TITLE:
Evaluation of Pollution Due to Gold Mining at Ity-Floleu Area in Sub-Prefecture of Zouan-Hounien, Western Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Gbamélé Kouassi Serge, Konan Kouakou Séraphin, Kouassi Kouakou Lazare, Brou Loukou Alexis, Konan Koffi Félix, Bini Kouamé Dongui
KEYWORDS:
Cavally River, Fish, Gold Mining, Major Elements, Nutritious Salts, Surface Water, Trace Elements
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.7 No.12,
December
16,
2019
ABSTRACT: This study aims to evaluate the
mineral pollution of a gold mining environment in the sub-Prefecture of
Zouan-Hounien (C?
;te d’Ivoire). Samples were taken from surface water and flesh and skin samples
of the Cavally River fish species over a period of two successive years. Concentrations
in major elements, trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn),
nutrients () and physico-chemical parameters in situ were measured. The results
obtained show that the surface waters have very low pH with an average of 5.70.
For nutrient salts, the deterioration of water quality in the study area is
mainly related to alterations by nitrates, phosphates and sulphates. The
concentrations of Fe, Cu, Hg and Pb are above the existing standards
(international, FAO/WHO) for the majority of the stations, thus causing the
deterioration of the surface water quality. Therefore, their use for agricultural
irrigation could have negative impact on the health of the population and on
biodiversity. Regarding the bioindicating species, the results obtained after
analysis of samples showed that the fish (carp and machoiron) have Fe, Cu, Hg
and Pb concentrations higher than the existing standards (international,
FAO/WHO) exposing consumers to high health risks. This study showed good
correlation between the high values of surface water turbidity and the
proximity of gold washing sites. The use of the principal component analysis
(PCA) of the physicochemical dataset revealed comparable behaviors for certain
minerals within the groups (Fe, K, Mg, Mn and Na) and (As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn
and Ca) in water. The Ascending Hierarchical Classification (AHC) analysis has
defined three different classes of surface water in the study area. The
presence of mineral trace elements in these receiving environments is of
natural origin but would be strongly accentuated by human activities.