Doctoral Degrees (Geology)

Permanent URI for this collection

http://hdl.handle.net/11660/430

Browse

Browsing Doctoral Degrees (Geology) by Author "Gauert, C."

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the lithological units of the geodehoop colliery in the Witbank coalfield to fathom the source and the receptor of metals in the riet-olifants catchment, South Africa
    (University of the Free State, 2022) Netshitungulwana, Khashane Robert Tshishonga; Gauert, C.; Vermeulen, D.; Yibas, B.
    The study aims to understand the element deportment's geochemical characteristics from the source, pathway and receptor realm in the Riet-Olifants catchment (ROC) drainage system. The ROC is part of the Olifants primary catchment (OPC) area that extends over the border between South Africa and Mozambique and covers a total area of approximately 87000 km2. The ROC is the area most influenced by coal mining activities surrounding the major towns of Emalahleni (formerly Witbank) and Middleburg. The geological units of the Vryheid Formation, Ecca Group of the Karoo Supergroup dominate the area, with the Witbank coalfield being the primary resource for coal. The focus herein is directed on identifying the geochemical characteristics of the source rocks, the pathways of mobilization and transport and the receiving environment. The key to this study is to identify the mobile elements in minerals occurring in different sedimentary units of the source rock geological units, with the assessment of its contribution to the elevated metal concentrations in the receiving environment of the drainage area. The results are also tested in determining the geogenic element entry of naturally occurring source rocks from an anthropogenic source. In recent years, the area has been under regulatory verification over high pollution levels through coal mine drainage (MD). Previous studies show that although the land use of industrial and agricultural activities is also essential, the contribution to water and sediment contamination from the mining activities within the catchment is significant and yet needs to be fully understood.