Effect of farming activities on seasonal variation of water quality of Bonsma Dam, KwaZulu-Natal

Authors

  • Ayanda N. Shabalala 1. Council for Geoscience, Pretoria, South Africa 2. Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
  • Ludwig Combrinck 1. Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa 2. Space Geodesy Programme, HartRAO, Hartebeesthoek, South Africa
  • Robert McCrindle Council for Geoscience, Pretoria, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/sajs.2013/20120052

Keywords:

agriculture, eutrophication, dairy farming, physicochemical variables

Abstract

Agriculture has both direct and indirect effects on the quality of surface water and groundwater and is among the leading causes of water quality degradation, mainly as a result of the excessive use of agrochemicals. Water samples were collected in a selected catchment area (Bonsma Dam) in KwaZulu-Natal and analysed for physicochemical variables. The concentrations of most of the elements and total dissolved solids, as well as the pH and electrical conductivity values, met the water quality requirements for domestic, agricultural, livestock and aquatic ecosystem uses. However, the inlet streams feeding the dam were found to be eutrophic during the wet season. Analysis of nitrate in the water body of the study area indicated that agricultural applications of manure and fertilisers may be a potential source of nitrate contamination. Most elements were more concentrated in the dam during the wet season. The overall ionic conductivity values were also higher in the wet season, while the pH was lower. The outcome of this work links the concentrations of physicochemical variables to land use, agricultural practice and local geomorphology. Seasonal patterns in the concentration of physicochemical variables occur, as land use, rainfall and farming activities change seasonally, and these concentrations should therefore be determined periodically.

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Published

2013-07-30

How to Cite

Shabalala, A. N., Combrinck, L., & McCrindle, R. (2013). Effect of farming activities on seasonal variation of water quality of Bonsma Dam, KwaZulu-Natal. South African Journal of Science, 109(7/8), 7. https://doi.org/10.1590/sajs.2013/20120052

Issue

Section

Research Article