Environmental contamination of trace elements in the vicinity of Okpara coal mine, Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria

• Published in: Arabian journal of geosciences 2011-02, Vol.4 (1-2), p.199-205
• Main Authors: Nganje, Therese N., Adamu, Christopher I., Ugbaja, Anthony N., Ebieme, Essang, Sikakwe, Gregory U.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Original Paper
• ISSN: 1866-7511; 1866-7538
• DOI: 10.1007/s12517-010-0173-7

Water, sediment, and mine spoil samples were collected within the vicinity of the Okpara coal mine in Enugu, Southeastern Nigeria, and analyzed for trace elements using ICP-MS to assess the level of environmental contamination by these elements. The results obtained show that the mine spoils and sediments are relatively enriched in Fe, with mean values of 1,307.8(mg/kg) for mine spoils and 94.15% for sediments. As, Cd, Cr, Mn,Ni, Pb, and Zn in the sediments were found to be enriched relative to the mean values obtained from the study area, showing contamination by these elements. The mean values of Fe, Mn, Cu, and Cr in the mine spoils and mean values of Fe, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Mn in sediments, respectively, are above the background values obtained from coal and shale in the study area, indicating enrichment with these elements. The water and sediments are moderately acidic, with mean pH values of 4.22 ± 1.06 and 4.66 ± 1.35, respectively. With the exception of Fe, Mn, and Ni, all other elements are within the Nigerian water quality standard and WHO limits for drinking water and other domestic purposes. The strong to moderate positive correlation between Fe and Cu ( r  = 0.72), Fe and Zn ( r  = 0.88), and Fe and As ( r  = 0.60) at p