Assessment of Soil Pollution by Metallic Trace Elements (MTE): Case of Environment of Ruashi Mining/Haut-Katanga (DR Congo)



Abstract Views
268

Downloads
304

Citations

Share

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##

Submitted Sep 24, 2022
Published Feb 24, 2023
10.24018/ejgeo.2023.4.1.338

Abstract viewed = 268 times

Table of Contents

##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

The main objective of this research was to assess the level of soil contamination of Ruashi Mining sites and its surroundings by metallic trace elements. The samples of the soils studied were taken during the month of June 2020. The clod of earth was taken at a depth of 20 cm and 40 cm by a manual auger and was packed in a plastic bag before the analyzes in the laboratory. After drying, they were ground and then sieved to 2 mm mesh. The Cd, Cr, Co, Cu and Zn were determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The results showed that all the soils of the Ruashi sites were amply contaminated by Co, the soils of Ruashi 1 and 3 are contaminated with Cr while the soils of theR uashi 4 are contaminated with Cu. The study of the pollution index revealed that the soils of the Ruashi have multiple contamination because the PI is greater than 1 except for the soils of the Ruashi 4 whose PI value is 0.97. Hence it is imperative to protect the ecosystems surrounding the mining sites of the Ruashi.
Keywords: Contamination Haut-Katanga Metallic Trace Elements (ETM) Pollution Index (PI) Ruashi Soil

References

  1. Adriano DC. Trace Elements in Terrestrial Environments: Biogeochemistry, Bioavailability, and Risks of Metals (2nd ed.). Springer; 2001.
     Google Scholar
  2. State of the Walloon Environment Unit. Analytical report on the state of the Walloon environment. Namur; 2006-2007.
     Google Scholar
  3. Tremel-Schaub A, Feix I. Soil contamination-Soil transfers to plants (EDP Science). Angers; 2005.
     Google Scholar
  4. Nsambu M, Musibono E, Mputu K. Contribution to the evaluation of the level of mercury pollution of the soils of gold mining sites in the territory of Fizi, Eastern of Democratic Republic of Congo. J. Mater. Environ. Sci., 2020; 11(1): 85-100.
     Google Scholar
  5. Nsambu MP, Kiteba S, Musibono D, Mputu K. Physicochemical characterization of the soils and sediments of nine rivers draining the FIZI gold panning areas in South Kivu: environmental impact study. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences (IJEAS), 2020; 7(5): 24-28.
     Google Scholar
  6. Dahmani-Muller H, Vanoort F, Gélie B, Balabane M. Strategies of heavy metal uptake by three plant species growing near a metal smelter. Environmental Pollution, 2000; 109: 231-238.
     Google Scholar
  7. Dickinson N, Baker A, Doronila A, Laidaw S, Reeves R. Phytoremediation of inorganics: realism and synergies. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 2009; 11: 97-114.
     Google Scholar
  8. Shuiping C. Effects of Heavy Metals on Plants and Resistance Mechanisms. ESPR-Environ Sci & Pollut Res, 2003; 10(4):‎ 256-264.
     Google Scholar
  9. Marinova AS. The effects of heavy metals on seed germination and plant growth on alfalfa plant (MEDICAGO SATIVA). Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 2009; 5(4): 347-350.
     Google Scholar
  10. Sunil KS, Shyamasree G. Effect of heavy metals on germination of seeds. Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, 2013; 4(2):‎ 272-275.
     Google Scholar
  11. Perraud B Environmental Chemistry (2nd edition). De Boeck, Brussels; 2011, 450p.
     Google Scholar
  12. Banza C, Nawrot TS, Haufroid V, Decrée S. High human exposure to cobalt and other metals in Katanga, a mining area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Environ Res, 2009;109(6): 745-752.
     Google Scholar
  13. Elenge MM, Aubry JC, Jacob L,De Brouwer C. Quantification of metal in the hair of copper miners in Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo. J Environment Analytic Toxicol, 2011; 1(4): 114.
     Google Scholar
  14. Lamborg CH, Fitzgerald WF, Damman AW, Benoit JM. Modern and historic atmospheric mercury fluxes in both hemispheres: Global and regional mercury cycling implications. Global Biogeochem Cycles, 2012; 16: 1104-1119.
     Google Scholar
  15. Kasongo M. Determination of the specific charge. [Unpublished memoir] ISTA-Lubumbashi; 2014, 90p.
     Google Scholar
  16. Van Ranst E, Verloo M, Demeyer A, Pauwels JM. Manual for the Soil Chemistry and Fertility Laboratory-Analytical Methods for Soils and Plants, Equipment, and Management of Consumables. NUGI 835, Ghent, Belgium (ISBN 90-76603-01-4); 1999, 243 pp..
     Google Scholar
  17. Boumehres A. Comparative study of techniques for the extraction of metallic trace elements in liver, kidney and milk and their determination by atomic absorption spectrometry (flame and graphite furnace). Memory of Magister in Veterinary Medicine, University of Toulouse, Paris; 2010.
     Google Scholar
  18. Sahli L, El Hadef El Okki M, Afri-Mehennaoui FZ. Use of indices for the assessment of sediment quality: case of the Boumerzoug basin (Algeria). European Scientific Journal, 2014; 10: 336-346.
     Google Scholar
  19. AFNOR. Soil Quality. Collection of French Standards (3rd edition). Paris-La Defense; 1996.
     Google Scholar
  20. Kabata-Pendias A, Mukherjee A. Trace Elements from Soil to Human. Journal of material, 2007; 2(5):10-90.
     Google Scholar
  21. Merian E, Anke M, Ihnat M, Stoeppler M. Metals and Their Compounds in the Environment. Occurrence, Analysis, and Biological Relevance. (2nd Edition), VCH Publishers, Weinheim, New York, USA, 2004.
     Google Scholar
  22. Choinière J, Beaurnier M. Geochemical background noises for different geological environments in Quebec. Ministry of Natural Resources, Industrial Minerals and Exploration Assistance Service, unpublished, Quebec; 1997.
     Google Scholar
  23. Laferrière L. Management Framework for Soils with a Natural Background Nickel Content Higher than Criterion A of the Soil Protection and Contaminated Land Rehabilitation Policy in the Magog-Orford region. University of Sherbrooke [unpublished]; 2014.
     Google Scholar
  24. Sterckeman T, Villanneau E, Bourennane H, Douay F, Ciesielski H, King D, Baize D. Trace elements in the agricultural soils of Nord-Pas de Calais. Study and Management of Soils, 2012; 19(3): 163-178.
     Google Scholar