Distribution of copper, lead, cadmium and zinc concentrations in soils around Kabwe town in Zambia

Metal and metalloid contamination in roadside soil and wild rats around a Pb–Zn mine in Kabwe, Zambia

“…Consequently, we hypothesize that humans and animals living in the area south of the mine are more at risk from metal pollution than those living in other areas. In contrast to our results, Tembo et al (2006) noted that soils from the area west of the mine contained higher amounts of metals, mainly due to wind flow patterns in Kabwe. Therefore, there is also a possibility of increased risk in the area west of the mine.…”

“…2-5). Similar trends for Pb and Zn were reported by Tembo et al (2006). However, mining might not be the source of Cr, Ni, and Co, because of the different distribution patterns, lower metal concentrations, and positive correlations of metal concentration with distance from the mine (Tables 1 and 3, Fig.…”

“…Previously, Tembo et al (2006) noted that Kabwe soils had high concentrations of Pb and Zn. In this study, we found that in addition to Pb and Zn, the residue levels of Cd, As, and Cu were also quite high (Table 1).…”

“…We also found positive correlations among Pb, Zn, Cd and As (Table 2). Cd and As are frequently found with Pb (Tembo et al, 2006;Ratnaike, 2003). Moreover, Kamona and Friedrich (2007) reported that ore in Kabwe contained sphalerite (ZnS) with Cd, galena (PbS), briarite [Cu 2 (Fe,Zn)GeS 4 ], and mimetite [Pb 5 (AsO 4 ) 3 Cl].…”

“…Given these facts, the city of Kabwe ranks among the ten most polluted places in the world (Blacksmith Institute, 2007). Despite such alarming reports of metal pollution in Kabwe, investigations of the distribution of metals in the area are scarce (Tembo et al, 2006;Nwankwo and Elinder, 1979). Furthermore, the relationship between metal contamination in soil and that in terrestrial wildlife in Kabwe has not been assessed.…”