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Jan 21, 2025Keywords:
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Assessment of heavy metal contamination of coal deposits in Kogi State, Nigeria using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis
Abstract
In this study, the concentration of heavy metal contaminants in the coal samples from selected coal mining sites in Okobo, Odagbo, Ofugo and Opoko-Obido, within Kogi State, Nigeria were identified and determined using the Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis Technique. Four samples were collected from the mining sites at 0 – 5 cm, and 5 – 10 cm below the soil surface. The range of the concentrations of heavy metal in the samples are V (6.03 ± 0.66 to 18.40 ± 1.10), Mn (6.06 ± 1.17 to 273 ± 2), As (0.18 ± 0.02 to 0.33 ± 0.04), U (0.57 ± 0.05 to 0.74 ± 0.05), Cr (7.14 ± 1.62 to 16.60 ± 1.80), Co (1.49 ± 0.16 to 9.10 ± 0.33), Sr (312 ± 71 to 383 ± 107), Sb (0 to 0.17 ± 0.05), Ba (0 to 174 ± 19) and Th (1.30± 0.09 to 2.39 ± 0.11). These values of Mn, Sr and Sb are slightly higher than the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency permissible limits of 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg respectively. The study revealed that the coal from the mines was contaminated with heavy metals especially Sr, Ba, and Ti thereby posing stern environmental and health concerns.
