The present study was carried out to determine the levels of heavy metals, Arsenic
(As), Chromium (Cr), Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in samples of water, sediments,
and specimens from sheep known to graze and drink from Wonderfontein stream
around the Khutsong area in the North West Province of South Africa.
Determination of heavy metal levels was carried out using Atomic Absorption
Spectrophotometer. Abundance of metals in water samples followed the trend
As>Pb>Cd>Cr, while that in sediments followed the trend: Pb>As>Cr>Cd. Faecal
levels were highest for Cr, followed by Cd, As then Pb, while serum levels were
highest for As, Cd Cr and then Pb. The metal concentration in liver, kidney and
muscle showed the following trends respectively: As>Cd>Cr>Pb ; As>Pb>Cd>Pb
and As>Cd >Cr> Pb. The liver, kidney and muscle samples had higher concentration
of As compared to other heavy metals. Generally, most samples showed a higher
concentration in As. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in ppm were
compared with European Commission Regulation, World Health Organisation,
Korean Soil Environmental Conservation Act and the Australian New Zealand Food
Standards maximum acceptable levels. The metal levels generally tended to be
higher than the permissible levels and thus, public health risks. A survey
conducted also revealed that the community in Khutsong does not have the
knowledge on environmental contamination due to mining effluents and the effects
thereof. The varying levels of water and sheep specimen contamination with As,
Cd, Cr and Pb revealed in this study imply public health risks. Further
biomonitoring, public and animal health studies are therefore indicated in this area. / Thesis (Msc in Agric Animal Health) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2012
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/14405 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Khunou, Letlhogonolo |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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