Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Arsenic and other trace elements in groundwaters and surface waters in the gold mining region of the Nigerien Liptako (Southwestern Niger)

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

Abstract

The Nigerien Liptako in southwest Niger has gold mineralisations in Birimian formations (Paleoproterozoic) that have been mined for several decades. The objective of this study was to document the concentrations of arsenic and other toxic trace elements in groundwaters, river waters, suspended particulate matter and sediments and discuss the potential influence of artisanal gold mining on arsenic and trace elements enrichment. For this, forty-three groundwater samples (boreholes and wells) were analysed in mined and unmined areas. Surface waters, suspended particulate matters and sediments were sampled in three rivers at stations upstream and downstream from mining sites. Rock samples extracted from mine galleries were collected for mineralogical and geochemical characterization. In groundwater, arsenic concentrations ranged from 0.018 to 202 µg/L, exceeding drinking water guidelines (10 µg/L) in three artisanal gold mining areas. Manganese exhibited concentrations exceeding the potability limit in 23% of the samples, mainly in the Continental Terminal aquifer. In rivers, arsenic was the element most enriched in suspended particulate matter and sediments, but its concentration in water did not exceed 3 µg/L. Mineralogical analysis of rocks showed traces of arsenic in association with iron oxides, suggesting a release of arsenic in groundwater by desorption. The consumption of these waters rich in arsenic or manganese presents serious risks for health. These data represent the first large-scale investigation of arsenic and trace elements concentrations in groundwaters and surface waters in the Nigerien Liptako, where no or very scarce water quality measurements have been published yet.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

References

  • Abdou A., Bonnot H., Bory Kadey D., Chalamet D., Saint Martin M., Younfa I., 1998. Notice explicative des cartes géologiques du liptako à 1/100 000 et 1/200 000, Ministère des Mines et de la géologie, Rep. Niger.

  • Adama S, Christophe DB, Hervé H (2017) Knowledge and perceptions of health and environmental risks related to artisanal gold mining by the artisanal miners in Burkina Faso: a cross-sectional survey. Pan Afr Med J 2017(27):280

    Google Scholar 

  • Adama T, Blaise S, Pierre IG (2012) Arsenic levels in tube-wells water, food, residents’ urine and the prevalence of skin lesions in Yatenga Province, Burkina Faso. Interdiscip Toxicol 5(1):38–41

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ama SI, Liègois JP, Pouclet A (1996) Evolution d’un arc insulaire océanique birimien précoce au Liptako nigérien (Sirba): géologie, géochronologie et géochimie. J Afr Sci 22(3):235–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Babaye AMS, Orban P, Ousmane B, Favreau G, Brouyère S, Al Dassargues (2018) Characterization of recharge mechanisms in a Precambrian basement aquifer in semi-arid southwest Niger. Hydrogeol J 27:475–491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barro-Traoré F, Tiendrébéogo SRM, Lallogo S, Tiendrébéogo S, Dabal M, Ouédraogo H (2008) Manifestations cutanées de l’arcénicisme au Burkina Faso: aspects épidémiologiques et cliniques. Mali Med 2008(1):7–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Béziat D, Dubois M, Debat P, Nikiéma S, Stefano S, Tollon F (2008) Gold metallogeny in the Birimian Craton of Burkina Faso (West Africa). J Afr Earth Sc 50:215–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bintou AM, Konan EK, Oumar S (2020) Évaluation de la dynamique de l’occupation du sol engendrée par l’orpaillage dans le bassin de Banankoro, Région de Koulikoro Sud-Ouest du Mali. Afrique Sci 17(3):28–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Bokar H, Traoré AZ, Mariko A, Diallo T, Traoré A, Sy A, Soumaré O, Dolo A, Bamba F, Sacko M, Touré O (2020) Geogenic influence and impact of mining activities on water, soil and plants in surrounding area of Morila Mines, Mali. J Geochem Explor 209:106429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonnemaison M (2005) L’eau, facteur de libération de l’arsenic naturel. Géosciences 2:54–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouchard MF, Sauve ́ S., Barbeau B., Legrand M., Brodeur M.-E., Bouffard T., Limoges E., Bellinger D. C., Mergler D. (2011) Intellectual impairment in school-age children exposed to manganese from drinking water. Environ Health Perspect 119(1):138–143. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1002321

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bourges F, Debat P, Tollon F, Munoz M, Ingles J (1998) The geology of Taparko gold deposit, Birimian greenstone belt, Burkina Faso. West African Mineralium Deposita 33:591–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bretzler A, Lalanne F, Nikiema J, Podgorski J, Pfenninger N, Berg M, Schirmer M (2017) Groundwater arsenic contamination in Burkina Faso, West Africa: predicting and verifying region at risk. Sci Total Environ 584–585(2017):958–970

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheilletz A., Barbey P., Lama C., Pons J., Zimmermann J. L., Dautel, D. (1994). Age de refroidissement de la croûte juvenile Birimienne d’Afrique de l’Ouest, donne´es U–Pb, Rb–Sr et K–Ar sur les formations a` 21 Ga au SW-Niger. Comptes Rendus de l’Acade´mie des Sciences Paris 319:435–442.

  • Dupuis D, Pons J, Prost AE (1991) Mise en place de plutons et caractérisation de la déformation birimienne au Niger occidental. Compte Rendus Acad. Sci. Paris 312:769–776

    Google Scholar 

  • Favreau G (2000) Caractérisation et modélisation d’une nappe phréatique en hausse au Sahel. Université de Paris XI, France, Thèse de doctorat, p 258

    Google Scholar 

  • Favreau G, Cappelaere B, Massuel S, Leblanc M, Boucher M, Boulain N, Leduc C (2009) Land clearing, climate variability, and water resources increase in semiarid Southwest Niger: a review. Water Resources Res 45:W00A16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franconi A, Joo J, Zibo I (1984) Plan minéral de la République du Niger, Tome IV, 2ème Volume ; Etude spécifique des principales substances minérales et leur contexte géologique p. 592.

  • Gaillardet J, Viers J, Dupré B (2014) Trace elements in river waters. In: Treatise on geochemistry, pp. 195–235.

  • Greigert, J., 1966. Descriptions des formations crétacées et tertiaires du bassin des Illummeden (Afrique occidentale), Editions du B.R.G.M./Dir. Mines Géol. Rép. Niger, Paris.

  • Guéro A (2003) Étude des relations hydrauliques entre les différentes nappes du complexe sédimentaire de la bordure sud-ouest du bassin des Iullemmeden (Niger): approches géochimique et hydrodynamique. Thèse de doctorat, Univ. Paris XI Orsay, France, p 265

    Google Scholar 

  • Guiraud R., Travi Y., 1990. Synthèse des connaissances l’hydrogéologie de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Socle cristallin et cristallophyllien et sédimentaire ancien. Univ. Avignon – CEFIGRE, 2é édi., p. 147

  • Hein KAA, Tshibubudze A (2016) Manganese deposites of the Oudalan province in the northeast of Burkina Faso, and Ansongo Inlier in eastern Mali. Ore Geol Rev 78:645–651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Héry M, Casiot C, Resongles E, Gallice Z, Bruneel O, Desoeuvre A, Delpoux S (2014) Release of arsenite, arsenate and methyl-arsenic species from streambed sediment affected by acid mine drainage: a microcosm study. Environ Chem 11(5):514–524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim OZ, Tankari AD, Guero Y, Idi MFM, Feidt C, Sterckeman T, Echevarria G (2019) Distribution spatiale des éléments traces métalliques dans les sols de la zone aurifère de Komabangou au Niger. Int J Biol Chem Sci 13(1):557–573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kamagaté B, Seguis L, Favreau G, Seidel JL, Descloitres M, Affaton P (2007) Processus et bilan des flux hydriques d’un bassin versant de milieu tropical de socle au Bénin (Donga, haut Ouémé). C r Geoscience 339:418–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leduc C, Karbo A (1996) Variabilité spatio-temporelle de l'impact de l'infiltration sur la nappe phréatique du Continental terminal (Hapex-Sahel, Niger). In : Hoepffner Michel (ed.), Lebel Thierry (ed.), Monteny Bruno (ed.). Interactions surface continentale/atmosphère : l'expérience HAPEX-Sahel. Paris : ORSTOM, 449–462. (Colloques et Séminaires). Journées Hydrologiques, 10., Montpellier (FRA), 1994/09/13–14. ISBN 2–7099–1307–0.

  • Leduc C, Taupin JD (1997) Hydrochimie et recharge de la nappe phréatique du Continental Terminal (Niamey, Niger). Hydrochemistry 244:235–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Machens E (1973) Contribution à l’étude des formations du socle cristallin et de la couverture sédimentaire de l’ouest de la république du Niger Ministère des Mines, de la Géologie et de l’Hydraulique de la république du Niger. Direction des mines et de la géologie 4(82):167

    Google Scholar 

  • Milési JP, Feybesse JL, Ledru P, Dommanget A, Ouedraogo MF, Marcoux E, Prost AE, Vinchon C, Sylvain JP, Johan V, Tegyey M, Calvez JY, Lagny P (1989) Les minéralisations aurifères de l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Chronique De La Recherche Minière 497:3–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Milési JP, Ledru P, Feybesse JL, Dommanget A, Marcoux E (1992) Early Proterozoïc ore deposits and tectonics of the Birimian orogenic belt West Africa. Precambr Res 58(1–4):305–344

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ochieng GM, Seanego ES, Nkwonta OI (2010) Impacts of mining on water resources in South Africa: a review. Sci Res Essays 5(22):3351–3357

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouédraogo O, Amyot M (2013) Mercury, arsenic and selenium concentrations in water and fish from sub-Saharan semi-arid freshwater reservoirs (Burkina Faso). Sci Total Environ 444:243–254

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ousmane B, Daddy A, Soumaila A, Margueron T, Boubacar A, Garba Z (2006) Groundwater contamination in the Niamey urban area, Niger. In: Xu Y, Usher BH (eds) Groundwater pollution in Africa. Taylor and Francis, Balkema, pp 169–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Ousmane B (1988). Étude géochimique et isotopique des aquifères du socle de la bande sahélienne du Niger (Liptako, Sud-Maradi et Zinder-est). Thèse sciences. Université A.M. de Niamey, Niger, p. 152

  • Pons J, Barbey P, Dupuis D, Léger JM (1995) Mechanism of emplacement and structure of a 2.1 Ga juvenile continental crust: the Birimien of southwestern Niger. Précambrien Res 70:281–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pouclet A, Prost A, E, Ama S. I., Lapierre H., (1990) Les ceintures birrimiennes du Niger occidental (Protérozoïque inférieur), nouvelles données pétrologiques et structurales des formations métavolcaniques. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, Paris. Earth Sci 311:333–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Salihou-Djari MM, Stoleriu CC, Saley MB, Mihu-Pintilie.Alin, Romanescu G. (2018) Groundwater quality analysis in warm semi-arid climate of Sahel countries: Tillabéri region, Niger. Carpathian J Earth Environ Sci 13(1):277–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salle LGL, C., Marlin C., Leduc C., Massault M., Favreau G., (2001) Renewal rate estimation of groundwater based on radioactive tracers (3H et 14C) in an unconfined aquifer on a semi-arid area, Iullemede Basin. Niger J Hydrol 254:145–156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samanta G, Clifford DA (2005) Preservation of inorganic arsenic species in groundwater. Environ Sci Technol 39(22):8877–8882. https://doi.org/10.1021/es051185i

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sangaré A, Driouch Y, Salvi S, Féménias O, Siebenaller L, Belkasmi M, Béziat D, Dahire M, Ntarmouchant A, Adil S, Debat P (2014) Géologie des minéralisations aurifères du gisément tardi-éburnéen de Kalana (Birimine, Sud-Ouest du Mali). Bull L’institut Sci Rabat Section Sci Terre 2014(36):85–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Smedley PL (1996) Arsenic in rural groundwater in Ghana: part special issue: Hydrogeochemical studies in sub-saharan Africa. J Afr Earth Sci 22:459–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smedley PL, Knudsen J, Maiga D (2007) Arsenic in groundwater from mineralized proterozoic basement rocks of Burkina Faso. Appl Geochem 22:1074–1092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smedley L, Kinniburgh DG (2002) A review of the source, behavior and distribution of arsenic in natural waters. Appl Geochem 17(5):517–568

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soumaila A, Konate M (2005) Caractérisation de la déformation dans la ceinture birimienne (paléoprotérozoïque) de Diagorou-Darbani (Liptako nigérien, Afrique de l’Ouest). Afr Geo Rev 13(3):161–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Soumaila A, Henry P, Rossy M (2004) Contexte de mise en place des roches basiques de la ceinture de roches vertes birimienne de Diagorou-Darbani (Liptako, Niger, Afrique de l’Ouest): plateau océanique ou environnement d’arc/bassin arrière-arc océanique. C. R. Géoscience 336:1137–1147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soumaila A (2000) Etude structurale, pétrographique et géochimique de la ceinture de Diagorou-Darbani, Liptako, Niger Occidental (Afrique de l’Ouest). Thèse, Univ. Franche- Comté, pp. 56–203.

  • Tankari DA, Tidjani DA, Idder GT, Yadji DL, N., Matsallabi A., Ambouta J. M. K., Feidt C., Sterckeman T., Echevarria G. (2014) Diagnostic de la contamination des eaux par les éléments traces métalliques dans la zone aurifère de Komabangou – Tillabéri. Niger Int J Biol Chem Sci 8(6):2849–2857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tankari AD, Ibrahim OZ, Guéro Y, Morel JL, Feidt C, Echevarria G (2019) Impacts of artisanal gold mining on soil, water and plant contamination by trace elements at Komabangou, Western Niger. J Geochem Explor 205(2019):106328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor S, McLennan S (1995) The geochemical evolution of the continental crust. Rev Geophys 33(2):241–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viers J, Dupré B, Gaillardet J (2009) Chemical composition of suspended sediments in World Rivers: new insights from a new database. Sci Total Environ 407:853–868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2017) Guidelines for drinking water quality, 4th edn. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

Ministère des Affaires Etrangères.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. HydroSciences Montpellier, Univ Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, IMT Mines Ales, Montpellier, France

    Maman Illatou Oumar El Farouk, Corinne Casiot, Marc Vinches, Eléonore Resongles, Rémi Freydier, Mylène Marie, Sophie Delpoux & Angélique Desoeuvre

  2. Département de Géologie, Faculté Des Sciences et Techniques, Université Abdou Moumouni, BP 10662, Niamey, Niger

    Maman Illatou Oumar El Farouk, Moussa Konaté & Boureima Ousmane

Authors
  1. Maman Illatou Oumar El Farouk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Corinne Casiot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marc Vinches
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Eléonore Resongles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Rémi Freydier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mylène Marie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Sophie Delpoux
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Angélique Desoeuvre
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Moussa Konaté
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  10. Boureima Ousmane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Corinne Casiot.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non-financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 1492 kb)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Farouk, M.I.O.E., Casiot, C., Vinches, M. et al. Arsenic and other trace elements in groundwaters and surface waters in the gold mining region of the Nigerien Liptako (Southwestern Niger). Environ Earth Sci 81, 524 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10639-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-022-10639-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation