Environmental Risk Assessment of Chromium Contamination in Gutu Mine Spoil, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Authors

  • Bagudu Shehu Ezekiel Department of Chemical Sciences, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria
  • Egharevba Felix Department of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria
  • Medjor Weltime Odeguonor Department of Chemical Sciences, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Artlsanal mining, Cotamination Index, Environmental risk, Gutu mine-spoil, Heavy metals, ICP spectromery

Abstract

An assessment of environmental risk factors of artisanal mining activities was conducted on Gutu minespoil, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, to ascertain the level of environmental pollution or contamination. The investigation was motivated by reports of skin inflammation and febrile illness outbreaks in surrounding villages. Heavy metal concentrations in the earth materials were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry. Parameters such as pH, particle size distribution, total organic carbon, and electrical conductivity were also determined using standard methods. Results showed that Pb had a mean value of 1.20±0.0 ppm; Co, 0.41±0.0 ppm; Cd, 0.01±0.0 ppm; Fe, 15.4±1.2 ppm; Mn, 7.70±0.1 ppm; Ti, 1.18±0.0 ppm; As, 0.02±0.0 ppm; and Cr, 0.2953 ppm. Among the heavy metals analyzed, only Cr (0.3 ppm) exceeded the WHO standard of 0.2 ppm for mine spoils. The contamination/pollution index of Cr was 1.5, indicating severe pollution. The overall risk factor for the heavy metals was 27.36, suggesting slight risk. Geo-accumulation indices for the metals were below unity, indicating moderate pollution.

Author Biographies

Egharevba Felix, Department of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria

An assessment of environmental risk factors of artisanal mining activities was conducted on Gutu minespoil, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, to ascertain the level of environmental pollution or contamination. The investigation was motivated by reports of skin inflammation and febrile illness outbreaks in surrounding villages. Heavy metal concentrations in the earth materials were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry. Parameters such as pH, particle size distribution, total organic carbon, and electrical conductivity were also determined using standard methods. Results showed that Pb had a mean value of 1.20±0.0 ppm; Co, 0.41±0.0 ppm; Cd, 0.01±0.0 ppm; Fe, 15.4±1.2 ppm; Mn, 7.70±0.1 ppm; Ti, 1.18±0.0 ppm; As, 0.02±0.0 ppm; and Cr, 0.2953 ppm. Among the heavy metals analyzed, only Cr (0.3 ppm) exceeded the WHO standard of 0.2 ppm for mine spoils. The contamination/pollution index of Cr was 1.5, indicating severe pollution. The overall risk factor for the heavy metals was 27.36, suggesting slight risk. Geo-accumulation indices for the metals were below unity, indicating moderate pollution.

Medjor Weltime Odeguonor, Department of Chemical Sciences, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria

An assessment of environmental risk factors of artisanal mining activities was conducted on Gutu minespoil, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria, to ascertain the level of environmental pollution or contamination. The investigation was motivated by reports of skin inflammation and febrile illness outbreaks in surrounding villages. Heavy metal concentrations in the earth materials were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry. Parameters such as pH, particle size distribution, total organic carbon, and electrical conductivity were also determined using standard methods. Results showed that Pb had a mean value of 1.20±0.0 ppm; Co, 0.41±0.0 ppm; Cd, 0.01±0.0 ppm; Fe, 15.4±1.2 ppm; Mn, 7.70±0.1 ppm; Ti, 1.18±0.0 ppm; As, 0.02±0.0 ppm; and Cr, 0.2953 ppm. Among the heavy metals analyzed, only Cr (0.3 ppm) exceeded the WHO standard of 0.2 ppm for mine spoils. The contamination/pollution index of Cr was 1.5, indicating severe pollution. The overall risk factor for the heavy metals was 27.36, suggesting slight risk. Geo-accumulation indices for the metals were below unity, indicating moderate pollution.
Vol3no1

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Published

2025-07-31

How to Cite

Bagudu Shehu Ezekiel, Egharevba Felix, & Medjor Weltime Odeguonor. (2025). Environmental Risk Assessment of Chromium Contamination in Gutu Mine Spoil, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria . UMYU Journal of Pure and Industrial Chemical Research E-ISSN: 2814-1628 P-ISSN: 2814-1636, 3(1), 37–52. Retrieved from https://ujpicr.umyu.edu.ng/index.php/ujpicr/article/view/45

Issue

UJPICR Volume 3 Number 1: June, 2025

Section

Articles