The Lukanga Swamps: A Supposed Sediment Trap for Heavy Metals from Zambia’s Copperbelt Mines
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Abstract
Lukanga swamps, the fifth largest wetlands in Zambia were thought of being a sediment trap for the heavy metals from the Copperbelt mines. This study thus set out to ascertain this assertion by looking at various literature, testing water and soil samples collected from carefully selected sites in the study area and analysing them for presence of heavy metals. The water and soil samples were analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer method for heavy metals and pH meter for conductivity. The results showed that the heavy metals were below the detection levels signifying the fact that no heavy metals were present in samples. It was also found that the Kafue River did not directly pass through the Lukanga swamps but that the waters of the river and swamps only interacted when there is flooding (the river overflowing). As such the swamps could not be said to trap sediments from water that does not pass through it. In addition other studies had shown that there was attenuation away from the source of the heavy metals.
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