Department of Forestry and Environment, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Review
Environmental Effect of Lead Combination of Mining Communities in Zamfara State, Nigeria: A Review
Author(s): Anka SA*, Sanda A, Bello TS, Waziri AF, Muhammad AS, Bello I and Nasiru AM
Farming constitutes the primary source of livelihood for the people of Zamfara State, Nigeria. With the increased awareness among the people of solid minerals abundance in the region, artisanal gold mining activities have increased in and around residential compounds and community areas. The competitive struggle to earn more money amidst unsafe mining practices releases tons of lead dust from processing of contaminated gold ore into the air. This is deposited on soil surfaces, drinking water, edible plant leaves and fruits. Investigations revealed alarming levels of lead concentrations in the environment. Lead concentrations in soil around the residential compounds have reached over 100,000 ppm. This is extreme over the concentration limit of 400 ppm for residential areas applied in USA and France. Similarly, the mean blood lead level concentration of 119 μm/dL found in more than 1.. View More»
