Email: mark.maboeta@nwu.ac.za
Phone: +27 18 299 2368

SHORT CV - Dr. Mark S Maboeta

Mark Maboeta was born during 1973 in the Eastern Cape and after finishing Matric in 1991 he started studying at the University of Stellenbosch. Here he obtained his B.Sc. (1994), B.Sc. Hons. (1995), M.Sc. (1997) and Ph.D. (2000) and was also a part-time lecturer (1997-2000). During 2001-2002 he did a stint as post-doctoral fellow at Potchefstroom University focussing on organic waste management and environmental hazards of platinum mine wastes. In 2003 he was appointed as permanent lecturer in the Zoology department of North-West University (formerly known as Potchefstroom University).

His research focus is primarily ecotoxicology, where the effects of contaminants (industrial and agricultural) on the environment (terrestrial) is examined by using earthworms, and vermicomposting i.e. the bioconversion of organic waste materials by earthworms. This work has resulted in him being the first author or co-author of 14 internationally published papers, co-author of a chapter in a book and contributing to 13 conferences nationally and 7 internationally.

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RESEARCH INTERESTS - Dr. Mark S Maboeta

• Ecotoxicology: Research on the effects of environmental contaminants (agricultural chemicals and heavy metals) on ecosystems and its fate in the environment. I've concentrated on the utilisation of earthworms as bio-indicators, as well as using cellular and sub-cellular biomarkers as early warning signals of environmental stress.
  
  
• Waste management: To explore avenues whereby organic wastes can be successfully bioconverted into compost/vermicompost, with the aid of vermiculture, which can be used in urban and farmland application. This research is conducted in conjunction with the r emediation and sustainable management of ecosystems subprogramme.

Services

• Acute (LC 50 ) and sublethal toxicity tests utilizing earthworms according to the USEPA and OECD guidelines.
  
  
• Bio-assays of soils using earthworms as indicator species and field assessments of earthworm populations.
  
  
• Bioconversion of organic wastes.

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CONTACT DETAILS - Dr. Mark S Maboeta

Dr. Mark S. Maboeta
School of Environmental Sciences and Development
Potchefstroom campus
North-West University
Private Bag X6001
Potchefstroom 2520
South Africa

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