Geospatial Assessment of Environmental Impacts of Minning Sites on Water Sources in Itagunmodi, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Mining activities in itagunmodi, Osun State, Nigeria, play a significant role in the local economy but also pose various environmental challenges. This study aims to geospatially assess the environmental impacts of mining activities on water sources in Itagunmodi, Osun State, Nigeria, with the following objectives: (i) map the locations of active and abandoned mining sites (ii) determine the extent of water pollution; and (iii) assess the concentration of heavy metals, cations, anions, and physicochemical properties in water sources. In pursuance of this, remote sensing, GIS and water quality analysis were deployed in this study to assess environmental impacts of mining activities in Itagunmodi, Osun State. Multi-temporal Landsat satellite imagery, ground coordinates were major data used. Water samples were collected and physicochemical properties, cations, anions, and heavy metals were analyzed. Findings revealed alarming levels of heavy metal contamination, including lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and cyanide exceeding WHO guidelines. Spatial analysis confirmed strong correlation between the proximity to mining sites and severity of water pollution. These findings highlight the urgent need for stringent local environmental regulations, continuous monitoring, and effective remediation efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of mining on water quality in the region.