Identification of point sources of metal pollution in the Berg River, Western Cape, South Africa

Abstract

The aim of this study was to statistically compare sampling sites identified along the Berg River system to identify the major point sources of metal pollution from June 2004 to May 2005. Three sites were selected [site A—agricultural farming area, site B—Plot 8000 (close to the informal settlement), and site C—the Newton pumping station] representing different sectors which the river services. Aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and lead (Pb) concentrations were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry and were statistically compared and analysed with one-way ANOVAs. For all the metals analysed, site C (industrial area) proved to be the site where the highest average metal concentrations were recorded. Generally, the concentrations recorded at site A (site furthest from the industrial area) were signifi- cantly (p<0.05) lower than the concentrations recorded at both sites B and C. While the Al and Fe concentra- tions were consistently higher than any of the other metals analysed for, site C was identified as the primary source of metal contamination in the Berg River, resulting from the runoff from industrial activities at this particular site.