Evaluation of Water Resources Quality in Sabodala Gold Mining Region and Its Surrounding Area (Senegal)

peer reviewedGeochemical and Geostatistical tools were used to assess: 1) the chemical quality and, geochemical processes in crystalline rock aquifers in Sabodala (Eastern Senegal) and its surroundings and 2) the impact of mining activities on their quality. A total of 26 water samples collected at boreholes, dug wells and stream, were analyzed to determine major and trace elements concentration focused on elements that represent more threats on human health. Boxplots define chemical characteristics of water for each aquifer formation compared to surface waters. Geostatistical analysis show two sources of water mineralization with regard to major elements: a first natural source characterized by Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type from boreholes and unpolluted surface water and a second group characterized by polluted water by nitrates with Na-NO3-Cl type mainly observed in upper weathered aquifers. However, considering trace element, geostatistical analysis showed three water groups: water with very low trace element concentrations encountered in boreholes and unpolluted surface waters, and waters with relatively high trace element concentrations such as Al observed in areas affected by gold mining activities and finally, polluted waters by Ni, Co, Mn and Cr observed at Sabodala. Results show that in eastern Senegal well waters are vulnerable and often affected by pollution

Etude hydrogéochimique des eaux de la nappe du Continental Terminal du Saloum : Relation eau de surface – eau souterraine

L’évaluation de l’état actuel de la qualité des eaux de la nappe du Continental Terminal et du fleuve Saloum a été réalisée grâce à l’analyse de 44 échantillons d’eau souterraine et 3 échantillons d’eau de surface collectés en saison humide. Les analyses des ions majeurs et les mesures de la conductivité électrique (CE) ont démontré que les eaux de la nappe du CT du Saloum étaient largement contaminées par la salinisation (CE comprise entre à 750 et 2800 µS/cm) au niveau de la zone côtière à l’ouest et au nord sur une bande longeant le fleuve Saloum. Dans ces zones, les eaux ont désormais des faciès chimiques chlorurés sodiques venant de faciès au départ bicarbonatés calciques des eaux souterraines peu contaminées. Au niveau de certains points, la composition des eaux souterraines devient sensiblement la même que celle des eaux du fleuve Saloum. Les diagrammes binaires (Na versus Cl, Na/Cl versus Cl, [Ca + Mg] versus HCO3 et [(Ca+Mg) - (HCO3+SO4)] versus (Na-Cl)) ont permis de définir les processus géochimiques et les phénomènes de mélange impliqués dans la minéralisation des eaux. Suivant la répartition des valeurs de conductivité électrique et des types d’eaux, une zonation a été cartographié

Hydrogeological characterization and hydrodynamic behaviour of the overexploited Diass aquifer system (Senegal) inferred from long term groundwater level monitoring

peer reviewedDakar, the Capital city of Senegal concentrates about 23.2% (about 3 millions inhabitants) of the total population and a large proportion of the industrial activities. Water supply is ensured by surface water pumped and piped from the Guiers Lake (250 km distant from the capital) and from groundwater resources. Among these latter, the Diass aquifer system contributes to a substantial proportion (31% in 2019) of the total water supply distribution due to growing demand induced by the rapid demographic growth (about 2.5%). The Diass horst aquifer system located 50 km east of Dakar (Senegal) is exploited with two main aquifers covered by a sandy superficial aquifer: the confined/unconfined Palaeocene karstic limestone and the confined Maastrichtian sandstone aquifer underneath. This system has experienced intensive groundwater abstraction during the last 60 years to meet the increasing water demand. Abstraction for urban drinking water occurs in nine pumping fields with a rate reaching 174,000 m3/d in 2019. This high yield together with the drought conditions since the 1970s is likely to affect groundwater imbalance and change the flow regime. The objective of the study is to improve our understanding of the system dynamic with regards to the high pumping rate in order to build a conceptual scheme for further hydrogeological modeling of the system. In this study, we use monitored pumping rates, piezometric level from 1960s to 2019 and rainfall data from 1931 to December 2016 together with the hydrogeological configuration to infer the dynamics of the aquifer system. The high abstraction rate during the period 1958-2019 which vary from 16,000 to 174,000 m3/d has caused a continuous groundwater level decline (up to 30 m), a modification of the flow patterns and to some extent a quality deterioration through salinization processes as shown in a few boreholes in Sébikotane and Mbour. The piezometric levels which were above the sea level prior 1959 exhibit now negative values and can even reach -40 m in the vicinity of the pumping fields creating therefore piezometric depressions and convergent flow pattern. The hydrodynamic of the system derived from the results show that the reservoir acts as a multilayer aquifer system with interconnected compartments by faults that allow flux exchanges except the confining Ponty and Sébikotane faults. Overexploitation inducing important drawdown has induced an increase of the drainance fluxes between those different compartments. In order to foster more appropriate and sustainable groundwater abstraction in the complex hydrogeological system with regards to demand and water quality conservation, it is important to assess the main system behavior

Evaluation of Water Resources Quality in Sabodala Gold Mining Region and Its Surrounding Area (Senegal)

Geochemical and Geostatistical tools were used to assess: 1) the chemical quality and, geochemical processes in crystalline rock aquifers in Sabodala (Eastern Senegal) and its surroundings and 2) the impact of mining activities on their quality. A total of 26 water samples collected at boreholes, dug wells and stream, were analyzed to determine major and trace elements concentration fo-cused on elements that represent more threats on human health. Boxplots define chemical cha-racteristics of water for each aquifer formation compared to surface waters. Geostatistical analy-sis show two sources of water mineralization with regard to major elements: a first natural source characterized by Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type from boreholes and unpolluted surface water and a second group characterized by polluted water by nitrates with Na-NO3-Cl type mainly observed in upper weathered aquifers. However, considering trace element, geostatistical analysis showed three water groups: water with very low trace element concentrations encountered in boreholes and unpolluted surface waters, and waters with relatively high trace element concentrations such as Al observed in areas affected by gold mining activities and finally, polluted waters by Ni, Co, M

Effect of recent artisanal small-scale gold mining on the contamination of surface river sediment: Case of Gambia River, Kedougou region, southeastern Senegal

Abstract We report here the first inventory of mercury (Hg) contamination in the region of Kedougou, Senegal, where mercury (Hg) is used for gold amalgamation in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities. Sediment cores were sampled during the dry and wet seasons, and at different locations along the Gambia River in the Kedougou region to evaluate the spatio-temporal trends of Hg distribution related to ASGM activities. The sediment samples were analysed for total mercury and trace element concentrations (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, and Sc). The results highlight high concentrations of total Hg (reaching up to 9.9 mg kg− 1) in sediment cores sampled in the vicinity of ASGM operations, with the highest values reported for the dry season. The calculation of the Hg Enrichment Factor (EF) using Sc as refractory element confirms high enrichments around active sites of gold mining being proportional to the density of miners and the duration of mining activities. The Hg spatial distribution reveals a very local contamination and a limited downstream dispersion of the contaminant. The high Hg concentrations obtained at ASGM sites largely exceed the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and the Probable effect concentration (PEC) for the Protection of Aquatic Life recommendation. Our results demonstrate that the ASGM activities discharged large amounts of Hg into the Gambia River ecosystem and that the accumulation of Hg in sediments may represent a significant human health risk and a potential source of toxicity for aquatic organisms

Effect of recent artisanal small-scale gold mining on the contamination of surface river sediment: Case of Gambia River, Kedougou region, southeastern Senegal

We report here the first inventory of mercury (Hg) contamination in the region of Kedougou, Senegal, where mercury (Hg) is used for gold amalgamation in artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) activities. Sediment cores were sampled during the dry and wet seasons, and at different locations along the Gambia River in the Kedougou region to evaluate the spatio-temporal trends of Hg distribution related to ASGM activities. The sediment samples were analyzed for total mercury and trace element concentrations (Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, and Sc). The results highlight high concentrations of total Hg (reaching up to 9.9 mg.kg-1) in sediment cores sampled in the vicinity of ASGM operations, with the highest values reported for the dry season. The calculation of the Hg Enrichment Factor (EF) using Sc as refractory element, confirm high enrichments around active sites of gold mining being proportional to the density of miners and the duration of mining activities. The Hg spatial distribution reveals a very local contamination and a limited downstream dispersion of the contaminant. The high Hg concentrations obtained at ASGM sites largely exceed the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs) and the Probable effect concentration (PEC) for the Protection of Aquatic Life recommendation. Our results demonstrate that the ASGM activities discharged large amounts of Hg into the Gambia River ecosystem and that the accumulation of Hg in sediments may represent a significant human health risk and a potential source of toxicity for aquatic organisms

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Lower Reproductive Tract Infections in Symptomatic Women in Dakar, Senegal

Background: Lower reproductive tract infections in women are important causes of morbidity but can also lead to complications and sequelae. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and risk factors of lower genital tract infections among women of reproductive age in Dakar (Senegal). Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in 6 maternity hospitals from July to November 2015. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 49 years and presented at health facilities with signs and symptoms of genital infection. Consenting individuals who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Results: During the reporting period, 276 patients were enrolled. According to the laboratory results, the prevalence of any genital infection was 69.6% (192 of 276). The most common vaginal infections were bacterial vaginosis (39.5%) and vaginal candidiasis (29%), with the third most common cause, trichomoniasis, trailing behind in terms of prevalence (2.5%). Among the microorganisms responsible for cervical infections, Ureaplasma urealyticum was the most frequent (27.5%), followed by Mycoplasma hominis (14.5%), Chlamydia trachomatis (4.7%), and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (1.1%). Multivariate analysis showed that young women and women with low levels of education were at increased risk for vaginal/cervical infections. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and vaginal candidiasis and suggests that health care providers should increase awareness and communication to improve vaginal hygiene practices. If infection with Trichomonas vaginalis, C trachomatis or N gonorrhoeae is suspected, we also recommend systematically performing laboratory diagnostic confirmation