Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria

Lar Uriah; Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen; Tsuwang Kenneth

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12

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Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria

Lar Uriah, Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Tsuwang Kenneth

Published in American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 3, Issue 6-2)

Received: 29 September 2014 Accepted: 5 October 2014 Published: 25 December 2014

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Abstract

Widespread artisanal, alongside small-scale mining operations are currently increasing in intensity in Nigeria. These activities are causing immeasurable damage to the environment and populations that live in the vicinity of these mine fields. The discharges of Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from the exposed mine-out /mineral processing sites and their subsequent remobilization into the soils, and natural water bodies constitute serious human health problems. A study aiming at understanding the extent by which these elements contaminate the soils at the vicinity of the mining operations was conducted. This study also sought to identify the possible effects on human health and how it can be best mitigated. Geochemical results suggest that the discharges of PHEs from the mining/mineral ore processing operations have contributed significantly to the enrichment of these elements in the surrounding environment, thereby contaminating drinking water sources, food crops, and are disposed to subsequent entry into the human body through the food chain. Many of the mining communities make their living from subsistence farming, growing food from the surroundings, and obtaining drinking water from nearby surface and sub-surface water resources. The direct or indirect exposure of the human population to PHEs constitutes a potential risk to human health if not monitored and abated. Reports of in-vitro bio-accessibility tests show that less than 50% of bio available heavy metal contaminants in ingested soil are bio accessible during digestion process. Thus, there is need for the reduction of bio-available PHE in the soil by ensuring that mining operations generally are done in a manner that will secure a quality of environment adequate for good health and well-being of the communities around.

Published in	American Journal of Environmental Protection (Volume 3, Issue 6-2) This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Earth Materials, Diet, Water and Human Health
DOI	10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
Page(s)	14-18
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs), Mill/Mine Tailings, Contamination, Environment, Human Health, Artisanal Mining, Nigeria

References

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[2]	Adriano, D.C. (2001): Trace elements in terrestrial environments. Biogeochemistry, bioavalability and risk of metals. Springer-verteg, New York, P 879.
[3]	Alloway, B.J., 1995. The origins of heavy metals in soils. In: Alloway, B.J. (Ed.), Heavy Metals in Soils, second ed. Blackie Academic & Professional.
[4]	Baral, S. S.., S. N. Dasa, P. Rath, G. Roy Chaudhury and Y. V. Swamy,( 2007). “Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solution Using Waste Weed, Salvinia Cucullata,” Chemistry and Ecology, 23 ( 2), 105-117.
[5]	Cave, M.R., Wragg, J., Denys, S., Jondreville, C., and Feidt, C. 2011. Oral bioavailability. In: Swartjes, F. A., Editor. Dealing with contaminated sites (from theory towards practical application). Dordrecdt: Springer, 287-384.
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[9]	Lar, U.A., Tsuwang, K. D. Gusikit, R.B. and Mangs, A. D. 2013. Lead and mercury contamination associated with artisanal gold mining in Anka Zamfara state, north western Nigeria: the continued unabated Zamfara lead poisoning. Journal of Earth Science and Engineering (in press)
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[13]	Nemr, A. El., A. El Sikaily, A. Khaled and O. Abdelwahab, 2007. Removal of Toxic Chromium (VI) from Aqueous Solution by Activated Carbon Using Casuarina Equisetifolia,” Chemistry and Ecology. 23 (2) 119- 129.
[14]	Oomen A. G., Hack, A., Minekus, M., Zeijdner, E., Cornelis, C., Schoeters, G., Verstraete, W., Van De Wiele, T., Wragg, J., Rompelberg, C.J. M., Sips, A.J.A.M. and Van Wijnen, J.H. 2002. Comparison of five In Vitro Digestion Models to Study the BioAccessibility of Soil Contaminants. Environ. Sci. Technol. 36, 3326-3334.
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APA Style

Lar Uriah, Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Tsuwang Kenneth. (2014). Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(6-2), 14-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12

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ACS Style

Lar Uriah; Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen; Tsuwang Kenneth. Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2014, 3(6-2), 14-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12

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AMA Style

Lar Uriah, Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Tsuwang Kenneth. Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria. Am J Environ Prot. 2014;3(6-2):14-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12,
  author = {Lar Uriah and Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen and Tsuwang Kenneth},
  title = {Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-2},
  pages = {14-18},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.s.2014030602.12},
  abstract = {Widespread artisanal, alongside small-scale mining operations are currently increasing in intensity in Nigeria. These activities are causing immeasurable damage to the environment and populations that live in the vicinity of these mine fields. The discharges of Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from the exposed mine-out /mineral processing sites and their subsequent remobilization into the soils, and natural water bodies constitute serious human health problems. A study aiming at understanding the extent by which these elements contaminate the soils at the vicinity of the mining operations was conducted. This study also sought to identify the possible effects on human health and how it can be best mitigated. Geochemical results suggest that the discharges of PHEs from the mining/mineral ore processing operations have contributed significantly to the enrichment of these elements in the surrounding environment, thereby contaminating drinking water sources, food crops, and are disposed to subsequent entry into the human body through the food chain. Many of the mining communities make their living from subsistence farming, growing food from the surroundings, and obtaining drinking water from nearby surface and sub-surface water resources. The direct or indirect exposure of the human population to PHEs constitutes a potential risk to human health if not monitored and abated. Reports of in-vitro bio-accessibility tests show that less than 50% of bio available heavy metal contaminants in ingested soil are bio accessible during digestion process. Thus, there is need for the reduction of bio-available PHE in the soil by ensuring that mining operations generally are done in a manner that will secure a quality of environment adequate for good health and well-being of the communities around.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria
AU  - Lar Uriah
AU  - Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen
AU  - Tsuwang Kenneth
Y1  - 2014/12/25
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 14
EP  - 18
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
AB  - Widespread artisanal, alongside small-scale mining operations are currently increasing in intensity in Nigeria. These activities are causing immeasurable damage to the environment and populations that live in the vicinity of these mine fields. The discharges of Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from the exposed mine-out /mineral processing sites and their subsequent remobilization into the soils, and natural water bodies constitute serious human health problems. A study aiming at understanding the extent by which these elements contaminate the soils at the vicinity of the mining operations was conducted. This study also sought to identify the possible effects on human health and how it can be best mitigated. Geochemical results suggest that the discharges of PHEs from the mining/mineral ore processing operations have contributed significantly to the enrichment of these elements in the surrounding environment, thereby contaminating drinking water sources, food crops, and are disposed to subsequent entry into the human body through the food chain. Many of the mining communities make their living from subsistence farming, growing food from the surroundings, and obtaining drinking water from nearby surface and sub-surface water resources. The direct or indirect exposure of the human population to PHEs constitutes a potential risk to human health if not monitored and abated. Reports of in-vitro bio-accessibility tests show that less than 50% of bio available heavy metal contaminants in ingested soil are bio accessible during digestion process. Thus, there is need for the reduction of bio-available PHE in the soil by ensuring that mining operations generally are done in a manner that will secure a quality of environment adequate for good health and well-being of the communities around.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-2
ER  -

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Author Information

Lar Uriah

Department of Geology and Mining, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen

Freelance Geoscientist and Independent Researcher, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria
Tsuwang Kenneth

Ministry of Environment, Kaduna State Government of Nigeria, Kaduna, Nigeria

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APA Style

Lar Uriah, Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Tsuwang Kenneth. (2014). Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 3(6-2), 14-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12

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ACS Style

Lar Uriah; Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen; Tsuwang Kenneth. Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria. Am. J. Environ. Prot. 2014, 3(6-2), 14-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12

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AMA Style

Lar Uriah, Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen, Tsuwang Kenneth. Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria. Am J Environ Prot. 2014;3(6-2):14-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12,
  author = {Lar Uriah and Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen and Tsuwang Kenneth},
  title = {Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria},
  journal = {American Journal of Environmental Protection},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-2},
  pages = {14-18},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajep.s.2014030602.12},
  abstract = {Widespread artisanal, alongside small-scale mining operations are currently increasing in intensity in Nigeria. These activities are causing immeasurable damage to the environment and populations that live in the vicinity of these mine fields. The discharges of Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from the exposed mine-out /mineral processing sites and their subsequent remobilization into the soils, and natural water bodies constitute serious human health problems. A study aiming at understanding the extent by which these elements contaminate the soils at the vicinity of the mining operations was conducted. This study also sought to identify the possible effects on human health and how it can be best mitigated. Geochemical results suggest that the discharges of PHEs from the mining/mineral ore processing operations have contributed significantly to the enrichment of these elements in the surrounding environment, thereby contaminating drinking water sources, food crops, and are disposed to subsequent entry into the human body through the food chain. Many of the mining communities make their living from subsistence farming, growing food from the surroundings, and obtaining drinking water from nearby surface and sub-surface water resources. The direct or indirect exposure of the human population to PHEs constitutes a potential risk to human health if not monitored and abated. Reports of in-vitro bio-accessibility tests show that less than 50% of bio available heavy metal contaminants in ingested soil are bio accessible during digestion process. Thus, there is need for the reduction of bio-available PHE in the soil by ensuring that mining operations generally are done in a manner that will secure a quality of environment adequate for good health and well-being of the communities around.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Environmental Health Impact of Potentially Harmful Element Discharges from Mining Operations in Nigeria
AU  - Lar Uriah
AU  - Ngozi-Chika Chiazor Stephen
AU  - Tsuwang Kenneth
Y1  - 2014/12/25
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
T2  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JF  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
JO  - American Journal of Environmental Protection
SP  - 14
EP  - 18
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5699
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.s.2014030602.12
AB  - Widespread artisanal, alongside small-scale mining operations are currently increasing in intensity in Nigeria. These activities are causing immeasurable damage to the environment and populations that live in the vicinity of these mine fields. The discharges of Potentially Harmful Elements (PHEs) from the exposed mine-out /mineral processing sites and their subsequent remobilization into the soils, and natural water bodies constitute serious human health problems. A study aiming at understanding the extent by which these elements contaminate the soils at the vicinity of the mining operations was conducted. This study also sought to identify the possible effects on human health and how it can be best mitigated. Geochemical results suggest that the discharges of PHEs from the mining/mineral ore processing operations have contributed significantly to the enrichment of these elements in the surrounding environment, thereby contaminating drinking water sources, food crops, and are disposed to subsequent entry into the human body through the food chain. Many of the mining communities make their living from subsistence farming, growing food from the surroundings, and obtaining drinking water from nearby surface and sub-surface water resources. The direct or indirect exposure of the human population to PHEs constitutes a potential risk to human health if not monitored and abated. Reports of in-vitro bio-accessibility tests show that less than 50% of bio available heavy metal contaminants in ingested soil are bio accessible during digestion process. Thus, there is need for the reduction of bio-available PHE in the soil by ensuring that mining operations generally are done in a manner that will secure a quality of environment adequate for good health and well-being of the communities around.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-2
ER  -

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