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(W/EH006) Heavy metal contamination resulting from an abandoned mine in the vicinity of Marrakech,Morocco. BITTON, Gabriel1, BOULARBAH, Ali2, OUHAMMOU, Ahmed2, MOREL, Jean-Louis3, 1 2 3 ABSTRACT- An abandoned Zn and Pb mine in the vicinity of Marrakech, Morocco, was investigated for its impact on soil and water contamination. The abandoned mine tailings were piled up at about 200m uphill from a river, and some were spread over a three-acre land. Chemical analyses and heavy metal toxicity were undertaken for samples taken during the dry season along the path of transport of residual mine tailings downhill to the river. MetPAD, a kit that is specific for heavy metal toxicity , was used to test soil, plant, and aquatic samples. Our data show that, as compared to a control soil outside the path, most of the soil samples taken within the path were highly toxic and contained high concentrations of Zn and Pb, and lower levels of Cu and Cd. The LOELs for the tested samples varied between 0.2 to 6.6 g soil/L. River samples, taken upstream and downstream from the impacted area, displayed no toxicity, although the sediment showed some toxicity. Extracts of plants taken from the impacted area, were also investigated for heavy metal toxicity. No toxicity was observed in any of the plants, indicating that they were meta-tolerant but did not hyperaccumulate heavy metals. This work was supported by a Fulbright Fellowship to GB in Marrakech, Morocco. Key words: MetPAD, Heavy metals, Mining toxicity |
