Evaluation of heavy metal pollution in water resources around maibokati mining site, Bali L.G.A Taraba State, Nigeria
Downloads
Mining activities in Nigeria, particularly artisanal and small-scale operations, pose significant risks to water quality due to heavy metal contamination. This study evaluated the concentrations of toxic metals including lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), and cadmium (Cd) in water samples collected from the Maibokati mining region in Bali L.G.A, Taraba State, Nigeria, during wet and dry seasons. Using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), results revealed severe contamination, with iron levels (1.4901 ppm) exceeding WHO and NSDWQ limits (0.3000 ppm) by nearly fivefold, and lead concentrations (0.0245 ppm) surpassing permissible thresholds (0.0100 ppm) by 2.5 times. Chromium (0.1000 ppm) also doubled the guideline value (0.0500 ppm), indicating potential carcinogenic risks. Seasonal analysis highlighted elevated metal loads during the wet season, likely due to runoff from mining sites. Negative values for copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in control samples suggested methodological challenges. The findings stress urgent regulatory and remediation needs to mitigate neurotoxic, carcinogenic, and systemic health risks for local communities reliant on these water resources.
Downloads
1. Fashola MO, Ngole-Jeme VM, Babalola OO. Heavy metal pollution from gold mines. J Environ Sci Technol. 2020;13(2):1-15. doi:10.3923/jest.2020.1.15
2. Abdulrahman, F. W., Oladele, E. O., & Ayanda, I. O. (2020). Heavy metals contamination in water and sediments of an estuary in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 42(3), 831-843. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00419-y
3. Orisakwe OE, Frazzoli C, Ilo CE. Heavy metal health risk assessment of drinking water sources in Nigerian mining communities. Sci Afr. 2020;8:e003115. doi:10.1016/j.sciaf.2020.e00315
4. Egbueri JC. Heavy metals pollution source identification and probabilistic health risk assessment of shallow groundwater in Onitsha, Nigeria. Environ Anal Health Toxicol. 2022;37(1):e2022001.
5. Ali H, Khan E, Ilahi I. Environmental chemistry and ecotoxicology of hazardous heavy metals. J Environ Chem Eng. 2021;9(4):105-120. doi:10.1016/j.jece.2021.105120
6. Aigberua AO, Tarawou T. Heavy metal contamination in water and sediment of a coastal river in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. J Environ Chem Ecotoxicol. 2022;14(1):1–12. doi:10.1016/j.enceco.2022.03.001
7. Ipeaiyeda AR, Adegboyega TD. Heavy metal contamination of topsoil and stream sediments in a Nigerian mining area. Environ Earth Sci. 2021;80(5):1-15.
8. Ukah BU, Egbueri JC, Unigwe CO, Ubido OE. Heavy metal contamination of drinking water in Nigerian mining communities. Environ Geochem Health. 2020;42(3):845-859. doi:10.1007/s10653-019-00393-5
9. Nduka JK, Kelle HI, Ogoko EC. Health risk assessment of heavy metals in soil and food crops from mining areas in Nigeria. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2021;28(15):184-197. doi:10.1007/s11356-021-12734-z
10. Bortey-Sam N, Nakayama SM, Ikenaka Y, Ishizuka M. Human health risks from metals and metalloid via consumption of food animals near gold mines in Ghana. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):1–15. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-05257-0
11. Eze PI, Ude VC, Uche OA. Heavy metal contamination of water, sediment and fish in a Nigerian river. Environ Monit Assess. 2022;194(3):1-18. doi:10.1007/s10661-022-09845-5
12. Ogunbanjo O, Oni OT, Ojo AS. Heavy metal contamination of water and sediment in the Niger Delta. Environ Monit Assess. 2021;193(4):1-15. doi:10.1007/s10661-021-08974-7
13. Abdulrahman FW, Oladele EO, Ayanda IO. Heavy metals contamination in water and sediments of an estuary in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environ Geochem Health. 2020;42(3):831-843. doi:10.1007/s10653-019-00419-y
14. Edori OS, Kpee F. Assessment of heavy metal status of boreholes in Ekerekana, River State, Nigeria. J Appl Sci Environ Manage. 2018;22(3):345-348.doi:10.4324/jasem.v22i3.11
15. Olawoyin R. Mining and sustainable development goals in Nigeria. Resour Policy. 2021;70:101-115.
16. World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines for drinking-water quality. 4th ed. Geneva: WHO; 2021. Available from: [https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549950](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549950)
17. American Public Health Association (APHA). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. 22nd ed. Washington, DC: APHA; 2012.
Copyright (c) 2025 Allahnanan Emmanuel, Musa David Garkida, Ahmed Yushau Mohammed, David Delphine Leila
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
