Author(s)

Stéphane Jean Claon^1,2, Serge Kouakou Kouassi³, Nina Laurette Ahouéfa⁴, Laurent Kipré Seri⁵, Arsène M’bassidjé Seka^2,6, Joseph Allico Djaman^3,5, Luc Kouakou Kouadio¹

¹Analytical Sciences and Public Health Department, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
²Water Quality Control and Analysis Laboratory (LACQUE), Office National de l’Eau Potable (ONEP), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
³Biology and Health Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
⁴Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Safety, Department of Science and Food Technology, Nangui Abrogoua University, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
⁵Department of Medical and Fundamental Biochemistry, Institut Pasteur of Côte d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
⁶Laboratory of Environmental Sciences (LSE), University of Nangui Abrogoua, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

The Minamata Convention in the aim to protect human life and the environment, seeks to reduce mercury (Hg) by monitoring it concentrations in the environment. Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) has been identified as the most important anthropogenic source of human exposure to Hg. In this context, the main goal of this study was to assess the level of mercury in hair of two (2) populations living along two lagoons respectively Aby and Tendo, in Ivory Coast. To reach this goal, hair samples of 138 residents were collected and analyzed by using Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrophotometry (CV-AFS) technique for mercury concentration. Results showed that for the entire population the Hg mean was 2.34 μg/g. Also, they were ranged between 0.15 to 8.53 μg/g and presented substantial differences amongst the villages. In Aby village, we observed the highest Hg concentrations (Mean = 2.62 μg/g). Our findings showed that almost the entire sample group (82%) exceed the USEPA recommended limit, furthermore 56% of them exceed the normal level of WHO and 2% of the respondent has the unhealthy levels of mercury (≥6 μg Hg/g) of hair by WHO standards. Gender differences in hair mercury varies greatly among reports. Lower levels in women’s hair compared to men were reported in the both village. Considering age, the lowest concentrations were observed with children. However, when we take in account the age groups, data suggested that the most exposed sub-population of [18-29] years old is from Aby village in opposite at Frambo village, the same case those who were ≥ 40 years old. It’s convenient to note that, the proportion of Mercury levels would not to be neglected among studied population especially with the resident from Aby village. So, some measures need to be taken at the political level to control mercury contamination.

Mercury, Hair, ASGM, Population Exposure, Côte d’Ivoire

Claon, S. , Kouassi, S. , Ahouéfa, N. , Seri, L. , Seka, A. , Djaman, J. and Kouadio, L. (2024) Mercury Levels Assessment in the Population of Aby and Frambo Villages in the Vinicity of Aby Lagoon in Côte d’Ivoire (West Africa). Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 16, 219-232. doi: 10.4236/jwarp.2024.163013.