GEOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF TRACE METALS IN SOIL, STREAM WATER AND SELECTED FOOD CROPS AT KIBI GOLDFIELDS ENVIRONMENT, GHANA

This study assesses environmental receptors impacted by alluvial gold mining at Kibi Goldfields Limited in the Eastern region of Ghana to establish trace metals contamination risk. Specific objectives are to determine concentrations of (1) As, Cr, Ni and Pb in soils, drainage and food crops, using X-ray fluorescence, (2) Cl- in drainage using standard methods. Mean concentrations of As, Cr and Ni in soils are higher at impacted sites than control sites; while Pb and As concentrations in drainage exceeds the maximum contamination guideline values in drinking water. Using Cl- as a conservative tracer, As and Pb are adsorbing from water, while Cr and Ni are desorbing into water. In the food crops, bioaccumulation factors of As and Ni are profound at the impacted site than control sites; Except Cr in cocoyam at impacted sites, translocation factors are negligible in the food crops. Cr bioaccumulates in in cocoyam and plantain at the control site, while Ni bioaccumulates in only plantain at the impacted sites. Overall, the metal contamination is of concern in the receptors, except Pd in plants. Results from this study can be used for trace metals risk assessment in the environment.

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

Health and Environment ◽

10.25082/he.2021.01.003 ◽

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.

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Response of Water Chemistry to Long-Term Human Activities in the Nested Catchments System of Subtropical Northeast India

Water ◽

10.3390/w11050988 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 988 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paweł Prokop ◽

Łukasz Wiejaczka ◽

Hiambok Jones Syiemlieh ◽

Rafał Kozłowski

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Population Density ◽

Water Chemistry ◽

Chemical Element ◽

Anthropogenic Impact ◽

Chemical Elements ◽

Stream Water ◽

Stream Water Chemistry ◽

The Tropics

The subtropics within the monsoonal range are distinguished by intensive human activity, which affects stream water chemistry. This paper aims to determine spatio-temporal variations and flowpaths of stream water chemical elements in a long-term anthropogenically-modified landscape, as well as to verify whether the water chemistry of a subtropical elevated shield has distinct features compared to other headwater areas in the tropics. It was hypothesized that small catchments with homogenous environmental conditions could assist in investigating the changes in ions and trace metals in various populations and land uses. Numerous physico-chemical parameters were measured, including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), major ions, and trace metals. Chemical element concentrations were found to be low, with a total dissolved load (TDS) below 52 mg L−1. Statistical tests indicated an increase with significant differences in the chemical element concentration between sites and seasons along with increases of anthropogenic impact. Human influence was clearly visible in the case of cations (Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Na+) and anions (Cl−, HCO3−, NO3−, SO42−), compared to trace metals. The order of most abundant metals Fe > Zn > Al > Sr was the same in springs and streams, regardless of population density, land use, and season. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that major ion concentrations in stream water followed the pattern forest < cultivated land < grassland < built-up area. Surface water chemistry of the subtropical elevated shield has mixed features of tropical and temperate zones. Low concentrations of chemical elements; small seasonal differences in headwater streams; and increased concentrations of NO3−, SO42−, DOC, and Zn in the wet monsoon season are similar to those observed in the tropics. The role of long-term cultivation without chemical fertilizers in ions supply to streams is less than in other headwater areas of the tropical zone. Strong control of water chemistry in densely populated built-up areas is analogous to both tropical and temperate regions. Population density or a built-up area may be used as a proxy for the reconstruction or prediction of the anthropogenic impact on stream water chemistry in similar subtropical elevated shields.

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Occurrence of Trace Metals in Food Crops Grown on the Mbale Dumpsite, Uganda, and Human Health Risks

Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management ◽

10.1002/ieam.4237 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 362-377

Author(s):

Florence Barbara Awino ◽

William Andrew Maher ◽

Frank Krikowa ◽

A Jasmyn J Lynch

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Human Health ◽

Health Risks ◽

Food Crops ◽

Human Health Risks

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Evaluation of physicochemical and trace metal qualities of rainwater in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh

Journal of Water Supply Research and Technology—AQUA ◽

10.2166/aqua.2021.032 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Md. Arif Hossen ◽

Asiful Hoque ◽

M. Salauddin ◽

Sudip Kumar Pal ◽

Mohammad Golam Muktadir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Major Ions ◽

Principal Component ◽

Average Concentration ◽

Anthropogenic Sources ◽

Chemical Characteristics ◽

Eastern Region ◽

The South ◽

Land Use Patterns ◽

South Eastern

Abstract The chemical characteristics of rainwater in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh were investigated in this study in addition to identifying the potential sources of different precipitation constituents, which have often been unexplored or not well covered in the literature. Rainwater pH, major ions and trace metals were measured in samples collected from five different locations with different land-use patterns of the Chattogram Metropolitan area (CMA) during two rainy seasons. The results of this study showed variability in rainwater quality across the sites signifying site-specific influences. The mean concentration of all measured physicochemical parameters, ions and trace metals in rainwater samples was also found to be significantly lower compared with the drinking water quality standard of Bangladesh and WHO guidelines. The correlation matrix and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that and originated from anthropogenic sources, while the average concentration of trace metals found in rainwater was exhibited in the following order: Zn>Cu>Fe>Cr>Mn>Pb>Cd. The findings of this study could be used as a reference to further investigate the influences of industrial, urban and agricultural emissions that regulate the chemical characteristics of the atmosphere in particular areas of study.

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Trace metals and nutrients in lake sediments in the Province of Bali, Indonesia: a baseline assessment linking potential sources

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf20003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 72 (1) ◽

pp. 66

Author(s):

Irdhawati ◽

Manuntun Manuruang ◽

Amanda Reichelt-Brushett

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Solid Waste ◽

Lake Sediments ◽

River Estuary ◽

Agricultural Runoff ◽

Small Scale ◽

Protection Measures ◽

Natural Beauty ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Contaminant Sources

Bali, Indonesia, receives over 6 million tourists annually, placing demand on resources and infrastructure that competes with expectations of natural beauty. Strongly linked to tourism are highly productive small-scale crafts industries and intensive small-scale agriculture and aquaculture production. Concentrations of nutrients, trace metals and metalloids were determined in soils from various land uses and solid-waste containment areas associated with small-scale industries, along with sediments from Lake Beratan, Lake Tamblingan, Lake Buyan, Lake Batur and the Badung River estuary. Soil associated with laboratory waste storage, and some sediments, exceeded guideline values for mercury or copper. Concentrations of other metals in soils and sediments were consistently below guidelines values, except zinc in solid waste collected from batik production (i.e. fabric-dyeing operations). Waste from batik production contained elevated concentrations of trace metals and nutrients (phosphorus and potassium), but replicates were highly variable. Lake sediments were enriched with phosphorus and nitrogen, likely from agricultural runoff. This important baseline information highlights the value of lake-protection measures in place, identifies risks to environmental health and provides focus for improving the management of contaminant sources to prevent further impacts.

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Geochemistry of Trace Metals and Rare Earth Elements in Stream Water, Stream Sediments and Acid Mine Drainage from Darrehzar Copper Mine, Kerman, Iran

Water Quality Exposure and Health ◽

10.1007/s12403-014-0114-x ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 97-114 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Naghmeh Soltani ◽

Farid Moore ◽

Behnam Keshavarzi ◽

Reza Sharifi

Keyword(s):

Rare Earth ◽

Trace Metals ◽

Acid Mine Drainage ◽

Rare Earth Elements ◽

Mine Drainage ◽

Stream Water ◽

Stream Sediments ◽

Water Stream ◽

Copper Mine ◽

Acid Mine

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Assessment of source apportionment and composition of trace elements in rainwater in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-635 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Md. Arif Hossen ◽

Md Salauddin ◽

Asiful Hoque ◽

Sudip Kumar Pal

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Metals ◽

Rainwater Harvesting ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Water Source ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Eastern Region ◽

The South ◽

South Eastern ◽

Elements In Rainwater

Rainwater is considered as a dependable potable and non-potable water source, used for domestic purposes as well as for human consumption in many cases. While it is usually believed that rainwater is safe for drinking purposes, many studies have explored the existence of trace metals in harvested rainwater, which can impose a serious health risk to human beings when present in relatively high concentrations. The concentration of trace elements in atmospheric precipitation including rainwater also provides a good indication of the environmental pollution caused by anthropogenic activities.Chattogram, located in the south-eastern side of Bangladesh, is the busiest port city and the second-largest city in the country with a population of around 4.5 million people. With the presence of high salinity and arsenic in groundwater and poor quality of surface water in the region, rainwater harvesting is the most sustainable solution to be considered in the water system management for the area, particularly given annual mean precipitation of 2488 mm during the rainy season. In recent years, extensive studies have been carried out on the potential application of different rainwater harvesting systems across the region, but there have been very few studies devoted to the identification of the composition of trace elements in rainwater considering site-specific influences in the trace metal distribution in the rainwater.The purpose of this study was to investigate the composition and source appointment of trace metals (Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, and Cd) in rainwater in the south-eastern region of Bangladesh. To determine their sources and relative contributions in rainwater, a total of ninety-five rainwater samples were collected in this study from five different locations representing different land-use patterns (industrial, commercial, urban, and sub-urban) within the study area, from June 2018 to October 2019. The collected water samples were analyzed for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cr, and Cd using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer maintaining standard protocols. The measured trace elements from the collected rainwater samples were then compared with the WHO and Bangladesh drinking water standards.The resulting concentration of trace metals in this study was found within the allowable limits in accordance with WHO and Bangladesh drinking water standards, confirming the suitability of rainwater as a potable water source for human consumption. The average concentration of trace metals in rainwater was found in the order of Zn &#707; Cu &#707; Fe &#707; Cr &#707; Mn &#707; Pb &#707; Cd for the tested samples. Overall, the trace metal concentrations of Cu and Zn were predominantly observed in rainwater samples collected from the industrial area, indicating the influence of anthropogenic activities on atmospheric pollution. The concentrations of the trace elements in this work were found to be overall higher when compared to those reported in other investigations around the world. The measurements of this study would provide an indication of atmospheric pollution in rainwater caused by the anthropogenic origins of trace metals as well as provide a database of trace metals in rainwater for further relevant research studies across the country.

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Trace metals in the water and margin sediments of the Rio Doce Basin in Linhares municipality, ES, Brazil

Archives of Ecotoxicology ◽

10.36547/ae.2020.2.1.1-11 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Polyana Silverio Massario ◽

Cláudia Carvalhinho Windmöller ◽

Juliano Souza Ribeiro ◽

Jose Maria Rodrigues Luz ◽

Mauro Cesar Dias

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

River Flow ◽

Wet Season ◽

Environmental Disaster ◽

Level Ii ◽

Guideline Values ◽

Minas Gerais State ◽

Freshwater Source ◽

High River Flow ◽

Mn Concentrations

The Rio Doce Basin (DRB) is the largest freshwater source in Espírito Santo (ES) state, Brazil. In November 2015, the disruption of the iron tailings dam in the Mariana municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil, severely affected this river. In this study, we showed the trace metals concentrations in the water and margin sediments of the DRB during the dry and wet seasons. This new data was obtained in 2011, prior to the environmental disaster caused by disruption of the dams. We observed Cr, Ni and Pb contaminations in the sediments. The concentrations of these elements in the high river flow (wet season) were higher than the guideline values (GV) of level II and geoacumulation Index (Igeo). However, Fe and Mn concentrations were well above the GV in the wet season. The levels of these two elements were lower than the values found in the region's Haplic Cambisol. Furthermore, the comparison between our data and those of the technical reports released after the dams rupture shows that iron ore mine tailings greatly alter the trace metals concentration in water and sediments. However, we have observed a trend of resilience that requires more systematic and careful studies in DRB.

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A case study investigating the effects of EDTA washing and amendments on trace metal-contaminated soil

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-3488 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wolfgang Friesl-Hanl ◽

Christoph Sebastian Noller ◽

Rebecca Hood-Nowotny ◽

Andrea Watzinger

Keyword(s):

Trace Metals ◽

Trace Metal ◽

Soil Washing ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Metal Extraction ◽

Garden Soil ◽

Soil Conditions ◽

Industrial Emissions ◽

Guideline Values

Trace metals emissions show a sustaining decrease in western Europe since several decades. Sources like leaded fuels have been banned and the use of efficient flue gas cleaning systems have reduced industrial emissions significantly. But trace metal additions are cumulative, and the contamination is permanent. Immobilizing trace metals can be an efficient and cost effective way to prevent groundwater contamination and uptake in the food chain but cannot account for all exposure pathways (e.g. ingestion), while guideline values are only concerned about total concentrations. Soil washing techniques comprise an enormous potential for the efficient and sustainable extraction of trace metals from contaminated soils. The Garden Soil Project is a case study investigating the effect of soil amendments applied after a new ex-situ soil washing procedure (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) from a Cd-, Pb-, Zn-contaminated Cambisol from Arnoldstein, located at a former lead mining and smelting region in Austria.To investigate the success of the EDTA soil washing and amendment application, an experimental garden was set up at the University Research Center (UFT) in Tulln an der Donau. It encompasses twelve raised beds of 1 m3, filled with three soil variants in four replicates: The contaminated, unwashed soil (U) and two washed variants (W), one amended with 2 %wt biochar and 2 %wt compost (A). The amendments aim to restore soil conditions after the invasive procedure. The success of the trace metal extraction and restoration of the original soil properties is investigated by analyzing vegetable cultivars grown on the soil variants, the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the soil in the course of 2 years. First results show a significant reduction in trace metal uptake by different vegetables after washing and an increase in biomass for both washed soil variants W and A. The continuing analysis of trace metals in soil leachates and multiple extractable fractions in soil will allow a more detailed assessment. Furthermore, an ongoing investigation of the carbon and nitrogen cycle, using stable isotopes, will be applied as an indicator for soil functions.

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