Online Journal of Earth Sciences
ISSN: Online 1994-4632ISSN: Print 1991-7708
331
Views
1
Downloads
Hydrochemistry of Groundwater in the North Numidian Mercurial Zone (Azzaba),North East Algeia: Effect of Mercury Contamination of Population
Benhamza Moussa , Kherici Nacer , Picard-bonnaud Francoise and Nezzal Abdelmalek
Page: 51-57 | Received 21 Sep 2022, Published online: 21 Sep 2022
Full Text Reference XML File PDF File
Abstract
The mercury ore deposit of Azzaba is located on the northern flanc of the limestone Chain, south of Azzaba town, North East Algeria. The study area is characterized by two aquiferous. The Oligocene aquifer is composed of fissured sandstone alternating with argillaceous layers whereas the deep aquifer of Paleocene-Eocene age and sediments consisting of sandstones, limestones and conglomerates-breccias. These two aquifers are separated by the impermeable rocks of the Paleozoic and the Lutetian-Priabonian, which represents the mercurial mineralization of Cinnabar (HgS), characterized by breccias limestone, clays and limestone. Nineteen springs and wells from the two aquifers were sampled for chemical analyses. The most dominant facieses are bicarbonated calcic, sulfated calcic and chlorided sodic. Water of the Oligocene aquifer shows high Hg contents (up to 80 µg.L 1) whereas in the deep aquifer, Hg contents do not exceed 7 µg.L 1 though the litho-stratigraphic facies with a high Hg Clarke are located in the deep aquifer.The calculated coefficient of Hg in the area is moderate following the stability of cinnabar, compared to those of Zn and Cu wich are much higher.The increase of Hg in water of the Oligocene is not the result of the leaching of geological formations (Cinnabar). The mean urinary inorganic Hg rate in the plant worker is about 650 µg.G 1 of creatinine. Clinical signs of Hg contamination within school children are compared between those of Azzaba region and those of Annaba, located 80 km East of Algeria taken as a non contaminated reference. School children of Azzaba region have a mean rate of 2.50 µg.G 1 compared to 0.45 µg.G 1 for those of Annaba.The mercury norm is largely exceeded in groundwater as well as in population living in the Azzaba region.
How to cite this article:
Benhamza Moussa , Kherici Nacer , Picard-bonnaud Francoise and Nezzal Abdelmalek . Hydrochemistry of Groundwater in the North Numidian Mercurial Zone (Azzaba),North East Algeia: Effect of Mercury Contamination of Population.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/ojesci.2007.51.57
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1991-7708/ojesci.2007.51.57