RISK ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED HEAVY METALS IN WASTEWATER SOURCES AND SEDIMENTS FROM ARTISANAL MINING AREAS OF MARU, ANKA AND BUKKUYUM AREAS OF ZAMFARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Heavy metals are normally exposed to the surface during mining activities. When inhaled (as dust) or ingested (by drinking contaminated water) in significant concentrations, they can lead to health challenges. In this research work, soil and wastewater were collected from gold-mining sites of Anka, Maru and Bukkuyum Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, Nigeria. Heavy metals concentrations were measured using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF). The results of heavy metals concentrations (ppm) in the selected areas under study were 2.017 to 2.4781 ppm, 0.6749 to 0.8044 ppm and 0.599 to 0.6029 ppm for Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb) and Mercury (Hg) respectively, while 0.0202 to 0.0305 ppm, 0.0299 to 0.0512 ppm and 0.0238 to 0.0248 ppm are for Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Cyanide (CN) respectively. The results of the study when compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) standard indicate that most of the samples are contaminated with Ni, Pb and Hg