Fassidy Oularé’s scientific contributions

Groundwater is considered today as one of the major sources of drinking water supply for populations. Water pollution is a topical problem that concerns all regions concerned with maintaining their water heritage at a high level of quality. This concern affects the area of Baraka, located in the prefecture of Siguiri where significant mining activity has been carried out for centuries. Mining activities (industrial and artisanal) and more other activities such as agriculture and livestock breeding pollute the water resources of the Baraka area. The objective of this research is to determine the origin of pollution from mining and agricultural activities on groundwater in the study area. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) were applied to the hydrogeochemical data from 33 boreholes. The results showed that water pollution is governed by phenomena of geological, anthropogenic and industrial origins. Water modeling techniques can be decision support tools to protect communities residing in mining areas of the country.

Boké Prefecture has become a popular mining location, with various extractive corporations competing for bauxite extraction. Water samples were obtained from eighteen water wells across the Dabiss study area. All Physico-chemical parameters and major ions of groundwater were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) standard. Furthermore, using Excel and the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation technique in Arc GIS software, bi-plots of Physico-chemical parameters and spatial variations of water quality maps were generated respectively. A vulnerability study of groundwater pollution by mining activities was conducted by applying the standard DRASTIC method. It was found that the drinking water samples of the study areas were usually within the water quality standards of WHO. According to physico-chemical analysis, most of the groundwater in the study area appears to be acidic. An equilibrium was set up in the aquifer between the chemical composition of the water and that of the rocks. The DRASTIC method enabled us to show a low vulnerability index to groundwater pollution. The results of this study could prevent diseases linked to the consumption of water contaminated and improve the quality of life of the population and will serve as a reference document in other mining areas.

in English Clean drinking water supply is a major concern to the population of the urban municipality of Boké, Republic of Guinea. This study is aimed to investigate the favourable geological structure for the accumulation of groundwater in Boké. Apparent resistivity data was collected by using the Schlumberger-type vertical electrical sounding technique. The apparent resistivity values were obtained on a bi-logarithmic scale in which the distances AB/2 were plotted on the abscissa and the resistivities are on the ordinate. It found the number of terrains and their characteristics (resistivity and thickness) in the area and the behaviour of the current in the soil through a curve. The results show that the structures favourable to the accumulation of groundwater were fractured dolerites, cracked shales and cracked or crushed sandstones. The sandstones were the most important in terms of the amount of water. They are located at a depth of more than 100 metres. It was also found that dolerites and shales are located at shallower depths (less than 100 m).

Although mining activities greatly contribute to improving the socioeconomic life of the populations of the Birimian basin of Siguiri, they significantly impact their environment. These mining activities take the form of several artisanal and industrial gold mining sites. Since groundwater is used for domestic purposes, a routine survey is necessary. Results on the hydrochemistry of groundwater components are essential for efficient and sustainable management. We present a case study for the application of statistical and geostatistical methods to the problem of assessing the quality of groundwater in the gold zone of Baraka (Siguirini, Lero, Carrefour, Amina, and Tombani). Hydrogeochemical data from 33 boreholes were collected during the dry season (October, November, and December 2019), and the rainy season (June, July, and August 2019). The application of Pearson correlation, principal component analysis as well as inverse distance weighting interpolation have helped to understand groundwater quality and identify possible factors that influence this quality. The results showed that freshwater recharge during the rainy season influences geochemical processes and groundwater quality parameters at the study site. In addition, this study has shown that the pollution of groundwater in the study area may be due to agricultural activities, and artisanal and industrial gold mining. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly monitor and analyze the groundwater quality in the Baraka area. The results of this study will serve as a basis for environmental policies aimed at protecting populations living in a mining environment. Water modeling techniques can be decision support tools to protect communities residing in mining areas of the country.