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

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.