Effect of Mining Activities on Some Biochemical Parameters of Opanda-Ugya Inhabitants, Toto Local Government of Nigeria

Abstract

Mining activities are usually associated with environmental pollution and the infiltration of toxic heavy metals into waterways which could be absorbed by plants or used by inhabitants. The aim of this research was to determine the effect of mining activities on some biochemical parameters of Opanda-Ugya inhabitants, Toto Local government of Nigeria. Four hundred and fifty (450) people were interviewed using questionnaires. Eighty (80) of them were carefully grouped into four: Group 1(20 Control), Group 2 (20 inhabitants), Group 3 (20 indirect miners) Group 4 (20 direct miners). The Survey discovered some symptoms that could be associated with heavy metal toxicity among the inhabitants. Biochemical assay of blood samples revealed no significant (P ˃0.05) increase in Serum ALT, AST and Total bilirubin in groups 2, 3 and 4 when compared to control, but a decrease in TP. Serum creatinine levels increased significantly in group 3 when compared to the control. Both creatinine and urea levels elevated significantly in group 2 and group 4 when compared with the control. The result of Oxidative stress markers has indicated a significant increase in the levels of MDA with a concomitant decrease in the levels of GSH in groups 2, 3 and 4 compared to the control. The AChE activity in groups 2, 3 and 4 significantly increased when compared to the control. The levels of CRP increased significantly in groups 3 and 4 when compared to the control. We conclude that the neurological and other disorders observed in some participants could be attributed to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress induced by heavy metal toxicity, thus something should be done by the necessary authority to curtail the long-time effect of Mining activities in this community.