Effects of phosphate mining activity on groundwater quality at Wadi Queh, Red Sea, Egypt

Abdalla, Fathy; Khalifa, Ibrahim H.

doi:10.1007/s12517-011-0426-0

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The Nubian sandstone aquifer of Queih contains PO4 -3 of 0.82 mg/L, while the Duwi limestone aquifer ranges between 0.7 -0.85 mg/L. The PO4 -3 for Queih is higher than other studies [14] in groundwater by up to five times. Higher phosphate concentrations were also recognized near the Um Gheig Pb/Zn mine site of Um Gheig area [27].…”

Section: Hydrochemical Characteristics Of Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 62%

“…The Queih depression is morphotectonic [13], running NW-SE, and receives water from the surrounding mountains. The water-bearing formations in Wadi Queih can be classified into two main hydrogeological units (Table 1), sedimentary rocks and fractured Precambrian basement rocks [14] (Figure 2). The recognized aquifers in Wadi Queih are:…”

Section: Wadi Queihmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SO4 2− values are a little lower in the Duwi limestone aquifer (508 -715 mg/L) compared to the Nubian sandstone (813 mg/L). However, higher values of sulfates in groundwater may be due to dissolved gypsum-anhydrite and/or potassium sulfates fertilizers added [22] especially in the agricultural soil of Queih or oxidation of sulfides in the aquifers [14]. The Nitrate concentration in the study area ranges between 0.6 and 4.4 mg/L for Queih and 0.2 to 0.6 mg/L for Asal.…”

Section: Hydrochemical Characteristics Of Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater from Wadi Asal and Wadi Queih, Quseir, Red Sea, Egypt

Mosalem

Redwan

Moneim

et al. 2023

Sohag Journal of Sciences

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The study area in Wadi Asal and Wadi Queih at Quseir area, Red Sea, Egypt, suffers from different natural and anthropogenic processes due to rock variability, mining, and human activities. Groundwater is the only source of fresh water in the area. Three major hydrogeological units are recorded for groundwater in the study area; the Quaternary, the fractured Precambrian, and the Phanerozoic aquifers. The hydrogeochemical properties of groundwater were evaluated through the chemical analysis of 5 collected water samples from available wells in the study area. The resulting groundwater is characterized by Ca 2+ > Na + > Mg 2+ and Cl -> SO4 2− > HCO3 -, in Queih wells while Asal has Na + > Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ and Cl -> SO4 2− > HCO3 -. The hydrochemical facies in this area fall in the field of Ca-Na-Cl-SO4 for Queih, and Na-Ca-Cl-SO4 for Asal, indicating Ca 2+ and Na + are the dominant cations in the groundwaters from Queih and Asal areas with mixing or dissolution (for Queih water samples) and reverse ion exchange reactions (for Asal water samples) as the prevalent hydrochemical processes controlling their chemistry. High K + and NO3in Queih are due to agricultural activities accelerated by using potassium fertilizers. TDS is more than 3000 mg/L, and the Middle Miocene sandstone aquifer of Asal water is more saline than the Cretaceous aquifers of Queih due to the presence of faults and dykes that allows water to infiltrate with great leaching processes from surrounding aquifers lithologies. Monitoring the natural and anthropogenic activities that influence groundwater quality around Safaga-Quseir District, Red Sea, is essential for the future sustainable management of water resources.

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Section: Hydrochemical Characteristics Of Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Wadi Queihmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Hydrochemical Characteristics Of Groundwatermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater from Wadi Asal and Wadi Queih, Quseir, Red Sea, Egypt

Mosalem

Redwan

Moneim

et al. 2023

Sohag Journal of Sciences

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“…Cr and Co showed minor enrichment near the mine areas of Wadi Asal and an increase in some upstream parts (basement source rocks) and downstream sites (mobility). The moderate level of Cu in the estimated sediments is due to the occurrence of Egyptian basement complex rocks and Pb–Zn mining activities (Abdalla & Khalifa, 2013 ; Lu et al, 2018 ; Redwan & Rammlmair, 2017 ; Wedepohl, 1978 ). The high level of Ni Cd, Pb, and Zn in the study area, especially near the downstream areas of Wadi Asal, may be ascribed to the existence of Pb–Zn mining as well as the basic and ultrabasic rocks recognized at these central wadis of the Red Sea (El-Shater, 1985 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution, speciation, and assessment of heavy metals in sediments from Wadi Asal, Red Sea, Egypt

Mosalem,

Redwan,

Abdel Moneim

et al. 2024

Environ Monit Assess

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Globally, the environmental contamination of stream sediments due to geogenic and anthropogenic sources is of growing concern. In this study, the heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in 22 superficial sediments in Wadi Asal, Red Sea, Egypt, were explored to assess sediment sources, the mobility of chemical species, and the degree of contamination in sediments. Therefore, the total heavy metal values in the fine fraction (< 63 μm), a five-step sequential extraction on selective samples, risk assessment, and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied. The mobility of heavy metals in Wadi Asal sediments, according to non-residual fraction percent, declines in the following order: Cd (90.9%) > Pb (85.2%) > Co (84.4%) > Cu (80.8%) > Zn (75.9%) > Ni (48.4%) > Cr (39.6%); indicating the high mobility of Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, and Co. The mean metal contamination factor (CF) order is Cd (10.96) > Ni (3.91) > Cr (2.77) > Zn (2.18) > Pb (2.10) > Co (1.12) > Cu (0.70). The Geo-accumulation Index (Igeo) is decreased in the following order: Cd (2.19) > Ni (0.78) > Cr (0.55) > Zn (0.44) > Pb (0.42) > Co (0.22) > Cu (0.14). The risk assessment code (RAC) revealed very high to high risk for Cd, Co, and Pb. The results pointed out that the metals Cr, Co, Cu, and Ni are from geogenic sources, while Zn, Cd, and Pb are from anthropogenic sources due to Pb–Zn mining activities. Based on the threshold effect level (TEL), Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb have adverse effects on living organisms. According to these findings, the area along Wadi Asal and the downstream regions on the beach are highly polluted and heavy metal monitoring in sediments and aquatic organisms is recommended.

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“…Firstly, the primary source of direct water consumed by mining often comes from surface and ground water. Secondly, mining operations often significantly affect the water quality of local resources, e.g., acid mine drainage, and heavy metal pollutions of water resources in Southern Africa (McCarthy, 2011, Ashton et al, 2001, Baia Mare, Romania (Bud et al, 2007), and Wadi Queh, Egypt (Abdalla and Khalifa, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Synergising water and energy requirements to improve sustainability performance in mine tailings management

Adiansyah

John

Vink

et al. 2016

Journal of Cleaner Production

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Mining is a water and energy intensive industry, and reducing water and energy consumption are two important issues in the quest for more sustainable industrial production. The aim of this paper is to assess the correlation between water and energy requirements in various tailings disposal strategies (on a per cent solids-based analysis). Two main methods are used: rheology testing and a system modelling approach. A coal mine site in Australia was chosen as a case study to apply five tailings disposal options. These five options are differentiated by the percentage of solids in the tailings ranging from 30% to 70%. The rheology analysis indicated that the coal mine tailings with 65-70% solids are not pumpable and these two options are beyond the scope of this study. The results of the analyses show that the optimal scheme process in terms of water saving, water management, and energy consumption involved tailings with 50% mass solids. The implementation of this option resulted in both lower water transport (15,532 ML/y) and energy consumption (34.7 TJ/y). This option also reduced the overall flows of water to the Tailings Storage Facility by 30%.

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Effects of phosphate mining activity on groundwater quality at Wadi Queh, Red Sea, Egypt

Cited by 15 publications

References 8 publications

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater from Wadi Asal and Wadi Queih, Quseir, Red Sea, Egypt

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater from Wadi Asal and Wadi Queih, Quseir, Red Sea, Egypt

Distribution, speciation, and assessment of heavy metals in sediments from Wadi Asal, Red Sea, Egypt

Synergising water and energy requirements to improve sustainability performance in mine tailings management

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