AccScience Publishing / AJWEP / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/AJWEP025060037
Submit to AJWEP
Cite this article
12
Download
76
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Assessment of surface water quality impacted by upstream artisanal mining in Prek Te area, Cambodia

Vibol Sao1* ,  Chan Oeurn Chey2 ,  Socheata Korng2 ,  Eang Chorney1 ,  Kyoung-Woong Kim3
Show Less
1 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2 Chemistry Program, Graduate School of Sciences, Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
3 Department of Environment and Energy Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
AJWEP, 025060037 https://doi.org/10.36922/AJWEP025060037
Submitted: 7 February 2025 | Revised: 4 March 2025 | Accepted: 14 March 2025 | Published: 4 April 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Download PDF
Cite
XML
Abstract

Mining activities can significantly impact water quality by introducing various contaminants into water sources. The purpose of this study is to assess heavy metal concentrations and other elemental contaminants in water from the Prek Te area across two seasons and evaluate the potential health risks associated with drinking contaminated water. Surface water samples were collected twice in 2023: from March 5 – 11 (dry season) to October 20 – 26 (rainy season). A total of 21 surface water samples were collected from different locations along the Prek Te area. On-site measurements included pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and total dissolved solids, while laboratory analyses determined arsenic (As), chromium, nickel (Ni), copper, zinc, cadmium, and lead concentrations using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results indicated that most parameters were within the World Health Organization guidelines and Cambodia Drinking Water Quality Standards, except for As and Ni. During the rainy season, the highest As concentration was 58.1 μg/L, followed by 22.0 μg/L and 10.8 μg/L. Health risk assessments revealed that the hazard index and hazard quotient for children exceeded 1, indicating potential non-carcinogenic health risks. In addition, children exhibited the highest lifetime cancer risk for As (>1.8 × 10−1), followed by women (>1.2 × 10−1) and men (>1 × 10−1). These findings suggest that children are more vulnerable to health risks associated with drinking contaminated water compared to adults. To ensure safe drinking water for communities along the Prek Te area, an urgent monitoring program and appropriate water treatment measures—particularly to remove As contamination—are recommended.

Keywords
Cambodia
Artisanal gold mining
Heavy metals
Health risk
Prek Te area
Funding
This study was supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Republic of Korea, under the Project for Establishment of Environmental Engineering in RUPP to Foster the Human Resources of Higher Education in Cambodia.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare there is no conflict of interest.
References
  1. Tum S, Toda K, Matsui T, et al. Seasonal effects of natural attenuation on drainage contamination from artisanal gold mining, Cambodia: Implication for passive treatment. Sci Total Environ. 2022;806:150398. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150398

 

  1. Bruno DE, Ruban DA, Tiess G, et al. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining, meandering tropical rivers, and geological heritage: Evidence from Brazil and Indonesia. Sci Total Environ. 2020;715:136907. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136907

 

  1. Macdonald K, Lund M, Blanchette M. Impacts of Artisanal small-scale Gold Mining on Water Quality of a Tropical River (Surow River, Ghana). In: Conference: International Mine Water Association; 2015. p. 21-24.

 

  1. WHO. World Health Statistics, Monitoring Health for SDG. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2019.

 

  1. Zvarivadza T. Artisanal and small-scale mining as a challenge and possible contributor to sustainable development. Resour Policy. 2018;56:49-58. doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2018.01.009

 

  1. Fong-Sam Y. The Mineral Industry of Cambodia. Minerals Yearbook, Volume III: Asia and the Pacific: Area Reports: International; 2012.

 

  1. Armah FA, Quansah R, Luginaah I. A systematic review of heavy metals of anthropogenic origin in environmental media and biota in the context of gold mining in Ghana. Int Sch Res Notics. 2014;2014:252148. doi: 10.1155/2014/252148

 

  1. Barcelos DA, Pontes FV, da Silva FA, Castro DC, Dos Anjos NO, Castilhos ZC. Gold mining tailing: Environmental availability of metals and human health risk assessment. J Hazard Mater. 2020;397:122721. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122721

 

  1. Ajith MM, Ghosh AK, Jansz J. Risk factors for the number of sustained injuries in artisanal and small-scale mining operation. Saf Health Work. 2020;11(1):50-60. doi: 10.1016/j.shaw.2020.01.001

 

  1. Bose-O’Reilly S, Drasch G, Beinhoff C, et al. Health assessment of artisanal gold miners in Indonesia. Sci Total Environ. 2010;408(4):713-725. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.10.070

 

  1. Ncube-Phiri S, Mucherera B, Ncube A. Artisanal small-scale mining: Potential ecological disaster in Mzingwane District, Zimbabwe. Jàmbá. 2015;7(1):158.

 

  1. Gibb H, O’Leary KG. Mercury exposure and health impacts among individuals in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining community: A comprehensive review. Environ Health Perspect. 2014;122(7):667-672. doi: 10.1289/ehp.1307864

 

  1. MIME. Drinking Water Quality Standard. Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 2004.

 

  1. WHO. Guideline for Drinking Water Quality. 4th ed., Vol. 1. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2011.

 

  1. Houri A, El Jeblawi SW. Water quality assessment of Lebanese coastal rivers during dry season and pollution load into the Mediterranean Sea. J Water Health. 2007;5(4):615-623. doi: 10.2166/wh.2007.047

 

  1. Sghiouer FE, Nahli A, Bouka H, Chlaida M. Assessment of the bacteriological and physicochemical water quality of the Inaouene and Larbaa Rivers (Taza, Morocco). AJWEP. 2024;21(6):249-259. doi: 10.3233/ajw240093

 

  1. US EPA. Exposure Factors Handbook: 2009 Update. EPA/600/R-09/052A. United States: US EPA; 2009.

 

  1. Watts RJ. Hazardous Wastes: Sources, Pathways, Receptors. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1998.

 

  1. Mesdaghinia A, Nasseri S, Hadi M. Assessment of carcinogenic risk and non-carcinogenic hazard quotient of chromium in bottled drinking waters in Iran. IJHE. 2016;9:347-358.

 

  1. Maleki A, Jari H. Evaluation of drinking water quality and non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessment of heavy metals in rural areas of Kurdistan, Iran. Environ Technol Innov. 2021;23:101668. doi: 10.1016/j.eti.2021.101668

 

  1. Nuryanty CD, Riani E, Abidin Z, Sutjahjo SH, Riyadi A. Mercury contamination from artisanal small-scale gold mining activities in Simpenan District, Sukabumi Regency, West Java, Indonesia. AJWEP. 2024;21(4):83-89. doi: 10.3233/ajw240049

 

  1. Tabelin CB, Silwamba M, Paglinawan FC, et al. Solid-phase partitioning and release-retention mechanisms of copper, lead, zinc and arsenic in soils impacted by artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities. Chemosphere. 2020;260:127574. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127574

 

  1. Gonnelli C, Renella G. Chromium and nickel. Heavy Metals in Soils: Trace Metals and Metalloids in Soils and their Bioavailability. Berlin: Springer; 2013. p. 313-333.

 

  1. Nurcholis M, Yudiantoro DF, Haryanto D, Mirzam A. Heavy metals distribution in the artisanal gold mining area in Wonogiri. Indones J Geogr. 2017;49(2):133-144.

 

  1. Obiri S, Yeboah PO, Osae S, et al. Human health risk assessment of artisanal miners exposed to toxic chemicals in water and sediments in the Prestea Huni Valley District of Ghana. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2016;13(1):139. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13010139

 

  1. Chea R, Grenouillet G, Lek S. Evidence of water quality degradation in lower Mekong basin revealed by self-organizing map. PLoS One. 2016;11(1):e0145527. doi: 10.5061/dryad.51021

 

  1. Prathumratana L, Sthiannopkao S, Kim KW. The relationship of climatic and hydrological parameters to surface water quality in the lower Mekong River. Environ Int. 2008;34(6):860-866. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2007.10.011

 

  1. Sharma R, Kumar A, Singh N, Sharma K. Impact of seasonal variation on water quality of Hindon River: Physicochemical and biological analysis. SN Appl Sci. 2021;3:1-11. doi: 10.1007/s42452-020-03986-3

 

  1. Preonty NEJ, Hassan MN, Reza AHMS, Rasel MIA, Mahim MMA, Jannat MFT. Pollution and health risk assessment of heavy metals in surface water of the industrial region in Gazipur, Bangladesh. Environ Chem Ecotoxicol. 2025;7:527-538. doi: 10.1016/j.enceco.2025.02.014

 

  1. Sao V, Chey CO, Sriv T, et al. Assessing drinking water quality and health risks of contaminants in the coastal areas of Cambodia. J Water Health. 2023;21(2):224-234. doi: 10.2166/wh.2023.215

 

  1. Xiao Y, Yin S, Hao Q, Gu X, Pei Q, Zhang Y. Hydrogeochemical appraisal of groundwater quality and health risk in a near-suburb area of North China. J Water Supply Res Technol. 2020;69(1):55-69. doi: 10.2166/aqua.2019.101

 

  1. Varol S, Şekerci M. Hydrogeochemistry, water quality and health risk assessment of water resources contaminated by agricultural activities in Korkuteli (Antalya, Turkey) district center. J Water Health. 2018;16(4):574-599. doi: 10.2166/wh.2018.003

 

  1. Phan K, Hoeng S, Phin S, et al. Chemical risks in drinking water of inhabitants in the basin of the Tonle Sap Great Lake. J Water Health. 2023;21(12):1908-1921. doi: 10.2166/wh.2023.236

 

  1. Sayed FA, Eid MH, El-Sherbeeny AM, Abdel-Gawad GI, Mohamed EA, Abukhadra MR. Environmental and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic elements in the red sea using Monte Carlo simulation. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):4122.

 

  1. Taiwo A, Olujimi O, Bamgbose O, Arowolo T. Surface water quality monitoring in Nigeria: Situational analysis and future management strategy. In: Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment. Vol. 13. London: Intechopen; 2012. p. 301-320.

 

  1. Luvhimbi N, Tshitangano T, Mabunda J, Olaniyi F, Edokpayi J. Water quality assessment and evaluation of human health risk of drinking water from source to point of use at Thulamela municipality, Limpopo Province. Sci Rep. 2022;12(1):6059.

 

  1. Mohammadi AA, Zarei A, Majidi S, et al. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of heavy metals in drinking water of Khorramabad, Iran. MethodsX. 2019;6:1642-1651. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.07.017

 

  1. Cao S, Duan X, Zhao X, et al. Health risks from the exposure of children to As, Se, Pb and other heavy metals near the largest coking plant in China. Sci Total Environ. 2014;472:1001-1009. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.124

 

Share
Back to top
Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, Electronic ISSN: 1875-8568 Print ISSN: 0972-9860, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept