University of Tehran/Springer International Journal of Environmental Research 1735-6865 8 4 2014 10 01 Net Flux of Heavy Metals Between Estuarine and Nearshore Environments: A Case Study of the Isipingo Estuary, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 1241 1250 816 10.22059/ijer.2014.816 EN R.K. Pillay Water Quality Management, Department of Water Affairs, PO Box 1018, Durban, 4000, South Africa S. Pillay School of Agricultural, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa A. Bissessur School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa H. Ballabh School of Agricultural, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa Journal Article 2014 10 13 This study examines the transport of seventeen heavy metals between the Isipingo Estuary and<br />the adjacent sea. Results demonstrate variability of fluxes in terms of prevalence, concentration and seasonality.<br />Summer neap and spring tides had approximately twice the number of heavy metals compared to winter and<br />spring seasons. Spring and winter seasons yielded higher concentrations and a greater number of metals on the<br />spring tides whilst autumn yielded the fewest metals on both tides. Export dominance characterized the<br />system and this was evident in the annual fluxes with 14 metals (Al, As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Se, Sr,<br />Ti, V and Zr) being exported while 3 (Cu, Ni and Zn) were imported into the estuary over the four seasons,<br />pointing to potential contamination from marine sources. Whilst human utilization of the catchment is often<br />reported as the primary cause of degradation of the Isipingo Estuary, this study demonstrates that some of the<br />contamination may also originate from the nearshore environment. https://ijer.ut.ac.ir/article_816_e9957d5be8a617d3cef788ebb66d0af7.pdf