Spatial distribution and potential ecological and health risks associated with heavy metals in the Ijero-Ekiti mining site, Nigeria

Q1 Social Sciences Regional Sustainability Pub Date : 2024-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.regsus.2024.03.004
Johnson Adedeji OLUSOLA , Adeyinka Oluyemi ATURAMU , Olufunke ASAOLU , Olusesan Sola OGUNLEYE
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Abstract

Artisanal gold mining, a labor-intensive and antiquated technique, is a growing industry and the source of income for rural communities all over the world. However, artisanal gold mining has potential negative and long-term effects on economy, environment, and society. This study collected soil samples from 16 sample points including a control point to examine the pollution degrees and spatial distribution of heavy metals, as well as ecological and health risks associated with heavy metal pollution in the Ijero-Ekiti mining site, Nigeria. Geographical Information System (GIS) and remote sensing technologies were used to identify regions with high concentrations of heavy metals and assess the environmental impact of gold mining activities. The results show that the mean heavy metal concentrations of 16 soil pointa are 8.94 (±5.97) mg/kg for As, 0.18 (±0.54) mg/kg for Cd, 0.11 (±1.06) mg/kg for Co, 14.32 (±3.43) mg/kg for Cr, 6.89 (±0.64) mg/kg for Cu, 48.92 (±11.77) mg/kg for Fe, 135.81 (±30.75) mg/kg for Mn, 5.92 (±0.96) mg/kg for Ni, 5.72 (±1.66) mg/kg for Pb, and 13.94 (±1.38) mg/kg for Zn. The study reveals that heavy metal concentration in soils follows the order of Mn>Fe>Cr>Zn>As>Cu>Ni>Pb>Co>Cd. An analysis of soil samples indicates that 3 principal components (PCs) account for 70.008% of the total variance and there are strong positive correlations between various pairs of heavy metals. The total potential ecological risk index (309.599) in the study area is high. Non-carcinogenic risk suggests that there may be long-term health impacts on people who work in the mining areas due to chronic exposure to the environment. Based on the study, the hazard index of carcinogenic health risks associated with heavy metals through ingestion is 520.00×10–4. Dermal contact from As and Cr also increases the risk of cancer, with the highest hazard index value of 18.40×10–4. The lowest exposure pathway, with the hazard index value of 0.68×10–4, indicates that the inhalation of heavy metals has a comparatively low risk of cancer. This study recommends the formulation of policies to monitor the Ijero-Ekiti mining site and other regions in Nigeria where indiscriminate artisanal gold mining activities exist.

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尼日利亚 Ijero-Ekiti 矿区重金属的空间分布及潜在生态和健康风险
手工采金业是一种劳动密集型的古老技术,是一个不断发展的产业,也是世界各地农村社区的收入来源。然而,手工采金业对经济、环境和社会具有潜在的长期负面影响。本研究收集了包括一个对照点在内的 16 个采样点的土壤样本,以研究尼日利亚 Ijero-Ekiti 矿区的重金属污染程度和空间分布,以及与重金属污染相关的生态和健康风险。利用地理信息系统(GIS)和遥感技术确定了重金属高浓度区域,并评估了金矿开采活动对环境的影响。结果表明,16 个土壤点的重金属平均浓度分别为:砷 8.94 (±5.97) mg/kg、镉 0.18 (±0.54) mg/kg、钴 0.11 (±1.06) mg/kg、铬 14.32 (±3.43) mg/kg、镉 0.18 (±0.54) mg/kg、钴 0.11 (±1.06) mg/kg、铬 14.32 (±3.43) mg/kg。43)毫克/千克,铜 6.89(±0.64)毫克/千克,铁 48.92(±11.77)毫克/千克,锰 135.81(±30.75)毫克/千克,镍 5.92(±0.96)毫克/千克,铅 5.72(±1.66)毫克/千克,锌 13.94(±1.38)毫克/千克。研究表明,土壤中的重金属浓度依次为锰>铁>铬>锌>砷>铜>镍>铅>钴>镉。对土壤样本的分析表明,3 个主成分(PCs)占总方差的 70.008%,不同重金属对之间存在很强的正相关性。研究区域的潜在生态风险总指数(309.599)较高。非致癌风险表明,由于长期暴露于环境中,在矿区工作的人的健康可能会受到长期影响。根据这项研究,与重金属摄入相关的致癌健康风险的危险指数为 520.00×10-4。皮肤接触砷和铬也会增加致癌风险,其最高危害指数值为 18.40×10-4。吸入重金属的危害指数值为 0.68×10-4,是最低的接触途径,表明吸入重金属的致癌风险相对较低。本研究建议制定相关政策,对伊杰罗-埃基蒂矿区和尼日利亚其他存在手工滥采金矿活动的地区进行监测。
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来源期刊
Regional Sustainability
Regional Sustainability Social Sciences-Urban Studies
CiteScore
3.70
自引率
0.00%
发文量
20
审稿时长
21 weeks
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