Study and Evaluation of Risk Related to Waters Contamination of Dam of Guenitra, by Heavy Metals, from Mine of Sidi Kamber

Abstract

In Algeria, there are many mining sites that have been abandoned. These sites generate large amounts of contaminants and could have negative impacts on the environment. The Mine of Sidi Kambar, located 60km from Skikda city, is an example .This mine is a source of contamination of the dam of Guénitra, by heavy metals. Among the various wadis which supply the dam, wadi Es-Souk crosses the mining zone of Sidi Kamber.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the metal pollution of waters of the Oued Es-Souk as well as the dam. The different results show that the waters of Wadi are contaminated by heavy metals, whose concentrations can reach 3250 mg / l for zinc, 3.4 mg / l for iron and 0.8 mg / l for lead. Waters of the dam are less contaminated; however, sediments of the dam are highly contaminated by lead.