Anisotropic gold nanoparticles were synthesized in a simple, environmentally benign process under ambient conditions of temperature and atmospheric pressure using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as both the reductant and biotemplate. Two types of anisotropic nanoparticles were produced in the system, namely larger two dimensional plates and smaller three-dimensional nanoparticles. Since the characteristics of nanoparticles are largely determined by their morphology, a simple centrifugation step was included to roughly separate the larger plate-like particles from the smaller more compact particles. In an attempt to identify potential applications, the properties of the particles were determined by TEM, SEM, STEM-EDS, UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The results of this study identified several optical properties of gold nanoparticles.

South Africa is a water-scarce country and is currently rated as one of the 30 driest countries in the world, with an average rainfall of 490 mm/a, approximately half of the global average. As an indicator of the degree of regional variability in South Africa's water supply, it has been shown that 70% of all runoff is from approximately 20% of the land area. Regardless of the water scarcity faced in South Africa, our water conservation track record is poor, with an average consumption of 280 L/d per person, almost 60% more than the global average of 175 L/d per person. Around 40% of this allocation is utilized in watering lawns and gardens (Zhuwakinyu, 2017). The South African government predicts water demand to outstrip supply as early as 2025. On an international scale, the situation appears just as dire, with the United Nations High Level Panel on Water (HLPW) expecting a 40% water shortfall by 2030, which may affect up to 1.8 billion people based on current water demand trajectories (Zhuwakinyu, 2017). Currently, South Africa is experiencing the worst drought since 1904, which has triggered severe water shortages, negatively affecting agricultural output in all sectors (News24, 2016). The potential exists for nationwide 'water-shedding' initiatives, similar to the electrical load-shedding programme initiated by Eskom, being implemented for homes and businesses in the near future if the situation continues to decline. Currently, water restrictions are in place country-wide with the Western Cape being the worst affected province. In 2016, eight of the nine provinces, with the exception of Gauteng, were declared drought disaster areas. The country's total water supply is currently estimated at 14.6 km 3 /a, of which surface water is the main source. The current demand is estimated to be between 15 km 3 /a and 16 km 3 /a, and it is expected that South Africa will experience a 17% water supply and demand gap by 2030 (Webb, 2015; News24, 2016; Zhuwakinyu, 2017). The UN World Water Development Report (2017) argues that improved wastewater management could facilitate the achievement of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SDG-6 specifically has a target to reduce the proportion of untreated wastewater by half by 2030. while sustainably increasing water recycling and safe re-use (WWAP, 2017). The report also suggests that wastewater which is traditionally discarded could be treated to provide a non-potable water resource for use in agriculture and energy production. According to the Water 2017 Report, more than 50 countries

No abstract

No abstract