Investigation into metal contamination of the Berg River, Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

A recent decline in water quality of the Berg River, Western Cape, South Africa, has led to the investigation into the degree of metal pollution in the river system. This study was conducted over a period of one year, from May 2004 to May 2005. The nitric acid digestion technique was used to extract metals from water, sediment and biofilm samples collected at various points (Site A-agricultural area, Site B-informal settlement and Site C-Newton pumping station) along the Berg River. Metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The highest mean metal concentrations recorded were as follows; water samples, 6 mg•ℓ-1 for Al, 14.6 mg•ℓ-1 for Fe and 18.8 mg.ℓ-1 for Mn; sediment samples, 17 448.8 mg•kg-1 for Al and 26 473.3 mg•kg-1 for Fe; biofilm samples, 876.8 mg•ℓ-1 for Al and 1 017.5 mg•ℓ-1 for Fe. The increased availability, or noteworthy incidence of Al and Fe, could be due to the leaching of metals into the river water from waste and household products associated with the informal settlement and the subsequent settling on sediment. No guidelines were available for metals in biofilms. The highest recorded concentrations in water were for Site C (agricultural area). Recorded concentrations in water fluctuated throughout the study period for most of the metals analysed, but Al and Fe were consistently above the recommended guidelines as stipulated by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.

Sources and spatial distribution of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in saline soils and sediments of Mighan Playa (Iran)

“…They may raise the metal content of agricultural soils (Jones & Jarvis, ). The Mn contaminant source of the Plankenburg River in the agricultural area is thought to be leaching in the river of pesticides, fertilizers and algaecides utilized in the surrounding farming areas (Jackson, Paulse, Van Stormbroek, Odendaal, & Khan, ). Agricultural areas receive metals from pesticides, chemical fertilizers, manure and waste waters (Biasioli et al., ).…”

Surface and Groundwater Quality in South African Area—Analysis of the Most Critical Pollutants for Drinking Purposes

“…The occurrence of the inorganic compounds (Cd, Hg, Pb, Al, As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, Sn) in surface water was associated to the use of fertilizers and biocides in agriculture [23]. Specific investigations in different periods remarked this correspondence.…”

“…Observed concentrations (circle) of inorganic chemicals (A) and macropollutants (B) in surface water in the reviewed studies referring to RSA and the corresponding limits (red dashes) set by SANS-241 for drinking water. Data from:[12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

Surface Water and Groundwater Quality in South Africa and Mozambique—Analysis of the Most Critical Pollutants for Drinking Purposes and Challenges in Water Treatment Selection

“…Observed concentrations (circle) of inorganic chemicals, macropollutants, and total PAHs in surface water in the reviewed studies referring to RSA and the corresponding limits (red dashes) set by SANS-241 for drinking water. Data from:[3,[30][31][32][33][34][36][37][38][39]41,42,44,50].Water 2020, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 20…”

“…In the X axis, the underlined names refer to indicator bacteria, those not underlined refer to pathogen bacteria. Data from:[2,3,28,37,44,51,56].…”