Water Quality
and Pollution Status using Principal Component Analysis of Lake Nsezi in Richards
Bay, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Cimanga Lukusa, Pullabhotla VSR Rajasekhar, Ntsako Dellas Baloyi and Nel Amina
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 28(1); 1-12;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/281rjce01012; (2024)
Abstract
The water quality of Lake Nsezi in Richards Bay, South Africa was investigated for
the possible influence of anthropogenic activities around the lake. Lake water was
sampled for a period of one year from May 2014 to May 2015. Physicochemical and
bacteriological analysis were compared to regulations of WHO, USEPA and DWAF WQG
for aquatic environment and domestic use. Physicochemical parameters measured were
within the recommended specifications as per WHO, USEPA and DWAF guidelines for
aquatic environment and domestic use at the exception of TDS, Cl and few heavy metals
such as Al, Cd, Cu, Fe and Mn. The average content levels for these parameters were:
530±167 mg/L (TDS), 135±92 mg/L (Cl), 0.079±0.11 mg/L (Al), 0.171±0.66 mg/L(Cd),
0.38 ± 0.50 mg/L (Fe), 13.6±15.33 mg/L (Pb).
Principal component biplots positively showed some strong and moderate metal loadings
of 0.564 (Fe), 0.552 (Pb), 0.928 (Na), 0.893 (Mg), 0645 (Sr) and 0.772 (K) at a
variety of sites. Bacteriological parameters content investigated were all above
the WHO, USEPA and DWAF guidelines for domestic use for E. coli, heterotrophic plate
counts and total coliform counts.
