Heavy metals, radionuclides activity and mineralogy of soil samples from an artisanal gold mining site in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: implications on human and environmental health

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lasun Tunde Ogundele ◽  
Oladotun Afolabi Oluwajana ◽  
Abimbola Chris Ogunyele ◽  
Samuel Oluwagbenga Inuyomi
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Artisanal Gold Mining

scholarly journals Levels of heavy metals in soils and food crops cultivated within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95
Author(s):  
David Okechukwu Okeke ◽  
◽  
Jonathan Chinenye Ifemeje ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Control Site ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Crops ◽  
Food Crop ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Health Association ◽  
Health Organization

The level of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, As, Pb, Cd, Mg, Ca, Hg, Ni, Cr, Zn, Ag, Co, Mo, Se and Al) in soils and food crops (okra, cassava and rice) cultivated within selected mining sites in Ebonyi State, Nigeria were determined using FS240AA Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) according to the method of American Public Health Association (APHA). Soil samples were collected from Enyigba mining site, Ikwo mining site, AmeriAmekamining site, Izza mining site, MkpumeAkwatakwa mining site and MpumeAkwaokuku mining site while the food crop samples (okra, cassava and rice) were collected from the farmlands within the mining sites. Control samples were collected 500m away from the mining destinations were there was no evidence of mining activities on the soils. A total of sixty sub-samples and six control soil samples were collected for this study. Generally, the values of all the heavy metals analyzed for soil and food crop samples were higher than the values recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), and those from the control site suggesting possible mobility of the metals from mining sites to farmlands through leaching and runoffs. The findings in this study also revealed that the food crops contain heavy metals exceeding the maximum permissible concentration, and could be detrimental to human health when they are consumed.

scholarly journals Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (27) ◽  
pp. 200911
Author(s):  
Aung Zaw Tun ◽  
Pokkate Wongsasuluk ◽  
Wattasit Siriwong
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mining Activities ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Metal Concentrations ◽  
Mining Sites ◽  
Heavy Metal Concentrations

Background. Artisanal and small-scale mining activities are widely practiced globally. Concentrations of heavy metals associated with gold, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) can increase in the environment as a result of mining activities, leading to environmental pollution and pose toxicity risks to humans and animals. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate soil concentrations of toxic heavy metals in placer small-scale gold mining operations in Myanmar. Methods. Soil samples were collected from three placer small-scale gold mining sites: Site A located in the Hmawbon public protected forest, Site B and Site C, situated in the Nant-Kyin reserved forest around Nar Nant Htun village. At each site, soil samples were collected from four gold mining stages (ore processing, sluicing, panning, and amalgamation). Atomic absorption spectroscopy was utilized to examine the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg. Results. The highest heavy metal concentrations were generally found in the amalgamation stages across all the gold mining sites. Across the three mining sites, the maximum heavy metal concentrations in the amalgamation stage were 22.170 mg.kg−1 for As, 3.070 mg.kg−1 for Cd, 77.440 mg.kg−1 for Hg, and 210.000 mg.kg−1 for Pb. Conclusions. The present study examined the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in the soil of several small-scale gold mining sites in Banmauk Township, Myanmar. The results demonstrated the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil of the gold mining sites. Miners in this area work without proper personal protective equipment, and frequent exposure to heavy metals in the soil may cause adverse health effects. The present study provides baseline data for future risk assessment studies of heavy metal contamination in gold mines. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests

Exposure of children to heavy metals from artisanal gold mining in Nigeria: evidences from bio-monitoring of hairs and nails

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 451-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeniyi JohnPaul Adewumi ◽  
Temitope Ayodeji Laniyan ◽  
Tangfu Xiao ◽  
Yizhang Liu ◽  
Zengping Ning
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Artisanal Gold Mining ◽  
Bio Monitoring

scholarly journals Impacts of Artisanal Gold Mining on Water Quality: A Case Study of Tangandougou Commune in Sikasso Region, Mali

2018 ◽  
pp. 621-629
Author(s):  
Mahamadou Moussa Keita ◽  
George Morara Ogendi ◽  
Owuor Owuor ◽  
Wycliff N Nyamao
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Water Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Anthropogenic Activity ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Temperature Conductivity ◽  
Mining Areas ◽  
Artisanal Gold Mining

Introduction: Unsustainable natural resources utilization is on the increase in the developing countries thus the ability of many local communities to meet their basic needs including food, water and shelter is jeopardized. Uncontrolled gold-mining in Sikasso region is one such an anthropogenic activity that is of great environmental concern to the local and national governments of Mali owing to its potential impacts on water quality, human health and environment. This study was conceived to assess the impacts of artisanal gold mining on water quality in Tangandougou in Sikasso region of Mali.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, water samples were collected, processed and analyzed for heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic) according to APHA protocols. Measurements of physical parameters of water quality were done according to APHA protocols. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.Results: There were no significant spatial differences in physical and chemical parameters (pH, Temperature, Conductivity, total dissolved solids and Salinity) of water quality amongst the sampling sites. However, the heavy metals concentrations in the sampled water exceeded WHO drinking water quality guidelines.Conclusion: It was concluded that the water of Sankarani River and its tributaries is contaminated and may cause adverse effects on human health due to biomagnification and the bioaccumulative nature of heavy metals. Therefore, the study recommends continuous monitoring of the water quality in all water sources adjacent to gold-mining areas to protect human and environmental health.

scholarly journals Heavy Metals Content of Two Red Soils in Samar, Philippines

2011 ◽  
pp. 162-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Navarrete ◽  
Victor Asio
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Agricultural Soils ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Mining Activity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Aqua Regia ◽  
Red Soils ◽  
Heavy Metal Cd

The study evaluated the total and available heavy metal (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn) contents of two red soils in Samar, Philippines, one developed from slate near a mining site (Bagacay soil) and the other from serpentinite (Salcedo soil), a well-known source of heavy metals. Soil samples were collected from every horizon in each profile and samples were digested using aqua regia and NH4NO3 to determine total and available heavy metals content, respectively. Results revealed that Salcedo soil had high contents of total Cr (average: 1353 mg kg-1), total Ni (average: 610 mg kg-1), and available Cr (average: 0.19 mg kg-1) that exceeded the maximum allowable contents in agricultural soils but it had low amounts of the available form of the heavy metals. Bagacay soil showed very low contents of both total and available heavy metals due to their low amounts in the parent rock. The red Bagacay soil showed no effect of the nearby mining activity.

scholarly journals Heavy Metals Speciation and Human Health Risk Assessment at an Illegal Gold Mining Site in Igun, Osun State, Nigeria

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 19-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olanrewaju Olusoji Olujimi ◽  
Ogheneochuko Oputu ◽  
Olalekan Fatoki ◽  
Oluwabamise Ester Opatoyinbo ◽  
Oladokun Ali Aroyewun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Cancer Risk ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Gold Mining ◽  
Residual Fraction ◽  
Mining Site ◽  
Adults And Children

Background. There is increasing global concern over the health effects of heavy metals arising from various anthropogenic activities, especially mining. Mining activities in developing countries are often carried out at an artisanal level using a variety of extraction methods with human health and environmental consequences. Objectives. The broad objective of this study is to assess the chemical forms, distribution pattern, and health risks due to mining and processing techniques at a gold mining site in Igun, Osun State, Nigeria. Methods. Samples were collected from 28 active mine pits and sequentially extracted using standard methods. Extracts were analyzed for metals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP/OES), while health risk was assessed using United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Dutch methods. Chemical speciation of heavy metals and health risk assessment was calculated using mobile phase fraction summation. Results. Metals were exclusively present in the residual fractions, indicating that these metals are strongly bound to the resistant components of the soil matrix. The percentage in the residual fraction ranged from 9.41% (tin) to 99.42% (aluminium). The heavy metals geoaccumulation index for the site ranged from 0 (no contamination) to 6 (extremely contaminated). The cancer risk ranged from 6.17E-13 to 7.77E-05 and 2.73E-12 to 4.64E-04 for adults and children, respectively. Discussion. Cancer risk and non-cancer risk (hazard index) assessment showed that arsenic poses a higher risk in adults and children compared to other metals through the dermal exposure route.

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