Abstract
The geochemistry of surface soils and stream sediments from the Birnin-Gwari area in the north-western Nigeria Schist Belt was studied in order to assess the environmental impact of small-scale artisanal mining of quartz-gold-sulfide mineralization. Total elemental concentration was measured using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results show elevated concentrations of silica, zirconium and paucity of base cations due to intense tropical weathering, accompanied by removal of fine labile fractions by wet season flooding and dry directional winds. This has implication for water chemistry in the area, especially with respect to pH due to low buffering capacity. The results further show that artisanal mining has not caused severe potentially toxic elements contamination. The consistently higher arsenic concentrations, relative to baseline values, were found not to vary between the mine-impacted and background areas. It is therefore interpreted to have been contributed by the use of agrochemicals in the area. The study has not found a significant human health risk associated with potentially toxic element uptake from mine wastes. It is however recommended that the distribution of arsenic in the soils, sediments and surface water in the area should be further studied in order to ascertain the sources and possible human health implications.
Highlights
The environmental and health implications of mining have long been studied and scientific literature [e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] is full of documented cases of damage to the environment and human health directly linked to mining related pollution
Results and Discussion low to cause the leaching of base cations faster than they are re-supplied by weathering [35, 36] is not clear
The results that surface soils and sediments from the Tsofon Birnin-Gwari area are depleted in base cations and alumina, but enriched in silica, relative to the upper continental crust, consistent with the findings of other workers in Nigeria
Summary
The environmental and health implications of mining have long been studied and scientific literature [e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] is full of documented cases of damage to the environment and human health directly linked to mining related pollution. Contaminant species introduced into the soil and sediment environment may be immobilized by sorption and complexation with, for example Iron and Manganese oxides and organic/humic substances This is dependent on a number of geochemical conditions such as pH and the prevailing redox conditions. Not much attention has been paid to the possible implications of artisanal gold and base metal mining in the area and the effect it will have on the quality of the environment and human health. It is often viewed by many as a small-scale industry; incapable of posing any significant environmental and human health risks. The aim of this work is to assess the impact of small-scale artisanal mining of gold in the Birnin-Gwari area, with respect to soil
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
