The occurrence of Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the soil phase may portend environmental, ecological and health-related risks. Hence, this study has combined high-precision geochemical analyses (X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)), quantitative soil pollution indices and health risk assessment modelling for a holistic and precise assessment of the intrinsic vulnerability of the soil system to contamination. Geochemical analysis showed that the soils are highly enriched with PTEs such as V (mean = 449.5 mg/L), Cr (mean = 529.9 mg/L), Cu (mean = 374.4 mg/L), Sr (mean = 1365.3 mg/L), Zr (mean = 2703 mg/L), Zn (mean = 282.5 mg/L), and Pb (mean = 127.3 mg/L). Quantitative soil pollution assessment (contamination factor and enrichment factor) revealed that besides mining, the distribution and association between trace elements and oxides were from surface environmental conditions (including mobility potential, leaching metal-complexation, weathering and oxidation of parent material). Health risk assessment based on hazard quotient and hazard index revealed that the inhabitants are generally more exposed to risks from toxic elements ingestion than dermal contact and inhalation; the children are vulnerable to risks than adults. The cancer risks from ingestion and dermal contact of As and Cr for both children and adults are relatively higher (> 1.0E−04) than the acceptable range; although the children population seems to be more susceptible to cancer risks due to lower body weight.
Soil geochemical surveys are widely used in the early stages of gold exploration, especially in areas with poor outcrops and thick overburden. Fifty-one (51) soil samples were collected in duplicate with the aim of analyzing them geochemically and determining the gold grade through panning and weighing methods. The geochemical results were subjected to multivariate statistical treatment through Factor analysis and Pearson correlation matrix. Four factors were generated from the PCA. These are Factor 1: Cu-Sr-Nb-Ba-La-W-Pb-Zr, suggesting sulfide mineralization that is related to granitic rock while Factor 2 has Au with a low to negative correlation with Mo and Nb suggesting a second phase of intrusion-related activity which must have emplaced gold in this area. Factor 3 is made up of W-Pb suggesting a second sulfide mineralization distinct from the first. While Factor 4 gives a single element factor, Hg. Single-elementt maps were constructed to show the element dispersion in the catchment. In general gold concentrations in this study is erratic and attain a high of 0.67ppm and 0.90g/t. The study delineates the northwestern part of the catchment to be the most prolific in terms of gold potential and shows that the granitic batholiths are the most primary gold-hosting lithology.
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