Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Ecological and human health risk assessments of metals in soil and tailing from Ife-Ijesha gold mining area, Southwest Nigeria

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Mining and disposal of mining wastes are notable human activities that have resulted in substantial environmental and human health deterioration. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of pollution, potential ecological and human health risks associated with gold mining activities in Ife-Ijesha land, Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. For this purpose, soil and tailing samples were collected and analyzed for six metals using the atomic absorption spectroscopic technique. The contamination status, potential ecological and human health risks were evaluated using different pollution indices. The mean concentrations (in μg/g) of Fe, Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb, Ni, and Zn in soil and tailing were 196.78, 0.36, 3.78, 65.74, 6.12, 19.56, 10.78 and 241.30, 0.53, 4.30, 76.63, 11.07, 23.50, 24.6, respectively. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and contamination factor (Cf) suggested that Cr and Cd may pose an ecological risk. The potential ecological risk index (PERI) indicated a moderate risk level for both soil, and tailings with Cd contributing considerably. The hazard index (HI) indicated no significant non-carcinogenic risks (HI < 1). Additionally, Pb, Cd, and Cr had lifetime cancer rates that were in accordance with the acceptable limit.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adebayo A, Ariyibi E, Awoyemi M, Onyedim G (2015) Delineation of contamination plumes at Olubonku dumpsite using geophysical and geochemical approach at Ede Town, Southwestern Nigeria. Geosciences 5(1):39–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Adebayo AS, Akinola BS, Adeyemi AF (2021) Groundwater contamination and human health risk assessment in Ikire community, Osun State, Nigeria. Sustain Water Resour Manag 7(5):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adeoye NO (2016) Land degradation in gold mining communities of Ijesaland, Osun state, Nigeria. GeoJournal 81(4):535–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adewumi A (2020) Contamination, sources and risk assessments of metals in media from Anka artisanal gold mining area, Northwest Nigeria. Sci Total Environ 718:137235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adimalla N, Qian H, Wang H (2019) Assessment of heavy metal (HM) contamination in agricultural soil lands in northern Telangana, India: an approach of spatial distribution and multivariate statistical analysis. Environ Monit Assess 191(4):1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aendo P, Netvichian R, Thiendedsakul P, Khaodhiar S, Tulayakul P (2022) Carcinogenic risk of Pb, Cd, Ni, and Cr and critical ecological risk of Cd and Cu in soil and groundwater around the municipal solid waste open dump in Central Thailand. J Environ Public Health 2022:1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akinola BS, Awoyemi MO, Matthew OJ, Adebayo AS (2018) Geophysical and hydro-chemical investigation of contamination plume in a basement complex formation around Sunmoye dumpsite in Ikire, Southwestern Nigeria. Model Earth Syst Environ 4(2):753–764

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Almasoud FI, Usman AR, Al-Farraj AS (2015) Heavy metals in the soils of the Arabian Gulf coast affected by industrial activities: analysis and assessment using enrichment factor and multivariate analysis. Arab J Geosci 8(3):1691–1703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayantobo O, Awomeso J, Oluwasanya G, Bada B, Taiwo A (2014) Non-cancer human health risk assessment from exposure to heavy metals in surface and groundwater in Igun Ijesha, Southwest Nigeria. Am J Environ Sci 10(3):301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azizpour A, Azarafza M, Akgun H (2020) The impact of municipal waste disposal of heavy metals on environmental pollution: a case study for Tonekabon, Iran. Adv Environ Res 9(3):175–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhuyan MS, Bakar MA, Akhtar A, Hossain MB, Ali MM, Islam MS (2017) Heavy metal contamination in surface water and sediment of the Meghna River, Bangladesh. Environ Nanotechnol Monit Manag 8:273–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Boim AGF, Melo LCA, Moreno FN, Alleoni LRF (2016) Bioconcentration factors and the risk concentrations of potentially toxic elements in garden soils. J Environ Manag 170:21–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao J, Xie C, Hou Z (2022) Ecological evaluation of heavy metal pollution in the soil of Pb–Zn mines. Ecotoxicology 31:259–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro-González NP, Calderón-Sánchez F, Moreno-Rojas R, Moreno-Ortega A, Tamariz-Flores JV (2017) Health risks in rural populations due to heavy metals found in agricultural soils irrigated with wastewater in the Alto Balsas sub-basin in Tlaxcala and Puebla, Mexico. Int J Environ Health Res 27(6):476–486

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen X-X, Liu Y-M, Zhao Q-Y, Cao W-Q, Chen X-P, Zou C-Q (2020) Health risk assessment associated with heavy metal accumulation in wheat after long-term phosphorus fertilizer application. Environ Pollut 262:114348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giriyan AL, Berde VB, Pereira EJ, Parulekar-Berde CV (2021) Microbial bioremediation of heavy metals: a genetic and omics approach, handbook of research on microbial remediation and microbial biotechnology for sustainable soil. IGI Global 1:417–439

    Google Scholar 

  • Gu YG, Li QS, Fang JH, He BY, Fu HB, Tong ZJ (2014) Identification of heavy metal sources in the reclaimed farmland soils of the pearl river estuary in China using a multivariate geostatistical approach. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 105:7–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo G, Wu F, Xie F, Zhang R (2012) Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of heavy metals in urban soils from Southwest China. J Environ Sci (china) 24:410–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo H, Nasir M, Lv J, Dai Y, Gao J (2017) Understanding the variation of microbial community in heavy metals contaminated soil using high throughput sequencing. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 144:300–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hakanson L (1980) An ecological risk index for aquatic pollution control. A sedimentological approach. Water Res 14(8):975–1001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haswell SJ (1991) Atomic absorption spectrometry: theory, design and applications. Elsevier, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang Y, Chen Q, Deng M, Japenga J, Li T, Yang X, He Z (2018) Heavy metal pollution and health risk assessment of agricultural soils in a typical peri-urban area in southeast China. J Environ Manag 207:159–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanwar VS, Sharma A, Srivastav AL, Rani L (2020) Phytoremediation of toxic metals present in soil and water environment: a critical review. Environ Sci Pollut Res 1:1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Keshavarzi A, Kumar V, Ertunç G, Brevik EC (2021) Ecological risk assessment and source apportionment of heavy metals contamination: an appraisal based on the Tellus soil survey. Environ Geochem Health 43(5):2121–2142

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kusin FM, Azani NNM, Hasan SNMS, Sulong NA (2018) Distribution of heavy metals and metalloid in surface sediments of heavily-mined area for bauxite ore in Pengerang, Malaysia and associated risk assessment. CATENA 165:454–464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li X, Liu L, Wang Y, Luo G, Chen X, Yang X, Hall MH, Guo R, Wang H, Cui J (2013) Heavy metal contamination of urban soil in an old industrial city (Shenyang) in Northeast China. Geoderma 192:50–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liang J, Feng C, Zeng G, Gao X, Zhong M, Li X, Li X, He X, Fang Y (2017) Spatial distribution and source identification of heavy metals in surface soils in a typical coal mine city, Lianyuan, China. Environ Pollut 225:681–690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mariana M, Hps AK, Mistar E, Yahya EB, Alfatah T, Danish M, Amayreh M (2021) Recent advances in activated carbon modification techniques for enhanced heavy metal adsorption. J Water Process Eng 43:102221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muller G (1969) Index of geoaccumulation in sediments of the Rhine River. GeoJournal 2:108–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Nassiri O, Rhoujjati A, Hachimi MLE (2021) Contamination, sources and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals in water, sediment and soil around an abandoned Pb mine site in North East Morocco. Environ Earth Sci 80(3):1–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen TH, Hoang HNT, Bien NQ, Tuyen LH, Kim K-W (2020) Contamination of heavy metals in paddy soil in the vicinity of Nui Phao multi-metal mine, North Vietnam. Environ Geochem Health 42:4141–4158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Obiri S, Yeboah PO, Osae S, Adu-Kumi S, Cobbina SJ, Armah FA, Ason B, Antwi E, Quansah R (2016) Human health risk assessment of artisanal miners exposed to toxic chemicals in water and sediments in the Prestea Huni Valley District of Ghana. Int J Environ Res Public Health 13(1):139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogola JS, Mitullah WV, Omulo MA (2002) Impact of gold mining on the environment and human health: a case study in the Migori Gold Belt, Kenya. Environ Geochem Health 24(2):141–157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogundele LT, Adejoro IA, Ayeku PO (2019) Health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil samples from an abandoned industrial waste dumpsite in Ibadan, Nigeria. Environ Monit Assess 191(5):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogundele LT, Ayeku PO, Adebayo AS, Olufemi AP, Adejoro IA (2020) Pollution indices and potential ecological risks of heavy metals in the soil: a case study of municipal Wastes Site in Ondo State, Southwestern, Nigeria. Polytechnica 1:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogundele LT, Oluwajana OA, Ogunyele AC, Inuyomi SO (2021) Heavy metals, radionuclides activity and mineralogy of soil samples from an artisanal gold mining site in Ile-Ife, Nigeria: implications on human and environmental health. Environ Earth Sci 80(5):1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olajide-Kayode JO, Mustapha SO, Olatunji AS, Okunlola OA (2020) Assessment of gold mineralisation in Osu–Amuta–Itagunmodi areas, Southwestern Nigeria. Arab J Geosci 13(13):1–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oluwagbenga AP, Ogundele LT, Adeniyi IF (2019) A study of heavy metals pollution in the coastal marine sediment of Ondo State, Nigeria. Curr J Appl Sci Technol 34(1):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan Y, Li H (2016) Investigating heavy metal pollution in mining brownfield and its policy implications: a case study of the Bayan Obo rare earth mine, Inner Mongolia, China. Environ Manag 57(4):879–893

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park JH, Lee BM, Kim HS (2021) Potential protective roles of curcumin against cadmium-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. J Toxicol Environ Health Part B 24(3):95–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qin G, Niu Z, Yu J, Li Z, Ma J, Xiang P (2021) Soil heavy metal pollution and food safety in China: effects, sources and removing technology. Chemosphere 267:129205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rehman AU, Nazir S, Irshad R, Tahir K, ur Rehman K, Islam RU, Wahab Z (2021) Toxicity of heavy metals in plants and animals and their uptake by magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. J Mol Liq 321:114455

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sani HA, Ahmad MB, Hussein MZ, Ibrahim NA, Musa A, Saleh TA (2017) Nanocomposite of ZnO with montmorillonite for removal of lead and copper ions from aqueous solutions. Process Saf Environ Prot 109:97–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shah SB (2021) Heavy metals in the marine environment—an overview. Heavy Met Scleract Corals 1:1–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Song S, Li Y, Li L, Liu M, Li J, Wang L, Su C (2018) Arsenic and heavy metal accumulation and risk assessment in soils around mining areas: the Urad Houqi area in arid Northwest China as an example. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(11):2410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taghavizadeh Yazdi ME, Amiri MS, Nourbakhsh F, Rahnama M, Forouzanfar F, Mousavi SH (2021) Bio-indicators in cadmium toxicity: role of HSP27 and HSP70. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28(21):26359–26379

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taiwo AM, Awomeso JA (2017) Assessment of trace metal concentration and health risk of artisanal gold mining activities in Ijeshaland, Osun State Nigeria—Part 1. J Geochem Explor 177:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The continental crust: its composition and evolution. Blackwell, London, pp 57–72

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA (1989) Risk assessment guidance for superfund volume I: human healthevaluation manual (part A). US Environment Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • USEPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) (2002) A review of the reference dose and reference concentration processes. EPA/630/P-02/002F. http://www.epa.gov/raf/publications/review-referencedose.htm

  • USEPA (2012) Regional screening level (RSL) summary table. United State Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

  • Wang M, Chen Z, Song W, Hong D, Huang L, Li Y (2021) A review on cadmium exposure in the population and intervention strategies against cadmium toxicity. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 106(1):65–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wannaz ED, Carreras HA, Rodriguez JH, Pignata ML (2012) Use of biomonitors for the identification of heavy metals emission sources. Ecol Ind 20:163–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wedepohl KH (1995) The composition of the continental crust. Geochim Cosmocheim Acta 59:1217–1232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2020) Lead poisoning and health. World Health Organization, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu Q, Hu W, Wang H, Liu P, Wang X, Huang B (2021) Spatial distribution, ecological risk and sources of heavy metals in soils from a typical economic development area, Southeastern China. Sci Total Environ 780:146557

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao R, Wang S, Li R, Wang JJ, Zhang Z (2017) Soil heavy metal contamination and health risks associated with artisanal gold mining in Tongguan, Shaanxi, China. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 141:17–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang S, Zhao J, Chang SX, Collins C, Xu J, Liu X (2019) Status assessment and probabilistic health risk modeling of metals accumulation in agriculture soils across China: a synthesis. Environ Int 128:165–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zerizghi T, Guo Q, Tian L, Wei R, Zhao C (2022) An integrated approach to quantify ecological and human health risks of soil heavy metal contamination around coal mining area. Sci Total Environ 814:152653

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu Y, An F, Tan J (2011) Geochemistry of hydrothermal gold deposits: a review. Geosci Front 2(3):367–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study did not receive any grant from funding agencies in public, commercial or non-profit organisation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, Nigeria

    Adebiyi S. Adebayo, Ayodele P. Olufemi, Lasun T. Ogundele, Omowunmi Q. Okunnuwa & Christopher J. Olowookere

  2. Department of Physics and Engineering Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

    Adekunle B. Toyeje

Authors
  1. Adebiyi S. Adebayo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ayodele P. Olufemi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lasun T. Ogundele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Omowunmi Q. Okunnuwa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Adekunle B. Toyeje
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Christopher J. Olowookere
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Adebiyi S. Adebayo.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Adebayo, A.S., Olufemi, A.P., Ogundele, L.T. et al. Ecological and human health risk assessments of metals in soil and tailing from Ife-Ijesha gold mining area, Southwest Nigeria. Environ Earth Sci 81, 462 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10581-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10581-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation