Trace Metal Concentrations in Surface Water in Ichkeul Lake Basin: a Case Study

Abstract

This study presents informations about the water quality and design of monitoring network for effective management of water resources. The Ichkeul lake basin is situated in the North of Tunsia. Exposed to domestic sewages along with industrial, municipal, recreational discharges and the old (Pb–Zn) Jalta mine, the lake receives metal concentrations that risk provoking harmful and irreversible disruptions on the fauna and flora. The assessment of trace metals in surface water showed that the maximum values of Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu and Ni were all below the national and international standard, except for Fe in Hammam Ben Abbes thermal spring and Pb in Wadi Tinja as a result of the solid mining accumulation wastes after the processing of the Pb–Zn and the mineral paragenesis associated with hydrothermal metalliferous conditions of Jebel Ichkeul, added to these the uncontrolled releases of domestic, industrial and agricultural waste water. These factors contribute to the environmentally degradation of the lake water quality.