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SOIL AND HEAVY METAL CHARACTERIZATION AT TAILING DUMPS IN ZAMBIA**

Abstract

Copper mining is a vital economic activity for Zambia and is the main source of national income. Mining produces approximately three-quarters of the country’s export earnings. Unfortunately, mining has also resulted in millions of tons of dumped solid waste and widespread environmental degradation, as well as negative health impacts for residents living near mining areas. The goal of this project was to assess and characterize soils and heavy metal contamination at three different mine tailing waste dumps (TD) on the Copperbelt province of Zambia. Soil and plant samples were collected from three mine TD sites (TD02, TD10, and Uchi). The samples were dried in a Binder oven at 70oC for 48 hours. The samples were processed, characterized, and analyzed for heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, cobalt, iron, arsenic, cadmium, and manganese) using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Results from these analyses were also compared to results from other studies on the Copperbelt and will be used to inform phytoremediation strategies to be employed at these sites. Preliminary results showed concentration ranges of 42 ppm to 164 ppm for copper, 0.02 ppm to 7.2 ppm for iron, 0.1 ppm to 9.2 ppm for manganese, and 0.06 ppm to 84.2 ppm for zinc. There was a difference between heavy metal concentrations found in the current study compared to other studies. This showed the variability in contamination levels and the need for different remediation approaches, even for sites that are closer to each other. Unfortunately, mining has also resulted in millions of tons of dumped solid waste and widespread environmental degradation, as well as negative health impacts for residents living near mining areas. The goal of this project was to assess and characterize soils and heavy metal contamination at three different mine tailing waste dumps (TD) on the Copperbelt province of Zambia. Soil and plant samples were collected from three mine TD sites (TD02, TD10, and Uchi). The samples were dried in a Binder oven at 70 oC for 48 hours. The samples were processed, characterized, and analyzed for heavy metals (lead, copper, zinc, cobalt, iron, arsenic, cadmium, and manganese) using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Results from these analyses were also compared to results from other studies on the Copperbelt and will be used to inform phytoremediation strategies to employed at these sites. Preliminary results showed concentration ranges of 42 ppm to 164.88 ppm for copper, 0.02 ppm to 7.18 ppm for iron, 0.12 ppm to 9.24 ppm for manganese, and 0.06 ppm to 84.2 ppm for zinc. There was a difference between heavy metal concentrations found in the current study compared to other studies. This showed the variability in contamination levels and the need for different remediation approaches, even for sites that are closer to each other.

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