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Trends in Applied Sciences Research

Year: 2020 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 2 | Page No.: 125-132
DOI: 10.17311/tasr.2020.125.132
Determination of Heavy Metals in Soil and Water Samples from Mambilla Artisanal Mining Site and its Environs
Tatah Verwiyeh Silas, Yakubu Eje Ojochenemi, Ayantse Lubem Martins, Dearsley Festus Ulam and Uba Saleem Aliyu

Abstract: Background and Objective: Environmental pollution is occurring on a vast and unprecedented scale around the globe, with mining activities been implicated. The study quantified the levels of heavy metals in soil and water samples from Mambilla artisanal mining site and its environs, to ascertain their levels compared to standard acceptable levels in soil and water. Materials and Methods: Eight soil and water samples were collected from the sampling points (mining site and main town of Nguroje community) in duplicate. The heavy metal quantification of Lead (Pb2+), Mercury (Hg2+), Cadmium (Cd2+), Arsenic (As2+), Iron (Fe2+), Chromium (Cr6+) and Zinc (Zn2+) was carried out using an energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometer. For the heavy metals quantified in samples, the ranges of mean values were determined in samples from mining site and main town. Results: There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean values of heavy metal concentrations in all the water samples determined. The heavy metals Pb, Cd, Fe, Hg and Cr concentrations in soil samples exceeded the standard permissible limits. From the results obtained, mining had a direct impact on the concentrations of the heavy metals determined. Conclusion: There is a potential for heavy metal pollution in soil and water from Mambilla artisanal mining site and its environs if not properly managed.

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How to cite this article
Tatah Verwiyeh Silas, Yakubu Eje Ojochenemi, Ayantse Lubem Martins, Dearsley Festus Ulam and Uba Saleem Aliyu, 2020. Determination of Heavy Metals in Soil and Water Samples from Mambilla Artisanal Mining Site and its Environs. Trends in Applied Sciences Research, 15: 125-132.

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