Geochemical and Environmental Evaluation of Um Shashoba Gold Mine Area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

A suite of elements (Ag, Au, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Hf, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Te and Zn), total organic carbon (TOC) and pH were analyzed in stream sediment and tailing samples from Um Shashoba area, in order to evaluate Au placer and the sediments being impacted by old mining activities. Analytical results were examined using statistical, graphical and mapping methods. In spite of the results revealing that Au and most of the elements in sediments were in general significantly lower than those in tailing, Au was concentrated in the NE and SW parts forming Au placer. It is remarkably a close association of Au with Hg and Sb; both are useful as pathfinder elements for Au placers. Values of pH could not control a fate of analyzed elements, whereas TOC and Mn oxides and hydroxides could uptake some elements Au, Ba, Co, Cr, Hg, Ni, and Sr. The results also indicated that the sediments were contaminated by anthropogenic factors causing moderate, strong to very strong pollution with respect to Bi, Se and Te, respectively. Additionally, geogenic factors could also contribute elemental enrichment to the drainage system and cause significant toxicity level.