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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 12, No. 6
Publication Date: December 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/aivp.126.17988.
Dackouo, B., Toure, H. A., Mariko, M., Coulibaly, B., Naco, M. E. B., Kanoute, G., Koumare, B. Y., & Bouatia, M. (2024). Heavy Metal
Contain in Drinking Water Collected from Nampala Gold Mine Wells. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(6). 721-727.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Heavy Metal Contain in Drinking Water Collected from Nampala
Gold Mine Wells
Blaise Dackouo
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and bromatology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of technical Sciences
and Technology, Bamako, Mali
Hamadoun Abba Toure
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and bromatology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of technical Sciences and
Technology, Bamako, Mali and National Health Laboratory
Madani Mariko
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and bromatology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of technical Sciences
and Technology, Bamako, Mali
Bernadette Coulibaly
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and bromatology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of technical Sciences and
Technology, Bamako, Mali and National Health Laboratory
Mohamed El Béchir Naco
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and bromatology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of technical Sciences and
Technology, Bamako, Mali and National Health Laboratory
Gaoussou Kanoute
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and bromatology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of technical Sciences
and Technology, Bamako, Mali
Benoît Yaranga Koumare
Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and bromatology,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of technical Sciences and
Technology, Bamako, Mali and National Health Laboratory
Mustapha Bouatia
Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique et de Bromatologie,
Faculté de Méeécine et de Pharmacie de Rabat, Université Mohamed V
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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 12, Issue 6, December-2024
ABSTRACT
Heavy metal pollution is global health threat. The aim of this study was to assess
some phyco-chemical parameters in Nampala well waters. High concentrations of
Nickel and Iron linked to the mineral ore contain of the area were detected instead
of a pollution issue.
INTRODUCTION
Water Pollution in heavy metals is a worldwide heath concern [4]. Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As),
Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb) are increasing in abundance and persistence in the environment; their
toxicity for human is known since a while [4]. They are found dissolved in water, suspended as
particles and surface sediments [7]. Their emission in the air and a high consumption of fossil
fuels, pesticides and fertilizers are leading in an increasing environmental issue [1]. According
to a study undertaken by Zhu et al in 2018: «The contributions of individual heavy metals to the
potential ecological risk were in the following order: Cd; Cu; Ni; Cr; Zn; As; Pb» [2]. The study
showed that Cd presented serious ecological risk and contributed the most to the sediments of
the Heer River. The ecological risk (RI) was at a considerable high risk level, and therefore, the
environmental dredging depth of the Heer River is 94 cm for the purpose of reducing heavy
metal contamination of the Heer River is needed [2]. Supporting results were obtained by
Bailon et al in 2018 [4]. A study conducted in Benin investigated Eu, Sb, Cs, Nd, Pr, Gd, La, Ce, Tb,
Sm, Dy, Ho, Eu, Yb, Lu, Ag, Au, Pd, Pt, and Ru by inductive plasma-mass spectrometry found broad
range concentrations of the elements. In addition; Ce, La, and Nd were found in both sediments
and sewage sludge at concentrations ranging 5.80–41.30 mg/kg dry matter (DM), 3.23–
15.60 mg/kg DM, and 2.74–19.26 mg/kg DM, respectively. Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Eu, Er, Yb, Cs, Ho,
and Tm concentrations were lower (0.02–5.94 mg/kg DM). Among precious elements, Ag was
detected at the highest concentration in all sites (0.43–4.72 mg/kg DM), followed by Pd (0.20–
0.57 mg/kg DM) and Au (0.01–0.57 mg/kg DM). Ru and Pt concentrations were < 0.20 mg/kg
DM in all samples. The evaluation of pollution loading index (PLI) indicated a moderate to
strong contamination (0.12 ≤ PLI ≤ 0.58; 37 ≤ PLI ≤ 114, respectively, for rare earth elements
and precious elements), while the degree of contamination indicated a moderate polymetalic
contamination for rare earth elements and significant contamination for precious elements [6].
Hg has attracted attentions recently. The risk of mercury pollution is extremely threatening
because of its ability to be transported over long-range distances [5]. Minamata Convention on
mercury was established on October 2013 and was joined by many countries because various
mercury pollution sites that were currently observed in India are Kodai Lake, Kodaikanal, Tamil
Nadu, and Thane Creek, Mumbai [5]. Besides: “Since 1992, chlor-alkali plants have been
regulated to eliminate mercury cell process of manufacturing” [5]. Medical and health care
facilities are also getting rid of mercury-containing equipment and processes. Various sources
of mercury to the atmosphere come from combustion of fossil fuels, processing and mining of
primary metal ores, cement manufacturing units, chlor-alkali plants, and the use of mercury in
various products like paints, electric switches, and relays [5]. A study of mercury pollution in
an urban water body of Mithi River located in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (19.0760° N,
72.8777° E) investigated total mercury in water and derived its relationship with other
pollution parameters [5]. Farmers in the Rasht region consume non-significantly higher input
and achieved slightly higher output [5]. For researchers, heavy metals are in equilibrium
between water and sediment [7]. The amount of heavy metals is determined in water and
different sizes of sediment to obtain the relationship between heavy metals in water and size-
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Dackouo, B., Toure, H. A., Mariko, M., Coulibaly, B., Naco, M. E. B., Kanoute, G., Koumare, B. Y., & Bouatia, M. (2024). Heavy Metal Contain in Drinking
Water Collected from Nampala Gold Mine Wells. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(6). 721-727.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.126.17988
fractionated sediments, a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) of 9 southwestern Caspian Sea
Rivers on 18 sampling stations. First, concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni,
and Cd) are determined in water and size-fractionated sediment samples. Water sampling sites
were classified by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) by squared Euclidean distance with
Ward’s method. To interpret obtained results and the relationships between the concentration
of heavy metals in the tested river water and sample sediments, canonical correlation analysis
(CCA) was used. Rivers were grouped into two classes (those having no pollution and those
having low pollution) based on the HCA results obtained for river water samples. CCA results
showed numerous relationships between rivers in Iran’s Guilan province and their size- fractionated sediments samples. Heavy metals of sediments with 0.038 to 0.125 mm size in
diameter are slightly correlated with those of water samples [7]. Heavy metal (HM) pollution
of water affects both aquatic lives as well as terrestrial beings, including humans [8]. They
accumulate in the environment and are able to contaminate the food chain [8]. Human activities
resulted in soil contamination by heavy metals and polluted field need remediation processes
among which, immobilization with organic amendments is getting more popular, as it
decreases heavy metal bioavailability [10]. A systematic review of lead (Pb) contain in foods
consumed or produced in Brazil surveyed Seventy-seven publications corresponding to 8466
food samples grouped into 12 food categories with similar characteristics. A random model
established that Pb in food categories using the R® software to perform the meta-analysis and
found a mean occurrence of 0.0541 mg/kg, ranged from 0.0004 mg/kg to 0.4842 mg/kg in
foods [11]. Water pollution, precisely underground water pollution is a consequence of human
activities [21]. Water pollution in heavy metal is not studied effectively and available data about
underground water are very all [22]. In addition, there is need to undertake additional
investigation to heavy metal monitoring [15]. The aim of this study was to determine heavy
metal contain in drinking water at Nampala, a gold manning area in Mali.
MATERIEL AND METHODS [1, 2, 3]
Study Site
Water samples were collected in Nampala, and Heavy metal analysis was performed at National
lab of health of Mali in Bamako.
Sample Collection
Sixteen (16) samples of water were collected from Nampala wells in a mining area in September
2020.
Sample Preservation
Study samples consisted of fresh well waters collected in 1 litter of white clean plastic
containers and transported to the national lab of health for analytical purpose. These samples
were stabilized by nitric acid at 4% and kept at 4° C then sent to the laboratory.
Apparatus
Heavy metals were quantified by a Perkin Elmer® PinAACle900T atomic absorption
spectrometer. Concentration of Lead, Manganese, Arsenic, Nickel, Iron, Magnesium and Cupper
were assessed by this method to determine the impact mining activities on underground water
pollution.
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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 12, Issue 6, December-2024
Study Parameters
The concentrations of Lead, Manganese, Arsenic, Nickel, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium and Copper
were determined in sample collected.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The study shows high concentration of Nickel (Ni) compared to the normal in seven (7) sample
and an abnormally increased concentration of Iron (Fe) in 4 samples. These increased
concentrations may not be a result of contamination. The other heavy metals were present in
normal concentration or absent in water sample. These results are not same as those observed
in some are. A study performed in Ivory Coast in 2020 observed high contamination of rivers
and surface water by heavy metals [19]. Same study showed supporting results in Tunisia in
2011 [14].
The repetitive application of low concentration of sewage sludge (SS) as an organic fertilizer is
a beneficial strategy in getting rid of heavy metals in crops and in water [23]. Cement
production plants are part of industries that release heavy metals in the environment [24]. The
phenomenon leads researcher to experiment using heavy metal-tolerant as cadmium tolerant
microbial agent in agriculture and observe their effects in releasing these elements in the
environment [25]. Alternative solutions of releasing heavy metals in soil and underground
waters are also welcome to combat toxic heavy metal accumulation in drinking water [18].
Collecting samples adequately is a key element in monitoring soil or water pollution [17].
Table 1: Heavy metal concentrations in Nampala drinking waters
Sample
Number
Pb
(mg/L)
Mn
(mg/L)
As
(mg/L)
Ni
(mg/L)
Fe
(mg/L)
Ca
(mg/L)
Mg
(mg/L)
Cu
(mg/L)
S1 0 0,026 0 9,891 0,059 0,228 0,511 0
S2 0 0,056 0 24,331 0 1,561 7,517 0
S3 0 0,028 0 26,101 0,004 0,102 0,449 0
S4 0 0,075 0 14,521 0 4,071 10,01 0
S5 0 0,052 0 11,881 0,21 5,613 3,28 0
S6 0 0,133 0 0 0,198 1,716 7,598 0
S7 0 0,047 0 8,891 0,066 0,469 4,236 0
S8 0 0,037 0 0 0,051 0,09 0,499 0
S9 0 0,067 0 0 2,285 1,942 6,275 0
S10 0 0,027 0 0 0,421 2,673 7,132 0
S11 0 0,152 0 0 1,333 1,462 5,747 0
S12 0 0,153 0 0 0,037 0,362 6, 137 0,003
S13 0 0,131 0 0 0,042 0,226 5,942 0
S14 0 0,027 0 11,201 0,634 0,142 0,47 0,065
S15 0 0,201 0 0 0,436 4,708 7,227 0
S16 0 0,032 0 0 0,395 2,498 3,569 0,017
Standard
value
≤ 0,01 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,01 ≤ 0,07 ≤ 0,3 - - ≤ 2
CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES
The study observed normal level of heavy metals in this mining area. Conventional physical and
chemical methods to get rid of HMs from water are expensive, slow, non-environment friendly
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Dackouo, B., Toure, H. A., Mariko, M., Coulibaly, B., Naco, M. E. B., Kanoute, G., Koumare, B. Y., & Bouatia, M. (2024). Heavy Metal Contain in Drinking
Water Collected from Nampala Gold Mine Wells. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(6). 721-727.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/aivp.126.17988
and inefficient but phytoremediation and microbe-assisted remediation technologies have
attracted attention in recent years and offer a better solution. They adopt different mechanisms
for HM bioremediation in aquatic ecosystems. Recent advancement of molecular tools
improved understands metal adsorption mechanisms, translocation, sequestration, and
tolerance in plants and microbes [8]. Albeit immense possibilities of bioremediation as a
successful environmental clean-up technology, the method has not been implemented
successfully in the field conditions [8]. The limitation of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd)
bioaccumulation in rice grain attracted global attention. Despite increasing As accumulation in
AWD water management, simultaneous use of AWD water management and Fe increased grain
yield, enhanced accumulation of less toxic methylated As in rice grains and accumulated low Cd
concentrations comparable to that attainable with CF water management indicating that
simultaneous use AWD and Fe can be effective in controlling Cd accumulation in paddies highly
contaminated with Cd [9]. Jakubus et al investigated the compost applicability as stabilization
material to reduce metal bioavailability and determined practical applicability of developed
factors as a reliable and helpful indicator of metal-soil-plant interactions under greenhouse
conditions with two soils (light and medium) with and without biowaste compost amendment
and two test plants (winter barley and white mustard) at a simulated contamination with Cu
(doses of 25 and 50 mg kg-1) and Zn (doses of 100 and 200 mg kg-1) [10]. The study showed
that compost is a valuable organic amendment, which can significantly reduce metal
bioavailability. Moreover, bioconcentration factor (BCFT, BCFA) and the contamination level
coefficient (CCL) appear to be useful tools to assess soil contamination in relation to
environment phytotoxicity as confirmed by two-sided F-Snedecor test and Student’s t-test [10].
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