Heavy metal contamination, physicochemical properties, and environmental health risks of soils affected by rice mill effluents in Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63697/jeshs.2026.10075Keywords:
Hazard quotient (HQ), Iron (Fe), Public health, Rice mill effluent, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).Abstract
Rice mill effluents can degrade soil quality and introduce contaminants that pose ecological and public health risks, yet data from large-scale milling facilities in northern Nigeria remain limited. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics, heavy metal concentrations, and associated health and ecological risks of soils surrounding Labana Rice Mill, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from the mill premises and the cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West) and analyzed in the laboratory. The soils were slightly acidic, having pH values ranging between 6.20 and 6.62. Electrical conductivity (EC) exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (>1,500 µS/cm) in the North (1,510 µS/cm) and West (1,570 µS/cm) directions, while total dissolved solids (TDS) were also elevated in these locations (760–790 mg/L) compared to the WHO guidelines (<500 mg/L). Dissolved oxygen levels were low (2.3–2.9 mg/L) relative to WHO guidelines (6.5–8.0 mg/L), whereas temperature values (27.9–29.0°C) were within the normal ranges. Heavy metal analysis revealed elevated iron (Fe) concentrations above National Standards for Drinking Water Quality (NSDWQ) and WHO guidelines (1–3 mg/L) in the South (10.90 mg/L), North (12.60 mg/L), and West (13.60 mg/L) directions. Zinc (Zn) exceeded the WHO limit (3.0 mg/L) in the South (6.90 mg/L), and copper (Cu) exceeded the NSDWQ limit (1.0 mg/L) in the same location (2.00 mg/L). Lead (Pb) was below detection limits across all sites. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment yielded a hazard index of 3.80 × 10⁻², while carcinogenic risk was negligible. Ecological risk was also low (2.43 × 10⁻²), with metal concentrations following the order: South > West > North > Premises > East. Positive correlations were observed between some physicochemical parameters and heavy metals, suggesting a common source. Although current exposure poses no immediate health risk, the detected contamination highlights the need for routine monitoring and improved pollution control measures.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Tajudeen Yahaya, Sha'awanatu Bello, Abdulrazaq Izuafa, Fauziya Inuwa, Umar Idris Boku, Josephine Nathaniel
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