Assessment of Trace Metal Contamination and Ecological Risks in the Sediments of Lake Kossou and White Bandama River, Angovia Mining Area (Central-West, Côte d’Ivoire) — Oak Academic Publishing
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Assessment of Trace Metal Contamination and Ecological Risks in the Sediments of Lake Kossou and White Bandama River, Angovia Mining Area (Central-West, Côte d’Ivoire)
Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
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Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
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Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
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Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
1 Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
2 Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
3 Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
4 Training and Research Unit for Earth Sciences and Mining Resources, Soil, Water and Geomaterials Laboratory, University of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Artisanal gold mining in Angovia (Côte d’Ivoire) exerts pressures on Lake Kossou and the White Bandama River. Six sediment samples (two riverine and four lacustrine) were analyzed for As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Hg, Pb, Fe, and Mn using ICP-AES (Hg by CV AAS). Ecological risks were assessed using geochemical indices (Igeo, DCm), the potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI), sediment quality guidelines (TEC/PEC), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Sediments show polymetallic (As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni, Hg, Fe, and Mn) enrichment relative to the Upper Continental Crust, while Zn, Pb, and Ni remain at background levels. Chromium is the most abundant metal (mean: 145 mg/kg; max: 284 mg/kg). Acidic pH (mean: 5.76) suggests the Acid Mine Drainage process (AMD). PCA confirms the geogenic component (As, Cu, Zn, Cr, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mn) and the anthropogenic component (Hg). Lead shows mixed sources. Geochemical indices indicate low pollution (L1, FL1) to moderate (L2, L3, L4, FL2). Mercury (Er = 107.14 at L3) has the highest individual toxicity, followed by Cd and As. All concentrations of Cd were below the LOQ (<0.2 mg/kg). Using a conservative upper bound substitution (LOQ), Cd’s contribution to the PERI ranges from 14% to 40%, with an individual moderate risk Er = 59. Hence, even without precise quantification, Cd may contribute to the ecological risk. Although Cr dominates the sediment load, its low toxicity factor makes it a minor PERI contributor. However, Cr frequently exceeds the TEC/PEC thresholds and can pose a direct biological threat. The combined use of geochemical indices, the PERI, and SQGs is necessary for environmental management. Close attention should be paid to heavy metal pollution in Lake Kossou and the Bandama River to protect the aquatic ecosystem and the local population.
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