Accumulation trends of metal contamination in sediments of the former Pb–Zn mining district of Touiref (NW Tunisia)

• Mining wastes of the former Pb–Zn mining district of Touiref (Tunisia) is a source of contamination.
• The Sidi Bou Said Stream at the site is a pathway for contaminant transport.
• Enrichment factor values revealed in sediments of the two cores have extremely severe enrichment from Cd, Pb, and Zn.
• Contaminants exceed guideline values in sediment.
• Chemical extraction data indicates a higher potential mobility and bioavailability of Cd and Pb.

Wastes of the former Pb–Zn mining district of Touiref (Pb/Zn) can be eroded during strong rainfall. The presence of a downstream lake offers the opportunity to perform geochemical characterisation of lacustrine sediments and analyze the temporal evolution of metal contamination. For this reason, a sedimentary core (C1) has been collected at the outlet of the Oued Sidi Bou Said which runs along the North side of the dike flotation tailings and a second core (C2) was sampled in front of the river flowing outside the mine site and reaching the plain on the East side of the endoreic study area. The scope of the present paper is characterize the temporal variability of major and minor elements in both sedimentary cores. The study of the historical contamination in both Touiref cores shows a clear impact of mining on the total endorheic basin, especially for the period going from 1914 until 1955 as well as the influence of urban development.