Human health hazard of elemental concentrations in soils of Epe: an implication of gold mining in Nigeria

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2020-12, Vol.17 (12), p.4879-4894
• Main Authors: Oke, J. A., Faromika, O. P., Aluko, J. O., Oke, S. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-020-02821-x

Local artisanal gold mining in Nigeria has been a great environmental concern as a result of mining activities which may lead to the eruption of toxic elements and thus, affecting human health and their environment. In this work, the elemental ( 232 Th, 226 Ra, 40 K and Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr) concentrations in the soil samples of Epe Gold mine site are examined utilizing high-purity germanium detector and atomic absorption spectrometry technique, respectively. The degree of pollution and the health hazard associated with heavy metal exposure of both children and adults were analyzed. Results revealed that the activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K were 5.778, 9.010, and 216.3 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean value of the absorb dose rate in the air was calculated to be 19.252 nGy/h. The mean values for the concentrations of heavy metals were 18.18, 11.05, 14.18, and 20.13 mg/kg for Zn, Pb, Cu, and Cr, respectively. All the elemental concentrations are within the standard recommended values. The values of pollution index (CF and Cd) indicate that the soil intensity of all studied pits is moderately contaminated. The mean value of pollution load index and hazard index is less than the permissible limit of unity. Pb shows a lesser value of carcinogenic risk, which is within the acceptable limit of 1E−06, while the concentration of Cr and the total risk was slightly above the recommended limit, implying that cancer risk may occur owing to lifetime contact with Cr.