We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Toxic Heavy Metals in Soil and Plants from a Gold Mining Area, South Africa
Summary
Researchers measured concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc in soils and plants within 500 m and 1,000 m of a gold mine in North-West South Africa using ICP-MS, finding that while levels remained below national and international thresholds, they exceeded background concentrations measured several kilometers from the mining area.
The mining of mineral deposits abundant in South Africa has led to the release of toxic heavy metals into the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate heavy metal pollution from a gold mining area. The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc were analyzed in soil and plants found within 500 m and 1000 m radius of a gold mine established in North-West. The concentrations of these heavy metals were determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The results showed that the concentrations of the studied heavy metals were all below the national and international threshold but higher than the concentrations found several kilometers away from the mining area, the natural background concentration. The results from the pollution load index shows that the topsoil is contaminated for the selected heavy metals. There was accumulation of the studied heavy metals in the studied Eragrostis hypnoides plant’s leaves and roots. In this study, it was revealed that zinc and cadmium bioaccumulated in the plant via the soil. These findings suggests that the consumption of agricultural products from farms within the 1 km radius of the mining site could be detrimental to the wellbeing of direct and indirect consumers.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Accumulation of As, Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn by Native Plants Growing in Soils Contaminated by Mining Environmental Liabilities in the Peruvian Andes
Researchers tested native Andean plants growing in mining-contaminated soils for their ability to absorb heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and copper, finding that different plants accumulate different metals in their roots, stems, and leaves. This phytoremediation research is relevant to understanding how contaminated soils near plastic production and waste sites might be cleaned up.
Characteristics and Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metal Content in the Soil of a Plateau Alpine Mining Area in the Qilian Mountains
Researchers analyzed heavy metal contamination in soil samples from an alpine mining area in the Qilian Mountains and found that cadmium, mercury, and arsenic were the primary pollutants exceeding background levels. The study used multiple assessment methods to evaluate pollution status and identified both mining activities and natural geological sources as contributors. The findings provide baseline data for guiding ecological restoration efforts in high-altitude mining regions.
Heavy Metal Contamination and Ecological Risk Assessment in Soils of the Pawara Gold Mining Area, Eastern Cameroon
Researchers assessed heavy metal contamination in soils from artisanal gold mining sites in eastern Cameroon. The study found extremely high concentrations of mercury and lead exceeding background levels, with mercury reaching 1,590 mg/kg at one site, posing significant ecological and health risks from unregulated mining practices.
Trace Metals Assessment in Soils and Sediments near the Abandoned Mine of “El Abed” Pb-Zn deposit – Northwestern Algeria
Researchers assessed concentrations and sources of heavy metals including lead, zinc, cadmium, and arsenic in soils and sediments near the abandoned 'El Abed' Pb-Zn mine in northwestern Algeria, characterizing contamination extent and pathways from legacy mining waste subject to wind erosion.
Risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in water, sediment, aquatic mussels, and edible crops from a gold-mining-stressed river in Northern Nigeria
Researchers assessed potentially toxic element contamination from artisanal gold mining in a Nigerian river, finding cadmium, chromium, lead, copper, and nickel concentrations exceeding WHO guidelines by roughly tenfold in water, with bioaccumulation in mussels and crops posing significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks to local populations.