Examining the Effect of Induced Industrial and Urban Toxic Elements on Sediment Quality | Chapter 2 | Recent Developments in Chemistry and Biochemistry Research Vol. 11

The growing population has resulted in significant pollution of rivers and streams from both residential and industrial sources. The impact of pollution-induced by human activities is of high concern because of extreme environmental issues. In this study, the sediment quality was assessed using pollution index models to ascertain the pollution level of toxic elements. The concentration ranges of radioactive elements uranium and thorium, determined as 1.26 – 2.86 mg/kg and 3.36 – 5.84 mg/kg have demonstrated notable levels of beta and alpha radioactivity of 0.1 to 1.0 Bq/q. These levels of radioactive pollution could be hazardous to the benthic community of the riverbed. Extreme concentrations of lead and mercury, 475 and 77.5 mg/kg, respectively, were detected to have high levels of the geoaccumulation index, pollution load index, contamination, and enrichment factors. These levels ranging from significant contamination to severe enrichment correlated with possible human input. Pearson Correlation revealed a significant coefficient between arsenic–iron and lead–iron and a weak correlation between arsenic–mercury and mercury–cadmium. These correlations suggested that similar types of pollution sources are responsible for the contamination of river sediment. In an effort to maintain the quality of the sediment health and minimize the impact of toxic pollutants, it is imperative that the river sediment be monitored constantly.

 

Author (s) Details

 

Nehemiah Mukwevho
Analytical Chemistry Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Johannesburg, South Africa and School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, South Africa.

 

Napo Ntsasa
Analytical Chemistry Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Johannesburg, South Africa and School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, South Africa.

 

Andile Mkhohlakali
Analytical Chemistry Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Luke Chimuka
School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, South Africa.

 

James Tshilongo
Analytical Chemistry Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Johannesburg, South Africa and School of Chemistry, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, WITS, 2050, South Africa.

 

Dimakatso Mokgosi
Analytical Chemistry Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Happy Mabowa
Analytical Chemistry Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

Mokgehle R Letsoalo
Analytical Chemistry Division, Mintek, Private Bag X3015, Randburg 2125, Johannesburg, South Africa.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rdcbr/v11/3929