South African marine pollution survey report 1974-1975

Abstract

A national marine pollution survey was initiated in 1974 to determine and assess pollution around the coast of South Africa. Impact area surveys, coastal (including estuarine) reference surveys and oceanic reference surveys were undertaken. This report presents the results of the surveys undertaken up to the end of 1975. The impact areas studied were Richards Bay, the Durban area, sites on the Cape Peninsula and Saldanha Bay. Coastal reference transects were undertaken as Umbogintwini and the Fynn-lands sewage outfall (both between Durban Bay and Isipingo) and the Umzimkulu and Berg River estuaries were investigated. Results of earlier surveys of Kosi Bay and the Umlalazi, Amatikulu, Umgeni, Ifafa and Umtamvuna estuaries are also given. East coast oceanic reference transects were undertaken quarterly during 1974 and 1975, while the south and west coast transects were sampled on four cruises during 1975. Finally, results are given of some general pollution studies as well as studies of coastal water dynamics north of Cape Town.