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1355038 
Journal Article 
Geotechnical properties of 'Hippo Mud' in the Durban area, South Africa 
Ware, CI; Jermy, CA 
1998 
2699-2704 
WOS:000078260900374 
A multidisciplinary study of humic Holocene lagoonal silty clays and clayey silts and sands (known locally as Hippo Mud) in the greater Durban area, South Africa, is presented. Various laboratory tests were undertaken to predict the soil's physical behaviour and facilitate comparisons with tests from other areas underlain by similar material, so that predictions could be made about its properties. Geochemical tests show the samples to contain smectite and illite clay minerals, plagioclase and quartz with the provenance terrain being the Permian lower and middle Ecca Group, which dominate the drainage basin. Trace element analyses reveal phytotoxic levels of arsenic, vanadium, and chromium, which may be a consequence of agricultural and/or sewage pollution.