Environmental Studies Journal
Volume 3, No. 1, 2024
Pages 68-84
DOI: 10.36108/esj/4202.30.0160
Risk Assessment of the sediment from the Birmingham Canal Navigations using Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) software
HAYATU, Sa’adatu Jauro1, BELLO, Hussaini2, ALIYU Hadiza3, PETERS Mariam Oboh1, ALABI Tawakalitu Biola1 and YUSUF Hajara Oyiza1
1Bio entrepreneurship and Consultancy Services Department, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway, Lugbe, Abuja – Nigeria
2School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, UK. WV1 1LY
3Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics Department, National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency, Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway, Lugbe, Abuja – Nigeria
*Corresponding Author- Email: hayatusaa@yahoo.com Orcid No: https://orcid.org/ 0009-0007-2043-0891
Abstract
Using the Contaminated Land Exposure Assessment (CLEA) program, the study evaluates the possible health hazards to humans posed by silt contamination in the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN). Twenty sediment samples were gathered along the BCN, subjected to X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis for heavy metal concentrations (As, Cd, Hg, and Se), and then assessed in relation to soil assessment criteria (SACs). The findings showed that whereas cadmium exceeded SACs for all age groups under allotment exposure situations, arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) constituted substantial dangers to children ages 0–6 under residential exposure scenarios. In contrast, there were no appreciable hazards associated with selenium (Se) or mercury (Hg) in any age group or exposure pathway. Children are the most sensitive receptors, according to the study, because of behavioral and physiological characteristics like lower body mass and hand-to-mouth actions. The CLEA software was found to have limitations, such as the incapacity to evaluate the dangers associated with water samples or heavy elements that were not preprogrammed (such as Pb and Cr). Using pre-treatment techniques like phytoremediation and electrokinetic remediation to lessen sediment toxicity prior to disposal, as well as alternate disposal options like anaerobic digestion, are among the recommendations. The necessity of thorough risk management plans for sediment pollution in ecosystems impacted by human activity is highlighted by this study.
Keywords: Birmingham Canal, CLEA software, Heavy metals, sediment, X-ray Fluorescence.
