PostDocs

Dr Lucian Bezuidenhout

Earth Sounds: 

Research in Earth Sounds (ambient seismic noise) entails the continuous triaxial recording of wavefields in different spatial arrays, the inversion of the frequency-dependant group travel times to map Rayleigh surface-wave group velocity variations as part of AEON’s baseline research; development of a seismic source location technique applied to the Karoo ambient noise. Current research activities include creating a localized seismicity map of the Eastern-Cape Karoo region and cross-correlating ambient seismic noise for Love surface-wave velocities imaging. Has visited Grenoble University with whom AEON has created a collaborative program linked to ambient noise seismic technologies.

  

Dr Joseph Thompson

Ocean Tectonics: 

The research project examines the architecture of the Africa, Madagascar and Antarctic tectonic margins and their geodynamic history by analysing onshore and offshore geophysical and geological data from these margins and their adjoining plates to describe the tectonic evolution of the Indian Ocean. The initial geometry of East Gondwana which fragmented to form the Indian Ocean is not well understood and remains a subject of debate. These margins recorded the early breakup and evolutionary history of Gondwana, and therefore remain very critical in our quest to understand the geodynamic evolution of the Indian Ocean.

Dr Bastien Linol

Africa Tectonics: 

Research in the Karoo, Congo and Kalahari Basins with the aim to retrace the evolution of Gondwana, and exploring the continental margin of the Indian Ocean to decipher sea-level changes and uplift. Currently, running the Field School Unit, working in collaboration with GFZ Potsdam (Germany), Ifremer (France), University of California (UC) Los Angeles and  UC Davis (USA), and developing a new peer-mentoring forum: Environment Science Without Borders between USA and African universities.

  

 

 

 

PhD

Greve Jade

Magnetotelluric Modelling of the Eastern Karoo Basin near Jansenville, South Africa: Imaging a Potential Shale Gas Bearing Horizon

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré

  

 

  

Mulabisana Thifhelimbilu

Active Tectonics, Crustal Deformation and Seismotectonic background for a realistic Seismic Hazard Assessment in Southern Africa.

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré and Prof Mustapha Meghraoui

 

Miller Warren

Design of new transdisciplinary geo-bio-science maps and data-management to stimulate visualisation of Africa’s natural evolution and its resources with a special case study of the Western Rift Valley.

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré

Mashele Nwa’Jama

A critical exploration of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) in facilitating the emergence and success of organic farming systems. 

Supervisor: Prof Raymond Auerbach and Prof Robert Fincham

  

Holmes Marion

Diatoms as an ‘early warning’ monitoring tool for surface and groundwater contamination: towards a water baseline for the Karoo.

Supervisor: Prof Eileen Campbell 

Van Herden Barbara

The Drivers of Sustainable Triple Bottom Line Business Performance in Africa Alive Corridors Heritage Node Businesses

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré and Prof Sandra Perks

  

Muedi Thomas

Fracture systems in the Karoo basin: differentiating brittle structures related to dyke and sill emplacement from those related to tectonics.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

Dhansay Taufeeq

On the evolution and mechanics of the brittle upper crust below South Africa: Implications toward the sustainable transformation of exploration/exploitation in the earth’s critical zone.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

  

Ntholi Thakane

A technical and economic evaluation of a passive underground mine-water purification system (pumps): a Geothermally powered Geo-engineering system designed for in-situ bio-remediation of acid mine water.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

Ellis Kristen 

Fracking in the Karoo: effects on vegetation.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit and Prof Eileen Campbell 

  

Mabidi Annah

Freshwater invertebrate assemblages of the Eastern Cape Karoo region (South Africa) earmarked for shale gas exploration.

Supervisor: Prof Renzo Perissinotto and Dr Matthew Bird

 

 

Masters

Valashiya Khaya

Mapping in the Drakensberg

Supervisor: Dr. Bastien Linol

  

Berkland James

Groundwater sampling methods for radioactive elements in the immediate vicinity of Beaufort West: Sampling as a Science

Supervisor: Dr Gaathier Mahed

Mngcele Lizalise

Monitoring Ecosystem change in the Eastern Cape Karoo using termite mound spatial patterns.

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré

  

Mambalu Philasande

The co-evolution of Africa and it’s biodiversity.

Supervisor: Prof Judith Masters

Mey Angel

Towards visual storytelling: A research collaboration with AEON’S Africa Alive Corridors project

Supervisor: David A. Jones

  

Tembe Thandeka

The potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on Khoisan peoples sense of place in the Karoo Region, South Africa.

Supervisor: Dr. Leizel Williams-Bruinders

Gariremo Natasha

Ecohydrological Modelling of  a Coastal Wetland: The Case of Rietvlei Wetland, CapeTown.

Supervisor: Dr. Gaathier Mahed

  

Poto Okuhle

Distribution of Uranium (U), Molybdenum (Mo) and Mercury (Hg) bearing minerals as potential sources for toxic elements in Karoo ground-and-surface waters, and their possible health impact ahead of potential shale gas development

Supervisor: Dr. Bastien Linol and Dr. Gaaither Mahed

Bentley Martin

Geophysical processing, integration, and visualisation of multi-parameter survey data over parts of the Eastern Cape.

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré and Lester Cowley

  

Jeppesen Keegan

A geochemical characterisation of shallow water aquifers in the Border-Kei region, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit and Prof David Bell

Nengovhela Vhuhwavho

A study of the occurrence and isotopic signature of fugitive methane across the Karoo Basin, South Africa.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

  

Dlakavu Sinazo

Testing potential groundwater reservoir connectivity using isotopes in the south-central Karoo region.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

Olivera Shanene

Baseline study of the health infrastructure and services in the Karoo.

Supervisor: Prof Ricks Esmeralda

  

Moorcroft David

Seismic Interpretation of the offshore Natal Valley.

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré

Campbell Richard

A study of the occurrence and isotopic signature of fugitive methane across the Karoo Basin, South Africa.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

  

Van der Walt Nadia

The Visual Communication of Environmental Awareness Issues in Jeff Orlowski’s, Chasing Ice (2012) and Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s, Home (2009).

Supervisor: Dr Heidi Saayman-Hattingh, Mr Glenn Meyer and Prof Maarten de Wit

Maake Tebatso

Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Karoo Black Shales and associated carbonates in the lower Ecca formations of the Jansenville Area, Southern Karoo Basin.

Supervisor: Prof David Bell

  

Kidane Abiel

Developing virtual and remote access to secondary ion mass spectrometry (sims) for South Africa and first tests towards ‘fingerprinting’ diamonds using their stable isotope chemistry and magnetic properties.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

Chere Naledi

A study of the occurrence and isotopic signature of fugitive methane across the Karoo Basin, South Africa.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit

  

Hawley Ami

Making design meaningful: The role of the everyday in social design in South Africa.

Supervisor: Bruce Cradle 

de Jager Megan 

Landscape functionality and spectral analysis.

Supervisor: Prof Moctar Doucouré and Prof Vincent Kakembo 

  

Mondon Jean-Luc

A study of the occurrence and isotopic signature of fugitive methane across the Karoo Basin, South Africa.

Supervisor: Prof Maarten de Wit