Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania

Asantael Herman; Charles Kihampa

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13

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Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania

Asantael Herman, Charles Kihampa

Published in International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (Volume 3, Issue 6)

Received: 29 September 2015 Accepted: 21 October 2015 Published: 7 December 2015

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Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water and soils in the vicinity of mines and processing units in small scale mining areas at Londoni and Sambaru. Heavy metals concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 53.8 mg/kg dry soil weight (dw), 8.7 to 22.24 mg/kg dw, 0.42 to 2.61mg/kg dw and 3.19 to 29.42 mg/kg dw were detected for Hg, Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively. Concentration of the same metals detected in surface and groundwater samples ranged from 0.013 to 0.17mg/L. Concentrations of mercury detected in soil samples were above Tanzanian maximum limits of mercury contamination. Sources of the metals contaminations were envisaged to be amalgamation and burning activities, improper waste rocks and tailings disposal, discharge of mine water to the surroundings and leachates from waste rocks and tailings. The study concluded that immediate adverse effect may not be feasible but continuing contamination may lead to serious human health and environmental problems.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (Volume 3, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13
Page(s)	397-403
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2015. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Heavy Metal, Soils, Water, Small Scale, Vicinity, Londoni, Sambaru

References

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[6]	Idowu O. S., Adelakun, K. M., Osaguona P and Ajayi J. Mercury contamination in artisanal gold mining area of Manyera river, Niger state Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Research and Management, 2013, 4(9): 326-333.
[7]	Adler, R and Rascher, J. A strategy for the management of acid mine drainage from gold mines in Gauteng. Report. No.CSIR/NRE/PW/ER/2007/0053/C.CSIR, Pretoria, 2007.
[8]	Gunson, A.J., Thompson, M., Baker, R., Veiga, M., Spiegel, S and Cannon, M. Environmental and Health Assessment Report: Removal of Barriers to the Introduction of Cleaner: Artisanal Gold Mining and Extraction Technologies. Vienna: United Nations Industrial Development Organization, 2006.
[9]	Appleton, J. D., Taylor, H., Lister, T. R., Smith, B., Drasch G and Reilly S. Final report for an assessment of the environment and health in the Rwamagaza area, Tanzania. UNIDO Project EG/GLO/01/G34. British geological survey, 2014.
[10]	Bitala, M., Kweyunga C and Makono, M. Levels of heavy metals and cyanide in soil, sediment and water from the vicinity of North Mara Gold Mine in Tarime District, Tanzania, 2009.
[11]	Telmer, F. Trends in Gold Mining in the Developing World. Challenges and Outcomes Quito, Ecuador, 2006.
[12]	Adams, V. D. Water and Wastewater examination manual, Lewis Publishers Inc, USA, 1991.
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[17]	Ina S., Iryna, K., Marie, H., Claudia, L., Frauke, W and Ingo K. How healthy is urban horticulture in high traffic areas? Trace metal concentrations in vegetable crops from plantings within inner city neighbourhoods in Berlin, Germany. Journal of Environmental Pollution, Elsevier, 2012, 165: 124-132.
[18]	Tanzania Standards for Receiving Water, Effluents and soils (TZS 789:2003). Tanzania Bureau of Standards.
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APA Style

Asantael Herman, Charles Kihampa. (2015). Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 3(6), 397-403. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13

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ACS Style

Asantael Herman; Charles Kihampa. Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania. Int. J. Environ. Monit. Anal. 2015, 3(6), 397-403. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13

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AMA Style

Asantael Herman, Charles Kihampa. Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania. Int J Environ Monit Anal. 2015;3(6):397-403. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13,
  author = {Asantael Herman and Charles Kihampa},
  title = {Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {397-403},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijema.20150306.13},
  abstract = {This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water and soils in the vicinity of mines and processing units in small scale mining areas at Londoni and Sambaru. Heavy metals concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 53.8 mg/kg dry soil weight (dw), 8.7 to 22.24 mg/kg dw, 0.42 to 2.61mg/kg dw and 3.19 to 29.42 mg/kg dw were detected for Hg, Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively. Concentration of the same metals detected in surface and groundwater samples ranged from 0.013 to 0.17mg/L. Concentrations of mercury detected in soil samples were above Tanzanian maximum limits of mercury contamination. Sources of the metals contaminations were envisaged to be amalgamation and burning activities, improper waste rocks and tailings disposal, discharge of mine water to the surroundings and leachates from waste rocks and tailings. The study concluded that immediate adverse effect may not be feasible but continuing contamination may lead to serious human health and environmental problems.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania
AU  - Asantael Herman
AU  - Charles Kihampa
Y1  - 2015/12/07
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
SP  - 397
EP  - 403
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7667
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13
AB  - This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water and soils in the vicinity of mines and processing units in small scale mining areas at Londoni and Sambaru. Heavy metals concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 53.8 mg/kg dry soil weight (dw), 8.7 to 22.24 mg/kg dw, 0.42 to 2.61mg/kg dw and 3.19 to 29.42 mg/kg dw were detected for Hg, Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively. Concentration of the same metals detected in surface and groundwater samples ranged from 0.013 to 0.17mg/L. Concentrations of mercury detected in soil samples were above Tanzanian maximum limits of mercury contamination. Sources of the metals contaminations were envisaged to be amalgamation and burning activities, improper waste rocks and tailings disposal, discharge of mine water to the surroundings and leachates from waste rocks and tailings. The study concluded that immediate adverse effect may not be feasible but continuing contamination may lead to serious human health and environmental problems.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Asantael Herman

Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania
Charles Kihampa

Department of Environmental Science and Management, Ardhi University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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APA Style

Asantael Herman, Charles Kihampa. (2015). Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 3(6), 397-403. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13

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ACS Style

Asantael Herman; Charles Kihampa. Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania. Int. J. Environ. Monit. Anal. 2015, 3(6), 397-403. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13

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AMA Style

Asantael Herman, Charles Kihampa. Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania. Int J Environ Monit Anal. 2015;3(6):397-403. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13,
  author = {Asantael Herman and Charles Kihampa},
  title = {Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6},
  pages = {397-403},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijema.20150306.13},
  abstract = {This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water and soils in the vicinity of mines and processing units in small scale mining areas at Londoni and Sambaru. Heavy metals concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 53.8 mg/kg dry soil weight (dw), 8.7 to 22.24 mg/kg dw, 0.42 to 2.61mg/kg dw and 3.19 to 29.42 mg/kg dw were detected for Hg, Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively. Concentration of the same metals detected in surface and groundwater samples ranged from 0.013 to 0.17mg/L. Concentrations of mercury detected in soil samples were above Tanzanian maximum limits of mercury contamination. Sources of the metals contaminations were envisaged to be amalgamation and burning activities, improper waste rocks and tailings disposal, discharge of mine water to the surroundings and leachates from waste rocks and tailings. The study concluded that immediate adverse effect may not be feasible but continuing contamination may lead to serious human health and environmental problems.},
 year = {2015}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Heavy Metals Contamination in Soils and Water in the Vicinity of Small Scale Gold Mines at Londoni and Sambaru, Singida Region, Tanzania
AU  - Asantael Herman
AU  - Charles Kihampa
Y1  - 2015/12/07
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
SP  - 397
EP  - 403
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-7667
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20150306.13
AB  - This study was carried out to determine the concentration of heavy metals in water and soils in the vicinity of mines and processing units in small scale mining areas at Londoni and Sambaru. Heavy metals concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 53.8 mg/kg dry soil weight (dw), 8.7 to 22.24 mg/kg dw, 0.42 to 2.61mg/kg dw and 3.19 to 29.42 mg/kg dw were detected for Hg, Pb, Zn and Cu, respectively. Concentration of the same metals detected in surface and groundwater samples ranged from 0.013 to 0.17mg/L. Concentrations of mercury detected in soil samples were above Tanzanian maximum limits of mercury contamination. Sources of the metals contaminations were envisaged to be amalgamation and burning activities, improper waste rocks and tailings disposal, discharge of mine water to the surroundings and leachates from waste rocks and tailings. The study concluded that immediate adverse effect may not be feasible but continuing contamination may lead to serious human health and environmental problems.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6
ER  -

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