TITLE:
A Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) Analysis of Heavy Metals in Soil and Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Leaves at an Artisanal Gold Mining Settlement in Southwestern Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Makinde Oladotun Wasiu, Oluyemi Emmanuel Ayodele, Olabanji Iyabo Oluremi, Adesiyan Adewale Taoreed, Eludoyin Adebayo Oluwole, Ogundele Katherine Temitope, Gbenu Sejlo Temidayo, Tubosun Isaac Ayodele
KEYWORDS:
Artisanal Mining, Soil and Food Contamination, Particle Induced X-Ray Emis-sion, Bioaccumulation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Ecology,
Vol.9 No.6,
June
30,
2019
ABSTRACT: The study examined the contamination levels of the
soil and plantain leaves in three communities in Atakunmosa west local
government area of Osun State in southwest Nigeria, where gold mining
activities have recently become intensive. Plantain is a major food crop, whose
leaves are used to wrap food items for household consumption. The objectives
were to examine the heavy metal concentrations in the soil and plantain leaves
around the gold mine site and compare them with standard recommended safe
limits for the environment. Soil and plantain leaves were sampled at different
locations around the sites and at a control site from a neighboring local
government area with no history of gold mining activities between March 2015
and February 2016. Both soil and leave samples were processed and analyzed for
selected heavy metals (Cd, As, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn and Fe) using the Particle
Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) in the laboratory. The study showed higher
concentrations than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limits of
the heavy metals in the soils and plantain leaves. Dry season concentrations of
the variables were also higher than the wet season and the heavy metal
concentrations at the control station were significantly (p .