Main Article Content
Effects of human activities on the Waterval River, Vaal River catchment, South Africa
Abstract
Rand Water's chemical water quality data
from 1991 to 2000 were used to assess the water quality of the Waterval River,
which contributes about 111 x 106m3 of water to the Vaal
River annually. Due to a biological community's ability to reflect water
quality changes over time, biomonitoring was undertaken to support chemical
water quality monitoring. Aspects of the riverine habitat, invertebrates and
fish were investigated to give baseline information on the area. Human activities
such as mining, industry, agriculture, rural and urban settlements are
currently responsible for the deterioration of the ecological integrity of this
river system. Habitat degradation was especially evident in the upper reaches
of the Waterval River, as indicated by the South African Scoring System,
version 4, Average Score Per Taxon and Biotic Integrity scores. In general, the
ratings achieved were lower than those expected for the available habitat,
which suggests that human activities have influenced the biotic community. By
selectively addressing the areas of concern, the state of the environment can
be improved, using the current assessment as a benchmark to measure the success
or shortcomings of any actions in the years to come.
African Journal of Aquatic Science
2004, 29(1): 75–81
from 1991 to 2000 were used to assess the water quality of the Waterval River,
which contributes about 111 x 106m3 of water to the Vaal
River annually. Due to a biological community's ability to reflect water
quality changes over time, biomonitoring was undertaken to support chemical
water quality monitoring. Aspects of the riverine habitat, invertebrates and
fish were investigated to give baseline information on the area. Human activities
such as mining, industry, agriculture, rural and urban settlements are
currently responsible for the deterioration of the ecological integrity of this
river system. Habitat degradation was especially evident in the upper reaches
of the Waterval River, as indicated by the South African Scoring System,
version 4, Average Score Per Taxon and Biotic Integrity scores. In general, the
ratings achieved were lower than those expected for the available habitat,
which suggests that human activities have influenced the biotic community. By
selectively addressing the areas of concern, the state of the environment can
be improved, using the current assessment as a benchmark to measure the success
or shortcomings of any actions in the years to come.
African Journal of Aquatic Science
2004, 29(1): 75–81
