An environmental study of the Lourens River estuary

Abstract

An environmental study of the Lourens River estuary was completed, whereby field surveys were undertaken and all available knowledge was collated. The Lourens estuary is a small system opening into False Bay, Southwestern Cape; it is almost entirely enclosed within AECI security fences and access to the public is restricted. Physicochemical parameters exhibit seasonal variations and the estuary may be marine dominated in summer and river dominated during the wet season. Terrestrial and aquatic biota are generally depauperate. The poor ecological quality of the estuary may be attributed primarily to periodic pollution inputs from the AECI main drain discharge, but also to the complex arrangements of land ownership and administrative controls and the influences of urban, industrial and agricultural developments in the river basin. It is recommended. that attention be paid to the management and conservation of the Lourens River system.