Impact of gold mining on vegetation at Komabangou area

This study was conducted at Komabangou gold zone. The objective of the study is not only to determine metal trace element concentrations in the leaves of two (2) plant species at Komabangou gold site, but also to determine the extent of deforestation associated with gold washing. Investigations are carried out by methods of evaluation of deforestation and determination of the concentrations of MTE in the leaves of two plant species by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Results showed that to support 797 functional wells at Komabangou gold site, 261416 trees were destroyed almost 328 tree trunks per well, suggesting a negative impact of gold panning at Komabangou vegetation. The descriptive analysis shows that both species accumulate high levels of MTE. Also, the herbaceous tend to accumulate more MTE than ligneous ones. The concentrations of MTE detected in plant leaves can reach up to 656.68 mg / kg. They exceed WHO standards of 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 15, 67 and 79 respectively for copper, nickel, zinc, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead and arsenic for herbaceous plants and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 23 and 30 times higher than WHO standards for zinc, arsenic, chromium, nickel, lead and cobalt for ligneous plants. The presence of metals in leaves of these plants at levels above regulatory standards therefore poses a health risk to grazing animals at Komabangou gold zone. This gold recovery site should be secure to limit risk of metal transfer into the food chain.