An investigation into vanadium contamination of soil and its effects on plants

This study constitutes a preliminary assessment of the behaviour of effluent-associated vanadium, and its possible effects on the biotic components of land treatment sites, used for the disposal of liquid industrial wastes from a chemical plant in the eastern Transvaal. A review of the literature showed that although the emission of vanadium into the environment is on the increase, very little information is available regarding its behaviour and impact as an environmental pollutant. This study is therefore important not only in the context of the land treatment operation in question, but clearly in a more universal context as well. The study involved a three-phase approach to the problem. Firstly, vanadium sorption was considered in four soils encountered on the sites in question. Secondly, an investigation was conducted into the potential toxicity of vanadium to relevant plant species. Finally, the potential inhibition of soil biological activity at increasing levels of vanadium was examined, although the results of this experiment were inconclusive.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Geological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• Dodds, Heather Anne

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Fey, Martin V

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/17002

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/17002