Hotspots Analysis of Trace Elements in Areas Affected by Illegal Mining Activities: A Case Study at Mpatoam in Amansie West District of Ghana

International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science

© 2020 by SSRG - IJGGS Journal

Volume 7 Issue 1

Year of Publication : 2020

Authors : Emmanuel Arhin, Pearl A. Ndo, Musah S. Zango

10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V7I1P101

How to Cite?

Emmanuel Arhin, Pearl A. Ndo, Musah S. Zango, "Hotspots Analysis of Trace Elements in Areas Affected by Illegal Mining Activities: A Case Study at Mpatoam in Amansie West District of Ghana," SSRG International Journal of Geoinformatics and Geological Science, vol. 7,  no. 1, pp. 1-11, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939206/IJGGS-V7I1P101

Abstract:

Elements distributions and concentration levels in surface environments are able to reveal spatially terrains enriched in disease-causingelements and essential elements deficiency areas. Both scenarios of elements toxicities and deficiencies have health implications to humans. The study area has seen numerous illegal mining operations that will influence elements mobility and concentrations. 25 samples including field duplicates were collected at the alluvial plain areas with controlled samples at the elevated area embankment. The samples were analysed using XRF techniques and the results processed using multivariate factor analysis. PCA 1 representing As-group has relationship to the underlying geology. It thus suggested that As and Cr toxic in kind have their source link to the geology whose spread are facilitated by mining activities. PCA 2 contains essential elements whose sources are from the local geology. The results of the surface geochemistry in comparison with the continental crustal averages (Bn) showed the toxicity of As, Cr, V, Zr, Ni and Mo from the CF and PLI analysis. These also showed Cu, Zn, Pb, Rb, Sr, Ba and Nb were deficient. Igeo value for As indicated moderate pollution while the 12 other elements were marked as unpolluted. The spatial maps for As transformed data indicated Hotspots for As and Cr at all points with highest values from active points for As. Zn generally indicated cold-spots. Disease-causing elements based on their distribution and levels in the area will affect the health of the people which calls for further investigation on water and food crops in the area.

Keywords:

Hotspots, Mining, Potentially toxic elements, Essential trace elements, Public health.

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