Abstract
Unlicensed Gold Mining (PETI) causes environmental pollution problems because the surrounding community processes gold using mercury (Hg) assisted amlagamation techniques. Mercury waste discharged directly into the environment adversely affects public health and degrades soil and water quality. The presence of mercury in soil is strongly influenced by soil properties and characteristics, as it relates to the availability, movement, transport and behavior of mercury in soil. Adsorption-desorption reactions in soil are a prerequisite for understanding the behavior of Hg in the soil environment and for the assessment of pollution risks to the surrounding environment. Soil properties and characteristics that affect the adsorption-desorption of mercury in soil include soil texture, soil organic matter, soil pH and iron oxide.