Determination of Potentially Harmful Element (PHE) Distribution in Water Bodies in Krugersdorp, a Mining City in the West Rand, Gauteng Province, South Africa

The town of Krugersdorp in South Africa is the locus an important wildlife game reserve, Game Reserve (KGR), which juxtaposed by (<1000 m) down-gradient large-scale gold mining outfits Mintails Mogale Gold (MMG) and Rand Uranium (RU). aim study was to determine concentration levels potentially harmful elements (PHEs) that have accumulated due post-mining activities local water bodies use these data as a prerequisite basis for formulation most appropriate remediation measures. Thirty samples were collected analysed situ for: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (mgl−1), (%), total solids (TDS), oxidation/reduction potential (ORP), electrical conductivity (EC). This later followed laboratory analyses aliquots ICP-MS twelve PHEs whose ranges were: As (0.70–32.20), Ag (0.16–105.00), Al (1.00–41.00), Co (0.07–6.16), Cr (1.60–5.00), Cu (0.80–8.00), Fe (23.00–117.00), Mn (0.14–12 255.00), Ni (0.20–7.00), Pb (0.80–6.30), V (1.90–55.20), Zn (2.20–783.00). Areas where excessive negatively impacted health its population surrounding ecosystems are identified, credible mitigation measures proffered.