Geochemical modeling of soils and technogenic sediments interactions with natural waters using SELECTOR software (Chaabet-el-Hamra mine, Algeria)

Abstract

Abstract In the mining complex of Kherzet Youcef, including the Chaabet-el-Hamra mine and processing plant, chemical analyzes were carried out on soil and sediment samples and exceeded the normative guidelines for zinc, lead, and cadmium except a small area in the foothills. X-ray diffractometer analyzes confirmed the presence of a considerable inclusion of sulfides (up to 20%), such as pyrite, marcasite (FeS2) and sphalerite (ZnS) especially at the liquid waste disposal site and technogenic sediments. To predict changes in the mineral composition of soils and waste under the condition of their contact with rain water and to assess the potential contamination of ground waters, a thermodynamic model SELECTOR was applied on selected samples. The results of this study conclude that the calculated equilibrium mineral composition is very close to the real phase composition only for the least polluted soils. For technogenic sediments or waste, the equilibrium mineral composition differs significantly from the experimental one. The modeling of potential transition of the main pollutants in water soluble forms allows concluding that in the study area should be feared of exceeding of normative guidelines of cadmium, zinc, and lead.