Geological, Mineralogical, and Alteration Insights of the Intermediate-Sulfidation Epithermal Mineralization in the Sidi Aissa District, Northern Tunisia Jamel Ayari, Maurizio Barbieri, Tiziano Boschetti, Ahmed Sellami, Paolo Ballirano, Abdelkarim Charef Geosciences Switzerland, 2025 The Sidi Aissa Pb-Zn-(Ag) District, located within the Nappe Zone of northern Tunisia, has been reinterpreted as a typical intermediate-sulfidation (IS) epithermal mineralization system based on field observations and lithogeochemical analyses. Previously described as vein-style Pb-Zn deposits, the local geological framework is dominated by extensional normal faults forming half-grabens. These faults facilitated the exhumation of deep Triassic autochthonous rocks and the extrusion of 8-Ma rhyodacites and Messinian basalts. These structures, functioning as pathways for magmatic-hydrothermal fluids, facilitated the upward migration of acidic fluids, which interacted with the surrounding wall rocks, forming a subsurface alteration zone. The mineralization, shaped by Miocene extensional tectonics and magmatic activity, occurred in three stages: early quartz-dominated veins, an intermediate barite-rich phase, and late-stage supergene oxidation. Hydrothermal alteration, characterized by silicification, argillic, and propylitic zones, is closely associated with the deposition of base metals (Pb, Zn) and silver. The mineral assemblage, including barite, galena, sphalerite, and quartz, reflects dynamic processes such as fluid boiling, mixing, and pressure changes.
Major- and Trace-Element Geochemistry of Geothermal Water from the Nappe Zone, Northern Tunisia: Implications for Mineral Prospecting and Health Risk Assessment Jamel Ayari, Maurizio Barbieri, Tiziano Boschetti, Anis Barhoumi, Ahmed Sellami, Ahmed Braham, Faouzi Manai, Faouzi Dhaha, Abdelkarim Charef Environments Mdpi, 2023 A comprehensive hydrogeochemical survey of the geothermal waters from the Nappe Zone (Maghrebides fold-and-thrust belt) was undertaken to determine the origins of geothermal waters and to assess the health risks associated with their potentially toxic elements. A total of 11 geothermal water and 3 stream water samples were collected and analysed for major and trace elements (As, B, Ba, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, Zn). Two main geothermal water groups were highlighted by hydrogeochemical diagrams and multivariate analyses (PCA, HCA): the first group is the Na−Cl type, TDS > 10 g/L, controlled by deep circulation, while the second group is the Na-Cl−HCO3 type, TDS < 2 g/L, and controlled by shallow circulation. A curved hydrogeochemical evolution path, observed from mixed bicarbonate shallow groundwater to chloride geothermal water, indicates that the interaction with evaporites drives the chemistry of the geothermal samples. On these, the As enrichments come from sulphide oxidation polymetallic mineralisation during the upwelling to the surface from E–W major lineaments. Therefore, E–W lineaments are potential areas for mineral prospecting. The health risk assessment reveals that the concentration of potentially toxic elements in geothermal waters are lower than the guideline values for the protection of freshwater aquatic life and dermal exposure (bathing or balneology).
Trace metal element pollution in media from the abandoned Pb and Zn mine of Lakhouat, Northern Tunisia Jamel Ayari, Maurizio Barbieri, Anis Barhoumi, Tiziano Boschetti, Ahmed Braham, Faouzi Dhaha, Abdelkarim Charef Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 2023 This study aimed to determine the contamination status, dispersion mechanisms, and ecological and health risks associated with trace elements in environmental media collected from the abandoned lead and zinc mine of Lakhouat, Northern Tunisia. A total of 41 samples, including 3 mine tailings, 21 stream sediments and 17 soils were collected and analysed for some potentially toxic elements (As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Zr). Among 10 potentially toxic elements that were analysed, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn exhibited considerably high concentrations in mine tailings and stream sediments. The Spearman rho correlation coefficient and principal component analysis showed that mining activities mainly controlled As, Cd, Hg, Pb and Zn. At the same time, natural sources strongly governed Co, Cr, Cu, Ni and Zr. Pollution indices revealed a very contaminated area with an essential risk to ecosystems and human health. Ecological risk assessment suggested that the potentially toxic elements in mine tailings and stream sediments induced significant ecological risks, mainly mediated by Cd. The health risk assessment revealed that oral ingestion was the primary exposure pathway to potentially toxic elements in the stream sediments and mine tailings, and children were more susceptible to adverse health effects. Pb and As had high non-carcinogenic risks for an individual potentially toxic element, and Cd and As presented intolerable carcinogenic risks. Overall, the results indicated the need for epidemiological studies to outline the extent of the occurrence of diseases related to mining activities in the region.
Trace element contamination in the mine-affected stream sediments of Oued Rarai in north-western Tunisia: a river basin scale assessment Jamel Ayari, Maurizio Barbieri, Yannick Agnan, Ahmed Sellami, Ahmed Braham, Faouzi Dhaha, Abdelkarim Charef Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2021 High-quality and accurate environmental investigations are essential for the evaluation of contamination and subsequent decision-making processes. A combination of environmental geochemical indices, multivariate analyses and geographic information system approach was successfully used to assess contamination status and source apportionment of trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, V and Zn) in surface stream sediments from the Oued Rarai basin in north-western Tunisia, containing various metal and metalloid ores. The contamination level reported in this study indicates a non-negligible potential ecological risk, mainly related to sediment transport along the river. Antimony (concentrations ranged from 0.02 to 297 mg kg−1 and Igeo > 5), arsenic (from 0.5 to 1490 mg kg−1 and Igeo > 5), lead (from 2.9 to 5150 mg kg−1 and Igeo > 5) mercury (from 0.05 to 54.4 mg kg−1 and Igeo > 5) and silver (from 0.05 to 9.4 mg kg−1 and Igeo > 5) showed the most crucial contamination. Besides, potential ecological risk index values were maximum for arsenic with a median of 302, indicating a very high to serious ecological risk (> 160). Results from correlation analysis and principal component analysis revealed three main geochemical associations related to lithologic, tectonic and anthropogenic sources. V, Cr and Cu mainly originated from natural bedrock and soil. Ag and Cd were more controlled by both natural and mining enrichments. Mercury and Pb were mostly influenced by the ancient ore-related activities at the Oued Rarai site and north-east–south-west trending faults. Finally, Sb, As, Ni and Zn were largely controlled by the siliciclastic continental Neogene sequences. Finally, the physical and chemical dynamics of the watershed system, lithological properties, mineralisation, tectonic settings and mobilisation of subsurface sediments largely controlled both concentrations and spatial patterns of trace elements in the study basin. These results need to be considered in the strategies of suitable environmental management at former and current mining sites in north-western Tunisia.
