Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar
Background. Artisanal and small-scale mining activities are widely practiced globally. Concentrations of heavy metals associated with gold, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) can increase in the environment as a result of mining activities, leading...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Pure Earth
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Health and Pollution |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.journalhealthpollution.org.pinnacle.allenpress.com/doi/pdf/10.5696/2156-9614-10-27-200911 |
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| author | Aung Zaw Tun Pokkate Wongsasuluk Wattasit Siriwong |
| author_facet | Aung Zaw Tun Pokkate Wongsasuluk Wattasit Siriwong |
| author_sort | Aung Zaw Tun |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background. Artisanal and small-scale mining activities are widely practiced globally. Concentrations of heavy metals associated with gold, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) can increase in the environment as a result of mining activities, leading to environmental pollution and pose toxicity risks to humans and animals.
Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate soil concentrations of toxic heavy metals in placer small-scale gold mining operations in Myanmar.
Methods. Soil samples were collected from three placer small-scale gold mining sites: Site A located in the Hmawbon public protected forest, Site B and Site C, situated in the Nant-Kyin reserved forest around Nar Nant Htun village. At each site, soil samples were collected from four gold mining stages (ore processing, sluicing, panning, and amalgamation). Atomic absorption spectroscopy was utilized to examine the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg.
Results. The highest heavy metal concentrations were generally found in the amalgamation stages across all the gold mining sites. Across the three mining sites, the maximum heavy metal concentrations in the amalgamation stage were 22.170 mg.kg−1 for As, 3.070 mg.kg−1 for Cd, 77.440 mg.kg−1 for Hg, and 210.000 mg.kg−1 for Pb.
Conclusions. The present study examined the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in the soil of several small-scale gold mining sites in Banmauk Township, Myanmar. The results demonstrated the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil of the gold mining sites. Miners in this area work without proper personal protective equipment, and frequent exposure to heavy metals in the soil may cause adverse health effects. The present study provides baseline data for future risk assessment studies of heavy metal contamination in gold mines.
Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T12:27:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ac4961ef484b428cbf5bed315f587b78 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2156-9614 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T12:27:44Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | Pure Earth |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Health and Pollution |
| spelling | doaj.art-ac4961ef484b428cbf5bed315f587b782022-12-22T01:07:20ZengPure EarthJournal of Health and Pollution2156-96142020-09-01102711210.5696/2156-9614-10.27.2009112156-9614-10-27-200911Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in MyanmarAung Zaw Tun0Pokkate Wongsasuluk1Wattasit Siriwong2International Postgraduate Program in Hazardous Substance and Environmental Management, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCollege of Public Health Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandCollege of Public Health Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, ThailandBackground. Artisanal and small-scale mining activities are widely practiced globally. Concentrations of heavy metals associated with gold, such as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) can increase in the environment as a result of mining activities, leading to environmental pollution and pose toxicity risks to humans and animals. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to investigate soil concentrations of toxic heavy metals in placer small-scale gold mining operations in Myanmar. Methods. Soil samples were collected from three placer small-scale gold mining sites: Site A located in the Hmawbon public protected forest, Site B and Site C, situated in the Nant-Kyin reserved forest around Nar Nant Htun village. At each site, soil samples were collected from four gold mining stages (ore processing, sluicing, panning, and amalgamation). Atomic absorption spectroscopy was utilized to examine the concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Hg. Results. The highest heavy metal concentrations were generally found in the amalgamation stages across all the gold mining sites. Across the three mining sites, the maximum heavy metal concentrations in the amalgamation stage were 22.170 mg.kg−1 for As, 3.070 mg.kg−1 for Cd, 77.440 mg.kg−1 for Hg, and 210.000 mg.kg−1 for Pb. Conclusions. The present study examined the concentrations of As, Cd, Hg and Pb in the soil of several small-scale gold mining sites in Banmauk Township, Myanmar. The results demonstrated the presence of high concentrations of heavy metals in the soil of the gold mining sites. Miners in this area work without proper personal protective equipment, and frequent exposure to heavy metals in the soil may cause adverse health effects. The present study provides baseline data for future risk assessment studies of heavy metal contamination in gold mines. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interestshttps://www.journalhealthpollution.org.pinnacle.allenpress.com/doi/pdf/10.5696/2156-9614-10-27-200911heavy metalsgold miningsoilmyanmar |
| spellingShingle | Aung Zaw Tun Pokkate Wongsasuluk Wattasit Siriwong Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar Journal of Health and Pollution heavy metals gold mining soil myanmar |
| title | Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar |
| title_full | Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar |
| title_fullStr | Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar |
| title_full_unstemmed | Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar |
| title_short | Heavy Metals in the Soils of Placer Small-Scale Gold Mining Sites in Myanmar |
| title_sort | heavy metals in the soils of placer small scale gold mining sites in myanmar |
| topic | heavy metals gold mining soil myanmar |
| url | https://www.journalhealthpollution.org.pinnacle.allenpress.com/doi/pdf/10.5696/2156-9614-10-27-200911 |
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