Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Geochemical reconnaissance survey and environmental assessment for stream sediments of Wadi Um Gier, Southeastern Desert, Egypt

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Environmental Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to assess the influence of old mining activities on the geochemistry and quality of sediments and to identify the sites of economic elements. Thirty sites of stream sediment were sampled in the study area covered by granitic, metarhyodacitic and meta-andesitic rocks and related tuffs-hosted abandoned Au mine. The suite of chemical elements, Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Mn, Nb, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, Th, U, Y, Zn and Zr, pH value and total organic carbon were determined, and univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical methods were applied. The results show that the enrichment factor (EF) is very high in the case of Te and significant also with respect to Ag, Bi, Cu, Sb, Se, Sn and Zn. Likewise, geoaccumulation indices (Igeos) varied from very highly polluted with Sn and Te, strongly to very strongly polluted with Bi and Se, and moderately polluted with Sb. The polluted sites of Ag, Bi, Sb, Se, Sn and Te were outlined using Igeos maps, and economic sites of Ag and Sn were identified by geochemical maps leading to their sources, which are likely to be mining activities and lithogenic processes. The pollutant elements may cause toxicity in stream sediments, or surface or underground water, as well as plants and animals in the area. This investigation provides an environmental baseline for future monitoring of possible human/anthropogenic, industrial and agricultural impacts on the study area and considers an attempt at re-mining Ag and Sn.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ávila PF, Oliveira JMS, Ferreira da Silva E, Fonseca EC (2005) Geochemical signatures and mechanisms of trace elements dispersion in the area of the Vale das Gatas mine (Northern Portugal). J Geochem Explor 85:17–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beus AA, Grigorian SV (1977) Geo-chemical exploration methods for mineral deposits. Applied Pub. Co., Willmette, p 278

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman D (1996) Water quality assessments. A guide to the use of biota, sediments and water in environmental monitoring. Chapman & Hall, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Chen TB, Zheng YM, Lei M, Huang ZCh, Wu HT, Chen H, Fan KK, Yu K, Wu X, Tian QZ (2005) Assessment of heavy metal pollution in surface soils of urban parks in Beijing, China. Chemosphere 60:542–551

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng Q, Agterberg FP, Bonham-Carter GF (1996) A spatial analysis method for geochemical anomaly separation. J Geochem Explor 56:183–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chester R, Stoner JH (1973) Pb in particulates from the lower atmosphere of the eastern Atlantic. Nature 245:27–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis JA, Leckie JO (1978) Effect of adsorbed complexing ligands on trace metal uptake by hydrous oxides. Environ Sci Technol 12:1309–1315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EGSMA (1996) Geologic map of Wadi Jabjabah quadrangle, Egypt. Geol. Surv., Cairo, Egypt

  • Einax JW, Soldt U (1998) Geostatistical and multivariate statistical methods for the assessment of polluted soils—merits and limitations. Chemom Intell Lab Syst 46:79–91

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Sabagh MEI (2001) Geological study of Pan-African rocks between Wadi Neqiet and Wadi Marahiq, Allaqi are, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. M.Sc. thesis. Ain Shams Uni

  • Facchinelli A, Sacchi E, Mallen L (2001) Multivariate statistical and GIS based approach to identify heavy metal sources in soils. Environ Pollut 114:313–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferguson C, Kasamas H (1999) Risk assessment for contaminated sites in Europe. Policy framework, vol 2. LQM Press, Nottingham

    Google Scholar 

  • Gaebler H (1997) Mobility of heavy metals as a function of pH of samples from an overbank sediment profile contaminated by mining activities. J Geochem Explor 58:185–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • García R, Maiz I, Millán E (1996) Heavy metal contamination analysis of road soils and grasses from Guipúzkoa (Spain). Environ Technol 17:763–770

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garrett RG (1989) A cry from the heart. Explore (AEG Newsl.) 66:18–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Govett GJS, Goodfellow WD, Chapman A, Chork CY (1975) Exploration geochemistry distribution of elements and recognition of anomalies. Math Geol 7:415–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grosbois C, Courtin-Nomade A, Martin F, Bril H (2007) Transportation and evolution of trace element bearing phases in stream sediments in a mining-influenced basin (Upper Isle River, France). Appl Geochem 22:2362–2374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horowitz AJ (1991) A primer on sediment–trace element chemistry. Lewis Publishers, Chelsea

    Google Scholar 

  • Jordan C, Zhang C, Higgins A (2007) Using GIS and statistics to study influences of geology on probability features of surface soil geochemistry in Northern Ireland. J Geochem Explor 93:135–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ketterer ME, Lowry JH, Simon J Jr, Humphries K, Mark P, Novotnak MP (2001) Lead isotopic and chalcophile element compositions in the environment near a zinc smelting ± secondary zinc recovery facility, Palmerton, Pennsylvania, USA. Appl Geochem 16:207–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kralik M (1999) A rapid procedure for environmental sampling and evaluation of polluted sediments. Appl Geochem 14:807–816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kusky TM, Ramadan TM (2002) Structural controls on Neoproterozoic mineralization in the South Eastern Desert, Egypt: an integrated field, Landsat TM, and SIR-C/X SAR approach. J Afr Earth Sci 35:107–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martínez J, Llamas J, de Miguel E, Rey J, Hidalgo MC (2007) Determination of the geochemical background in a metal mining site: example of the mining district of Linares (South Spain). J Geochem Explor 94:19–29

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miesch AT (1981) Estimation of the geochemical threshold and its statistical significance. J Geochem Explor 16:49–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moghazy NM, Emam AA, Abdel Rahman EM (2009) Mineral chemistry and geochemical aspects of Gebel Filat granites, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Arab J Geosci. doi:10.1007/s12517-009-0073-x

  • Müller G (1979) Schwermetalle in den Sedimenten des Rheines-Vera¨nderungen seit 1971. Umschau 79:778–785

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller G (1981) Die Schwermetallbelastung der Sedimente des Neckars und seiner Nebenflusse: eine Bestandsaufnahme. Chem Zeitung 105:157–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Naseem S, Sheikh SA, Qadeeruddin M, Shirin K (2002) Geochemical stream sediment survey in Winder Valley, Balochistan, Pakistan. J Geochem Explor 76:1–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neaman A, Mouèlè F, Trolard F, Bourriè G (2004) Improved methods for selective dissolution of Mn oxides: applications for studying trace element associations. Appl Geochem 19:973–979

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nriagu JO (1990) Global metal pollution poisoning the biosphere? Environment 32:7–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Nriagu JO, Pacyna JM (1988) Quantitative assessment of world-wide contamination of air water and soils by trace metals. Nature 333:47–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohta A, Imai N, Terashima S, Tachibana Y, Ikehara K, Nakajima T (2004a) Geochemical mapping in Hokuriku, Japan: Influence of surface geology, mineral occurrences and mass movement from terrestrial to marine environments. Appl Geochem 19:1453–1469

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohta A, Imai N, Terashima S, Tachibana Y (2004b) Investigation of elemental behaviors in Chugoku region of Japan based on geochemical map utilizing stream sediments. Chikyukagaku (Geochemistry) 38:203–222 in Japanese, with English abstract

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohta A, Imai N, Terashima S, Tachibana Y (2005) Application of multi-element statistical analysis for regional geochemical mapping in Central Japan. Appl Geochem 20:1017–1037

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohta A, Imai N, Terashima S, Tachibana Y, Ikehara K, Okai T, Ujiie-Mikoshiba M, Kubota R (2007) Elemental distribution of coastal sea and stream sediments in the island-arc region of Japan and mass transfer processes from terrestrial to marine environments. Appl Geochem 22:2872–2891

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng B, Song Z, Tu X, Xiao M, Wu F, Lv H (2004) Release of heavy metals during weathering of the Lower Cambrian Black Shales in western Hunan. Chin Environ Geol 45:1137–1147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng B, Piestrzynski A, Pieczonka J, Xiao M, Wang Y, Xie S, Tang X, Yu C, Song Z (2007) Mineralogical and geochemical constraints on environmental impacts from waste rock at Taojiang Mn-ore deposit, central Hunan. Chin Environ Geol 52:1277–1296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramadan TM, Abdelsalam MG, Stem RJ (2001) Mapping gold-bearing massive sulfide deposits in the Neoproterozoic allaqi suture, Southeast Egypt with Landsat TM and SIR = C/X SAR images. Photogramm Eng Remote Sensing 67(4):491–497

    Google Scholar 

  • Rantitsch G (2000) Application of fuzzy clusters to quantify lithological background concentrations in stream-sediment geochemistry. J Geochem Explor 71:73–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rantitsch G (2001) The fractal properties of geochemical landscapes as an indicator of weathering and transport processes within the Eastern Alps. J Geochem Explor 73:27–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rantitsch G (2004) Geochemical exploration in a mountainous area by statistical modeling of polypopulational data distributions. J Geochem Explor 82:79–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ratha DS, Sahu BK (1993) Source and distribution of metals in urban soils of Bombay, India, using multivariate statistical techniques. Environ Geol 22:276–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reimann C, de Caritat P (2005) Distinguishing between natural and anthropogenic sources for elements in the environment: regional geochemical surveys versus enrichment factors. Sci Tot Environ 337:91–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reimann C, Filzmoser P (2000) Normal and lognormal data distribution in geochemistry: death of a myth. Consequences for the statistical treatment of geochemical and environmental data. Environ Geol 39:1001–1014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reimann C, Filzmoser P, Garrett RG (2002) Factor analysis applied to regional geochemical data: problems and possibilities. Appl Geochem 17:185–206

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reimann C, Arnoldussen A, Englmaier P, Filzmoser P, Finne TO, Garrett RG, Koller F, Nordgulen Ø (2007) Element concentrations and variations along a 120-km transect in southern Norway—anthropogenic vs. geogenic vs. biogenic element sources and cycles. Appl Geochem 22:851–871

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reith F, McPhaila DC, Christya AG (2005) Bacillus cereus, gold and associated elements in soil and other regolith samples from Tomakin Park Gold Mine in southeastern New South Wales, Australia. J Geochem Explor 85:81–98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roychoudhury AN, Starke MF (2006) Partitioning and mobility of trace metals in the Blesbokspruit: impact assessment of dewatering of mine waters in the East Rand, South Africa. Appl Geochem 21:1044–1063

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz F (2001) Trace metals in estuarine sediments from the southwestern Spanish Coast. Mar Pollut Bull 42:482–490

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh GM, Makroum FM (2003) Pan-African magmatism: geochemical evolution and uranium mineralization of granitoid rocks, Southeastern Desert, Egypt. J Int Geol Rev 45(2):157–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salonen V, Korkka-Niemi K (2007) Influence of parent sediments on the concentration of heavy metals in urban and suburban soils in Turku, Finland. Appl Geochem 22:906–918

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw DM (1961) Element distribution laws in geochemistry. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 23:116–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair AJ (1974) Selection of thresholds in geochemical data using probability graphs. J Geochem Explor 3:129–149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair AJ (1976) Application of probability graphs in mineral exploration. Assoc Explor Geochem Spec 4:95

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair AJ (1991) A fundamental approach to threshold estimation in exploration geochemistry: probability plots revisited. J Geochem Explor 41:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Singh M, Müller G, Singh IB (2003) Geogenic distribution and baseline concentration of heavy metals in sediments of the Ganges River. Indian J Geochem Explor 80:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Standring WJF, Oughton DH, Salbu B (2002) Remobilization of 109Cd, 65Zn and 54Mn from freshwater-labelled river sediments when mixed with freshwater. Environ Int 28:185–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanley CR (1988) Comparison of data classification procedures in applied geochemistry using Monte Carlo simulation. Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, p 256

  • Stanley CR, Sinclair AJ (1989) Comparison of probability plots and gap statistics in the selection of threshold for exploration geochemistry data. J Geochem Explor 32:355–357

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Helvoort PJ, Filzmoser P, van Gaans PFM (2005) Sequential factor analysis as a new approach to multivariate analysis of heterogeneous geochemical datasets: an application to a bulk chemical characterization of fluvial deposits (Rhine–Meuse delta, The Netherlands). Appl Geochem 20:2233–2251

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yilmaz H (2003) Geochemical exploration for gold in western Turkey: success and failure. J Geochem Explor 80:117–135

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C, Manheim FT, Hinde J, Grossman JN (2005) Statistical characterization of a large geochemical database and effect of sample size. Appl Geochem 20:1857–1874

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

I express my gratitude to Prof. Dr. Dr. Herbert Poelmann for his assistance in the geochemical analysis during my work at Institute of geosciences, Faculty of natural sciences III, Halle university, Germany. Mr. Abdel Karim A.G. Darwish is thanked for his help in sampling during the field work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Aswan Faculty of Science, South Valley University, Aswan, 81528, Egypt

    Mohamed Abdallah Gad Darwish

Authors
  1. Mohamed Abdallah Gad Darwish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed Abdallah Gad Darwish.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Darwish, M.A.G. Geochemical reconnaissance survey and environmental assessment for stream sediments of Wadi Um Gier, Southeastern Desert, Egypt. Environ Earth Sci 62, 657–672 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0555-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0555-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation