A spatial multi-risk hazard assessment and vulnerability study of ...

Environment/Air
Pollution South Africa’s atmosphere is generally very stable, with
Environment/Vegetation
frequent surface and elevated inversions, particularly in
winter. This means there are periods when there is little
or no wind and air pollutants are trapped and so
accumulate instead of being blown away.
The burning of fossil fuels in industry, for power
generation and by less developed communities as a
primary energy source, causes pollution problems
especially in densely populated areas.
The large concentrations of mines in Madibeng have
been identified as pollutants of the environment;
unfortunately no data could be gathered to map the
extent or impact of pollution. Hernic Ferrochrome near
Brits has been involved in chrome 6 pollution and it is
clear that mines contribute to air pollution in the area.
Agricultural practices Over utilisation of natural resources puts extreme
Environment/Water
Pollution and disappearing
wetlands
Environment/Soil
pressure on the environment, especially in areas that are
prone to fluctuations in rainfall. This could lead to
environmental degradation.
Water is the most valuable resource in the whole of
South Africa. Madibeng has been vulnerable to water
shortages in the past and it is therefore very important to
protect the rivers, dams and wetlands in the area.
The Hernic Ferrochrome plant was responsible for a
chrome 6 spill and it is also suspected that other mines,
informal settlements and agriculture are responsible for
the pollution of rivers in Madibeng.
Degradation Land degradation is a hazard in areas where communities
are dependent on their natural environment for a living,
especially in densely populated areas such as the former
No
3-27
Yes
No
Yes