Analysis of Heavy Metals in Soil and Maize Grown around Namungo Gold Mine in Ruangwa District, Lindi Region in Tanzania Using X-ray Fluorescence

Abstract

Soils and food crops were collected from three sample villages of Chibula, Chingumbwa and Ligunje which are located nearby the Namungo gold mine. The samples of both maize and soil were prepared and analysed using Energy Dispersive X-rays Fluorescence (EDXRF) with the objective of investigating the elemental concentration levels. Most of the elements in both soil and maize were detected with high concentration levels. The results showed that Maize were accumulated with mean range concentrations of; 870.3-1296.5 mg/kg for Cd, 23.2-24.0 mg/kg for Pb, 1.3-30.7 mg/kg for Hg,1.2-4.9 mg/kg for Cu, 39.8-115.3 mg/kg for V, 402.6-1964.8 mg/kg for Fe, and 8.6-20.1 mg/kg for U respectively. On the other hand, mean range concentrations of metal elements detected in the soil were 3.6-20.3 mg/kg for Pb,2771.6-5969.6 mg/kg for U, 3.4-19.5 mg/kg for Hg, 0.6-8.2 mg/kg for Se, 20.9-830.4mg/kg for As, 49.6-169.2 mg/kg for Cu and192.2-858.8 mg/kg for V. The correlation matrix shows that most the elements are the result of mining activities which might be detrimental to the health of the consumers.