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Mercury concentrations at a historically mercury-contaminated site in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)

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Abstract

Introduction

A mercury (Hg) processing plant previously operating in KwaZulu-Natal Province (South Africa) discharged Hg waste into a nearby river system causing widespread contamination since the 1980s. Although the processing plant ceased operation in the 1990s, Hg contamination (due to residual Hg) remains significant. Previous studies in the area since the plant’s closure have found elevated Hg concentrations in fish, and that these concentrations were as a direct consequence of widespread contamination of the Hg processing plant operations conducted between the 1980s and 1990s.

Objectives

This study aimed at investigating the impacts of residual Hg almost 20 years after the plant’s closure.

Methods

Water, sediment and biota (invertebrates and fish) were collected in water resources in the vicinity of the processing plant to determine the Hg concentrations in these compartments, as a proxy for assessing the extent to which residual Hg that is reintroduced to the water column becomes bioavailable to biota. For water and sediment samples, higher total mercury (TotHg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were measured at sampling sites immediately downstream of the Hg processing plant when compared to the upstream sites, while concentrations decreased with distance from the plant. Fish MeHg concentrations measured just below the US EPA guideline for Hg in fish muscle tissue.

Results

The results show that the historically Hg-contaminated river system is a potential Hg pollution source due to the residual Hg present in sediment. Any dredging of sediment as a form of remediation in the Mngceweni River is not recommended; however, a Hg monitoring programme is recommended for assessing the bioavailability of resuspended Hg from sediment.

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Abbreviations

CVAFS:

Cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry

DOC:

Dissolved organic carbon

DO:

Dissolved oxygen

Hg:

Mercury

TotHg:

Total mercury

MeHg:

Methylmercury

OM:

Organic matter

US EPA:

United States Environmental Protection Agency

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Acknowledgements

This research was undertaken with funding received from the Water Research Commission, National Research Foundation and the CSIR Parliamentary Grant and Strategic Research Panel. The authors wish to thank Prof. Robert Mason and Ms Genevieve Bernier (Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut), Chantel Petersen and other field personnel. Note: Dr Joy Leaner participated in this research while employed at the CSIR; this assessment does not reflect the views of her current employer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources and the Environment, CSIR, P.O. Box 320, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa

    Chavon R. Williams & Vernon S. Somerset

  2. Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, P.O Box 9086, Cape Town, 8000, South Africa

    Joy J. Leaner

  3. Department of Earth Science, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, 7530, South Africa

    Jaco M. Nel

Authors
  1. Chavon R. Williams
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  2. Joy J. Leaner
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  3. Vernon S. Somerset
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  4. Jaco M. Nel
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Correspondence to Chavon R. Williams or Joy J. Leaner.

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Responsible editor: Thomas Braunbeck

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Williams, C.R., Leaner, J.J., Somerset, V.S. et al. Mercury concentrations at a historically mercury-contaminated site in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). Environ Sci Pollut Res 18, 1079–1089 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0458-8

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