Title: Contamination by mercury of groundwater of the North Numidian zone of Azzaba, North East Algeria. Effect of inorganic mercury contamination of population

Authors: Moussa Benhamza; Yahia Hammar

Addresses: Department of Geology, Laboratory Water Treatment and Waste Recycling, University Badji Mokhtar Annaba, B.P 12, Annaba 23000, Algeria. ' Department of Hydraulic, Laboratory Water Treatment and Waste Recycling, University Badji Mokhtar Annaba, B.P 12, Annaba 23000, Algeria

Abstract: The mercury ore deposit of Azzaba is located on the northern flank of the limestone chain, south of Azzaba town, North East Algeria. Nineteen springs and wells from the two aquifers were sampled for chemical analyses. Water of the Oligocene aquifer shows high Hg contents (up to 80 (g.L−1) whereas in the deep aquifer, Hg contents do not exceed 7 µg.L−1). School children of the Azzaba region have a mean rate of 2.50 (g.G−1) compared to 0.45 µg.G−1) for those of Annaba. The mercury norm is largely exceeded in the groundwater as well as in the population living in the Azzaba region.

Keywords: geology; mercury ore deposits; migration; groundwater pollution; water pollution; public health; mercury norms; Algeria; aquifers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2012.046397

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2012 Vol.9 No.3/4, pp.347 - 357

Published online: 13 Dec 2014 *

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