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- Title
Elemental trace enrichment and contamination assessment in an active mining site of Itagunmodi Area, Southwestern Nigeria.
- Authors
Olomo, K. O.; Asubiojo, M. T.; Olaleye, O. K.
- Abstract
The mining site in Itagunmodi, Southwestern Nigeria, was investigated using geophysical and geochemical approaches. This is to ascertain the areas vulnerable to groundwater contamination from mining activities. Airborne Time-Domain Electromagnetic delineated weak zones in the subsurface, facilitating the movement of contaminants into the aquifer. The isolated weak zones were further subjected to ground geophysical survey for detailed investigation. Six (6) Vertical Electrical Sounding and Induced Polarization were located. Fractured layers and thick weathered layers were interpreted as potential groundwater aquifers, having resistivity range of 100–650 ohms/m with average thickness of 5.5 m and the depth of about 5 m to above 50 m within the study area. The metrics utilized to characterize the overburden units' capacity to protect the aquifer were their layer thickness and resistivity values. Total longitudinal conductance of the overburden layer to the aquifer was generally low, ranging between 0.0102 and 0.0300 mhos, showing that the aquifer protection capacity is inadequate. Due to the low protective capacity of the study area, the aquifer is extremely sensitive to contamination. Six sediment samples from different mine locations collected for further geochemical analysis revealed that the area is highly polluted. The geochemical analysis indicated pollution status and environmental risks associated with the accumulation of Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), and Manganese (Mn) using contamination indices (statistical parameters). Contaminations from these selected trace elements are as a result of anthropogenic activities of artisanal miners panning for gold in the study area.
- Subjects
NIGERIA; WELLHEAD protection; INDUCED polarization; COPPER; LEAD; ANALYTICAL geochemistry; ECOLOGICAL risk assessment; GOLD mining; ZINC
- Publication
International Journal of Environmental Science & Technology (IJEST), 2024, Vol 21, Issue 8, p6357
- ISSN
1735-1472
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s13762-023-05412-8