Accumulation and distribution of mercury in agricultural soils, food crops and associated health risks: A case study of Shenda gold mine-Geita Tanzania

Tumikia R. Sanga; Kenneth K. Maseka; Mohanadoss Ponraj; Clavery Tungaraza; Marco E. Mng'ong'o; Eliezer B. Mwakalapa

Environmental Challenges (Apr 2023)

Accumulation and distribution of mercury in agricultural soils, food crops and associated health risks: A case study of Shenda gold mine-Geita Tanzania

Tumikia R. Sanga,
Kenneth K. Maseka,
Mohanadoss Ponraj,
Clavery Tungaraza,
Marco E. Mng'ong'o,
Eliezer B. Mwakalapa

Affiliations

Tumikia R. Sanga: Department of Biological Sciences, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Copperbelt University, P. O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia; Department of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Technical Education, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 131, Mbeya, Tanzania; The Copperbelt University, Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Mining, P. O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia; Corresponding author at: Department of Biological Sciences, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Copperbelt University, P. O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia.
Kenneth K. Maseka: Department of Biological Sciences, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Copperbelt University, P. O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia
Mohanadoss Ponraj: Department of Biological Sciences, School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, The Copperbelt University, P. O. Box 21692, Kitwe, Zambia
Clavery Tungaraza: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Science and Education, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Morogoro, Tanzania
Marco E. Mng'ong'o: Department of Crop Science and Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 131, Mbeya, Tanzania
Eliezer B. Mwakalapa: Department of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Technical Education, Mbeya University of Science and Technology, P. O. Box 131, Mbeya, Tanzania

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11
p. 100697

Abstract

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Contamination of the environment and foodstuff by potentially harmful elements (PHEs) has become a serious concern due to the associated health risks to the population. In the present study total mercury (Hg) levels in soil and food crops from farms around Shenda gold mine in Geita Tanzania was determined by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (CVAFS). Generally, it was found that there was significant different of Hg content in soil and food crops (P 1, indicating a potential non-carcinogenic risk to adult population from the consumption of rice grain from the study area. Therefore, people living near Shenda goldmine might be potential victim of Hg accumulation in soil and food crops, thus necessary management options have to be in place.

Published in Environmental Challenges

ISSN: 2667-0100 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-challenges/

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