Environmental Impact Assessment of Microbiological and Physicochemical Quality of Soil and Water During Dry Season in Udege Mining Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mining activities significantly alter environmental quality during the dry season, when evaporation concentrates contaminants in soil and water. This study assessed the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of soil and water during the dry season from the Udege mining area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Soil microbiological analysis revealed total heterotrophic bacterial counts of 1.89×10¹ ± 2.03 cfu/g, with Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., Bacillus spp., and fungi present. Water samples showed total coliforms (1.36×10¹ ± 3.2 cfu/mL), E. coli (2.25×10¹ ± 4.1 cfu/mL), and fungi (6.8×10¹ ± 2.1 cfu/mL). Physicochemical analysis revealed slightly acidic water (pH 5.72–5.95), moderate conductivity (107.55 ± 7.06 µS/cm), and elevated heavy metals. Soil characteristics included pH 6.78 ± 0.10, organic carbon 2.21 ± 0.14 mg/kg and metals like Cd (0.029 mg/kg), Pb (0.031 mg/kg) and Cr (0.438 mg/kg). Results show increased pollutant concentration in the dry season, increasing health risks. This study provides baseline environmental data, signals the impacts and presence of resilient, potential environmentally utilizable organisms and highlights the need for improved mining regulation.