Contamination of water and food crops by trace elements in the African Copperbelt: A collaborative cross-border study in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Muimba-Kankolongo, Ambayeba; Nkulu, Célestin Banza Lubaba; Mwitwa, Jacob; Kampemba, Florence M.; Nabuyanda, Misery Mulele; Haufroid, Vincent; Smolders, Erik; Nemery, Benoît

doi:10.1016/j.envadv.2021.100103

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…As described by Muimba-Kankolongo et al [ 31 ], ground oven-dried powder samples of various food crops were crushed and sequentially digested in HNO 3 (3 successive runs of dissolution in HNO 3 (1 mL Suprapur 70%) followed by evaporation to dryness for 4 h at 110°C) and by microwave heating (250 W × 5 min; 400 W × 5 min; 650 W × 10 min; 250 W × 5 min) and then left to cool, and contents were filtered through Whatman filter paper no. 42 and kept in a final solution of 2% HCl and analyzed for total metal content by inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES, Perkin-Elmer Optima 3300 DV, Norwalk, CT, USA) in the Louvain Centre for Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prior to analysis, water samples were filtered using a μ m micropore membrane filter (0.45 μ m) to avoid clogging the atomizer burner and then trace metal contents were quantified following the description by Muimba-Kankolongo et al [ 31 ]. In particular, they were analyzed using inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with the lowest detection limit of 0.5 ppb (Perkin-Elmer Optima 3300 DV, Norwalk, CT, USA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Health threats posed to residents from prolonged exposure to toxic trace metals and metalloid can only be determined by their daily dietary intake through ingestion and inhalation pathways. Individuals' life span trend and their well-being could also serve as broad indicators for their physiological food uptake, digestion, and storage as well [ 31 , 32 ]. Numerous studies have been carried out in the DRC in relation to human body accumulation of pollutants and showed high amounts of pollutants in the blood and urine of inhabitants in the mining areas including mineworkers, residents of an urban neighbourhood that had been transformed into an artisanal cobalt mine, and children with strong evidence of exposure-related oxidative DNA damage [ 15 , 33 , 34 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts of Trace Metals Pollution of Water, Food Crops, and Ambient Air on Population Health in Zambia and the DR Congo

Muimba-Kankolongo

Nkulu

Mwitwa

et al. 2022

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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Zambia and the DR Congo are situated in the central African Copperbelt, which is part of the Lufilian geological structure arc stretching over from Kolwezi in Katanga Province in the DRC to Luanshya in Copperbelt Province in Zambia. The area has large copper-cobalt deposits of which the extraction causes severe ecosystem damage due to pollution of water, food crops, and the ambient air negatively impacting population health. Contamination of drinking water for domestic use and foods (cereals, roots and tubers, vegetables, and fruits) was determined by assessing the contents of trace metals including Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Co, As, U, Cd, and Cu and through a questionnaire for environmental damage. Food samples were analyzed by inductively coupled argon plasma/optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), while water and urine samples were analyzed by inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cd were higher in almost all food crops, although Cu was more in samples of Cucurbita maxima and Amaranthus hybridus. Mean contents (μg/L) of Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, and U were, respectively, 5,454.6, 2552.2, 138.7, 39.7, 2361.1, and 21.4 in the DRC and 108.9, 543.3, 0.3, 0.2, 1.5, and 0.5 in Zambia, being significantly higher and always far above World Health Organization maximum limits in the DRC. Urine samples taken only from the DRC contained trace metals with children’s samples being more contaminated than adult ones. Our results conclusively echo the most critical challenges of toxic pollutants causing numerous health issues among the population. Given an outcry among households adjacent to mines about land degradation and food spoilage, and health problems over years, joint efforts are needed from public and private sectors for stringent mining exploitation monitoring for sustainable governance to protect the environment and ensure food and nutrition safety, and population well-being in Zambia and the DR Congo.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impacts of Trace Metals Pollution of Water, Food Crops, and Ambient Air on Population Health in Zambia and the DR Congo

Muimba-Kankolongo

Nkulu

Mwitwa

et al. 2022

Journal of Environmental and Public Health

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“…Mining wastes cover large areas and are an important component of the landscape in the KCB, leading to socio-environmental and public health issues. Several studies have demonstrated the negative impact of mining activities on soils [3][4][5][6], surface, and groundwater [7,8]. Human exposure occurs via consumption of contaminated agricultural products [9][10][11] and fish [12] 2 as well as direct ingestion of contaminated dust and water [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several studies have demonstrated the negative impact of mining activities on soils [3][4][5][6], surface, and groundwater [7,8]. Human exposure occurs via consumption of contaminated agricultural products [9][10][11] and fish [12] 2 as well as direct ingestion of contaminated dust and water [13]. Evidence of the impact of high exposure to trace metals in the KCB are well documented.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Indexes of Ecological Risk Associated with Trace Metals Relevant for the Characterization of Mine Tailings and Polluted Soils in the Katangese Copperbelt (DR Congo) and for Assessment of the Performance of Remediation Trials

Langunu,

Kilela Mwanasomwe,

Colinet

et al. 2024

Preprint

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This study aims to contribute to the characterization of Katangese Copperbelt's mining wastes and soils polluted with trace metals, using pollution indices and direct concentration measurements. The study also evaluated the use of these indices in assessing the success of remediation projects. Analytical data from previous studies and samples collected from six types of discharge and one polluted soil were used to address the first objective. Soil and plant samples were collected at Kipushi and Penga Penga for the second objective. The results revealed very high concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn in all mine tailings and polluted soils, compared with local references. The degree of contamination (DC) values (from 72 to 5440) and potential ecological risk (RI) values (from 549 to 162 091) indicate very high-risk situations associated with polluted discharges and soils. Regarding revegetation trials, the results show lower concentrations and RIs in tree rhizospheres compared with unamended areas at both sites. However, trace metal concentrations are higher in tree rhizospheres compared with local references, and RI values are in the considerable risk range for Penga Penga (RI = 533) and very high (&gt;1500) for Kipushi. Bioconcentration factor values are below 1, indicating low accumulation in roots, wood, and leaves, and low risk of contamination of the trophic chain. In this context, it seems that the pollution indices used are unsuitable for assessing the effectiveness of phytotechnology processes based on metal stabilization. Direct plant performance measurements combined with direct measurements of metals in substrates and plants to assess transfer and efficiency are more appropriate.

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Application of magnetic carbon nanocomposite from agro-waste for the removal of pollutants from water and wastewater

2022

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Contamination of water and food crops by trace elements in the African Copperbelt: A collaborative cross-border study in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo

Cited by 23 publications

References 22 publications

Impacts of Trace Metals Pollution of Water, Food Crops, and Ambient Air on Population Health in Zambia and the DR Congo

Impacts of Trace Metals Pollution of Water, Food Crops, and Ambient Air on Population Health in Zambia and the DR Congo

Are Indexes of Ecological Risk Associated with Trace Metals Relevant for the Characterization of Mine Tailings and Polluted Soils in the Katangese Copperbelt (DR Congo) and for Assessment of the Performance of Remediation Trials

Application of magnetic carbon nanocomposite from agro-waste for the removal of pollutants from water and wastewater

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