##issue.issue##

##issue.vol## 9 ##issue.no## 3 (2021)

Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Soils Around Geita the Gold Mine, Tanzania

https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v9i3.137
mariam mgendi
Mkabwa K.L Manoko
W J.S. Mwegoha
C. Southway C. Southway
Chemistry Department, University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Corresponding Author(s) : mariam mgendi

mariam.mgendi@duce.ac.tz

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), ##issue.vol## 9 ##issue.no## 3 (2021)

##article.abstract##

Health issues related to gold mining cannot be underestimated. Gold mining produce acid
mine drainage (AMD), which in turn releases heavy metals into the nearby environment,
hence causing environmental pollution. Heavy metals are naturally very toxic, thus pose a
great health concern especially when their concentration exceeds the recommended
permissible limits. In this study, concentrations of five heavy metals—including Pb, Ni, Cr,
Cu and Zn—were assessed in the soil around Geita Gold Mine (GGM). A total of 17 sampling
sites were established from which the soil samples were collected at 0-15cm and 15-30cm
soil depth. The concentration of both total and available metal concentrationsfrom each soil
sample was determined using the Inductive Coupled Plasma-Optic Emission Spectrometry
(ICP-OES) Varian 720-ES. Soil characteristics—namely pH, CEC, organic carbon percentage
and clay—were also determined to assess their influence on heavy metals availability. The
highest total metal concentration observed in the soil was 212.4mg/kg for Cr, followed by
71.0mg/kg, 66.2mg/kg, 61.2mg/kg and 50.2mg/kg for Zn, Cu, Pb and Ni, respectively; while
the highest available metal concentration observed was 26.16mg/kg, 20.13mg/kg,
17.99mg/kg, 7.43mg/kg and 2.10mg/kg for Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cr,respectively. Generally, the
concentration of all heavy metals studied—except Zn—were found higher than the safe
permissible limits, indicating some degrees of soil pollution. Such trends raise a concern
about the quality of local foods grown in the area, and the need to remedy the polluted soil.
However, a Monte Carlo Permutation test showed that none of the soil characteristics
assessed had significant influence on heavy metals availability in the soil (P> 0.05).

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  61. Fifield, F. W. & P. J. Haines, (eds.). 2000. Environmental Analytical Chemistry.
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  63. Education.
  64. Ghosh, M. & S. P. Singh. 2005. A Review on Phytoremediation of Heavy Metals and Utilization of its
  65. By-products. Asian J Energy Environ, 6(4): 18.
  66. Iwegbue, C. A., N. O. Isirimah, C. Igwe & E. S. Williams. 2006. Characteristic Levels of Heavy Metals in
  67. Soil Profiles of Automobile Mechanic Waste Dumps in Nigeria. Environmentalist, 26(2): 123–128.
  68. Jennings, S. R., D. Neuman & P. Blicker. 2008. Acid Mine Drainage and Effects on Fish Health and
  69. Ecology: A Review Reclamation Research Group. LLC, Bozeman, Montana.
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  71. in the Vicinity of a Korean Cu-W Mine. Sensors, 8(4): 2413–2423.
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  73. Kim, D. S., K. G. An & K. H. Kim. 2003. Heavy Metal Pollution in the Soils of Various Land Use Types
  74. Based on Physicochemical Characteristics. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A,
  75. (5): 839–853.
  76. Matini, L., P. R. Ongoka & J. P. Tathy. 2011. Heavy Metals in Soil on Spoil Heap of an Abandoned
  77. Lead Ore Treatment Plant, SE Congo-Brazzaville. African Journal of Environmental Science and
  78. Technology, 5(2): 89–97.
  79. Mclean, E. O. 1983. Soil Ph and Lime Requirement. Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 2 Chemical and
  80. Microbiological Properties, 9: 199–224.
  81. Mart?nez, C. E. & H. L. Motto. 2000. Solubility of Lead, Zinc and Copper Added to Mineral Soils.
  82. Environmental Pollution, 107(1): 153–158.
  83. Nyatwere, M., L. K. M. Mkabwa & K. R. Zachariah. 2012. Distribution Patterns of Plant Species
  84. Around North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania. International Journal of Agriscience, 2(4): 302-312.
  85. Owojori, O. J., A. J. Reinecke & A. B. Rozanov. 2010. Influence of Clay Content on Bioavailability of
  86. Copper in the Earthworm Eisenia Fetida. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 73(3): 407–414.
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Assessment of Heavy Metal Concentration in Soils Around Geita the Gold Mine, Tanzania. (2022). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 9(3). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v9i3.137
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