JW Hurter (PhD Candidate)
It is widely known that industrial mining activities result in the generation of vast amounts of industrial by-products, which poses a significant environmental risk. The potential use of various grass species’ hyperaccumulation ability is investigated as an alternative reclamation method for mine wastewater and other industrial by-products. This study aims to determine the viability of grasses irrigated with mine wastewater and its potential to promote water quality. Furthermore, it is desired to determine whether drought resistance in various grass species can be promoted by ameliorating soil with siliceous industrial by-products.
JW is a Pretorian through and through. Having been born and raised in the capital city of South Africa, it is only fit that he received all of his schooling in Pretoria. He completed his undergraduate studies with a major in chemistry, while his minor focus was on medicinal plant science, soil science and science education. After graduating from his undergraduate studies, he broadened his horizon and delved into the multidisciplinary discipline of phytochemistry and medicinal plant science. By employing all skills learned in his undergrad studies, he investigated the Namibian Fairy Circles’ soil chemistry, which led to a breakthrough publication in BioMed Central. He loves sharing his passion for knowledge, which lead to him being recognised as one of the best lecturers in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Pretoria.
When he isn’t spending time on campus, he enjoys making instructional cooking videos, recording episodes for his podcast or strolling around furniture and homeware stores with a flat white in his hand, dreaming about how he will one day have his talk show set dressed.