Evaluation of trace elements contents in staple foodstuffs from the gold mining areas in southwestern part of Ghana using neutron activation analysis

Mercury is utilized worldwide in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and may pose a risk for miners and mining communities. While a number of studies have characterized mercury in ASGM communities, most have focused on a single media and few have taken a holistic approach. Here, a multiple media exposure assessment and cross-sectional study of mercury was conducted in 2010 through 2012 in northeast Ghana with a small-scale gold mining community, Kejetia, a subsistence farming community, Gorogo, and an urban ASGM gold refinery in Bolgatanga. The objective was to assess mercury in a range of human (urine and hair) and ecological (household soil, sediment, fish, and ore) samples to increase understanding of mercury exposure pathways. All participants were interviewed on demographics, occupational and medical histories, and household characteristics. Participants included 90 women of childbearing age and 97 adults from Kejetia and 75 adults from Gorogo. Median total specific gravity-adjusted urinary, hair, and household soil mercury were significantly higher in Kejetia miners (5.18 µg/L, 0.967 µg/g, and 3.77 µg/g, respectively) than Kejetia non-miners (1.18 µg/L, 0.419 µg/g, and 2.00 µg/g, respectively) and Gorogo participants (0.154 µg/L, 0.181 µg/g, and 0.039 µg/g) in 2011. Sediment, fish, and ore Hg concentrations were below guideline values. Median soil mercury from the Bolgatanga refinery was very high (54.6 µg/g). Estimated mean mercury ingestion for Kejetia adults from soil and dust exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reference dose (0.3 µg Hg/kg·day) for pica (0.409 µg Hg/kg·day) and geophagy (20.5 µg Hg/kg·day) scenarios. Most participants with elevated urinary and household soil mercury were miners, but some non-miners approached and exceeded guideline values, suggesting a health risk for non-mining residents living within these communities.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Mercury Exposure Assessment and Spatial Distribution in A Ghanaian Small-Scale Gold Mining Community

Rajaee

Long

Renne

et al. 2015

“…The source of these elevated levels of As, Cd, Mn, Pb and Hg in water samples from the study area is attributable to artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM). For instance, though As and Cd are naturally occurring metals, they are also associated with gold-bearing ores in the study area and are often found at elevated concentrations near gold mining sites [ 19 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. In the Tarkwa area, elevated Cd concentrations may be the result of mining and processing of zinc and chalcophilic metals [ 19 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the Environmental and Socio-Economic Impacts of Artisanal Gold Mining on the Livelihoods of Communities in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality in Ghana

Obiri

Mattah

et al. 2016

Gold mining has played an important role in Ghana’s economy, however the negative environmental and socio-economic effects on the host communities associated with gold mining have overshadowed these economic gains. It is within this context that this paper assessed in an integrated manner the environmental and socio-economic impacts of artisanal gold mining in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality from a natural and social science perspective. The natural science group collected 200 random samples on bi-weekly basis between January to October 2013 from water bodies in the study area for analysis in line with methods outlined by the American Water Works Association, while the social science team interviewed 250 residents randomly selected for interviews on socio-economic issues associated with mining. Data from the socio-economic survey was analyzed using logistic regression with SPSS version 17. The results of the natural science investigation revealed that the levels of heavy metals in water samples from the study area in most cases exceeded GS 175-1/WHO permissible guideline values, which are in tandem with the results of inhabitants’ perceptions of water quality survey (as 83% of the respondents are of the view that water bodies in the study area are polluted). This calls for cost-benefits analysis of mining before new mining leases are granted by the relevant authorities.

“…Mean cadmium in soil ranged from zero to 3.96 µg/g, from three studies and 430 samples ( Figure 5 , Table S11 ). Individual soil samples exceeded 50 µg/g cadmium in one study in the Wassa West District, Western Region [ 61 ], but all were below the US EPA guideline value (78 µg/g) [ 23 ]. Mean concentrations were highest in an ASGM and LSGM mining area (mean 3.96 µg/g) and non-mining area (mean = 1.71 µg/g) in the Wassa West District, Western Region [ 61 ], and showed no trend by mining activity.…”

Section: An Assessment Of the Ecological Health Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mean arsenic concentrations ranged from 1.28 µg/g in plantains ( Musa paradisiacal ) from Obuasi to 383.4 µg/g in water cocoyams ( Colocasia esculenta ) in Tarkwa [ 60 , 62 ]. Cadmium, reviewed in two studies, had mean plant concentrations that ranged from 1.76 µg/g in water cocoyam from the Wassa West District (sampled from mining and non-mining towns), to 182 µg/g in water cocoyam from Tarkwa [ 61 , 62 ]. Data were reported collectively for mining and non-mining areas of one study for arsenic and cadmium, and show no obvious trends by different types of mining areas.…”

Section: An Assessment Of the Ecological Health Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The source of these metals varies by location, and contamination is not always attributable to ASGM. Arsenic and cadmium are naturally occurring metals, but they are also associated with gold-bearing ore and are often found at elevated concentrations near gold mining sites [ 48 , 61 , 72 ]. Cadmium is also a by-product of smelting lead and zinc ores [ 48 , 72 ].…”

Section: An Assessment Of the Ecological Health Issuesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Integrated Assessment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining in Ghana—Part 2: Natural Sciences Review

Rajaee

Obiri

Green

et al. 2015

This paper is one of three synthesis documents produced via an integrated assessment (IA) that aims to increase understanding of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Ghana. Given the complexities surrounding ASGM, an integrated assessment (IA) framework was utilized to analyze socio-economic, health, and environmental data, and co-develop evidence-based responses with stakeholders. This paper focuses on the causes, status, trends, and consequences of ecological issues related to ASGM activity in Ghana. It reviews dozens of studies and thousands of samples to document evidence of heavy metals contamination in ecological media across Ghana. Soil and water mercury concentrations were generally lower than guideline values, but sediment mercury concentrations surpassed guideline values in 64% of samples. Arsenic, cadmium, and lead exceeded guideline values in 67%, 17%, and 24% of water samples, respectively. Other water quality parameters near ASGM sites show impairment, with some samples exceeding guidelines for acidity, turbidity, and nitrates. Additional ASGM-related stressors on environmental quality and ecosystem services include deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, legacy contamination, and potential linkages to climate change. Though more research is needed to further elucidate the long-term impacts of ASGM on the environment, the plausible consequences of ecological damages should guide policies and actions to address the unique challenges posed by ASGM.