Trace Element Concentrations in Soil, Sediments, and Waters in the Vicinity of Geita Gold Mines and North Mara Gold Mines in Northwest Tanzania

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dc.creatorÅsgeir, Ålmås R.
dc.creatorManoko, Mkabwa L.K.
dc.date2015-12-15T12:47:58Z
dc.date2015-12-15T12:47:58Z
dc.date2012
dc.date.accessioned2018-03-27T08:19:30Z
dc.date.available2018-03-27T08:19:30Z
dc.descriptionThe “Geita Gold Mine” (GGM) and “North Mara Gold Mines” (NMGM) have devel- oped large quarries in the middle of fertile agricultural lands. Possible hazardous impact on the natural recourse has warranted a study on the trace element concentrations in soils, sediments, and natural waters. Generally, the study shows a great variation in type of elements and intensity of their spill to soils, sediments, and waters. We found indications of acid mine drainage (AMD) of trace metals near the GGM waste rock tailings, but the data are inconclusive. The environmental impact at NMGM was, on the other hand, more extensive. Severe trace element contamination of sediments and waters near one of the mining facilities managed by NMGM is connected to an accidental acid spill in 2009. However, we found strong indication that, in addition to the accident, leakage of alkaline wastewater into surface soils and free water took place from a large wastewater reservoir. We found very high concentrations, especially of As in sediments and water samples downside this reservoir. Water from several sites contained As con- centration in the free water at more than one order of magnitude higher than the WHO drinking water recommendations. The chemical speciation of water samples indicated high fraction of Free Ion Activity (FIA) in several samples and the change in pH had a significant impact on the FIA. Due to extensive alkaline and acidic runoff from these sites, more information about hydrological transport routes and the chemical speciation of the free water is of great importance for assessing potential risk of these mines.
dc.identifierÅsgeir R. Almås & Mkabwa L. K. Manoko (2012): Trace Element Concentrations in Soil, Sediments, and Waters in the Vicinity of Geita Gold Mines and North Mara Gold Mines in Northwest Tanzania, Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 21:2, 135-159
dc.identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15320383.2012.649372
dc.identifierhttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/131
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2234
dc.publisherTaylor & Francis
dc.subjectTanzania
dc.subjectgold mining
dc.subjectsurface water
dc.subjectarsenic
dc.subjectWHO
dc.subjectspeciation
dc.subjectResearch Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES
dc.titleTrace Element Concentrations in Soil, Sediments, and Waters in the Vicinity of Geita Gold Mines and North Mara Gold Mines in Northwest Tanzania
dc.typeJournal Article, Peer Reviewed

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Department of Agricultural Entomology and Apiculture