title: Application of a Sediment Quality Index for the assessment and monitoring of metals and organochlorines in a premier conservation area.
abstract: The physical and chemical characteristics of surface sediments from a leading conservation area, namely the Kruger National Park, were determined in order to identify potential stressors in the systems that may contribute to overall deterioration in sediment quality within the reserve, leading to potential threats to the aquatic biota conserved within these stretches of river. Sediment samples were collected during four surveys (two low flow and two high flow) from 2009 to 2011. Samples were analysed for organic content, grain size determination, metals and various organochlorine pesticides. Results indicated that the Olifants River sediments did not show any great improvement over the years and point towards the continued input of pollutants into this system. Sediment quality in the Luvuvhu and Letaba Rivers is better than that of sediments from the Olifants River in terms of metals, but metal concentrations are still comparable and point towards anthropogenic inputs of metals into these rivers. Even though the data indicate that these systems are being contaminated with both metals and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), levels were still below contaminated sediments from around the globe. Sediment Quality Index scores showed that the sediment quality of these rivers is in a relatively good state. High metal concentrations were the drivers behind lowered sediment quality, and in some cases certain OCPs played a role. Both metals and OCP concentrations were highly correlated with finer grain sizes. Sediment assessments are not routinely applied in South Africa resulting in very little reference or background data available for the area. The metal concentrations for the study area were generally lower than those for other studies in more polluted regions. The study also contributes to the available knowledge on surrounding metal pollution in riverine sediments in South Africa.
authors: Department of Zoology, Kingsway Campus, University of Johannesburg, Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa. gerberrjl@gmail.com.
authors: Ruan
authors: R
authors: Gerber
authors: Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: Nico J
authors: NJ
authors: Smit
authors: Department of Zoology, Kingsway Campus, University of Johannesburg, Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa.
authors: Johan H J
authors: JH
authors: van Vuren
authors: Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate school of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
authors: Shouta M M
authors: SM
authors: Nakayama
authors: Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate school of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
authors: Yared B
authors: YB
authors: Yohannes
authors: Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, South Africa.|Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate school of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
authors: Yoshinori
authors: Y
authors: Ikenaka
authors: Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Environmental Veterinary Sciences, Graduate school of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18, Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0818, Japan.
authors: Mayumi
authors: M
authors: Ishizuka
authors: Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Potchefstroom Campus, North West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Wepener
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000032:analysis*; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D013019:South Africa; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014876:Water Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D060753:Water Quality
chemical_list: D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D008670:Metals; D010575:Pesticides; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: DDT; Kruger National Park; Lindane; Multivariate analysis; Sediment quality; Spatial distribution; Temporal variation