Contamination of sediments in the floodplain wetlands of the lower uMngeni River, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa

Journal of earth system science

Samantha Naidoo^1¹  Srinivasan Pillay^2²  Ajay Bissessur^3³ 

[1] Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, King George Avenue, Durban, South Africa.^1;School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa.^2;School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa.^3

关键词: Sediment core;    contamination;    enrichment;   

DOI  :  

学科分类：天文学(综合)

来源: Indian Academy of Sciences

【 摘 要 】

This study describes the geochemical and physico-chemical characterization of contaminant status of six wetlands of the lower uMngeni River floodplain, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. At all sites, organic matter content, calcium carbonate and metal concentrations were highest within the finesedimentdominated surface laminae, decreasing with depth. Exceptions were displayed by arsenic (As), nickel (Ni) and vanadium (V), presumed to be derived from normal geochemical processes. Geochemical indicies indicated high contamination factors for lead (Pb) and V, pointing to moderate anthropogenic metal pollution contribution. Most conspicuous are the contamination high factors for Pb across most sites. Fe and Pb contamination is ubiquitous in all surface laminae, with contamination factors being either border-line, moderate or of high contamination. Enrichment factors for As, Mn and P at site S6 indicate possible anthropogenic sources. The data also shows a possibility of anthropogenic input of P and Zn at site S3. Apart from the enrichment factors established for Ni across all sites, all other metals indicate some degree of enrichment. A range of variable results for the mid to deeper laminae are indicative of natural processes with some human influence. Results of ANOVA confirm the above. Principal component analysis reveals a 46.4% variance from component 1 elements (Al, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe,Mg, Mn and Zn) and a 17.8% variance from component 2 (Al, Cu and Fe). Given the rapid rate of development in this region, the protection of these floodplain wetlands must receive high conservation priority from the local municipality.

【 授权许可】

CC BY