An assessment of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and lead (Pb) pollution in Mazoe river

Abstract

This purpose of the study was to assess heavy metal contamination in Mazoe River, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe with a focus on Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb) and Zinc (Zn). Water samples were collected from three sites, site A representing upstream, site B representing near the mine and site C representing downstream sections of the river during the wet season of January to February 2026. The results showed a clear spatial variation in metal concentration across the study area. Iron was the only metal that exceeded the WHO and EMA guideline value of 0.3mg/l at all three sites with the highest concentration of 14.9994 at site B. Lead was not detected in any of the samples while Zinc remained below the recommended limit of 3.0mg/l at all sites but with a highest level of 0.1301mg/l. The high concentration levels of Iron suggest that mining activities, especially acid mine drainage and mine runoff, are the main sources of pollution in the river. Lead and Zinc did not cause harm immediately in the water this shows that Mazoe River is under pressure from mining-related contamination. The findings of the study conclude that improved water control, regular water quality monitoring and seasonal sampling are needed to protect rivers and the communities that depend on it.