Abstract
Tin-mine tailings in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria, contain elevated levels of toxic metals (Pb, Cd, Cr) and naturally occurring radionuclides (U, Th, K), yet few studies have quantified the ecological risks associated with these wastes. This study characterizes physicochemical properties and contaminant levels in tailings collected from four dumpsites, Zawan A, Kuru A, Sharubutu, and Rim, and compares them with adjacent farmland soils. Tailings and control samples (500 g each) were pretreated and analyzed via atomic absorption spectrophotometry and gamma spectrometry. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, organic matter, texture, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were assessed. Toxic metals were evaluated using contamination indices: Contamination Factor (CF), Metal Pollution Index (MPI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), Nemerow Pollution Index, Enrichment Factor (EF), Degree of Contamination (Cd), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to explore relationships among metals and soil properties, and radionuclide activity (²³⁸U, ²³²Th, ⁴⁰K), absorbed dose rates, and annual effective dose were quantified. Heavy metal concentrations (Pb: 11.5–50.5 mg/kg; Cd: 1.8–5.1 mg/kg; Cr: 1.2–5.1 mg/kg) varied by site, with Pb highest in Kuru A and Cd highest in Rim. Ecological risk indices indicated moderate to high pollution at Zawan A and Rim (Cd > Cr > Pb). While most farmland soils remained of acceptable quality, dumpsites exhibited moderate contamination and localized ecological risk (total degree-of-contamination: Rim > Zawan A > Kuru A > Sharubutu). PCA revealed correlations between Cd and CEC/silt content, highlighting anthropogenic origins. Radionuclide activity at dumpsites exceeded adjacent farmland levels, but remained below global average values; absorbed dose and effective annual dose rates were within safe thresholds (<1), indicating non-controlled radiation risk. However, ecological indices flagged localized ecological concerns. This study underscores the need for targeted remediation and environmental management interventions at contaminated tailing sites, especially those near communities. It also recommends continuous monitoring of contaminant migration, evaluation of human exposure pathways, and policy-based controls on tailings management in mining-impacted regions.
References
Wang L., and Li, H (2022). Environmental risks associated with mine tailings: a comprehensive review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 423(Pt A), 127039.
Adedeji, F. A. (2014). Environmental pollution from mining operations: A case study of Jos Plateau. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 8(6), 355–363.
Abdulrasheed, A. (2009). Characteristics Studies of Jos Tin Tailing. Department of metal lurgical Engineering Amadu Bello University Zaria. pp. 12-45.
Bwede, D. D., Wuana, R. A., Khan, M. E., Egah, G. O., Itodo, A. U. and Duwong, E. B. (2019). Physicochemical Characterization and Assessment of Ecological Risk of Heavy Metals in Tin Mine Tailing in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 6:3.
Tiller, K. G., Fuller C. C., Parker, A. E., Smith, D. K. & Tuner, K. B. (2021). The influence of chelants and surfactants on the desorption and transport of uranium in soil. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 232, 106473.
Hikon, B. N., Egah, G. O., Ngantem, G. S., &Bwede, D. D. (2018). Bioavailability and plant uptake of selected heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Ni, As and Hg) in Akwana mining sites and environs, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria. International Journal of Modern Chemistry, 10(2), 154–171.
Wei, H., Li, Y.H., Chen, Z.L., Xiao, Y., Huang, Y., Zhang, J.Q., Zou, Q., Sun, M.Q. and Huang, L. (2022). Destabilization and exchange removal of arsenic in contaminated soils by washing: A new remediation strategy with high efficiency and low mineral loss. Surface Interfaces. 29, 101805.
Ogundele, D.T., Adio A.A. and Oludele O.E., (2015). Heavy metal concentrations in plants and soil along heavy traffic roads in North Central Nigeria. Journal of Environmental and Analytical Toxicology, 5: 334 – 340.
Funtua, M.A., Jimoh, A., Agbaji, E.B. and Ajibola, V.O. (2017). Evaluation of heavy metals level of soil in old Panteka Market of Kaduna, Nigeria. Bayero Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences, 10(1): 100-107
Pam A. Aloysius, Rufus Sa Ato and John O. Offem, (2012). Evaluation of heavy metals in soils around auto mechanic workshop clusters in Gboko and Makurdi, Central Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology. Vol 3(1), Pp 298-306.
Ogah E., Egah G. O., Neji P. A., Samoh F. T., Dodo J. D., Anidobu C. O., Amee S. K. and Bwede D. D, (2020). Analysis of heavy metal concentration in auto-mechanic dumpsites in Makurdi Metropolis North Central Nigeria. Journal of environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology. Vol. 12(1), pp 65-71.
Bartels Benjamin, Boadi Mensah Michael (2023). Determination of Levels of Heavy Metals in Soils at Suame Magazine. International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnololgy. Vol. 8, Issue-4; DOI: 10.22161/ijeab.
Ande, S., Famuyiwa, A. and lorungwa, M.S. (2017) A preliminary assessment of heavy Metals in top soils around Wurukum Abattoir, Makurdi Benue State, Nigeria. International Journal of Science and Research, 6(9):144-147.
Kalu E., Anelon, N.J. and Otta, A.R. (2015). Determination of the presence and concentration of heavy metals in cattle hides singed in Nsuka abattoir. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health, 7(1) 1-7
Olayinka, O. O., Yusuf, A. A., & Ayodele, I. T. (2017). Effects of mining on water quality and the environment: A case study of parts of Jos Plateau, North Central Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, 9(6), 56–63. https://doi.org/10.5897/JECE2017.0423
Liu, N., Loh, H. P., Wang, L. K. and Wang, M. H. S. (2016). Health effects and control of toxic lead in the environment. Natural Resources and Control Process, 233–284.
Sanusi, M. S., Nura, Y., & Lawal, I. (2020). Radiological assessment of tailings from selected mining sites in Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 77(2), 211–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2019.1656164
United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. (2000). Sources and effects of ionizing radiation: UNSCEAR 2000 report to the General Assembly. United Nations.
Krieger, H. L. (1981). Radioactivity and radiation exposure in Africa. Health Physics, 41(4), 787–796.
Berekta, J and Mthew, P. (1985). Natural radioactivity in Australian building materials, industrial waste and by product. Health physics,vol. 48, pp. 87-95.
Dan-Hassan M. A. (2016) A Comparative Study on the Impact of Avu and Ihie Dumpsites on Soil Quality in Southeastern Nigeria. American Journal of Chemistry, 2(1): 17-23
Kumar, A., Vaidya, A. N., Zaini, S. B. A., Banerjee, S., & Satpati, S. (2017). Surfactant-enhanced remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil: A review. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 7, 1-19.
Zhang, F and Zhou, Y. (2020). Evaluation of the Extraction Efficiency of Heavy Metals (Pb, Cd, Cu) in Soil-Bayberry System. Soil Sediment Contaminant, 29, 246–255.
Anani, O. A. and Olomukoro, J. O. (2017). Evaluation of heavy metal load in benthic sediment using some pollution indices in Ossiomo River, Benin City, Nigeria. Funai journal of science and technology, 3(2): 103-119
Li, Y., Lu, L., Li, J., Liu, X., Luo, Y., Tang, S., … & Xiong, L. (2022). Low carbon technologies in environmental remediation: A comprehensive review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 331, 127399.
Odukoya, A.M. (2015). Contamination assessment of toxic elements in the soil within and around two dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria. Ife Journal of Science.17(2): 351-361
Singh, P. and Cameotra, S.S. (2004). Potential applications of microbial surfactants in biomedical sciences. Trends in Biotechnology, 22: 142-146.
Sivakumar S, Chandrasekaran A, and Balaji G, (2016). Assessment of Heavy Metal Enrichment and the Degree of Contamination in Coastal Sediment from South East Coast of Tamilnadu, India. Journal Heavy Metal Toxicity Discussion selection, 1:2.
