Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine Drainage
The upper reaches of the Crocodile River (West) system are located in the western basin of the Witwatersrand mountain chain, an area heavily influenced by gold mining. After the spill of highly acidic and contaminated mining-influenced water into the river system in 2002, chemical water treatment wa...
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| author | Jakob Windisch Andreas Gradwohl Beric Michael Gilbert Quinton Marco Dos Santos Gabriele Wallner Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage Franz Jirsa |
| author_facet | Jakob Windisch Andreas Gradwohl Beric Michael Gilbert Quinton Marco Dos Santos Gabriele Wallner Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage Franz Jirsa |
| author_sort | Jakob Windisch |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The upper reaches of the Crocodile River (West) system are located in the western basin of the Witwatersrand mountain chain, an area heavily influenced by gold mining. After the spill of highly acidic and contaminated mining-influenced water into the river system in 2002, chemical water treatment was implemented to compensate for the consequences of acid mine drainage. Some studies thereafter have shown metal concentrations of concern in the system, but never considered longer periods of time. For this study, we investigated water and sediments over a period of 13 months from 7 sampling sites in the system. In addition to physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity, a multi-element analysis was conducted. We used various versions of atomic-absorption-spectroscopy, total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in filtered and acidified water samples as well as sediment leachates. Concentrations of Ni, Zn, As, Pb, and U in the sediment were clearly elevated at the site closest to the mine as well as further downstream, some of them far exceeding quality guidelines. Moreover, dissolved Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn and U occurred irregularly in concentrations of concern at the site of mining-influenced water inflow. Our findings clearly indicate a risk of further and chronic mobilization of toxic elements from this site and a possible threat to the connected river system. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:45:53Z |
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| id | doaj.art-99f5bb410dfd4a92bb62f1d8e0ab9516 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:45:53Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-99f5bb410dfd4a92bb62f1d8e0ab95162023-11-23T22:46:13ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-10-0112201053110.3390/app122010531Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine DrainageJakob Windisch0Andreas Gradwohl1Beric Michael Gilbert2Quinton Marco Dos Santos3Gabriele Wallner4Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage5Franz Jirsa6Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, AustriaInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South AfricaDepartment of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South AfricaInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South AfricaInstitute of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Strasse 42, 1090 Vienna, AustriaThe upper reaches of the Crocodile River (West) system are located in the western basin of the Witwatersrand mountain chain, an area heavily influenced by gold mining. After the spill of highly acidic and contaminated mining-influenced water into the river system in 2002, chemical water treatment was implemented to compensate for the consequences of acid mine drainage. Some studies thereafter have shown metal concentrations of concern in the system, but never considered longer periods of time. For this study, we investigated water and sediments over a period of 13 months from 7 sampling sites in the system. In addition to physico-chemical parameters such as temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity, a multi-element analysis was conducted. We used various versions of atomic-absorption-spectroscopy, total reflection x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in filtered and acidified water samples as well as sediment leachates. Concentrations of Ni, Zn, As, Pb, and U in the sediment were clearly elevated at the site closest to the mine as well as further downstream, some of them far exceeding quality guidelines. Moreover, dissolved Mn, Fe, Ni, Zn and U occurred irregularly in concentrations of concern at the site of mining-influenced water inflow. Our findings clearly indicate a risk of further and chronic mobilization of toxic elements from this site and a possible threat to the connected river system.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/20/10531mining-influenced water (MIW)nickelzincuraniumarseniccontamination |
| spellingShingle | Jakob Windisch Andreas Gradwohl Beric Michael Gilbert Quinton Marco Dos Santos Gabriele Wallner Annemarie Avenant-Oldewage Franz Jirsa Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine Drainage Applied Sciences mining-influenced water (MIW) nickel zinc uranium arsenic contamination |
| title | Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine Drainage |
| title_full | Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine Drainage |
| title_fullStr | Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine Drainage |
| title_full_unstemmed | Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine Drainage |
| title_short | Toxic Elements in Sediment and Water of the Crocodile River (West) System, South Africa, Following Acid Mine Drainage |
| title_sort | toxic elements in sediment and water of the crocodile river west system south africa following acid mine drainage |
| topic | mining-influenced water (MIW) nickel zinc uranium arsenic contamination |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/20/10531 |
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