The Oued Mellègue: Mining activity, stream sediments and dispersion of base metals in natural environments, North-western Tunisia

Mlayah, Ammar; Silva, Eduardo Ferreira da; Rocha, Fernando; Hamza, Ch. Ben; Charef, Abdelkrim; Noronha, Fernando

doi:10.1016/j.gexplo.2008.11.016

Cited by 57 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…Thus, iron oxyhydroxides are associated with trace elements from the catchment area of the Mejerda river. The previous work of Mlayah et al (2009) and Decrée et al (2009) suggests that weathering and oxidation produce a prevalent Fe-Mn oxyhydroxide surface in the stream sediment hydrogenous phase, which is capable of scavenging toxic metals. Lead was et al (1995) showed that Pb is preferentially adsorbed by smectite.…”

Section: Correlationmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Trace elements in different marine sediment fractions of the Gulf of Tunis (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Zaaboub

Oueslati²,

Helali³

et al. 2014

Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability

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Over several decades, the mouth of the Mejerda River (northern Tunisia) has received large amounts of mining tailings mainly containing Pb, Zn and Ba. We have measured the concentrations of major and trace elements (Al, Ti, P, K, Mg, Na, Ca, S, Fe, Cl, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, I, Ba and Pb) in three different fractions of 45 surficial sediments using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The size distribution of fine particles (<2 µm, 2-20 µm, 20-63 µm) revealed that clay and silt compounds were predominant (75-95%) in the deeper estuarine region. These condensed clay phases were mainly dioctahedral smectite, illite and kaolinite. The total organic carbon (TOC) concentration varies from 0.08 to 1.37 %. The C:N ratio varies from 1 to 17 indicating that the organic matter has a mixed marine and continental origin principal component analysis was used to determine the associations of trace elements with organic and/or inorganic phases of the sediment fractions. The correlations of Fe 2 O 3 , MnO 2 and P 2 O 5 with trace elements showed that amorphous Fe and Mn were the most active scavengers of dissolved metals from the Mejerda River. Cluster analysis clearly distinguished local trace element accumulations according to grain size fractions (< 2 µm and 2-20 µm) near the Ghar el Melh Lagoon and the Mejerda River.

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Section: Correlationmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Industrial activity has produced considerable amounts of residues in waste dumps in the vicinity of the river. For example, previous researchers have pointed out that the discharge of mining rejects in this area constitutes a potential source of contamination (Ben Hamza, 1994;Jdid et al 1999;Moldenhauer et al, 2008;Mlayah et al, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trace elements in different marine sediment fractions of the Gulf of Tunis (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Zaaboub

Oueslati²,

Helali³

et al. 2014

Chemical Speciation & Bioavailability

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“…In these areas, overbank and channel sediments would already have contained high levels of base metals prior to agricultural development. However, in areas where Pb, Cd, and Zn were mined, there were high levels of contamination corresponding to the source areas of the trace elements (Mlayah et al, 2009;Lecce & Pavlowsky, 2001). …”

Section: Siltation Transportmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mining Activities and Associated Environmental Impacts in Arid Climates: A Literature Review

Sims¹,

Hooda²,

Gillmore³

2013

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Mining operations have released measurable levels of geogenic trace metals (e.g. Cd, Cr, Pb), metalloids (e.g. As, Se), and anthropogenic chemicals (e.g. CN -, Hg) into surrounding sediments. Abandoned mining sites in hyperarid climates has not been the focus of much research compared to wet and temperate areas. Research has focused on historical mining sites in semiarid and wetter regions in the United States, south pacific and Europe. Those areas have obvious risks associated with them including aqueous phase mobilization as a result of abundant precipitation. However, many mining areas in the American Southwest and aboard are located in hyperarid regions and viewed as not having a potential for mobilization of contaminants. Seasonal storm events can mobilize sediments containing contaminates beyond a small, localized area and into the wider environment. Literature indicates that arid and hyperarid mining regions have not been studied as extensively as those in wetter climates.

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“…Dust can have natural or anthropogenic origins. Maximal concentrations of PM 10 are found in mining area and the concentrations are gradually diminished with increase in distance due to transportation, deposition and dispersion of particles [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Chemical and Mineralogy Characteristics of Dust Collected Near the Phosphate Mining Basin of Gafsa (South-Western of Tunisia)

Raja¹,

Taieb²,

Ammar³

2014

J Environ Anal Toxicol

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The Oued Mellègue: Mining activity, stream sediments and dispersion of base metals in natural environments, North-western Tunisia

Cited by 57 publications

References 38 publications

Trace elements in different marine sediment fractions of the Gulf of Tunis (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Trace elements in different marine sediment fractions of the Gulf of Tunis (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Mining Activities and Associated Environmental Impacts in Arid Climates: A Literature Review

Chemical and Mineralogy Characteristics of Dust Collected Near the Phosphate Mining Basin of Gafsa (South-Western of Tunisia)

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