Assessment of trace metals contamination in sediment and surface water of quarry lakes from the abandoned Pb mine Zaida, High Moulouya-Morocco

Abstract

Physicochemical properties and total content of potentially toxic metals (Pb, Zn, As, Cd and Cu) in sediment and surface water samples from the pit lakes of the abandoned Pb mine were determined to assess the contamination level, and to evaluate the impact of the past mining activities on their quality. The results of the metallic trace elements in water samples gave high concentrations especially for Pb, Cd and As, which makes these lakes unusable neither for irrigation nor for drinking water supply. In addition to some statistical analyses, the geoaccumulation index (I geo ), potential ecological risk (E i r ) , and other pollution indices were applied to assess pollution levels of sediments. The obtained values of I geo and the comparison with the sediment quality guidelines reveals a high Pb contamination especially for the lakes located near next to the tailings. As for the E i r , it shows an extreme contamination by As in some studied lakes. The correlation results showed that Pb and As are from different sources. In fact, the tailings could represent the most important source of Pb, while the As can be related to lithogenic or anthropogenic sources.

Diversity and Antimicrobial Activities of Actinobacteria Isolated from Mining Soils in Midelt Region, Morocco

“…In line with prior research on the assessment of trace metal contamination levels in sediments and water from these mining sites [ 16 , 35 , 36 ], we have been exploring extreme environments (the Dead Sea in Jordan and hypersaline sites in the Pre-Rif region in Morocco) [ 22 , 37 ] for the isolation of bacteria of biotechnological potential. We were the first group searching for Actinobacteria from Ahouli-Mibladen-Zaida mining areas and determining their potential to produce antimicrobial agents.…”

Bioavailability and health risk of pollutants around a controlled landfill in Morocco: Synergistic effects of landfilling and intensive agriculture

“…Upon reaching the laboratory, the examined samples were air-dried, then they were sifted through a 2-mm sieve using vibrating stainless sieves and pulverized manually. For determination of the total fraction of heavy metal(oid)s, the finely powdered samples were subjected to a wet digestion method using Aqua Regia [ 23 , 24 ].…”

Physicochemical Characterisation of Water and Sediment of the Semimechanized Artisanal Gold Mining Environment of the Béké Locality

“…Te risk and pollution levels of trace metals in the sediments on the river of the largest gold production base in China were assessed in the northwestern part of Shandong Peninsula, China [20]. In High Moulouya-Morocco, the authors in [21] studied the physical and chemical residences and whole content material of doubtlessly poisonous metals (Pb, Zn, As, Cd, and Cu) in sediments and foor waters from the pit lakes of the deserted Pb mine and assessed the pollution level. Te authors in [22] investigated the distribution and stages of doubtlessly poisonous metals in water and sediments.…”