Characterise and quantify contamination within the Crocodile (West) and Marico Water Management Areas, South Africa

Define chemical signatures from river waters collected in the Crocodile (West) and Marico Water Management Areas, South Africa. Samples were analysed for anion complexes using Ion Chromatography (IC) and major and trace element chemistry using quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (q-ICP-MS). Results are used to define the various chemical signatures resulting from activities within the study area which include mining, agriculture, industry, residential and domestic, and recreational usage and to differentiate the 'background' that arises from the natural geological heterogeneity. The aim of this characterisation is to fingerprint the chemical signatures of various anthropogenic activities irrespective of background. Results from this investigation have been mapped using GIS to visualise the data across the study area. Based on the results, the contamination sources within the area can be identified and ranked in terms of their contribution to the total effective contamination received at Hartebeespoort Dam. {List only- not presented}