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miniSASS
January 2016 Issue 8
In this issue
Featured “nunu” – Stoneflies Pg.2
Howick High School: Leaners conduct a miniSASS
assignment. Pg.3
Italtiles’ miniSASS training at the Bloubosspruit Pg. 4
DUCT’s miniSASS community event - Mpophomeni Pg. 5
Water Warriors Project 2015 – Source to Sea Pg. 6
miniSASS on an international level Pg. 7
Dr. Mark Graham’s podcast featuring miniSASS Pg. 8
What to expect in the next issue Pg. 8
www.wrc.org.zawww.dst.org.za
Stoneflies
Kingdom: AnimaliaPhylum: ArthropodaClass: Insecta
January 2016 Issue 8
2
Interesting facts about Stoneflies
Physical FeaturesStoneflies have flat, elongated bodies with a triangular shaped head and long thread-
like antennae, they are identifiable by their three thorasic segments. Another obvious
stonefly feature is that they have two long, multi-segmented appendages attached to
the bottom end of the abdomen.
HabitatStoneflies usually inhabit cool, perennial streams (perennial meaning;
permanent/long-term flow). They tend to cling to submerged matter such as rocks,
plants or gravel on the stream floor.
FoodDifferent types of stoneflies have different diets but most adult stoneflies feed on
algae, lichen and plant material. There are also some carnivorous stoneflies that feed
on mayfly nymphs.
Tolerance to pollutionStoneflies have the highest miniSASS score of 17, this means that they are
completely intolerant to polluted water. They only occur in well oxygenated streams
and rivers, so the absence of stoneflies suggests that the water is polluted.
Fun FactSome species of stonefly can live in temporary streams because when the streams
dry out they stop growing and slow down their metabolism until there is moisture
again.
EGGS
NYMPH
ADULT
LIFE CYCLE OF A STONEFLY
Stonefly nymphs are aquatic
Adult stoneflies are terrestrial
3
Howick High School, KZN
Learners, with guidance from GroundTruth,
identifying “nunus” caught in their sample.
“I think my own participation was successful because I managed to collect my own samples,
examine them and upload my results onto the miniSASS website. I have now contributed to
raising awareness in our community. If everyone does their part, we could change our future for
the better!” – Jenna Pike (Grade 11 learner at Howick High School).
January 2016 Issue 8
It is inspiring to see young people excited by
the idea of miniSASS and wanting to be involved.
The site where they conducted their miniSASS
assessment came out with a score
of 6.45 which falls under the
category ‘good’, this is
represented by a green crab.
A group of grade eleven learners
from Howick High School spent a
morning doing a miniSASS
assessment on a section of the
Umgeni River near Howick. This
was part of a life orientation
assignment whereby the learners
were to choose a type of pollution to
focus on and assess. This group
chose to focus on water pollution
and decided to get involved in
miniSASS to assess water pollution.
We would like to thank our young ambassadors at
Howick High School for sharing such an inspiring story
with us. Keep up the good work!!! Does your school
have a miniSASS story to share with our community?
please send us an email: [email protected] We would
also like to hear from schools outside KZN!!!
Howick High learners collecting miniSASS sample in the
Umgeni River.
Learners uploading their results on the
miniSASS website.
4
Issue 8January 2016
miniSASS Training for Italtile in
Johannesburg, Gauteng
The Water Research Commission (WRC), in
collaboration with WESSA conducted a miniSASS
demonstration at the Bloubosspruit in
Johannesburg for a group of about 20 people.
Sustainability and high ethical standards are values
that the Italtile group strive for, and so the group
was inspired to learn some water quality testing
techniques (miniSASS). They aim to reduce their
carbon footprint, improve their energy efficiency, be
involved in recycling and save water as part of a
much larger goal that is sustainability.
miniSASS is a help to Italtile’s goal to contribute to
the improvement of water conservation in South
Africa. This event is an inspiration to other
corporations around the country (and the world)
because it is so vital that these types of goals are
being strived for.
“At Italtile we are dedicated to being
responsible retailers and to minimise
the environmental impact of our
business and trade” – Naseema Elias.
Thank you to Hlengiwe Cele for the photographs of this training event.
January 2016 Issue 8
5
DUCT Community miniSASS Event, KZN
The Duzi uMngeni Conservation Trust
(DUCT) hosted a miniSASS, community
involvement day in Mpophomeni. The day
began at the Mpophomeni Public Library
where the participants gathered and then
proceeded to the site. Some of the
participants included members of the
Mpophomeni Conservation Group, the
African Conservation Trust, the Ethembeni
Family Centre, local people from
Mpophomeni, learners from various local
schools and nine Envrio Champs. The Enviro
Champs are residents of Mpophomeni who
strive for environmental improvement for the
area, by monitoring and reporting spilling and
broken manholes in Mpophomeni. Some of
them are trained in miniSASS and so they
are capable of hosting and assisting with
events such as this. The site was a section of
the uMthunzima stream where there is a lot
of litter and other forms of pollution that have
caused very poor environmental conditions.
Participants were split into three groups and
each group then conducted a miniSASS
observation. Groups 1 and 2 both obtained a
miniSASS score of 3.3 and group 3 scored a
minuscule 2.5. These results show that this
section of the stream is critically modified
and is in very poor condition (represented by
the purple crab )
Thank you to Ayanda Lipheyana (an Envrio
Champ) who provided this information.
Ayanda plans to organise another
community event, taking the same group of
people upstream, where Ayanda has
explored and says the water is in pristine
condition. They can then compare the results
and in this way get an idea of the extent of
the damage being done in the area.
Enthusiastic community members and organisations
in Mpophomeni, Howick.
January 2016 Issue 8
6
The Water Warriors Project, Western Cape
The Water Warriors Project provided
10 students with an incredible adventure and a
once-in-a lifetime environmental education
opportunity. The students paddled the Olifants
River (Western Cape) from source to mouth
while participating in environmental workshops
and observations (miniSASS) along the way.
The team encountered a few slight problems on
their journey with regards to the current water
shortage in South Africa. They were unable to
paddle certain sections of the river due to a
shortage of water. However, they did what they
could and it was still a very successful project.
The fact that miniSASS observations were
made over the entire length of the Olifants River
is incredible. This kind of information is
extremely useful in the analysis of water quality
on a much broader scale.
We look forward to seeing the results on the
website soon. http://www.minisass.org/
Thank you to Explore 4 Knowledge for these
photographs of the project
Water Warriors in action; paddling down the
Olifants River.
John Lucas investigating the miniSASS sample.
Paddlers learning how to identify macroinvertebrates
Dr Jim Taylor from WESSA was recently involved in
a miniSASS workshop in Mexico City at the
University of Albert Einstein. The students, staff and
members of the local water commission were
extremely enthusiastic about the idea of miniSASS.
They travelled to a stream close to the university
where they held their miniSASS workshop.
The university and surrounding areas seem to have
a strong sense of drive towards community
development, perhaps something South Africa can
be inspired by? The students thoroughly enjoyed
the workshop and the site obtained a very
acceptable score of 7, which means that the water
is in good condition.
miniSASS Workshop
University of Albert Einstein – Mexico City
4
January 2016 Issue 8
7
An extremely successful workshop and a wonderful experience had by
all involved. It is great to see miniSASS being used across the world.
Dr. Jim Taylor (WESSA) and
workshop delegates conducting
miniSASS in Mexico City.
Thank you to Dr. Jim Taylor for these photographs of the workshop.
Students, staff and members of the local water commission in Mexico City.
Contact Us:
www.minisass.org / [email protected]
Like our Facebook Page: Minisass - Mini
Stream Assessment Scoring System
Follow our blog: minisassblog.wordpress.com
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: miniSASS
Follow us on Google+: miniSASS
Download our App on www.miniSASS.mobi
Meet our partners:
Department of Water and Sanitation
www.dwa.gov.za…
Water Research Commission
www.wrc.org.za…
Wildlife and Environmental Society of South
Africa
Eco-Schools South Africa
www.wessa.org.za
…
GroundTruth Water, Wetlands and
Environmental Engineering
www.groundtruth.co.za
To order miniSASS field kits, Clarity Tube and
TVHR send an email to: [email protected]
8
Issue 8January 2016
In the next issue
Featured “nunu” of the month
A school in Amanzimtoti learns about miniSASS
The UKZN hydrology honours students learn to use the Water Clarity
Tube, the TVHR and miniSASS!
A feature on WLTP: Women's Leadership and Training Program
…and many more!!!
Do you want us to feature your miniSASS story? We would
like that too, so send us your interesting story to
Follow this link to listen to Dr. Mark Graham’s podcast featuring miniSASS on SA FM:
http://www.minisass.org/media/filer_public/2016/01/08/enviro_show_5_nov_envoro_show_
medium.mp3
