Journal of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Heavy Metal Contaminations of Drinking Water Sources due to Illegal Gold Mining Activities in Zamfara State - Nigeria
Mark Omotola Afolayan Oladipo, Raymond Limen Njinga, Ugoeze Ucheoma Elele, Adamu Salisu

Abstract
The assessment levels of concentration of metal such as Co, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, and Cr pollution in water were evaluated as results of sudden increase in gold mining activities in Bagega, Sunke and Dareta villages in Zamfara State, Nigeria. From our investigation, the water quality in Bagega showed high concentration of Pb with a value of 15600 ppm much above the limit set by WHO (2011a). The two remaining villages Sunke and Dareta had Pd concentration values of 549 and 445 ppm respectively far above the limit set by WHO, 2011a. These high concentrations of Pb indicate serious neurological and toxicological hazards. Also, the work revealed high concentration of Fe and Zn which are not directly poisonous to human health but can essentially stimulate the increase in concentration of other toxicological elements such as arsenic. This high concentration of Zn was observed in Sunke village with a value of 2560 ppm twice more than the limit set by WHO, 2011a. In terms of toxicological point of view, the concentrations of all the nine (9) heavy metals Co, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn, Fe, and Cr were above the limit set by FEPA 1998 and WHO 2011a in the villages under investigation are of significant concern on the health of the local population.

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