Physicochemical characterization of the waters of nine rivers draining the FIZI gold panning areas in South Kivu: environmental impact study

Nsambu Mukondwa Pascal, Serge Kiteba, Musibono Dieudonne, Mputu Jean-Noel

Fizi territory, gold panning, mercury pollution, rivers.

Nine rivers (Eto, Kacumvi, Kimbi, Lubichako, Makungu, Kuwa, Mandje, Misisi and Kimuti) has been followed during a 16-month cycle (August and December 2016 to August and December 2017) to assess the level of mercury pollution and phy sicochemical quality of water during the dry and rainy season. Twenty-three parameters in general were measured (T °, pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, sulphates, ortho-phosphates, chlorides, dissolved oxygen, suspended solids, organic matter, and nitrogen compounds. The last Kimbi River is the most polluted of all with values ​​strongly deviating from the WHO average followed alternately by the Kuwa, Makungu, Lubichako, Lacumvi, Kimuti, Mandjo, Misisi and Eto' for all parameters except mercury. The mercury concentration is greater for the Kimbi River with an average of 41.3 ± 0.4 ng / L, followed by the Misisi River 20. 30 0.29 Misisi 20.30 ± 0.29 ng / L, Misisi 20.30 ± 0.29 ng / L, Makungu 18.10 ± 0.17 ng / L, Eto 16.7 ± 0.1 ng / L , Lubichako 15.7 ± 0.4 ng / L, Kacumvi 12.9 ± 0.3 ng / L, Kuwa 10.7 ± 0.4 ng / L, Mandje 9.4 ± 0.2 and Kimuti 7.8 ± 0.3 ng / L. All these eight rivers are tributaries of the Kimbi River, which shows its high pollution. There are no significant differences between the two seasons. This pollution is a consequence of the activities of the ore bodies as well as the solid and liquid wild discharges that have a direct and significant impact on water quality. Human anthropogenic actions (wastewater discharges, agricultural and artisanal activities) without prior treatment are the main cause of the pollution generated. This pollution is a consequence of the activities of the ore bodies as well as the solid and liquid wild discharges that have a direct and significant impact on water quality. Human anthropogenic actions (wastewater discharges, agricultural and artisanal activities) without prior treatment are the main cause of the pollution generated.

https://dx.doi.org/10.31873/IJEAS.7.05.11