Spatial Distribution Patterns, Eco-Environmental Risk Assessment, and Human Health Impacts of Uranium and Thorium in Beach Sediments in the Central Gulf of Gabes (Southern Mediterranean Sea)

Radhouan Belgacem El Zrelli (), Jessica K. Klar, Sylvie Castet, Michel Grégoire, Pierre Courjault-Radé and Sébastien Fabre
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Radhouan Belgacem El Zrelli: Independent Researcher & International Environmental Consultant, 31400 Toulouse, France
Jessica K. Klar: Université Paris-Saclay, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire des Sciences du Numérique (LISN), 91400 Orsay, France
Sylvie Castet: Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)/Université Paul Sabatier (UPS)/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)/Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
Michel Grégoire: Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)/Université Paul Sabatier (UPS)/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)/Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
Pierre Courjault-Radé: Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Université de Toulouse, UMR 5563 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)/Université Paul Sabatier (UPS)/Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)/Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France
Sébastien Fabre: Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie, Université de Toulouse, 14 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-25

Abstract: This study investigates uranium (U) and thorium (Th) levels in surface beach sediments from the Central Gulf of Gabes (SE Tunisia), aiming to identify concentration zones, geochemical behaviors, and enrichment factors. U concentrations ranged from 0.71 to 38.00 mg/kg, exceeding Th levels, which ranged from 1.00 to 10.60 mg/kg. A positive correlation between U and Th indicates a common source, which is most likely phosphogypsum wastes, and similar geochemical behaviors. The central sector near Gabes’ fertilizer factories showed the highest U and Th concentrations, with factors such as proximity to industrial discharge, port structures’ influence, organic matter enrichment, low seawater pH, and high phosphorus levels affecting the spatial distribution of these elements. Thermochemical analysis suggests that U and Th exhibit parallel chemical behaviors in low-pH, phosphate-rich conditions. This is the first study to document U and Th presence in phosphogypsum-contaminated beach sediments in Gabes, underlining potential risks to the environment and human health. The findings of this work contribute to the international database of U and Th contamination in coastal sediments, providing essential data to support sustainable strategies aimed at safeguarding human health and preserving local environments affected by phosphate fertilizer industry pollution.

Keywords: phosphate fertilizer industry; phosphogypsum; uranium and thorium in coastal sediments; geochemical modeling; thermodynamic analysis; environmental and ecological risk assessment; sustainable environmental management of polluted zones (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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