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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
earth and planetary sciences
Heavy metal distribution in soils near Palapye, Botswana: An evaluation of the environmental impact of coal mining and combustion on soils in a semi-arid region
Environmental Geochemistry and Health, Volume 31, No. 6, Year 2009
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Description
Morupule Colliery near Palapye in eastern Botswana is the only coalmine in production in Botswana at present. Its coal is mainly used in the nearby coal-fired Morupule Power Station, which generates approximately 1,000 GWh of electricity per annum. After more than 30 years mining and more than 20 years of combustion, the sedimentation of outlet fly ash from the Morupule Power Station has increased concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn and As by 13, 2.5, 16 and 5 ppm, respectively, in the fine portion (<53 μm) of surface soils for approximately 9 km downwind. Elements that have higher concentrations in coal have stronger small-particle association during coal combustion and are less mobile in surface soils, thus showing stronger contaminations in surface soils around the coal-fired plant. Although the degree of contamination of Cr, Ni, Zn and As from coal combustion in the Palapye area at present is low, it is necessary to monitor concentrations of these elements in surface soils routinely in the future. This study also reveals moderate Pb and Zn contaminations in the Palapye area. The former is due to the use of leaded petroleum in motor vehicle traffic and the latter is mainly due to the use of galvanized iron sheets in construction. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Authors & Co-Authors
Zhai, Mingzhe
Botswana, Gaborone
University of Botswana
Totolo, Otlogetswe
Botswana, Gaborone
University of Botswana
Modisi, Motsoptse P.
Botswana, Gaborone
University of Botswana
Finkelman, Robert B.
United States, Reston
United States Geological Survey
United States, Richardson
The University of Texas at Dallas
Kelesitse, Sebueng M.
Botswana, Gaborone
Botswana Power Corporation
Menyatso, Mooketsi
Botswana
Morupule Colliery Limited
Statistics
Citations: 6
Authors: 6
Affiliations: 5
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s10653-009-9260-7
ISSN:
02694042
Research Areas
Environmental
Study Locations
Botswana