Assessment of Soil Pollution (Heavy Metal) from Small Scale Gold Mining Activities: A Case of Nyarugusu Gold Mines, Geita – Tanzania
[1]
Meserecordias W. Lema, College of Earth Sciences, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania.
[2]
Zaina H. Mseli, College of Earth Sciences, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania.
This research study investigated the concentrations of some heavy metals (Hg, Pb, Cu and Zn) in soil samples collected from Nyarugusu Gold Mines (located in Geita Region, Tanzania) using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The results obtained showed that average concentration for Hg (25.45 mg/kg) was higher than the tolerable limits recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). The average concentrations for Pb (10.14 mg/kg), Cu (19.75 mg/kg) and Zn (17.34 mg/kg) were found to be lower that tolerable limits, as prescribed by US-EPA. The high concentration of Hg measured at Nyarugusu site indicated existence of high health risks to plants animals and (especially humans). pH values for the soil samples were between 6.0 and 6.92 which is also dangerous for the availability of metallic minerals for plants consumption.
Heavy Metals, Soil, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Small Scale Mining
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