POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER FROM THE PILANESBERG ALKALINE COMPLEX AND THE RUSTENBURG LAYERED SUITE AND HEALTH IMPACTS ON NORTH WEST PROVINCE COMMUNITIES, SOUTH AFRICA

Naturally occurring geological problems that have direct or indirect effects on health exist in South Africa. With recent development of exposure or knowledge of such problems, rigorous studies are needed to examine the possible links between the geology of a specific area and its health problems. In this study, special focus is given to the possible potential link between the geology of the alkaline Pilanesberg Complex and the mafic Rustenburg Layered Suite in the area west of the Pilanesberg Complex in the North West Province and the health of communities living in this area. In this semi-arid locality, almost all communities depend on groundwater for domestic use. Data from previous reports as well as preliminary results from some groundwater samples from the province indicate high concentrations in some of the analysed elements such as F, Ca, U and total dissolved solids (TDS). Previous analyses reported that some concentrations are about 10 times more than the allowable limits. It was also noted that some diseases such as skeletal fluorosis, cardiovascular related diseases, renal diseases and diarrhoea are prevalent in this area. The purpose of this investigation is to establish the relationship between reported diseases and the geochemical composition of the groundwater used by communities in this area. Providing holistic-approach solutions to help communities with preventative measures to healthier living conditions is also important for this investigation.