Environment
Reyhaneh Khashtabeh; Morteza Akbari; Ava Heidari; Ali Asghar Najafpour; Rokhsareh Khashtabeh
Abstract
The Heavy Metal (HM) contamination in surface soils poses significant environmental and health concerns near the mining operations. This study examined the concentrations and health risks of the five HMs lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and iron (Fe) in soils surrounding the Sangan ...
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The Heavy Metal (HM) contamination in surface soils poses significant environmental and health concerns near the mining operations. This study examined the concentrations and health risks of the five HMs lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), and iron (Fe) in soils surrounding the Sangan iron ore mines in eastern Iran. Sixty soil samples were collected at depths of 0-20 cm from sites adjacent to the mining area and one control site. The HM concentrations were compared to the global shale values. Soil contamination was quantified using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo). Health risks to the local residents were assessed using the US Environmental Protection Agency's Human Health Risk Evaluation Index. The analysis revealed that the lead concentrations near the mine exceeded the global shale standards, while the arsenic levels remained marginally below permissible limits established by global soil standards. The Igeo values indicated low to moderate the contamination levels for both Pb and As in the mining-adjacent areas. The risk assessment results showed that non-carcinogenic risk indices were within acceptable limits for both children and adults. However, arsenic posed a significant carcinogenic risk to adults through two exposure pathways: ingestion (3.36E-04) and dermal absorption (1.36E-04). These findings highlight the importance of implementing regular monitoring protocols for potentially hazardous elements in the mining region to prevent and mitigate pollution-related health risks.
Environment
Ayodele Owolabi; Sunday Olabisi Daramola
Abstract
Nigeria is abundantly blessed with solid mineral resources such as copper, gold, and tantalite, which are essential for the economic growth of the country. The extraction of these mineral resources comes with the generation of huge amount of waste. This study examines the possibility of utilizing some ...
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Nigeria is abundantly blessed with solid mineral resources such as copper, gold, and tantalite, which are essential for the economic growth of the country. The extraction of these mineral resources comes with the generation of huge amount of waste. This study examines the possibility of utilizing some mine wastes from Jos, Nigeria, in embankment construction by subjecting them to relevant laboratory geotechnical experiments. The results indicates that the overburden materials contain clay-sized fraction ranging 5-20%, while the sand fraction ranged 42-82%, which is an indication of the predominance of sand size particles. On the other hand, the clay-sized particles in the tailings range 5-21%, while the sand fractions range 65-80%. The overburden materials recorded liquid limit values ranging 26-48% and plasticity index ranging 6.3-21%, while the liquid limit and plasticity index of the tailings range 23-32.8% and 6.2-11.6%, respectively. The maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum moisture content (OMC) of the overburden materials vary 1.84-1.98 mg/m3 and 1.4-17.2%, respectively, with an average of 1.89 mg/cm3 and 16%. On the other hand, the tailings recorded MDD ranging 1.88-2.06 mg/m3 with their OMC ranging 14.4-16% with an average 14.86%. The soaked California bearing ratio (CBR) of the overburden materials range 27-32%, while that of tailings ranges 25-32%. The geotechnical evaluation of the overburden materials and tailings reveals that most of the materials are suitable for embankment construction. However, the high linear shrinkage of some wastes renders them unsuitable.
