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<p>Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities pose significant ecological and health threats. Therefore, this study quantified soil quality and contamination status to elucidate changes in soil properties and the extent of metal(loid) contamination, and the associated health risk in Ghana. Forty soil samples were collected from ASGM sites in Kunsu and Mankranso, Ghana. Fifteen soil geochemical properties and six contaminants (As, Zn, Fe, Hg, Pb, and Cd) were assessed. Most metal concentrations exceeded the WHO/FAO (2001) reference standards for soils, except for Fe, and were ranked in the following order: Fe &gt; Zn &gt; Pb &gt; Cd &gt; As &gt; Hg. Using pollution indices, Hg, Cd, and As were identified as the most prominent contaminants, primarily of anthropogenic origin and linked to the activities of illegal gold miners. The potential ecological risk index indicated a very high ecological risk from metal contamination, highlighting the likelihood of ecosystem harm and the urgent need for remediation. Higher carcinogenic (&gt; 1.00E-04) and non-carcinogenic risks (&gt; 1) in children compared to adults were related to the activities of illegal gold miners. Arsenic (95%) contributed the most to carcinogenic health risk, whereas As (34%), Pb (26–27%), and Cd (25–26%) were the primary contributors to non-carcinogenic health risk. These findings are critical for metal contamination research and can inform ongoing government monitoring initiatives. Consequently, immediate action is recommended to stop illegal gold mining activities and initiate remediation processes, along with the implementation of sensitisation programs to address this environmental and public health threat.</p>

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Assessment of soil contamination and health risks from artisanal and small-scale gold mining using pollution indices and multivariate models in Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月30日

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  • Alex Amerh Agbeshie,
  • Richard Awuah,
  • Blessing Serwaa Adjei,
  • Angela Malerse Appiah-Kubi

摘要

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities pose significant ecological and health threats. Therefore, this study quantified soil quality and contamination status to elucidate changes in soil properties and the extent of metal(loid) contamination, and the associated health risk in Ghana. Forty soil samples were collected from ASGM sites in Kunsu and Mankranso, Ghana. Fifteen soil geochemical properties and six contaminants (As, Zn, Fe, Hg, Pb, and Cd) were assessed. Most metal concentrations exceeded the WHO/FAO (2001) reference standards for soils, except for Fe, and were ranked in the following order: Fe > Zn > Pb > Cd > As > Hg. Using pollution indices, Hg, Cd, and As were identified as the most prominent contaminants, primarily of anthropogenic origin and linked to the activities of illegal gold miners. The potential ecological risk index indicated a very high ecological risk from metal contamination, highlighting the likelihood of ecosystem harm and the urgent need for remediation. Higher carcinogenic (> 1.00E-04) and non-carcinogenic risks (> 1) in children compared to adults were related to the activities of illegal gold miners. Arsenic (95%) contributed the most to carcinogenic health risk, whereas As (34%), Pb (26–27%), and Cd (25–26%) were the primary contributors to non-carcinogenic health risk. These findings are critical for metal contamination research and can inform ongoing government monitoring initiatives. Consequently, immediate action is recommended to stop illegal gold mining activities and initiate remediation processes, along with the implementation of sensitisation programs to address this environmental and public health threat.