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Physicochemical and metal composition of rainfall in the Johannesburg region, South Africa

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Abstract

The change in the water quality of rainfall impacts water supply through the contamination of surface water and groundwater. The presence of potential sources for metals in the form of aerosol through atmospheric transportation from gold tailings dams, coal mines, and coal-fired power stations increases the risk of water quality deterioration in the Johannesburg region. Rainfall monitoring was conducted for one hydrological year. Rainfall amount was measured, and samples were collected for stable isotope and metal analysis. Some metals show very high concentration in the rainfall with a decreasing order from zinc, cadmium, copper to lead. Their presence in the water is not desirable, as a result of favourable pH and Eh conditions in the rainfall with contaminant inputs from the gold tailing dams, coal mines, and coal-fired power stations. Therefore, the Johannesburg rainfall can be considered as potentially toxic due to the constant input of meals into water supply dams and aquifers recharged by the rainfall.

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  1. School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag X3, P.O. Box Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Tamiru A. Abiye

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Correspondence to Tamiru A. Abiye.

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Abiye, T.A. Physicochemical and metal composition of rainfall in the Johannesburg region, South Africa. Environ Monit Assess 193, 348 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09137-4

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