Physicochemical Characteristics, Heavy metals levels and Pollution Indices in Water and Soil from Osina-Gabu Barite Mining Site at Cross River State, Nigeria

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the environmental Impacts by investigating the Physicochemical Characteristics, Heavy metals levels and Pollution Indices in Water and Soil from Osina-Gabu Barite Mining Site at Cross River State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. Data obtained showed that the Physicochemical water quality parameters in mean and standard deviations were pH (6.42 ±0.43), TDS (24.2 ±12.3 mg/l), EC (57.7 ± 30.64µ/cm), Hardness (44.5 ± 22.27 mg/l), DO (2.86±1.06 mg/l), Ca (1.91 ±1.41 mg/l), Mg (3.65 ±3.97 mg/l), Na (0.55 ± 0.44 mg/l) , K (11.98  ± 7.02 mg/l), Cl (3.17 ±  3.08 mg/l), SO4 (10.4  ±  9.88 mg/l), Ba (0.1 ± 0.2 mg/)l. Heavy metals concentrations(in mean and standard deviations) in water (mg/l) and mean values in soil (mg/kg) were Fe (1.1 ±   0.5), Mn (0.36  ±  0.29), [Pb (0.3  ±  0.39), Zn (0.15 ±   0.12), Cu (0.72 ±   0.86) and As (0. 0) and Fe (52.35), Mn 69.74), Ba (<0.001), Pb (<0.001), Zn (46.29), Cu (67.94) and As (<0.001) respectively. The results for pollution indices and health risk assessment showed varying trends of contamination in the study area. From the heavy metal analysis, the results showed that parameters such as Fe, Pb, Mn, Cu exceeded regulatory standards in the water samples analyzed while Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn exceeded in soil pollution load index. The degree of pollution is high in the ponds, low in stream water and borehole. Also, the agricultural soils near the mines are deteriorated. It is recommended that proper measures should be taken by the Miners and regulatory Agencies to prioritize environmental sustainability.