Assessment of heavy metal pollution/contamination in soils east and west of the Bamangwato Concessions Ltd (BCL) Cu/Ni mine smelter in Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2015, Vol 7, Issue 6
Abstract
The current study evaluated the concentration and levels of pollution by heavy metals in soils around BCL Cu/Ni mine in Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana. Soil samples were collected from four different locations namely 2.5 km east, 2.5km west, 20km west and 55 km west of the mine smelter. Soils were analyzed for metals (Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe, Mn, As, Pt, Se, Li, Sn, Co, Cd and Mo) and soil pH was also determined. The results revealed that soil pH is very low (extremely acidic) closest to the mine on the western side and is related to distance from the mine smelter in the direction of prevailing winds which blow from the east towards the west. Heavy metal concentration of Cu, Ni and Fe were higher closer to the mine smelter (2.5 km west) and decreased exponentially with distance from the smelter towards the western side. These heavy metals were lower on the eastern side at 2.5km east compared to the west (2.5 km west). The concentration of heavy metals from the soil followed the order Fe>Cu>Ni>Mn>Cr>Pb>Zn>As>Pt>Se>Li>Sn>Co>Cd>Mo at 2.5 km west, Fe>Cu>Mn>Ni>Cr>As>Zn>Co>Li>Sn>Pb>Se>Cd>Pt>Mo at 20 km west, Fe>Mn>Cr>Co>Zn>Ni>Pb>As>Li>Cu>Sn>Cd>Se>Mo>Pt at 55 km west and Fe>Mn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Pb>Co>As>Zn>Li>Se>Pt>Sn>Cd>Mo at 2.5 km east. The concentrations of Mn, Cu, Ni and Fe were above permissible limits at all four sites for Mn, 2.5 km west for Cu and Ni and 2.5 km west, 20 km west and 2.5 km east for Fe. Mining and smelting in Selebi-Phikwe has resulted in accumulation of heavy metals and soil acidification.
Authors and Affiliations
Raviro Vurayai, Bonang Nkoane, Baleseng Moseki, Padmaja Chaturvedi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP38683
- DOI -
- Views 175
- Downloads 0
Effects of water stress on: mycorrhizal root colonization, chlorophyll pigment, number of spore, mycorrhizal dependency and nodules of two mycorrhizal leguminous plants (Tephrosia vogelii and Vigna subterranea) at an early stage of growth
The present study carried out in a randomized blocks design, aimed at evaluating the effects of water stress on root colonization, mycorrhizal dependency, number of spores and number of root nodules of mycorrhizal T. v...
Study of seasonal changes in production and consumption of range plant Artemisia sieberi (Dehno- Kerman Province)
Artemisia sieberi is one of the appropriate forage plants to provide forage for livestock and it is suitable for soil conservation purposes in the steppe rangelands such as rangelands in Dehno (Kerman, Iran). Production...
Determination of lead and zinc in king mackerel (Scomberomorus guttatus Bloch & Schneider, 1801), Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson Lacepède, 1800) and Tiger-toothed Croaker (Otolithes ruber Bloch and Schneider, 1801) from Persian Gulf, Iran in 2001 and 2011
The present study was carried out to investigate contamination of heavy metals Pb and Zn in liver and muscle of Scomberomorus guttatus, Scomberomorus commerson and Otolithes ruber from Persian Gulf, Iran, in 2001 and 2...
The potency of biomass and carbon stocks in smallholder rubber trees (Hevea Brasiliensis Muell. Arg), Serdang bedagai, Indonesia
Agroforestry system based on rubber crops is one of agroforestry system that potencial to carbon stocks. The purpose of the researches were: (1) to determine the potency of biomass in smallholder rubber crops; and (2) to...
Comparison of morphological traits and essential oils content in Lippia citriodora L. cultivated in greenhouse and outdoor
Lippia citriodora L., Verbenaceae family, is cultivated due to useful secondary metabolites like essential oil compound, which apply in the food, cosmetics industries. This plant is used as decreasing blood sugar, anti-b...