D. Tech. Chemistry / The increase in industrialisation in South Africa has led to an increase in coal mining and coal utilisation in Mpumalanga. This has resulted in the deterioration in the quality of water upstream of Loskop Dam. Little or no information is available on the occurrence or fractionation of trace metals in sediments, which are reservoirs for pollutants. Furthermore, no information is available concerning the occurrence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known for their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, in rivers in the area. The possible impact of leaching of elements and organic compounds from South African coals has not been exhaustively researched. The general objectives of the study were to: 1) assess the impact of potentially toxic metals and organic compounds leaching from coal, on the quality of surface waters via simulated leaching experiments; 2) determine the extent of pollution by trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of the Olifants, Klein Olifants and Wilge rivers, at selected points in the upper catchment area; and 3) identify and apportion sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediment samples from the study area.