Seasonal Pollution Levels and Heavy Metal Contamination in the Jukskei River, South Africa

dc.contributor.authorMukwevho, Nehemiah
dc.contributor.authorNtsasa, Napo
dc.contributor.authorChimuka, Luke
dc.contributor.authorTshilongo, James
dc.contributor.otherauthorMothepane H. Mabowa
dc.contributor.otherauthorMkhohlakali, Andile
dc.contributor.otherauthorLetsoalo, Mokgehle R.
dc.date.accessioned2025-04-11T07:26:38Z
dc.date.issued2025-03
dc.description.abstractMonitoring river systems is crucial for understanding and managing water resources, predicting natural disasters, and maintaining ecological balance. Assessment of heavy metal pollution derived valuable data which are critical for the environmental management and regulatory compliance of the Jukskei River. Heavy elements were evaluated in the Jukskei River for seasonal impact, potential health risks, and contamination level with concentration levels ranging from 6900 mg/kg iron (Fe) to 0.85 mg/kg cadmium (Cd) in the dry sampling season and 6900 mg/kg Fe to 0.26 mg/kg Cd in the wet season. Enrichment factor analysis indicated high contamination levels of Fe and Pb in both dry and wet seasons. Moreover, pollution indicators revealed extremely high contamination of geo-accumulation and enrichment factors in the downstream to upstream in both seasons with a mild contamination factor for mercury (Hg). Principal Component Analysis revealed anthropogenic sources of arsenic (As), Cd, and Pb due to wastewater and agricultural pesticide application while Thorium (Th), uranium (U) and Hg were attributed as a results of gold mining activities. ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis showed a high and moderate link between As–Pb, Cd–Pd, and As–Hg, which are significantly correlated. The potential ecological risk index assessment revealed a significant impact of heavy metals on the freshwater ecosystem.
dc.description.sponsorshipNational Research Foundation (South Africa).
dc.description.sponsorshipAnalytical Chemistry Division at Mintek.
dc.description.submitterPM2025
dc.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.identifier0009-0002-7350-5571
dc.identifier0000-0002-3235-5178
dc.identifier0000-0002-8552-2478
dc.identifier0000-0001-5661-4907
dc.identifier.citationMukwevho, N.; Mabowa, M.H.; Ntsasa, N.; Mkhohlakali, A.; Chimuka, L.; Tshilongo, J.; Letsoalo, M.R. Seasonal Pollution Levels and Heavy Metal Contamination in the Jukskei River, South Africa. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 3117. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/app15063117
dc.identifier.issn2076-3417 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.3390/app15063117
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/44708
dc.journal.titleApplied Sciences
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherMDPI
dc.relation.ispartofseriesVol. 15; a3117
dc.rights© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license.
dc.schoolSchool of Chemistry
dc.subjectHeavy metals
dc.subjectSource apportionment
dc.subjectMultivariate analysis
dc.subjectPrincipal component analysis
dc.subjectEcological risk index
dc.subjectPollution assessment
dc.subject.primarysdgSDG-6: Clean water and sanitation
dc.titleSeasonal Pollution Levels and Heavy Metal Contamination in the Jukskei River, South Africa
dc.typeArticle

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Mukwevho_Seasonal_2025.pdf
Size:
891.59 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
2.43 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: