Assessing the Source of Thallium Contamination in Ground and Surface Waters in the Locality of Yamtenga (Burkina-Faso): Correlation with Some Heavy Metal Ions

Abstract

Thallium (Tl) is a non-essential element for human being and is considered as a highly toxic trace element at a concentration above 2 µg/L. To assess the source of thallium contamination in ground and surface waters in the locality of Yamtenga village (11°43'35.1'' N and 00°11'50.8'' W, Burkina Faso), chemical analyzes of thallium concentrations in the soils of Yamtenga village along with geological descriptions (geological map and hydrographic watershed map of the studied area) were undertaken. We found thallium concentrations in this area ranging from 1.61 mg / kg to 404.75 mg / kg. A zoned mineralization in thallium, due to the geological structure of the locality, was established in the soils, suggesting that the source of thallium contamination in ground and surface waters in the locality of Yamtenga village is of natural origin. The concentration of some heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cd, Cu and Mn) were also evaluated in the soils of Yamtenga village and their concentration relationships with thallium were analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient based on matrix correlation. Moderate (0.554), low (0.408) and significant (0.999) correlations coefficients were obtained between thallium and lead, zinc, manganese respectively. Significant correlation coefficients (0.788 and 0.791) were also noted between thallium and copper, cadmium respectively. Thallium concentrations in ground and surface waters in this locality are mainly related to the interactions between water and source rocks, thallium being released following some alteration processes with other heavy metals elements especially manganese.