Risks associated with the mining of Pb–Zn minerals in some parts of the Southern Benue trough, Nigeria

Abstract

The environmental effects of the mining of lead-zinc mineralization in Enyigba area, Southern Benue trough were examined. The samples used for this study were obtained from abandoned mine sites, mine tailings, streams, hand-dug wells, mine pond and borehole. Collected samples were subjected to X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction analyses, atomic absorption spectrometry and permeability tests. These were done using standard laboratory equipment and procedures. The concentrations of heavy metals present in analysed water samples fall below the world health organizations' (WHO) acceptable limits. Conversely, the soil, mine tailings and stream sediments indicate appreciable pollution level by some potential toxic metals (PTMs). Consequently, the habitual use of these soils for construction purpose by inhabitants has possible health hazards. The shaly lithology underlying the area is increasingly affected by weathering and lateritization, thus improving its permeability and the easiness with which PTMs can be conducted to the water table by leachate. Regular monitoring assessment is recommended to ensure adherence of miners operating in the area to existing environmental laws.

Evaluation of water quality variation in lakes, rivers, and ex-mining ponds in Malaysia (review)

“…Concentrations of the most of the metals analyzed also exceed WHO limits, European commission and the United States environmental protection agency (USEPA) [132][133][134]. The metal concentrations in Malaysian ex-mining ponds [49,53,83] were found to be higher than that reported in Indonesia, Mexico, and Nigeria [79,87,88]. However, the concentrations of metals in the lake waters under review were lower than that obtained in Malaysia, Ethiopia, and India [77,94,97].…”

Characterization and evaluation of the effects of mine discharges on surface water resources for irrigation: a case study of the Enyigba Mining District, Southeast Nigeria

“…Sridharan and Senthil (2017) also noted that the available quantity of freshwater resources for drinking and irrigation purpose is not enough on the earth's surface. Anthropogenic and geogenic sources can affect surface and groundwater chemistry and increase pollution status of arable soils and sediments with the subsequent increase of heavy metals in water and soils (Obasi 2017(Obasi , 2020(Obasi , 2019b(Obasi , 2017Obasi and Akudinobi 2019a;Igwe et al 2014). The high rate of population growth and industrial development and technological advancement has raised some serious socioenvironmental concerns in water resource management (Singh et al 2020).…”

Seasonal quality variation and environmental risks associated with the consumption of surface water: implication from the Landzun Stream, Bida Nigeria

“…Pb is a known potentially toxic metal (PTM) in drinking water (Igwe et al., 2014; McCluggage, 1991). Its' possible impacts on human health, when ingested in any form is believed to be accumulative (Duruibe et al., 2007; Igwe et al., 2014). Based on the WHO (2018) thresholds for drinking water, the possible health risks associated with high Pb intake (i.e.…”

“…Both anthropogenic activities and natural processes have been documented as culprits responsible for the contamination of streams and rivers (Kakulu et al., 1987; Okoye, 1989; Fufeyin, 1994; Udodo-Umeh, 2002; Scott et al., 2004; Marcus, 2011; Mompelat et al., 2011; Igwe et al., 2014, 2015; 2017; Izah and Angaye, 2016). Studies have established that sources of contamination include, mining (Adepehin, 2015; Igwe et al., 2014, 2015; 2017; Eludoyin et al., 2017), bedrock geology (Holloway et al., 1998; Yang et al., 2009), septic (Jamieson et al., 2004) and agriculture (Buerge et al., 2003; Carvalho, 2017) among others. This paper is the first to access the influence of seasonal fluctuation on, and the potential risks associated with the use of the Landzun Stream as a major water source for domestic activities in part of the north-central Nigeria from a hydrogeochemical point of view.…”