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.

Manganese mineralization in the northern Middle Atlas (Aderj mining zone, Morocco): Petro-structural and geochemical analysis.

The Aderj area, part of the northern Middle Atlas of Morocco, is characterized by significant manganese oxide mining potential. These are associated with calcite components and iron oxides mainly hosted by Upper Triassic doleritic basalts, Liassic flint limestones and Vallesian (Middle-Upper Tortonian) lacustrine formations. However, the petrographic and mineralogical characteristics of this mineralization, along with its origin and emplacement mode, remain poorly defined in the study area.