How do the traits of macroinvertebrates in the River Chanchaga respond to illegal gold mining activities in North Central Nigeria

Augustine O. Edegbene1,2*† Luckey A. Elakhame2 Francis O. Arimoro3 Ekikhalo C. Osimen2 Tega T. Edegbene Ovie4 Ehi C. Akumabor5 Nididi C. Ubanatu6 Carolyne W. Njuguna7 Abdul A. Sankoh8,9 Frank C. Akamagwuna10

• 1Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Nigeria
• 2Department of Zoology, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria
• 3Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
• 4Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Nigeria
• 5Safety and Security Management Division, Department of Engineering Management Services, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Abuja, Nigeria
• 6Department of Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Abuja, Nigeria
• 7Environment Department, Kenya Industrial Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
• 8Department of Environmental Engineering Management, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
• 9Department of Chemistry, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone
• 10Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa

Africa harbours about a third of the world’s largest natural resource reserves of mineral such as gold and diamonds. These vast mineral reserves in Africa are essential to the continent's development and modern industrial society. However, these minerals, including gold, are often illegally mined by locals which leads to biodiversity loss and groundwater and surface water contamination. In the present study, we assess the impact of illegal gold mining (i.e., panning) and other anthropogenic activities on the distribution patterns of macroinvertebrate traits in the River Chanchaga, North central Nigeria. Anthropogenic activities including urban development, agricultural activities, household activities and gold mining are impacting the Chanchaga stream sites samples in Nigeria. We selected four sampling stations (i.e., reaches), denoting increasing disturbance order; Station 1 < Station 2 < Station 4 < Station 3. Four macroinvertebrate traits, body size, mode of respiration, mode of locomotion, and body shape, were selected and categorized into 19 attributes. The trait attributes were assigned to taxa using the fuzzy coding method. The relative abundance of traits in the study river showed that very large body size (>40–80 mm) macroinvertebrates dominated Stations 1 and 2 while large body size (>20–40mm) dominated Station 3. The relative abundance of macroinvertebrates possessing an integument for oxygen diffusion dominated Station 4. The RLQ model showed that traits such as medium body size (>10–20 mm), gills as mode of respiration, and streamlined and spherical body shapes were positively associated with Stations 1 and 2. Conversely, small (>5–10 mm) and very large (>40–80 mm) body sizes, spiracle: vegetative respiration using plant stems, climbing mode of locomotion, and sprawling mode of locomotion were positively associated with Stations 3 and 4. The fourth-corner test revealed that macroinvertebrates with very small (<5mm) and medium body sizes (>10–20 mm), spiracles mode of respiration and climbing mode of locomotion were positively associated with at least one of the following physico-chemical variables: 1) electrical conductivity [EC (μS cm−1)], 2) biological oxygen demand [BOD5 (mg l−1)], 3) sulphate (mg l−1), 4) nitrate (mg l−1) and 5) phosphate (mg l−1). These traits were classified as resilient traits to pollution in our study. On the other hand, macroinvertebrates that possess gills and can swim actively were positively associated with dissolved oxygen and were deemed vulnerable to pollution. Based on our findings, we concluded that anthropogenic activities, especially illegal gold mining, alter the distribution patterns of macroinvertebrates traits and, in turn, the ecological balance of the ecosystem. To forestall further damage to the ecological health of the River Chanchaga, the government should regulate the activities of gold miners.

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