Abstract
M.Sc. (Zoology)
An investigation was made into the water chemistry, bacteriology and
macroinvertebrate fauna of the Elsburg Spruit and its major tributaries
within the municipal boundaries of the City of Germiston. From the
results obtained it is clear that the main stream and most of its
tributaries are seriously affected by a combination of pollutants.
Three types of pollution could largely be distinguished namely fecal
bacterial contamination of parts of the stream system which may be
related to the possible discharge in the stream of domestic sewage.
This in turn may be a major source of organic enrichment of the water
of the stream at some places. Acid pollution associated with high
mineral loads and heavy metal concentrations which in the latter case
could be traced to mining regions and industrial areas in the catchment
area of the system. Despite the serious disturbance of stream
conditions in the upper region of the Elsburg Spruit some recovery does
in fact take place in the lower lying regions of the Elsburg Spruit
where the stream flows for several kilometers through a natural vlei
area.
Certain recommendations are made concerning the location and possible
elimination of the major sources of pollution.