Development of arsenic toxicity from a small scale gold mine : case study of Khao Phanom Pha in Phichit Province, Thailand | |
| Author | Pattarawan Chularueangoaksorn |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-09-27 |
| Subject(s) | Arsenic--Toxicology--Thailand--Pichit Gold mines and mining--Thailand--Pichit |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The research was designed to find out the distribution of arsenic released from small-scale gold mining activities into environmental media. Contour line of arsenic concentration, evaluation of environmental risk by using hazard quotient and monitoring program at Khao Phanom Pha in Phi chit Province, Thailand were set up. Samples were collected from different environmental media of the study area such as surface water, groundwater, sediment, snails, soil, and rice. All samples were obtained in rainy season and dry season. In consideration of dry season, surface water, snail and rice were collected only in rainy season. The concentration of arsenic in surface water and groundwater were mostly undetectable. Arsenic concentration in sediment, snail and rice was in the range of 5.0 - 15.9 mg kg⁻¹ dry weight (dw), 0.20 - 0.98 mg kg⁻¹ wet weight (ww), and 0.02 - 0.10 mg kg⁻¹dw, respectively. The concentration of arsenic in sediment, snail, and rice in all stations was lower than the limit of guideline and standard. However, the concentration of arsenic in soil was quite high at the mining site (32.42 ± 8.8 mg kg⁻¹, topsoil in dry season) and ore dressing site (17.90 mg kg⁻¹, topsoil in dry season) as expected. Most of soil samples obtained from its surrounding mine area have lower As than soil quality standard set up by Pollution Control Department, Thailand at the value of 27 mg kg⁻¹. From As contour line, it showed less mobility of arsenic from the mining site suggesting that As contamination from its secondary source is unlikely to occur. Moreover, As was detected in less amount of available fraction. Environment risk assessment was determined in aquatic track to include surface water, groundwater, sediment, and snail. The values of hazard quotient (HQ) in all samples were less than one. Because of this, there was low potential risk in such aquatic media of the study area. However, health risk assessment in four villages was conducted based on intake of contaminated water, snails, and rice where they live in. The highest value of hazard quotient is expected at from mining site, Ban Khao Chet Luk, Ban Khao Phanom Pha, and Ban Dai Num Khun, respectively. Considering at the mining site where miners live has potential of risk because it is a mining site where several activities occurred would bring in As for exposure. However, hazard quotient values in all villages were less than one. Therefore, human health is considered as at low risk for arsenic. Even though arsenic distribution from this mining activity was not that serious but monitoring programs should be recommended for the site to ensure that the arsenic distribution pattern is as predicted. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Preeda Pakpian; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Visvanathan, C.;Thammarat Koottatep; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | RTG Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2009 |