Full text

Turn on search term navigation

© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Few studies have quantified the complex flux of trace metals from mine tailings to rivers through water erosion, especially in the semi-arid region of North Morocco (Zaida mine) where soil erosion is a severe issue. This study applies (i) methods to understand and estimate the complex flux of trace metals from mine tailings to rivers, using the RUSLE model combined with the concentration of trace metals in the soil and additionally (ii) pollution indices and statistical analyses to assess the sediment contamination by Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Our study revealed that the basin has a low erosion rate, with an average of 9.1 t/ha/yr. Moreover, the soil contamination is particularly high at the north of the mine tailings, as prevailing winds disperse particles across the basin. The assessment of the sediments indicated that Pb is the main contaminant, with concentrations exceeding 200 mg/kg specifically downstream of the tailings. This study also identified high a concentration of trace elements 14 km away from the tailings alongside the Moulouya river, due to the specific hydrological transport patterns in the area. This research contributes to a better understanding of the transport and fate of the trace metals in mining areas. It proposes a replicable method that can be applied in other regions to assess the contamination flows and thereby assist water resource management.

Details

Title
Assessment of Multiple Trace Metal Fluxes in a Semi-Arid Watershed Containing Mine Tailing, Using a Multiple Tool Approach (Zaida Mine, Upper Moulouya Watershed, Morocco)
Author
Mimouni, Yassine 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Chafi, Abdelhafid 2 ; Bouabdli, Abdelhak 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Bouamar Baghdad 4 ; Deliege, Jean-François 5   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 PeGIRE Laboratory, Aquapôle Research Center, Unit FOCUS Research Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research, University of Liège, Quartier Polytech 1, Allée de la Découverte, 11, 4000 Liège, Belgium; [email protected]; Laboratory for Agricultural Productions Improvement, Biotechnology and Environment, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed First, BP-717, Oujda 60000, Morocco; [email protected] 
 Laboratory for Agricultural Productions Improvement, Biotechnology and Environment, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed First, BP-717, Oujda 60000, Morocco; [email protected] 
 Laboratory of Geosciences, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Avenue de L’Université, Kenitra 14000, Morocco; [email protected] 
 Casablanca School of Architecture and Landscape—Honoris United Universities, Boulevard Abou Hanifa Al Noâman, Sidi Bernoussi, Casablanca 20100, Morocco; [email protected] 
 PeGIRE Laboratory, Aquapôle Research Center, Unit FOCUS Research Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research, University of Liège, Quartier Polytech 1, Allée de la Découverte, 11, 4000 Liège, Belgium; [email protected] 
First page
105
Publication year
2024
Publication date
2024
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
23065338
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
3084903946
Copyright
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.