The Oued Serrat: Mining activity, ground water and dispersion of base metals in natural environments (North-western Tunisia)

The aims of this work were to determine the impacts of releases from two iron and phosphate mines (North West Tunisia) on the physico-chemical water composition of the related alluvial aquifer system. Samples from tailings, soil and water wells were collected and analyzed. The analytical results of tailing samples showed that this matrix contains high concentrations of heavy metals (mainly Cd, Cr, Pb and Zn). These metals were also detected at significant levels in the fine soil fraction downstream from the mine waste discharge due to transport by wind and water. The heavy metal concentrations in groundwater showed that the metal transport from the tailings is completely attenuated by the soil constituents. Overall, the physic-chemical quality of the groundwater is good, except for nitrates, which are present at relatively high concentrations due to intensive agricultural practices and the absence of urban wastewater treatment plants.