Abstract
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.
Highlights
Mining activity results in the creation of employment opportunities and generation of foreign exchange for nations (Yeboah, 2008), but impacts negatively on environmental receptors such as water, soils and food crops, through trace metals contamination (Asante and Ntow, 2009)
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 stipulated maximum contamination (MCL) guideline values for drinking water
As and Pb are adsorbing from stream water, while Cr and Ni are desorbing into stream water
Summary
Mining activity results in the creation of employment opportunities and generation of foreign exchange for nations (Yeboah, 2008), but impacts negatively on environmental receptors such as water, soils and food crops, through trace metals contamination (Asante and Ntow, 2009). Concerns have been raised by regulatory bodies as well as opinion leaders in society to establish benchmarks for trace metals contamination in mining environments Such concerns served as a basis for the formulation of a riskbased assessment methodology to disburse accrued funds for the supply of amenities to impacted communities within a mining area in Ghana (Foli et al, 2018). According to Bempah et al (2013), numerous studies on trace metals impact on environmental receptors have been conducted within reclaimed gold mine sites at some multinational companies Many of such studies are not commonly extended beyond the reclaimed sites, which includes adjoining fields that serve as farmlands among other natural resources like water bodies, upon which most of the rural dwellers depend for their daily food.
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