Unveiling the Soil Contamination Of Kolar Gold Mines: An Environmental Assessment

Abstract

Soil contamination resulting from heavy metals has become a prominent threat to human life and the environment, ascertained as a result of both natural processes and anthropogenic activities. The current study examines the effect of heavy metal contamination in soil at the Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka, India—a region with a history of over a century of underground gold mining, resulting in massive gold ore tailings and cyanide dumps. Soil samples were derived from five locations: Marikuppam, NIRM, Bill Shaft, Oorgam Rock Area, and Oorgam Opposite Court Complex. The current work examined the physio-chemical properties and concentrations of Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Chromium, Nickel, Cadmium, and Lead. Findings demonstrated that levels of Copper, Zinc, Cadmium, and Lead exceeded the standard limits set by the World Health Organization. Moreover, soil pH altered across the regions, with samples from Oorgam Rock Area and Oorgam Near Court Complex demonstrating acidic conditions, whilst other locations remain alkaline. The findings necessitate the immediate requisite for remediation strategies to intimate the health risks caused by heavy metal contamination in the Kolar Gold Fields.