Application of Multivariate Analysis in the Evaluation of Metals Distribution in Soil from Awwal Mining Site Kebbi, Nigeria

Abstract

Multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA), factor analysis (FA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were utilized for the evaluation of metal distribution and variations in the soil at Awwal mining site. PCA was used to determine a reduced number of three principal components (PC) indicating about 82% of the total variation in the soil samples. The result of FA justifies the results of the PCA obtained. HCA classified the soil samples at the sites into two clusters, with cluster one having the higher metal levels, while cluster two had low metal levels but characterized with dominant toxic heavy metals (As and Pb). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that natural percentage abundance in soil and mineral composition of the mining ores were the main sources of the metals under study. Due to high metal levels in the soils, disposal and management of the mining waste/tailings and rehabilitation of the mining site after closure of mining should be done with care and caution to avoid leaching of the toxic metals to surface and underground water for the protection of health and safety of the neighboring community.

Keywords: Soil, Metals, Mining, Multivariate analysis, Awwal.