**5. Conclusion**

This study revealed that the tailing sediments were largely comprised of fine sands that are loosely packed and prone to erosion, thus supporting the migration

*Trace Metals in the Environment - New Approaches and Recent Advances*

**SB (mg/L)**

**HB (mg/L)**

Al 16.42 2.98 1.76 1.77 0.33 5.00 0.90 As 10.17 7.78 4.27 2.65 9.70 0.50 0.01 Cd 0.46 0.35 0.35 0.58 1.10 0.50 0.01 Pb 6.29 2.83 2.70 2.76 2.53 0.05 0.01 Ni 1.34 0.03 0.15 0.09 0.70 1.00 0.07 Zn 0.28 0.68 0.50 0.19 0.34 25.00 3.00 Cr 43.13 46.75 36.48 59.59 32.13 <0.05 <0.05 Cu 0.03 0.38 0.43 0.29 0.29 0.50 2.00

**BS (mg/L)**

**DWAF (1990) livestock** **WHO (2011) domestic**

**WL (mg/L)**

Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn, Cr and Cu into nearby rivers. Direct consumption of such waters by humans and animals such as cattle gets into the gastrointestinal system, leaving some adverse effects by increasing the gastrointestinal pH, resulting in surficial coating on the stomach [25]. In addition, some of the trace metals get leached into the water table through percolation and are absorbed by plants which the animals

*Results of ICP-OES analysis on stream water samples and filtrate from tailing sediments showing heavy metal* 

In humans, several forms of cancer have been linked to arsenic, and chronic exposure to arsenic through drinking water has been associated to health effects such as nervous disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes and hyperkeratosis [26]. However, there are little or no reports on the effect of arsenic in drinking water on the health and/or effect of farm animals. Arsenic availability in soil can disturb normal functioning of plant metabolism, consequently leading to stunted growth and low crop productivity [27]. Previous studies indicated arsenic to be responsible for reduction in gas exchange attributes (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate,

The total aluminium concentration in a human body is approximately 9 ppm (dry mass) with an approximately daily intake of 5 mg, of which only a small fraction is absorbed. The high aluminium content of the various water sources observed may have negative impacts on plants, humans and animals. Various ailments of the nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) and Alzheimer's disease as well as functional lung disorder, may be experienced in humans [29]. There are currently no reports on aluminium toxicity to ruminants. However, there are indications about the risks of inducing either a phosphorus deficiency or a condition known as grass tetany when ruminants consume large amounts of aluminium from soil, aluminium-rich forages or water high in aluminium content [30]. In general, more soluble forms of aluminium in

plants may pose some risk such as the inhibition of root elongation [31].

Plant growth and development is often affected adversely by cadmium, a non-essential element due to its high toxicity and large solubility in water [32]. The uptake of minerals by plants has been reported to be altered by cadmium which impacts on the availability of minerals from the soil as well as a reduction in the population of soil microbes [33]. Stomatal opening, transpiration and photosynthesis have been reported to be affected by cadmium in nutrient solutions, but the metal is taken up into plants more readily from nutrient solutions than from soil [34]. The accumulation of cadmium in humans could lead to renal failure,

stomatal conductance) and chlorophyll concentrations [28].

**44**

feed from.

**Table 4.**

*concentration.*

**Metal MT** 

**(mg/L)**

of trace metal contaminants. The ability of plants to survive in the area based on the recorded physicochemical data such as acidity and electrical conductivity of the tailing sediments and water from wetland is daisy. A continuous erosion and surface run-off of sediments from the tailing dump site increases the migration of Al, As, Pb and Cr, which were observed to be in elevated concentrations, into the wetland and streams, thus endangering sustainable agricultural activities within the surrounding farmlands as water sources to farm facilities are highly prone to contamination from heavy metals trapped in tailing sediments especially given their high concentrations. The dispersion of such tailing sediments not only affects the agricultural activities within the studied area but may also have a health-related effect on the human population that reside in proximity to this mine dump. There should be metal speciation studies carried out to ascertain the extent of metal toxicity exposures within these areas.
