Heavy metal pollution risks in Makhat's Watershed Sediments (Taza Province, Morocco): ecological and health risks.

The exploitation of lead in Bouaazza's mine (NE Morocco) caused sulfuric discharges to be exposed in big superficies, which generated pollution of sediments in the area by acid mine drainage. The results of physicochemical properties (pH and electrical conductivity) and heavy metals concentrations indicated an acidic pH (< 6) for sediments, especially for samples stations near Bouaazza's mine. As for heavy metals, the X-ray fluorescence concentrations for Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni and Cr were high, with concentrations exceeding international standards.