Study of heavy metal concentration in soil at extraction stage of iron ore mining activities at Bukit Besi, Temangan Machang Kelantan

The effect of mining of iron ore on soil on the iron ore deposit area of Bukit Besi, Temangan, Machang was investigated. The study involved determination of some heavy metal content of soil in order to have baseline data for assessing the impact of mining activities. For the purpose of this study, 6 holes were drilled using hand auger, and sampling of soil was conducted at 0-15 cm depth were randomly collected at extraction stage and after the beneficiation stage of mining activities, digested and analyzed using Perkin Elmer (PinAAcle 900F), a model of Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) for concentration of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and iron (Fe). The concentrations of heavy metals in extraction and beneficiation stage were compared with The New Ducth List Guidelines and Kelly Indices Guidelines. All the concentration of heavy metals were not exceed the limit allowed by Kelly Indices Guidelines which classified as uncontaminated while for the New Ducth List Guidelines, only for Zn at Point 1 and 3 and Cu at Point 6 exceed the limits of optimal category but further investigation are not necessary. Possible implication of these heavy metals to the environment, animals, plant and human was discussed. Suggestions are made on how to remediate the soil that contains heavy metals at iron ore mining site by using phytoremediation methods. This method consider as cleanest, environmental friendly technology and cost effective option to apply at the large area compare to other methods of remediation including physical and chemical remediation.