Geochemistry of the Heavy Metals in the Tansrift Mine (Atlas of Beni Mellal, Morocco) – A Pollution Assessment

The Tansrift mine is an open-pit exploitation mine that mines copper substances. It is located on the southwestern flank of the Beni Mellal Atlas, 9 km Northeast of Ouaouizaght village. The mining activity delivered about 650 000 t of 1.5% Cu, with an estimated reserve of 1 Mt to 1.32% Cu. In this study, seven hazardous heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, and Ni) have been studied in the tailing and exploitation of the Tansrift mining district. The geochemical analysis contents of the metals were measured in the samples collected from this area. In addition, the pollution indexes, including the geo-accumulation index, the enrichment factor, the contamination factor, and the pollution load index, were used to assess pollution levels caused by those heavy metals. The Igeo index revealed a high to extreme copper contamination with a value above 4. As for the contamination factor, extreme and moderate contamination is shown by the copper and chrome in the totality of the exploitation and tailing areas. Moreover, the pollution load index shows very high pollution in all samples. The climatic conditions are also affecting the pollution of the atmosphere by contaminated dust and the water table and watershed by the contamination from the tailings and mineralized structures.

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Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr SONP/SP/546092/2022 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2024).