IMPACT OF MINING ACTIVITIES ON THE QUALITY OF WATER OF LEAD MINING SITES OF ADUDU, NASARAWA STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

Heavy metals are a potential health risk, especially in mining sites where they deteriorate from sulfide-rich ore bodies. Lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury are very carcinogenic, while others are toxic. The assessment of the levels of these metals in water resources of the lead mining communities of Adudu, Nasarawa State was carried out, and the potential health risk has been investigated. These areas make up one of the main mining communities of Nasarawa State, where active and abandoned mines are located. One hundred and five (105) water samples were analyzed in two periods using atomic absorption spectrophotometric. Result indicates levels of Pb > Hg > As > Cd > Mn > Ag > Se > Ni > Cr > Cu in water sources. High levels of Mn (61.90 mg/L), Pb (11.92 mg/L), Cr (13.70 mg/L), Ni (13.06), Cd (16.3 mg/L), Ag (7.01 mg/L), Hg (3.30 mg/L), As (4.13 mg/L), Se (3.01 mg/L), Zn (10.10 mg/L) and Co (1.0 mg/L) above the WHO recommended standards for drinking water were observed. Only Cu (1.98 mg/L) recorded safe concentrations in 100% samples analyzed. Levels of associated metals including Pb, As, Hg, Se^, and Cd are higher in groundwater, especially in areas close to the active mines; this is due to mineralization in the area. Alternative water supply sources and sensitization on the potential health risk are highly advocated in these communities.