Spatial assessment of heavy metals contamination in household garden soils in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa

Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil in Preschool Facilities around Industrial Operations, Kuils River, Cape Town (South Africa)

“…The levels of heavy metals from preschool institutions in the current study were elevated relative to findings from certain studies conducted in urban settings situated in low to middle socio-economic status communities, with a consequent associated risk for children via the soil–hand–mouth pathway [ 49 ]. The average As levels (16 mg/kg) reported in this study are in the range reported in residential soil studies conducted in other parts of South Africa, such as Limpopo Province (0.2–25 mg/kg) [ 6 ] and the city of Johannesburg (0.1–65) [ 7 ]. On the other hand, the average Mn (137 mg/kg), Pb (30 mg/kg), Sr (176 mg/kg) and Zn (232 mg/kg) levels were much higher than the levels reported in mine tailings of Johannesburg; Mn (43 mg/kg), Pb (17 mg/kg), Sr (2 mg/kg) and Zn (49 mg/kg) [ 50 ].…”

“…Poor town planning practices, industrial growth and urbanization have led to the location of various industrial processes such as mining operations, battery manufacturing and recycling and smelting operations within or in close proximity to residential areas [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. The emission of pollutants such as heavy metals into air, water and soil may cause significant local and downstream contamination, as well as harmful exposures in affected communities [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ].…”

“…In South Africa, elevated levels of heavy metals exceeding the South African and Canadian reference levels have also been shown. For example, Kapwata et al [ 6 ] reported elevated levels of arsenic (As) with 54% of household garden soil samples exceeding the Canadian reference level of 20 mg/kg in a rural setting. A further study by Mathee et al [ 7 ] reported elevated levels of Pb in soil of the homes situated near mine dumps, with 6.5% of samples exceeding the South African reference level of 230 mg/kg and 13% exceeding the Canadian reference level of 120 mg/kg [ 7 ].…”

Factors That Determine the Sorption of Mineral Elements in Soils and Their Impact on Soil and Water Pollution

“…In rural household gardens in Limpopo Province, South Africa, soils were found that were heavily contaminated with As. The specific site is located in the Giyani Greenbelt Zone, characterized by abandoned mines and artisanal mining activities [42].…”

“…It has been shown that toxic amounts of heavy metals such as Pb and Hg reduce soil fertility as well as crop yields. South African studies found that in suburban areas, the use of municipal and industrial wastewater for the irrigation of vegetable gardens exceeded the maximum permissible concentrations [42,59].…”