Physicochemical characterization of the soils and sediments of nine rivers draining the FIZI gold panning areas in South Kivu: environmental impact study

Nsambu Mukondwa Pascal, Serge Kiteba, Musibono Dieudonne, Mputu Jean-Noel

Gold plating, mercury pollution, Pollution index, sediments.

The monitoring of pollution at the Fizi mining sites in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo was based on the investigation of mercury contamination in the soil of the rivers draining these sites. The objective of this work is to assess mercury pollution in the soil and sediments of rivers draining the Fizi areas through pollution indices (enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, potential ecological risk factor and ecological risk index). The levels of metals (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, iron and mercury) in soils and sediments were studied in rivers and soils. The study revealed the presence of incredibly significant concentrations, particularly of mercury. Overall, our study highlighted the high levels of mercury contamination at the Fizi mining sites. And that this contamination has various origins to know anthropogenic and geological.

https://dx.doi.org/10.31873/IJEAS.7.05.10