Analysis of Soil Pollution by Trace Metal Elements and Habitability Conditions in the Kanyamenshi Neighbourhood, Kipushi City (Haut-Katanga, DR Congo)

Résumé fourni par la source

The city of Kipushi has experienced accelerated, unregulated urbanisation, primarily driven by mining activities, leading to extensive environmental contamination. In particular, the spontaneous occupation of mining waste sites has intensified soil pollution by trace metal elements (TMEs). This study evaluates soil pollution management practices and their relationship to habitability conditions in the Kanyamenshi neighbourhood. Structured household surveys were administered to residents adjacent to Kipushi’s tailings to document anti-pollution architectural and landscaping strategies, as well as socioeconomic profiles. Spatial distribution of TMEs in soils was mapped using geostatistical interpolation techniques within QGIS. Results demonstrate that adaptive architectural and landscaping practices correlate strongly with local contamination levels. In Kanyamenshi, 55.2% of respondents reported implementing remediation measures, including soil scrubbing (deep biological ground extraction, (DBGE) and complementary mitigation techniques. In Kichangalayi, 35% of households employed excavation-based interventions. Socioeconomic analysis revealed that educational attainment remains low, with 35% of residents having primary education and 45% secondary education. Spatial interpolation revealed that Cu-Co concentrations are markedly lower in the southern sector of the study area and significantly elevated toward the northeast. These findings highlight the emergence of both autonomous and community-driven environmental management practices in highly contaminated urban settings. The identification of key land stakeholders emerges as a strategic priority for enhancing the efficacy of soil pollution mitigation efforts and promoting sustainable urban development.

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