M.L. Meck (Zimbabwe, Botswana), W.R.L. Masamba, J. Atlhopheng, and S. Ringrose (Botswana)
Dorowa, phosphate, metals, transportation, attenuation
The objective of the study was to establish the extent to which metals derived from phosphate mining at Dorowa are transported in the transboundary Save River. The distribution of the metals was investigated by evaluating the horizontal spread of 9 metals in the sediments and water along and around the Save river. The metals evaluated were copper, cobalt, iron, nickel, zinc, lead, tin, manganese and cadmium. The results from this work show that there is natural attenuation of metals around Dorowa therefore no transportation of metals. The attenuation capacity exceeds the mass of contaminant in the area. There is also evidence that attenuation mechanisms will prevail over a long time. Thus there are no transboundary impacts arising from the metals released during the phosphate mining taking place at Dorowa.
Important Links:
Go Back
