Seasonal Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination of Water Bodies and its Health Effects Among Residents of Gold Mining Areas of Osun State, South-West Nigeria
Abstract
Abstract This study focused on the seasonal assessment of heavy metal contamination of water bodies and the associated health problems among residents of gold mining environments in SouthWest Nigeria. The study assessed selected heavy metal parameters of water samples from different sites of water bodies associated with gold mining and determined the health problems associated with gold mining in the study area. The selected heavy metal parameters were determined from digested samples using a Buck Scientific Absorption Spectrophotometer (Model 210/211VGP) and a self-structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from residents within the study area to assess their perceptions of the health problems associated with gold mining activities. Heavy metals in the samples were determined according to their respective wavelengths (nm). The results show no significant different at (P>0.05) in all the detected heavy metals across the streams during dry season while Hg concentration in the upstream (28.89 mg/kg) was statistically different at (P<0.05) in rainy season. All heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, Hg and As) and the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) significantly exceeded the WHO standards in both groundwater and surface water corroborating with the response of respondents who attested to the indiscriminate use of chemicals including mercury during gold process. Together, our findings suggest that gold mining activities grossly pollute water bodies with attendant consequences on human health and aquatic organisms. It is recommended that policies be put in place by relevant agencies to address illegal mining operations in Nigeria