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Assessment of water quality originating from the upper Olifants , Wilge and Klipspruit catchments . J.M. Dabrowski , J. Dabrowski , P. MacMillan and L. Hill. Study Area. Study Approach. Field Sampling Water quality sampling Discharge measurements Algal and sediment sampling
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Assessment of water quality originating from the upper Olifants, Wilge and Klipspruitcatchments. J.M. Dabrowski, J. Dabrowski, P. MacMillan and L. Hill
Study Approach • Field Sampling • Water quality sampling • Discharge measurements • Algal and sediment sampling • SASS sampling • Toxicity bioassays • Data analysis • Dissolved vs suspended (colloidal) • Speciation of metals • Calculation of loads (Olifants, Klipspruit and Wilge) • Bioaccumulation by algae • Ecological health (macroinvertebrate indices) • Outcomes • Fate, transport, speciation of metals in Olifants River • Relative contribution of metals to Loskop Dam from upper Olifants, Klipspruit and Wilge catchments
Conclusions • Klipspruit River contributes up to 100 times more loads of dissolved metals in comparison to entire upper Olifants and Wilge catchments. • The Klipspruit River results in a deterioration of water quality and ecosystem health in the Olifants River. • Dissolved metal loads decrease longitudinally indicating precipitation and incorporation into bed sediment. • Toxicity detected at OL1 indicates the presence of a contaminant that may not have been measured. • The Wilge River bares low loads of metals and significantly improves water quality and associated ecosystem health in the Olifants River. (jdabrowski@csir.co.za)