Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, H: Environment & Earth Science, Volume 21 Issue 6

Determination of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil Samples from Angwan Kawo Gold Mining Sites, Niger State, Nigeria. S. O. Esiole α , M. A. Onoja σ , N. N. Garba ρ & R. A. Onoja Ѡ Abstract- This present study involves the determination of heavy metal composition and its pollution levels in Angwan Maigero gold mining sites, Niger State Nigeria using Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution load Index (PLI), and Degree of Contamination (DC) Index. Samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to obtain their concentrations and composition. The study area was observed to be contaminated with Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, Co, Ni, and Cd. The mean concentrations (ppm) of the heavy metals in the mine site was found to be 429.765, 1707.631, 181.614, 90.945, 37.412, 17.992, 93.187, 47.940, 22.282 and 3.232 respectively, Also the mean concentrations (ppm) of heavy metals in the mill tailing site was found to be 846.867, 1914.993, 177.703, 739.333, 100.405, 43.519, 163.284, 53.476, 45.591, 5.828. The highest concentration corresponds to Fe and the lowest corresponds to Cd. The increasing trend was in the order: Cd <As <Ni <Zn <Co <Cu <Cr <Mn<Pb<Fe. The concentrations of all the elements in the mill tailing sites were found to be higher than that obtained in the mine site with greater variation in relative abundance of most of the metals. These variations can be attributed to the variable dumping of tailings. Keywords: heavy metals; pollution; PLI; DC; CF; FAAS. I. I ntroduction ining activities has been observed to be one of the major contributors of heavy metals in the environment. The effect of heavy metals on gold mining areas is of serious concern, as such threatens life in all forms (Esiole, et al. , 2016). Following the recent illegal mining in the country, that reared its ugly head once again in rural Rafi Local Government Area in Niger state with reports of numerous deaths of children and women from lead poisoning. The outbreak is traced as a result of the new illegal mining sites from where high leaded ores were brought home for crushing and processing by illegal miners (The sun, 15th May, 2015). Mining activities in AngwanMaigero has generated a lot of survival related activities such as petty trading, hard and conventional drug peddling and prostitution. These developments expose people in these groups to radiation from exposed radioactive rock surface, milling processes, mine tailings, and raised indoor radon level. All of these cumulatively are of grave danger to their health (Esiole, 2016). The pathway of the seasonal stream, where panning and sedimentation takes place is a potential source of radiation hazards. All users of the stream for agricultural and domestic purposes have a possibility of exposure by contamination from radionuclides in tailings and toxic elements or in dissolved stream water as well as ones taken up by plants (Esiole, 2016). The seemingly non-existence of government impact in terms of provision of social services to the area, education of communal people on risks to health of the mining operation as well as other related matters that require government participation has serious integrating effects on possibilities of radiation absorption and impacts of toxic elements on these communal people (Esiole, 2016).Several analytical techniques have been extensively employed for the assessment of heavy metal pollution such as; Instrumental Neutron activation analysis (INAA) (Coskun, et al., 2006). X-ray Fluorescence analysis (XRF) (Ene, et al., 2009), Particle- induced x-ray emission (PIXE) (Ene, et al., 2010), Atomic Absorption spectrometry (AAS) (Al-Khashiman, 2009) and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry-Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) (Popescu, et al., 2009). For the purpose of this present study, the analytical technique chosen to be used will be the Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The Knowledge of metal composition present in soil in a particular region would enable one to assess any possible health hazard to man and his environment, hence the present study is therefore aimed at establishing a base line data on the composition and concentration of the studied heavy metals and the possible health risk associated with the gold mining and ore processing activities in the area. Results of this study are important for assessment of the risk for human health, planning process and policy making in Nigeria. II. M aterials and M ethods a) Study Area The study area is located between latitude 1001‘29‘‘N and 1001‘30‘‘N and longitude 60 28’ 30‘‘E to 6028‘31‘‘Ein Niger State of Nigeria. Two sites were selected to carry out the present study. The field M 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VI Year 2021 7 ( H ) © 2021 Global Journals Version I Author α σ ρ : Physics Department, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Author Ѡ : Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. e-mail: stephen.esiole102@gmail.com