific and social science approaches in his research.
Starting out by first building up trust between the players, once this was achieved, he began to work towards positive outcomes using an integrative multi-criterial approach combining water and effluent chemistry, in-stream biodiversity assessment and experimental aquatic toxicology to investigate how sewage effluent and other pollution was influencing the health of the Swartkops River.
“The results provide early warning systems for managing industrial-sewage effluent, in relation to river health.”
According to Odume, his aim was to contribute to the intellectual pool of freshwater management in Africa and to co-create knowledge and improve the livelihoods of people who are resource dependent.
The young academic said his interest was further nurtured by the “sterling leadership” of the director of the Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality at the IWR, Professor Tally Palmer.
“I am committed to making a difference in my surrounding communities.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
G’town scientist scoops award
Rising star in Rhodes University’s Institute for Water Research (IWR) 29-year-old Dr Oghenekaro Nelson Odume’s groundbreaking work in the Eastern Cape on early warning systems to manage industrial-sewage effluent and promote healthy rivers recently earned him the prestigious International Emerging River Professional Award in Australia.
“I realised our livelihoods were almost entirely dependent on the surrounding natural resources, particularly the freshwater resources,” Odume said about his childhood in a rural town on the Niger Delta.
“However, I also realised that these freshwater resources were often polluted by oil spillages and other activities associated with oil exploration, thus threatening our livelihoods.”
His passion and interest for freshwater resources management grew as he wondered whether there was anybody around who was responsible for
properly managing the precious commodity.
“Since then, my desires to contribute to the intellectual pool of freshwater management in Africa and to co-create knowledge and improve the livelihoods of people who are resource dependent, have kept me passionate about my research.”
Aimed at recognising and fostering young world experts in the early stages of their careers in river and water resource management, the award was made in Canberra at the 17th annual International River Symposium.
Now based at Rhodes University’s Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality at the IWR, Odume’s award-winning work was conducted in the Swartkops River where he used out-of-the-box techniques that included collaborating with Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality officials and other players to come up with lasting solutions.
“South Africa has one of the most progressive water laws in the world and if we are to achieve the overarching principles of equity, sustainability and efficiency enshrined in the National Water Act, then we must do water research differently – in an engaged, collaborative, reflective, integrated and multi-disciplinary way.”
Although a water resource scientist by training, Odume combined both scientific and social science approaches in his research.
Starting out by first building up trust between the players, once this was achieved, he began to work towards positive outcomes using an integrative multi-criterial approach combining water and effluent chemistry, in-stream biodiversity assessment and experimental aquatic toxicology to investigate how sewage effluent and other pollution was influencing the health of the Swartkops River.
“The results provide early warning systems for managing industrial-sewage effluent, in relation to river health.”
According to Odume, his aim was to contribute to the intellectual pool of freshwater management in Africa and to co-create knowledge and improve the livelihoods of people who are resource dependent.
The young academic said his interest was further nurtured by the “sterling leadership” of the director of the Unilever Centre for Environmental Water Quality at the IWR, Professor Tally Palmer.
“I am committed to making a difference in my surrounding communities.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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