Remotely sensed assessment of mining severity within buffer zones of Osun river: implications for drinking water quality, biodiversity protection, and status as UNESCO world heritage site.
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Title: Remotely Sensed Assessment of Mining Severity Within Buffer Zones of Osun River: Implications for Drinking Water Quality, Biodiversity Protection, and Status as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Author: Azubuike Victor Chukwuka; Chukwudi Nwabuisiaku; Ayotunde Daniel Adegboyegun; Olopade Sharafadeen; Maike Muhammad Shukwunweizu
Date of Publication: October 26, 2023
Type: Journal article
Volume: 234
Citation style language: Not specified
Pollution Type:
Turbidity
Sedimentation
Chemical pollution
Soil contamination
Air pollution
Suspended mining tailings
Heavy metals
Impact Dimension:
Habitat degradation/biodiversity loss
Water quality impairment
Cultural site erosion (Osun-Oshogbo Sacred Grove)
Economic losses (tourism/livelihoods)
Social conflicts/human rights violations
Drinking water contamination
Aquatic ecosystem disruption
Actor Type:
Mining operators
UNESCO
National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA)
Federal Ministry of the Environment (FMOE)
Osun State Government
Local communities
Response Type:
Mining regulation enforcement
Buffer zone establishment
Post-mining reclamation
Erosion control measures
UNESCO-led conservation
Government intervention
Evidence Type:
Remote sensing (Landsat 8/Google Earth)
Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI)
Land-use land-cover analysis
Linear regression modeling (R²=0.889)
Ground truthing
GIS spatial analysis (ArcGIS Pro)
Policy Mention:
UNESCO World Heritage protocols
Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007
NESREA Act
Environmental Impact Assessment Act
Key Finding:
32 mining pits within 5-km river buffer (21 in critical 2-km zone)
Mining area increased from 3.8% (2020) to 18.3% (2022)
Tree cover decreased from 55.7% to 28.5% (2020-2022)
Water quality decline (NDWI: 0.053 → -0.084)
Irregular pit shapes complicate reclamation (mean perimeter-area ratio: 2.22)
High mining severity score (15/15)
Health Risk Projection:
Waterborne diseases from contaminated drinking water
Health risks for pilgrims using river water
Community health complications
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-023-06694-x
DOI: 10.1007/s11270-023-06694-x
ISBN, ISSN, PMID: Not available