Assessment of Some Potentially Toxic Inorganic Contaminants in Soil of the Obi Coalfield, Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria

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Assessment of Some Potentially Toxic Inorganic Contaminants in Soil of the Obi Coalfield, Middle Benue Trough, Nigeria

Journal Title: International Journal of Scientific Research and Management - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 3

Abstract

The study area has occurrences of coal, limestone and sulphide minerals, with ubiquitous artisanal mining activities. This research assesses heavy metal accumulation in soil of the area, using pollution indices such as geo - accumulation index (I geo ), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF) and pollution load index (PLI). A total of 13 soil samples were analyzed for As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sc, Sr and Zn, using ICP - OES geochemical technique. Results show that soil in the area are extremely polluted by Ni, Cr and Zn, having I geo values of 5.88, 3.56 and 2 .43 respectively, going by geo - accumulation index. I geo levels of Pb, Cr and Ba indicate moderate to no pollution. Enrichment factor analysis, again show that Ni and Cr have EF of 147.17 and 79.66 respectively, indicating the two are extrem ely severely enr iched in the environment, while Zn, Co and Sr with EF between 6 and 15, indicate moderate enrichment. Cu, Mo and As levels i n soil remain very low, indicating the media are not contaminated by these elements. Most of the locations showed a PLI less than o ne (1) in the ranking, indicating no serious pollution occurring. The high I geo and EF values recorded for some heavy metals are related to mining, mineral processing as well as the sub - standard practice dumping of mine wastes and tailings, in addition to natural weathering, releasing these elements into the environment. The nature a nd source of enrichment of these elements can therefore be said to be anthropogenic. Pathways of exposure of the human population to the heavy metals were found to be through dust inhalation, from the mouth through the ing estion of food and water as well a s through the skin, resulting from the close association of the population to the land/soil due to farming and water used for drinking and other domestic uses. These can result to varied human health risks if the population is continually exp osed. High dos es of Ni and Cr can cause lung, nasal and possible stomach cancer may develop. Also, elements such as Pb and As, are known to be toxic even at very low exposure, also, with carcinogenic effects. It is recommended here that the quality of drinking and irrig ation water as well as some crops grown from the area be investigated and quality determined, with regards to the levels of heavy metals in such media, t hereby determining whether the population is safe or not. This should include massive awareness campaig n for the miners and the mining communities, so as to forestall any negative eventuality

Authors and Affiliations

Sallau A. K

Keywords

EP ID EP214987
DOI -
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