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

IF 2.4 Q1 Medicine Journal of Health and Pollution Pub Date : 2020-08-25 eCollection Date: 2020-09-01 DOI:10.5696/2156-9614-10.27.200911
Aung Zaw Tun, Pokkate Wongsasuluk, Wattasit Siriwong
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引用次数: 24

Abstract

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.

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缅甸砂矿、小型金矿土壤重金属含量研究
背景:手工和小规模采矿活动在全球范围内广泛开展。与金有关的重金属,如铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、砷(as)、镉(Cd)、汞(Hg)和铅(Pb)的浓度会因采矿活动而在环境中增加,从而导致环境污染并对人类和动物构成毒性风险。目的:本研究的目的是调查缅甸砂矿小型金矿开采作业中有毒重金属的土壤浓度。方法:从三个砂矿小型金矿点采集土壤样本:位于Hmawbon公共保护区的A点,位于Nar Nant Htun村周围的Nant- kyin保护区的B点和C点。在每个地点,从金矿开采的四个阶段(矿石加工、水闸、淘金和汞化)收集了土壤样本。利用原子吸收光谱法测定了砷、镉、铅和汞的浓度。结果:在所有金矿点的汞合并阶段,重金属浓度普遍最高。在3个矿区,汞化阶段的最大重金属浓度为22.170 mg。As为3.070 mg。Cd为77.440 mg。Hg为kg-1, 210,000 mg。Pb是kg-1。结论:本研究检测了缅甸班茂克镇几个小型金矿矿区土壤中砷、镉、汞和铅的浓度。结果表明,金矿矿区土壤中存在高浓度重金属。在该地区工作的矿工没有适当的个人防护装备,经常接触土壤中的重金属可能会对健康造成不利影响。本研究为今后金矿重金属污染风险评估研究提供了基线数据。利益竞争:作者声明没有经济利益竞争。
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来源期刊
Journal of Health and Pollution
Journal of Health and Pollution Medicine-Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
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审稿时长
18 weeks
期刊介绍: The Journal of Health and Pollution (JH&P) was initiated with funding from the European Union and World Bank and continues to be a Platinum Open Access Journal. There are no publication or viewing charges. That is, there are no charges to readers or authors. Upon peer-review and acceptance, all articles are made available online. The high-ranking editorial board is comprised of active members who participate in JH&P submissions and editorial policies. The Journal of Health and Pollution welcomes manuscripts based on original research as well as findings from re-interpretation and examination of existing data. JH&P focuses on point source pollution, related health impacts, environmental control and remediation technology. JH&P also has an interest in ambient and indoor pollution. Pollutants of particular interest include heavy metals, pesticides, radionuclides, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), air particulates (PM10 and PM2.5), and other severe and persistent toxins. JH&P emphasizes work relating directly to low and middle-income countries, however relevant work relating to high-income countries will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
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