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Metal enrichment in the groundwater of the arid environment in South Africa

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Abstract

This paper presents the enrichment tendency and spatial distribution of metals in the groundwater which is pumped out from the granitic aquifers in South Africa. Groundwater is the sole source of water supply for the local community in the study area (Namaqualand), and hence, it was necessary to understand the controlling geochemical processes and interrelationship of metals in the groundwater. The geochemical association of metals has been assessed based on the geostatistical methods. The results show that geochemical processes such as oxidation, leaching, and evaporation besides water–rock interaction are very important in controlling metal enrichment in the groundwater from highly mineralized rocks. The metal enrichment index for selected toxic metals in groundwater increases in the order of Cd > U > Cr > Pb. The observed enrichment trend could be considered as a result of mineralization of basement rocks which is facilitated by active geochemical process in the arid environment. The lack of aquifer flushing due to negligible recharge helps the metals to concentrate at shallow groundwater zones supported by severe evaporation process.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Council for Geosciences (CGS) of South Africa for data collection and analyses. The constant support of National Research Foundation (NRF) is highly appreciated for strengthening the Hydrogeology research component at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

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Authors and Affiliations

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

    Tamiru Abiye

  2. Council for Geosciences, 280 Pretoria Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa

    Joyce Leshomo

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  1. Tamiru Abiye
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  2. Joyce Leshomo
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Correspondence to Tamiru Abiye.

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Abiye, T., Leshomo, J. Metal enrichment in the groundwater of the arid environment in South Africa. Environ Earth Sci 72, 4587–4598 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3356-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3356-9

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