Research
Determination of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil Samples from Angwan Kawo Gold Mining Sites, Niger State, Nigeria
This present study involves the determination of heavy metal composition and its pollution levels in Angwan Maigero gold mining sites, Niger State Nigeria using Contamination Factor (CF), Pollution load Index (PLI), and Degree of Contamination (DC) Index. Samples were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to obtain their concentrations and composition. The study area was observed to be contaminated with Pb, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, Co, Ni, and Cd. The mean concentrations (ppm) of the heavy metals in the mine site was found to be 429.765, 1707.631, 181.614, 90.945, 37.412, 17.992, 93.187, 47.940, 22.282 and 3.232 respectively, Also the mean concentrations (ppm) of heavy metals in the mill tailing site was found to be 846.867, 1914.993, 177.703, 739.333, 100.405, 43.519, 163.284, 53.476, 45.591, 5.828. The highest concentration corresponds to Fe and the lowest corresponds to Cd. The increasing trend was in the order: Cd <As <Ni <Zn <Co <Cu <Cr <Mn<Pb<Fe. The concentrations of all the elements in the mill tailing sites were found to be higher than that obtained in the mine site with greater variation in relative abundance of most of the metals. These variations can be attributed to the variable dumping of tailings.
