Potential Heavy Metals Pollution in Soil of Some Selected Goldsmith Workshops in Gusau, Zamfara State

Abstract

The research investigated the concentration of some heavy metals in soil samples from selected goldsmith workshops in Gusau, Zamfara State using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and Micro Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometer (MP AES). The results obtained for these metals (Fe, Hg, Cd, Pb and Au) from the sample location indicated that Fe was higher than all other metals. The results obtained in dry weight; Fe (117.3±7.70-157.78±9.55mg/kg), Pb (0.08±0.01-0.283±0.234mg/kg), Cd (0.013±0.003-0.002±0.01mg/kg), Hg (0.033±0.012-0.843±0.05mg/kg) and Au (0.023±0.07- 0.043±0.19mg/kg) were below the standard set up by EU and SEPA in soil with exception of Hg and possibly Au which may be attributed to anthropogenic impute from the sampled area. The result also reveals that there is no significant difference (p>0.05) between the samples in terms of heavy metal concentration except for Pb and Hg. However, possible adverse effect may occur among the inhabitants of this study area especially in the cases of Hg, and Au if they bio-accumulates beyond the tolerable concentrations in the body.