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- Title
Increasing pollution levels on the Witwatersrand recorded in the peat deposits of the Klip River wetland.
- Authors
McCarthy, T. S.; Venter, J. S.
- Abstract
The Witwatersrand mining and industrial complex sprang up on the southern flank of the Witwatersrand watershed in 1886. Growth of the complex has been exponential. A pilot study was undertaken in peatlands formed along the Klip River, that drains the area, to assess the magnitude of the geochemical signature imparted by pollution arising from the complex. Carbon dating indicates that peat accumulation began in the study area more than 2500 years ago. The establishment of the Witwatersrand conurbation is clearly recorded in the peat in the form of rising concentrations of P, Cu, U, Hg, Cd, Ni, Co, Zn and Pb. Whilst seepage from mine tailings has contributed to pollution, the relative increases in heavy metal abundances suggest that industrial sources are probably equally important. Rapid rise in P abundance indicates a substantial contribution from domestic wastes. The growth of the conurbation was also accompanied by a 10-fold increase in the peat accumulation rate and a corresponding rise in the rate of erosional degradation in the catchment. Sequestration of metals by the peat has protected the Vaal River drainage system from extensive pollution, so that future protection of the wetland is essential.
- Subjects
WITWATERSRAND (South Africa); VAAL River (South Africa); SOUTH Africa; POLLUTION; WATERSHEDS; METROPOLITAN areas; SEWERAGE; WETLAND ecology; SANITARY engineering
- Publication
South African Journal of Science, 2006, Vol 102, Issue 1/2, p27
- ISSN
0038-2353
- Publication type
Article