Pollution Risk Analysis of Heavy Metals at Illegal Mining Sites at Atiwa East District, Ghana

Abstract

This study aims at determining the level of pollution of heavy metals (Cr, Cu and Hg) in the soils of illegal mining sites in Atiwa East District of Ghana. The concentrations of Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), and Mercury (Hg) in the soils were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The extent of heavy metal pollution and pollution risk assessment was analyzed at the study site. Thirty (30) soil samples were collected from three (3) illegal mining sites within the district. The average levels of Cu, Cr, and Hg in the soil were 8.8, 6.75, and 3.19 mgkg-1 respectively, and were all above the WHO threshold. The geo accumulation indices (Igeo) of Cu, Cr, and Hg obtained were 1.92, 3.8, and 6.5 respectively, indicating moderately to extremely polluted soil at the study sites. The research has helped to establish the local Geochemical Baseline Concentrations (GBCs) of heavy metals in the study area so that an appropriate remediation method could be employed.