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Heavy Metal Pollution from Gold Mines: Environmental Effects and Bacterial Strategies for Resistance

Author

Listed:
  • Muibat Omotola Fashola

    (Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa)

  • Veronica Mpode Ngole-Jeme

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, UNISA, Florida, Private Bag X6 Florida, Roodepoort 1710, South Africa)

  • Olubukola Oluranti Babalola

    (Food Security and Safety Niche Area, Faculty of Agriculture, Science and Technology, North-West University, Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho 2735, South Africa)

Abstract

Mining activities can lead to the generation of large quantities of heavy metal laden wastes which are released in an uncontrolled manner, causing widespread contamination of the ecosystem. Though some heavy metals classified as essential are important for normal life physiological processes, higher concentrations above stipulated levels have deleterious effects on human health and biota. Bacteria able to withstand high concentrations of these heavy metals are found in the environment as a result of various inherent biochemical, physiological, and/or genetic mechanisms. These mechanisms can serve as potential tools for bioremediation of heavy metal polluted sites. This review focuses on the effects of heavy metal wastes generated from gold mining activities on the environment and the various mechanisms used by bacteria to counteract the effect of these heavy metals in their immediate environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Muibat Omotola Fashola & Veronica Mpode Ngole-Jeme & Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, 2016. "Heavy Metal Pollution from Gold Mines: Environmental Effects and Bacterial Strategies for Resistance," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:11:p:1047-:d:81476
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Franks, Daniel M. & Boger, David V. & Côte, Claire M. & Mulligan, David R., 2011. "Sustainable development principles for the disposal of mining and mineral processing wastes," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(2), pages 114-122, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nurfitri Abdul Gafur & Masayuki Sakakibara & Satoru Komatsu & Sakae Sano & Koichiro Sera, 2022. "Environmental Survey of the Distribution and Metal Contents of Pteris vittata in Arsenic–Lead–Mercury-Contaminated Gold Mining Areas along the Bone River in Gorontalo Province, Indonesia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Maria Luisa Medina-Pizzali & Stella M. Hartinger & Gabriela Salmon-Mulanovich & Anika Larson & Maribel Riveros & Daniel Mäusezahl, 2021. "Antimicrobial Resistance in Rural Settings in Latin America: A Scoping Review with a One Health Lens," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Min Yang & Youning Xu & Hailing Ke & Huaqing Chen, 2021. "Cumulative Effect and Content Variation of Toxic Trace Elements in Human Hair around Xiaoqinling Gold Mining Area, Northwestern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Ayansina Segun Ayangbenro & Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, 2017. "A New Strategy for Heavy Metal Polluted Environments: A Review of Microbial Biosorbents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Uchenna Okereafor & Mamookho Makhatha & Lukhanyo Mekuto & Nkemdinma Uche-Okereafor & Tendani Sebola & Vuyo Mavumengwana, 2020. "Toxic Metal Implications on Agricultural Soils, Plants, Animals, Aquatic life and Human Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-24, March.

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