Distribution of Enhanced Potentially Toxic Element Contaminations Due to Natural and Coexisting Gold Mining Activities Using Planet Smallsat Constellations

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from natural and anthropogenic activities threaten the environment human health. The associations of PTEs with hazards can be powerful prominent mechanisms to release PTEs, considerably hastening their multiple contaminations widespread distribution. This study primarily aimed investigate enhanced potential distribution PTE (arsenic, lead, mercury) coexisting gold mining operations combined massive riverbank erosion in Indonesia 2002 2022, where soil water are highly contaminated naturally, using PlanetScope smallsat constellations, Google Earth imagery, hydrographic datasets. According findings, increased barren extents were found because deposits road network developments. Enhanced runoffs would transported across two different sub-basins, affecting broader parts Bone River. Between 139.3% river expansion was identified, eroding a maximum 3,436,139.4 m3 soil. Particularly land surfaces repeatedly transformed rivers agricultural lands low River, possibly by fertilizer spills. combination potentials sources further exacerbate contamination level at an estuary. These findings expected aid timely monitoring assuming volumes, rates, various alert risks ecosystems Future work this area should aim levels estuary, materials both accumulated.