Original Articles

CHANGES IN URBAN RESIDENTIAL LAND IN THE RIETSPRUIT CATCHMENT, SOUTHERN TRANSVAAL

Published in: Southern African Journal of Aquatic Sciences
Volume 19 , issue 1-2 , 1993 , pages: 89–94

DOI: 10.1080/10183469.1993.9631341

Author(s): M.J. Silberbauer Department of Water Affairs, South Africa , J. Moolman Department of Water Affairs, South Africa

Keywords: urban land cover , satellite image , aerial photograph , informal settlement , water quality

Download full text Get new issue alerts

Abstract

Informal settlements have become an important and rapidly-expanding component of urban development in South Africa. In the Rietspruit catchment, south-west of Johannesburg, average growth rates in urban land cover of up to 2.7 km² per year (1972–1991) were measured from satellite images. Aerial photographs show that in 1991 more than a third of the residential land consisted of informal housing. Elevated concentrations of dissolved nitrogen, phosphorus and faecal coliforms in the Rietspruit point to a possible eutrophication and health risk.

« A COMPARISON OF CYPRINID FISH POPULATIONS IN THREE LARGE TRANSKEI RESERVOIRS WITH RESPECT TO ABUNDANCE AND REPRODUCTION

BOOK REVIEWS »