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

Abstract

Metal (Cr, Co, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni) and metalloid (As) accumulation was studied in roadside soil and wild rat (Rattus sp.) samples from near a Pb-Zn mine (Kabwe, Zambia) and the capital city of Zambia (Lusaka). The concentrations of the seven metals and As in the soil samples and Pb in the rat tissue samples were quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Cd, and As in Kabwe soil were much higher than benchmark values. Geographic Information System analysis indicated the source of metal pollution was mining and smelting activity. Interestingly, the area south of the mine was more highly contaminated even though the prevailing wind flow was westward. Wild rats from Kabwe had much higher tissue concentrations of Pb than those from Lusaka. Their body weight and renal Pb levels were negatively correlated, which suggests that mining activity might affect terrestrial animals in Kabwe. Capsule:The area around Kabwe, Zambia is highly polluted with metals and As. Wild rats from this area had high tissue concentrations of Pb and decreased body weight.

Metal and metalloid levels and bio-accumulation characteristics in soil, sediment, land plants and hippopotami (Hippopotamus amphibius L) from the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

“…Although several research papers have reported contamination of Cu, Co, Zn, Pb, Cd and As around mining areas in Zambia (Nakayama et al, 2011Ikenaka et al, 2010;Choongo et al, 2005;Norrgren et al, 2000), concentrations of all metals and metalloids in soil and sediment in the current study were below the US EPA benchmark values (2004,2003) and previously published results for global ranges in non-polluted soils (Kabata-Pendias and Pendias, 1992). Therefore, we believe that soil and sediment in this national park are not affected by pollution resulting from mining and other anthropogenic activities at present.…”

“…Metals in the hippopotamus liver samples were extracted by digestion using a method by Nakayama et al (2011). Briefly, 1 g of fresh tissue was placed in a 200 mL flask and 20 mL of nitric acid was added.…”

“…Metals in the soil and sediment samples were extracted using a method by Nakayama et al (2011 and. Briefly, 1 g of each soil sample was placed in a 200 mL flask.…”

“…Zambia is well known as a mining country (Stockwell et al, 2001) and metal pollution has been reported in aquatic environments around and downstream of mining areas (Nakayama et al, 2011Ikenaka et al, 2010;Choongo et al, 2005;Norrgren et al, 2000). However, the South Luangwa National Park (including the Luangwa River) is considered to be a relatively unexploited and uncontaminated area because of limited traffic within the national park and distance from industrial, agricultural and mining areas (Almli et al, 2005;Mwase et al, 2002).…”

Heavy Metal Contamination of Roadside Soil Near Sun Highway in Romania

“…Cu is an essential element that became toxic to both humans and animals when its concentration exceeds the safe limits. [15] The current studies [10,[15][16][17][18] showed that anti-knock agents used in automotive fuel [17,18] could contaminate the air and soils by their toxic emissions containing Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni. Also the worn out tyres, the oils leakage, the corrosion of batteries and metallic parts such as radiators increased the accumulation of these metals in roadside soil [19,20] Herein we presented a study concerning the concentrations Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and As in soils along the Sun Highway in Romania which connects Bucharest to Constanta.…”