Ecological Risk Assessment of Potentially Toxic Metals in Arable Soils around Adudu Lead – Zinc Mine, North-Central Nigeria

Year 2024, Volume: 11 Issue: 2, 467 - 482, 15.05.2024

Jude Onwuka , Enebi Jasper , Gladys Onwuka

https://doi.org/10.18596/jotcsa.1360723

Cited By: 1

Abstract

Mining is a major source of toxic heavy metals into the soil when mine wastes are discharged into the nearby farmlands used for the cultivation of food crops. This study investigated the influence of Pb–Zn mining on the quality and ecological risk of arable soils around active mining sites in Adudu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Composite soil samples were collected at 0–20 cm depth, pulverized, and analyzed for heavy metal (Al, As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn) concentration using X–ray fluorescence technique. Enrichment factor, geo–accumulation index, improved Nemerow index (IIN), contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (Cd), pollution load index (PLI), and ecological risk assessment (ERA) were used to evaluate the effect of the mining activities on the environment. Results showed elevated levels of Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Cr in arable soils around the mine and lower levels of these metals in the control soil. IIN, Cd, and PLI showed that the mine and the nearby arable soils were the most deteriorated, and soil quality improved away from the mining vicinity. ERA revealed that the mine and the closest arable soils (sites F1 and F4) have significant to high ecological risk index as a result of the dominant presence of Pb, Zn, and Cu at the sites. Thus, arable soils which are disposal channels for mine wastes are not good for growing food crops. This study clearly shows that Pb–Zn mining activities introduced heavy metals into the arable soils surrounding the mine.

Keywords

Mining, Heavy Metal, Ecological Risk, Soil Contamination, Arable Soils

Ethical Statement

Not Applicable

Supporting Institution

NIL

Project Number

Not applicable

References

• 1. Oelofse SHH, Hobbs PJ, Rascher J, Cobbing JE. The pollution and destruction threat of gold mining waste on the Witwatersrand: A West Rand case study. In: 10th International Symposium on Environmental Issues and Waste management in Energy and Mineral Production (SWEMP, 2007), Bangkok. Citeseer; 2007. p. 11–3.
• 2. Adewumi T, Salako KA. Delineation of mineral potential zone using high resolution aeromagnetic data over part of Nasarawa State, North Central, Nigeria. Egypt J Pet [Internet]. 2018 Dec 1;27(4):759–67. Available from: <URL>.
• 3. Obaje NG. Geology and Mineral Resources of Nigeria Development Options for Economic Growth and Social Transformation. In: 2nd Inaugural Lecture, Nigeria: Nasarawa State University, Keffi; 2008 (Unpublished).
• 4. Yan X, Liu M, Zhong J, Guo J, Wu W. How Human Activities Affect Heavy Metal Contamination of Soil and Sediment in a Long-Term Reclaimed Area of the Liaohe River Delta, North China. Sustainability [Internet]. 2018 Jan 29;10(2):338. Available from: <URL>.
• 5. Oyebamiji A, Amanambu A, Zafar T, Adewumi AJ, Akinyemi DS. Expected impacts of active mining on the distribution of heavy metals in soils around Iludun-Oro and its environs, Southwestern Nigeria. Fantke P, editor. Cogent Environ Sci [Internet]. 2018 Jan 1;4(1):1495046. Available from: <URL>.
• 6. Mandeng EPB, Bidjeck LMB, Bessa AZE, Ntomb YD, Wadjou JW, Doumo EPE, et al. Contamination and risk assessment of heavy metals, and uranium of sediments in two watersheds in Abiete-Toko gold district, Southern Cameroon. Heliyon [Internet]. 2019 Oct;5(10):e02591. Available from: <URL>.
• 7. Islam K, Murakami S. Global-scale impact analysis of mine tailings dam failures: 1915–2020. Glob Environ Chang [Internet]. 2021 Sep 1;70:102361. Available from: <URL>.
• 8. Yang CL, Guo RP, Yue QL, Zhou K, Wu ZF. Environmental quality assessment and spatial pattern of potentially toxic elements in soils of Guangdong Province, China. Environ Earth Sci [Internet]. 2013 Oct 12;70(4):1903–10. Available from: <URL>.
• 9. Obiora SC, Chukwu A, Davies TC. Heavy metals and health risk assessment of arable soils and food crops around Pb–Zn mining localities in Enyigba, southeastern Nigeria. J African Earth Sci [Internet]. 2016 Apr 1;116:182–9. Available from: <URL>.
• 10. Aloh G, Aloh H, Obasi A, Chukwu K. Evidence of Heavy Metal Contamination of Agricultural Soil in Ameri, Abakaliki Lead-Zinc Mining Area, Ebonyi State Southeast Nigeria: An Indication for Phytoremediation. Nutr Food Technol Open Access [Internet]. 2017;3(3):1–5. Available from: <URL>.
• 11. Chukwu A, Oji KK. Assessment of Pb, Zn, As, Ni, Cu, Cr and Cd in Agricultural Soils around Settlements of Abandoned Lead-Zinc Mine in Mkpuma Ekwoku, South-eastern, Nigeria. J Appl Sci Environ Manag [Internet]. 2018 Nov 27;22(9):1485–8. Available from: <URL>.
• 12. Obasi PN, Akudinobi BEB. Pollution status of arable soils and stream sediments in mining areas of Abakaliki, Lower Benue Trough, Nigeria. Int J Environ Sci Technol [Internet]. 2019 Dec 22;16(12):7869–84. Available from: <URL>.
• 13. Potra A, Dodd JW, Ruhl LS. Distribution of trace elements and Pb isotopes in stream sediments of the Tri-State mining district (Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri), USA. Appl Geochemistry [Internet]. 2017 Jul 1;82:25–37. Available from: <URL>.
• 14. Eludoyin AO, Ojo AT, Ojo TO, Awotoye OO. Effects of artisanal gold mining activities on soil properties in a part of southwestern Nigeria. Nzeadibe T, editor. Cogent Environ Sci [Internet]. 2017 Jan 1;3(1):1305650. Available from: <URL>.
• 15. Canlı O, Çetintürk K, Güzel B. A comprehensive assessment, source input determination and distribution of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) along with heavy metals (HMs) in reservoir lake sediments from Çanakkale province, Türkiye. Environ Geochem Health [Internet]. 2023 Jun 11;45(6):3985–4006. Available from: <URL>.
• 16. Zhang W, You M, Hu Y. The distribution and accumulation characteristics of heavy metals in soil and plant from Huainan coalfield, China. Environ Prog Sustain Energy [Internet]. 2016 Jul 22;35(4):1098–104. Available from: <URL>.
• 17. Idzi AA, Olaleke AM, Shekwonyadu I, Christian EA. Geochemical studies of mineral bearing ores from Nasarawa Eggon and Udege Beki areas of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Int J Basic Appl Chem Sci [Internet]. 2013;3(1):93–108. Available from: <URL>.
• 18. Jauro A, Obaje NG, Agho MO, Abubakar MB, Tukur A. Organic geochemistry of Cretaceous Lamza and Chikila coals, upper Benue trough, Nigeria. Fuel [Internet]. 2007 Mar 1;86(4):520–32. Available from: <URL>.
• 19. Attah S. Governor Sule assures of repositioning mining sector [Internet]. Business Day Newspaper. 2020 [cited 2020 Oct 23]. Available from: <URL>.
• 20. Ezeaku PI. Evaluating the influence of open cast mining of solid minerals on soil, landuse and livelihood systems in selected areas of Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria. J Ecol Nat Environ [Internet]. 2012 Feb 12;4(3):62–70. Available from: <URL>.
• 21. Okolo CC, Akamigbo FOR, Ezeaku PI, Nwite JN, Nwite JC, Ezeudo VC, et al. Impact of open cast mine land use on soil physical properties in Enyigba, Southeastern Nigeria and the implication for sustainable land use management. Niger J Soil Sci [Internet]. 2015;25:95–101. Available from: <URL>.
• 22. Obasi NA, Obasi SE, Elom SO, Kalu KM, Aloke C, Igwenyi IO, et al. Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Ameri Lead-Zinc Mining Community Via Consumption of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Cruz) in Ikwo L.G.A., Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Am J Sustain Agric [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Jan 11];11(6):22–30. Available from: <URL>.
• 23. Benkhelil J, Guiraud M, Ponsard JF, Saugy L The Bornu–Benue Trough, the Niger Delta and its offshore: Tectono-sedimentary reconstruction during the Cretaceous and Tertiary from geophysical data and geology. In: Geology of Nigeria, 2nd ed. Rock view, Jos. 1989 (Unpublished).
• 24. Physica Setting of Nasarawa State. [cited 2003 May 2]; Available from: <URL>.
• 25. Sutherland RA. Bed sediment-associated trace metals in an urban stream, Oahu, Hawaii. Environ Geol [Internet]. 2000 Apr 18;39(6):611–27. Available from: <URL>.
• 26. Turekian KK, Wedepohl KH. Distribution of the Elements in Some Major Units of the Earth’s Crust. Geol Soc Am Bull [Internet]. 1961;72(2):175–92. Available from: <URL>.
• 27. Muller G. Index of geoaccumulation in sediments of the Rhine River. GeoJournal. 1969;2(3):108–18.
• 28. Guan Y, Shao C, Ju M. Heavy Metal Contamination Assessment and Partition for Industrial and Mining Gathering Areas. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2014 Jul 16;11(7):7286–303. Available from: <URL>.
• 29. Nwankwoala HO, Ememu AJ. Contamination Indices and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Soils in Okpoko and Environs, Southeastern Nigeria. J Environ Sci Public Heal [Internet]. 2018;2(2):77–95. Available from: <URL>.
• 30. Nemerow NL. Stream, lake, estuary, and ocean pollution, 2nd edition [Internet]. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Publishing Co.; 1985 [cited 2024 Jan 11]. Available from: <URL>.
• 31. Egaspin DPR. Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN). Department of Petroleum Resources, Lagos, Nigeria. 2002; Available from: <URL>.
• 32. Güzel B, Canlı O, Aslan E. Spatial distribution, source identification and ecological risk assessment of POPs and heavy metals in lake sediments of Istanbul, Turkey. Mar Pollut Bull [Internet]. 2022 Feb 1;175:113172. Available from: <URL>.
• 33. Hakanson L. An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control.a sedimentological approach. Water Res [Internet]. 1980 Jan 1;14(8):975–1001. Available from: <URL>.
• 34. Tomlinson DL, Wilson JG, Harris CR, Jeffrey DW. Problems in the assessment of heavy-metal levels in estuaries and the formation of a pollution index. Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen [Internet]. 1980 Mar;33(1–4):566–75. Available from: <URL>.
• 35. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR). Public Health Statement, Aluminum. Dep Heal Hum Serv Public Heal Serv Div Toxicol Environ Med Atlanta CAS#7429 – 90 – 5 2008.
• 36. Exley C. The toxicity of aluminium in humans. Morphologie [Internet]. 2016 Jun;100(329):51–5. Available from: <URL>.
• 37. Obiora SC, Chukwu A, Davies TC. Contamination of the Potable Water Supply in the Lead–Zinc Mining Communities of Enyigba, Southeastern Nigeria. Mine Water Environ [Internet]. 2019 Mar 19;38(1):148–57. Available from: <URL>.
• 38. Abraham MR, Susan TB. Water contamination with heavy metals and trace elements from Kilembe copper mine and tailing sites in Western Uganda; implications for domestic water quality. Chemosphere [Internet]. 2017 Feb 1;169:281–7. Available from: <URL>.
• 39. Nriagu JO, Pacyna JM. Quantitative assessment of worldwide contamination of air, water and soils by trace metals. Nature [Internet]. 1988 May;333(6169):134–9. Available from: <URL>.
• 40. Nriagu JO, Bhattacharya P, Mukherjee AB, Bundschuh J, Zevenhoven R, Loeppert RH. Arsenic in soil and groundwater: an overview. In: Trace Metals and other Contaminants in the Environment [Internet]. Elsevier; 2007. p. 3–60. Available from: <URL>.
• 41. Cullen WR, Reimer KJ. Arsenic speciation in the environment. Chem Rev [Internet]. 1989 Jun 1;89(4):713–64. Available from: <URL>.
• 42. Ambo AI, Etonihu C, Iyakwari S, Ogara JI. Assessment of Metal concentrations in Lead- Zinc mines and Near-by soils, plants and water in Abuni Town Awe Local Goverment Area, Nasarawa State, Niheria. NSUK J Sci Technol. 2012;2(1&2):232–41.
• 43. Wu M-M, Kuo T-L, Hwang Y-H, Chen C-J.. Dose–response relation between arsenic concentration in well water and mortality from cancers and vascular diseases. Am J Epidemiol [Internet]. 1989 Dec 1;130(6):1123–32. Available from: <URL>.
• 44. Chen C-J, Chen C, Wu M-M, Kuo T-L. Cancer potential in liver, lung, bladder and kidney due to ingested inorganic arsenic in drinking water. Br J Cancer [Internet]. 1992 Nov;66(5):888–92. Available from: <URL>.
• 45. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological Profile for Arsenic. U. S. Department of Health & Human Services, Public Health Service, Division of Toxicology 1600, Atlanta, GA 30333. 1999;
• 46. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological profile for Chromium. Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences, Environmental Toxicology Branch, Atlanta, Georgia. 2012;
• 47. Azeh Engwa G, Udoka Ferdinand P, Nweke Nwalo F, N. Unachukwu M. Mechanism and Health Effects of Heavy Metal Toxicity in Humans. In: Karcioglu O, Arslan B, editors. Poisoning in the Modern World - New Tricks for an Old Dog? [Internet]. IntechOpen; 2019. Available from: <URL>.
• 48. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Toxicological profile for Cobalt. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Division of Toxicology 1600, Atlanta, GA 30333. 2004;
• 49. Clewell HJ, Lawrence GA, Calne DB, Crump KS. Determination of an Occupational Exposure Guideline for Manganese Using the Benchmark Method. Risk Anal [Internet]. 2003 Oct 12;23(5):1031–46. Available from: <URL>.
• 50. Anapuwa OS. Heavy Metal Contamination and Physicochemical Characteristics of Soils from Automobile Workshops in Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria. Int J Nat Sci Res [Internet]. 2014;2(4):48–58. Available from: <URL>.
• 51. Keen CL, Ensunsa JL, Lönnerdal B, Zidenberg-Cherr S. Manganese. In: Caballero B, Allen L, Prentice A, editors. Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition [Internet]. Elsevier; 2013. p. 148–54. Available from: <URL>.
• 52. Obasi PN, Akudinobi BB. Potential health risk and levels of heavy metals in water resources of lead–zinc mining communities of Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria. Appl Water Sci [Internet]. 2020 Jul 7;10(7):184. Available from: <URL>.
• 53. Wani AL, Ara A, Usmani JA. Lead toxicity: a review. Interdiscip Toxicol [Internet]. 2015 Jun 1;8(2):55–64. Available from: <URL>.
• 54. Sokol RZ, Berman N. The effect of age of exposure on lead-induced testicular toxicity. Toxicology [Internet]. 1991 Jan 1;69(3):269–78. Available from: <URL>.
• 55. Rubin R, Strayer DS. Environmental and Nutritional pathology. In: Rubin’s pathology: clinicopathologic foundations of medicine. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008.
• 56. El-Alfy MA, El-Amier YA, El-Hamid HTA. Soil quality and health risk assessment of heavy metals in agricultural areas irrigated with wastewater from Kitchener Drain, Nile Delta, Egypt. J Sci Agric [Internet]. 2017 Jun 20;1:158–70. Available from: <URL>.
• 57. Burgos P, Madejón E, Pérez-de-Mora A, Cabrera F. Spatial variability of the chemical characteristics of a trace-element-contaminated soil before and after remediation. Geoderma [Internet]. 2006 Jan 1;130(1–2):157–75. Available from: <URL>.
• 58. Conesa HM, Robinson BH, Schulin R, Nowack B. Metal extractability in acidic and neutral mine tailings from the Cartagena-La Unión Mining District (SE Spain). Appl Geochemistry [Internet]. 2008 May 1 [cited 2024 Jan 11];23(5):1232–40. Available from: <URL>.
• 59. Elueze AA. Geochemistry of the Ilesha granite gneiss in the basement complex of southwestern Nigeria. Precambrian Res [Internet]. 1982 Oct 1;19(2):167–77. Available from: <URL>.
• 60. Charzyński P, Plak A, Hanaka A. Influence of the soil sealing on the geoaccumulation index of heavy metals and various pollution factors. Environ Sci Pollut Res [Internet]. 2017 Feb 16;24(5):4801–11. Available from: <URL>.
• 61. Szefer P, Szefer K, Glasby GP, Pempkowiak J, Kaliszan R. Heavy‐metal pollution in surficial sediments from the Southern Baltic sea off Poland. J Environ Sci Heal Part A Environ Sci Eng Toxicol [Internet]. 1996 Nov;31(10):2723–54. Available from: <URL>.
• 62. Birth GA. A scheme for assessing human impacts on coastal aquatic environments using sediments. In: Woodcoffe CD, Furness RA, editors. Coastal GIS 2003. Wollongong: Wollongong University Papers; 2003.
• 63. Santos-Francés F, Martinez-Graña A, Alonso Rojo P, García Sánchez A. Geochemical Background and Baseline Values Determination and Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soils of the Andes Mountain Range (Cajamarca-Huancavelica, Peru). Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2017 Jul 31;14(8):859. Available from: <URL>.
• 64. Förstner U, Ahlf W, Calmano W, Kersten M. Sediment Criteria Development. In: Heling D, Rothe P, Förstner U, Stoffers P, editors. Sediments and Environmental Geochemistry [Internet]. Berlin, Germany: Springer; 1990 [cited 2024 Jan 11]. p. 311–38. Available from: <URL>.
• 65. Chakravarty M, Patgiri AD. Metal Pollution Assessment in Sediments of the Dikrong River, N.E. India. J Hum Ecol [Internet]. 2009 Jul 24;27(1):63–7. Available from: <URL>.
• 66. Suresh G, Sutharsan P, Ramasamy V, Venkatachalapathy R. Assessment of spatial distribution and potential ecological risk of the heavy metals in relation to granulometric contents of Veeranam lake sediments, India. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf [Internet]. 2012 Oct 1;84:117–24. Available from: <URL>.
• 67. Dong X, Li C, Li J, Wang J, Liu S, Ye B. A novel approach for soil contamination assessment from heavy metal pollution: A linkage between discharge and adsorption. J Hazard Mater [Internet]. 2010 Mar 15;175(1–3):1022–30. Available from: <URL>.
• 68. Lo Y-C, Dooyema CA, Neri A, Durant J, Jefferies T, Medina-Marino A, et al. Childhood Lead Poisoning Associated with Gold Ore Processing: a Village-Level Investigation—Zamfara State, Nigeria, October–November 2010. Environ Health Perspect [Internet]. 2012 Oct;120(10):1450–5. Available from: <URL>.