Potentially toxic and radiogenic elements associated serious health risks to human around a gold and uranium mines, Blesbokspruit wetland, Johannesburg, South Africa.
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Amidst growing contamination levels in mining regions worldwide, a study comprising probabilistic and comprehensive risk assessment of metals, pathogenic microbes and radiogenic uranium was carried out in Blesbokspruit mining regions considering 34 surface and groundwater samples. Results suggest extreme contamination of heavy metals such as As and Cd at 62% of the stations. Acid mine drainage (AMD) controlled mechanisms coupled with sulfide oxidation highly contributed towards metal release into surrounding aquatic systems. Pathogenic potential of E Coli is expected to cause 1 infection in 80% and 57.7% certainty for adults and children respectively along with long term disability or mortality per million population with 90% certainty. The radiogenic exposure from dissolved uranium could is expected to cause 55 cancer related deaths in 10 years which could see 14% rise to 385 deaths over lifetime exposure of 70 years in best estimated scenario. Metals such as As, Co, Cd, and Ni were found associated with very high carcinogenic risk in water and could cause cancer-related illness in 70 years of lifetime with 100% simulated scenarios. Children were found in higher risk zone for non-carcinogenic risk compared to adults due to the lower intake of water especially linked to As and Cd. The study offers a multifaceted perspective on quantifying impact exposure and health risk prediction of surface and groundwater resources. The findings of this study would help stakeholders and policy makers for efficient management of water resources in mining areas while prioritizing safety standards for human health and surrounding environment.