Water for Thought...

While writing my next post I came across this article for Eva-Lotta Jannson's new book An Acid River Runs Through It which shows the effect of mining on South Africa's rivers.

The blue and yellow-green colour of this pond is where acid mine drainage has created such a low pH. This low pH value means fish and birds cannot survive here.  Source: www.theguardian.com

Untreated water from mining has been allowed to mix with local rivers, making the water highly toxic and devastating local wildlife and communities. As well as affecting surface waters, polluted water will have entered groundwater aquifers. Much like dryland salinity but with perhaps more deadly effects, I think we are going to see the land and local communities experience the consequences of this for a while. 

This is Robinson Lake in Randfontein. It was once rich with wildlife but is now a 'no-go' area as it is filled with dried uranium oxide sediment. Source www.theguardian.com