Spatial distribution of soil heavy metals in the Zaida mine (Morocco) based on Geostatistical Methods
Laghlimi Meriem
, Douaik Ahmad
, Baghdad Bouamar
, El Hadi Hassan
, Moussadek Rachid
and Taoufik Meryem
- Laboratory of applied geology, Geomatics and Environment, Faculty of Sciences Ben M’Sik, University Hassan II, Casablanca, Morocco.
- National Institute for Agricultural Research, Rabat, Morocco.
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Hassan II Agronomy and Veterinary Institute, Rabat, Morocco
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Geostatistical methods were applied to investigate spatial distribution of heavy metals in the soils around the Zaida mining district in Morocco. Soil samples from 51 locations were collected at various distances and directions from tailings. Concentrations of seven heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Cd, Ni, Zn and Pb) were measured using Inductive Coupled Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Results show that heavy metal contents in investigated soils are significantly higher than those in uncontaminated soils reported by many other authors. The average abundance order of heavy metal levels are Pb>Zn>Cr>Cu>Ni>Co>Cd. Kriged maps of all studied heavy metals showed a strong gradient of contamination around mine tailings. The degree of contamination decreases when the distance from the tailings pounds increases. In addition, soils located in the prevailing wind directions from the mine tailings were enriched in heavy metals. In conclusion, the tailings of Zaida can be considered as a potential source of contamination with heavy metals for surrounding soils, mainly attributed to dispersion tailings particles under wind action.
[Laghlimi Meriem, Douaik Ahmad, Baghdad Bouamar, El Hadi Hassan, Moussadek Rachid and Taoufik Meryem (2015); Spatial distribution of soil heavy metals in the Zaida mine (Morocco) based on Geostatistical Methods Int. J. of Adv. Res. 3 (Jul). 337-349] (ISSN 2320-5407). www.journalijar.com
