Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences1028-88801812-5735Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/pjbs.2007.4438.4443ArogunjoAdeseye Muyiwa1220071024Heavy metals overload taken via ingestion, inhalation
and dermal have been found to be detrimental to both the occupationally
exposed group and member of the public. The body burden of these metals
has been a source of concern in environmental safety regulatory programs.
The risk factor becomes potentially high in an environment where regulatory
safety criteria are either neglected or not available. The implication
of indiscriminate or unregulated mining activities has been pointed out
as a major risk to public health. In order to assess the potential toxicological
and radiological health hazard posed to the environment due to mining
activities in Nigeria, solid mineral ores (iron, tin and tantalite) from
south-western and north-central (Kogi and Ekiti States) part of the country
were analysed for their trace-metal contents. The analysis was performed
using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) analyses spanning several
months between 2005 and 2006. The samples were found to contain some major,
minor and trace elements of varying concentrations. The elements reported
here are K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Sn, Ta, Re, Th,
U, Sc, Cd, Bi, Ra and Zn. Toxic metal of serious environmental and public
concern like Cadmium was detected. The possibility of altering heavy metal
constituents of the natural ecosystem as a result of mining activities
and the implications of such alterations has been enumerated. Possible
pathway into the food chain as a result of mining activity has also been
presented.]]>Adamo, P., L. Denaix, F. Terribile and M. Zampella,2003117347366Akinlua, A., T.R. Ajayi and B.B. Adeleke,200661114Annonymous,1993Banat, K.M., F.M. Howari and A.A. Al-Hamad,200597258273Calabrese, E.,1981Giachetti, G. and L. Sebastiani,200664446454Hellstrom, L., B. Persson, L. Brudin, K.P. Grawe, I. Öborn and L. Järup,2007373447455Nielsen, F.H.,198511512391247Norland, M.R. and D.L. Veith,199541123134Obiajunwa, E.I., F.O. Johnson-Fatokun, H.B. Olaniyi and A.F. Olowole,2001184437440Obiajunwa, E.I., F.O. Johnson-Fatokun, H.B. Olaniyi and A.F. Olowole,2002B1946568Obiajunwa, E.I., F.M. Adebiyi and P.E. Omode,20054393395Olabanji, S.O., O.R. Omobuwajo, D. Ceccato, M.C. Buoso, M. De-Poli and G. Moschini,2006270515521Oresegun, M.O. and I.A. Babalola,19881988pp: 159Perry, P.M., J.W. Pavlik, R.W. Sheets and R.N. Biagioni,2005336275281Querol, X., A. Alastuey, N. Moreno, E.A. Ayuso and A.G. Sanchez et al.,200662171180Remon, E., J.L. Bouchardon, B. Cornier, B. Guy, J.C. Leclerc and O. Faure,2005137316323Vega, F.A., E.F. Covelo, M.L. Andrade and P. Marcel,2004524141150WHO,20002nd Edn.,Wong, J.W.C., C.M. Ip and M.H. Wong,199820149155