Determination of Some Heavy Metals in Wastewater and Sediment of Artisanal Gold Local Mining Site of Abare Area in Nigeria

Wastewater and sediment samples from Abare artisanal gold mining and processing site Zamfara, Nigeria were analyzed for Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), and Iron (Fe). The average values (ppm) of Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Fe in the Wastewater and sediment samples are, 0.832, and 1733.031 for Pb, 7.278, and 2.540 for Hg, 0.004, and 0.005 for Cd, 0.0001, and 2.277 for Cr, 0.062, and 45.908 for Cu, 45.908, and 1024.459 for Fe respectively. Evidence of contamination of the study area by these elements was obvious when compared with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for portable water, as well as United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) standard for heavy metals in soil. Given the reality of extreme poverty in Zamfara State, stopping mining operations without an alternative source of income is not realistic. It was recommended that, focus should instead be placed on informing about and implementing safer mining practices; enacting stronger regulation; and establishing areas outside of villages where ore could be securely stored and safely processed without posing significant threats to human health and the environment.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gold mining ، Environmental and negative effect of gold mining ، Heavy metals ، Lead poison in Zamfara state