Potential health risk and levels of heavy metals in water resources of lead–zinc mining communities of Abakaliki, southeast Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy metals are potential health risk, especially in mining sites where they deteriorate from sulfide-rich ore bodies. Lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury are very carcinogenic, while others are toxic. The assessment of the levels of these metals in water resources of the lead–zinc mining communities of Enyigba, Mkpuma Akpatakpa, Ameka, Amorie, Amanchara and Alibaruhu was carried out, and the potential health risk has been investigated. These areas make up the main mining communities of Abakaliki, where active and abandoned mines are located. One hundred and six water samples were analyzed in two seasons using atomic absorption spectrophotometric and ultra-violet/visible spectroscopy. Result indicates levels of Pb2+ > Hg2+ > As2+ > Cd2+ > Mn2+ > Ag2+ > Se2+ > Ni2+ > Cr2+ > Cu2+ in water sources. High levels of Mn2+(63.45 mg/L), Pb2+(11.42 mg/L), Cr3+(14.60 mg/L), Ni2+(1.260), Cd2+(15.67 mg/L), Ag+(6.06 mg/L), Hg2+(2.60 mg/L), As(4.13 mg/L), Se2+(2.68 mg/L), Zn2+(10.53 mg/L) and Co2+(0.9 mg/L) above the WHO recommended standard for drinking water were observed. Only Cu2+ recorded safe concentrations in 100% samples analyzed. Levels of associated metals including Pb2+, As, Hg2+, Se2+ and Cd2+ are higher in groundwater especially in areas close to the active mines; this is due to mineralization in the area. Seasonal analysis shows a decreased concentration of chemical constituents in the rainy season relative to the dry season. Potential health risk is associated with accumulation of toxic heavy metals in tissues including Parkinson disease, arsenicosis, acrodynia, selenoises, Alzheimer’s disease, hair loss, mental imbalance and abortion in women abound in the areas. Alternative water supply sources and sensitization on the potential health risk are highly advocated in these communities.

Comprehensive Evaluation of Some Toxic Metals in the Surface Water of Louhajang River, Bangladesh

“…in the current study was comparable with that in water samples from Meghna River, Bangladesh, while they were lower than water samples from Yellow River, China(Gao et al 2019) and Tarim River, China(Xiao et al 2014). Notably, mining activities, besides oil and coal combustion, nickel metal refining, and sewage sludge incineration, were all reported considerable sources of Ni contamination(Obasi & Akudinobi 2020).The range Cu concentrations in both seasons was 0.96-15.92 µg/L, which was lower than the HB-GV recommended by bothWHO (2004) and BDWS (DoE 1997). Notably, some samples recorded Cu concentrations higher than TRV (9 µg/L) (USEPA 1999), which is based on shortterm exposure and intended to protect against direct gastric irritation that is a concentrationdependent phenomenon.…”

“…Table 3 shows that the mean Ni concentration in the current study was comparable with that in water samples from Meghna River , Bangladesh, while they were lower than water samples from Yellow River, China (Gao et al 2019) and Tarim River, China (Xiao et al 2014). Notably, mining activities, besides oil and coal combustion, nickel metal refining, and sewage sludge incineration, were all reported considerable sources of Ni contamination (Obasi & Akudinobi 2020).…”

Assessment of Groundwater Quality From Industrial and Residential Areas of Sango Ota, Nigeria

“…This corroborates the findings of [22] that lead poisoning can occur through drinking water. High concentration of Pb in drinking water can cause kidney dysfunction and permanent brain damage among other chronic exposure [25].…”

Disposal of Lead Production Wastes by Extraction of Lead and Zinc Oxides

“…protection against gamma radiation, in the production of X-ray and spectrographic equipment. Lead is included in bronzes, brasses, babbits, printing alloys [17][18].…”