Journal of African Earth Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Groundwater fluoride and nitrate contamination in Gushegu Municipality, Northern Ghana: Hydrogeochemical drivers, machine-learning prediction, and health risks","authors":"Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari ,&nbsp;Yvonne Otoo Benyiwaa ,&nbsp;Dickson Abdul-Wahab ,&nbsp;Moses Boakye Okyere ,&nbsp;Abdul Wahab Basit ,&nbsp;Michael Appiah-Twum","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105883","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105883","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater fluoride and nitrate contamination poses critical public health risks in northern Ghana. The Volta Basin is widely reported as a fluorosis-endemic region in Ghana, where agriculture constitutes the primary economic activity. However, there remains a notable gap in the use of quantitative modelling approaches to predict both the mechanisms and levels of contamination within the basin. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the processes controlling elevated fluoride (F⁻) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) concentrations in Gushegu's Voltaian aquifers, build parsimonious prediction models, and quantify age-stratified health risks. Fifteen groundwater samples were analysed using hydrogeochemical techniques, including Piper and Gibbs plots, saturation indices, and multivariate statistical analyses. Additionally, 88 prior samples (total n = 103) were used to compare six machine learning algorithms against Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) through cross-validation and permutation importance analysis. The results revealed that Mg²⁺ and HCO₃⁻ dominate groundwater chemistry, with Mg-K-HCO₃ as the common water type. Fluoride ranged 0.001–19.5 mg/L (mean 6.38 mg/L), with 93.3 % of samples exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 1.5 mg/L; NO₃⁻ ranged 2.50–92.5 mg/L (mean 38.1 mg/L), with 40 % exceeding 50 mg/L. Fluoride was geogenically controlled and strongly correlated with pH (r = 0.94), while NO₃⁻ was consistent with agricultural/anthropogenic inputs. MLR performed best for both contaminants, with high prediction accuracy (NO₃⁻: R² = 0.901; F⁻: R² = 0.666). Health-risk assessment indicated the highest vulnerability in infants: Total Hazard Index (HI) for F⁻ up to 45.69 and for NO₃⁻ up to 5.42 (children: F⁻ HI ≤ 28.25; adults: F⁻ HI ≤ 15.10). Hotspots (e.g., Yishei) require priority mitigation. Findings demonstrate a concise, transferable workflow that integrates process understanding with prediction to inform targeted source protection, water-treatment options, and alternative-supply planning in data-limited settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 105883"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145324915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic model of the Sedex-type stratiform Tizi-n-Isdid manganese deposit hosted in lower Cambrian series (High Atlas, Morocco)","authors":"Imad Aflla ,&nbsp;Augustin Dekoninck ,&nbsp;Mustapha Souhassou ,&nbsp;Marieme Jabbour ,&nbsp;Moha Ikenne","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105853","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105853","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Tizi-n-Isdid manganese deposit is located between the Central Anti-Atlas and the Ounein High Atlas in Morocco. and represents a significant occurrence of stratiform manganese mineralization with low to medium Mn ore grades ranging from 8 to 32 wt% Mn. In this study, we examine the geological framework alongside the mineralogy and geochemistry of the Tizi-n-Isdid manganese mineralization to provide insights into the interplay between Mn accumulation mechanism during sedimentation, hydrothermal processes, and post-depositional transformations. The Tizi-n-Isdid mineralization is hosted by reddish-brown claystones occurring at the base of the Taroudant Group in the Tabia member, below the Tamjout dolomite. The new stratigraphic framework supports a Lower Cambrian age for the Mn mineralization, estimated at between 529 and 541 Ma. Braunite is the dominant ore-forming mineral alongside piemontite, hollandite, neltnerie, pyrolusite, jacobsite, rhodochrosite and kutnohorite. The gangue consists of claystone fragments, calcite, quartz, and minor barite. The mineralization extends over 6 km in a north-south direction, exhibiting a stratiform and lenticular shape. Three main mineralization facies are identified: massive (F1), banded (dominant) (F2), and brecciated (F3), with thicknesses ranging from a few centimeters to a maximum of 3 m. Geochemical analyses support a hydrothermal Sedex-type origin for the deposit, characterized by exhalative Mn-rich sediments. The Fe/Mn ratios and trace elements indicate that the mineralizing fluids were likely associated with syn-sedimentary hydrothermal activity, possibly linked to rift-related fault systems rather than direct volcanic influence. The deposit has undergone slight metamorphism, as evidenced by the transformation of primary braunite into secondary braunite and piémontite. This model can be applied to other stratiform Mn deposits occurring in the Ouarzazate Manganese Field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 105853"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119659","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Controls on the emplacement of the arc-related Um Rus pluton, central Egyptian Nubian Shield","authors":"Mona A. El- Harairey ,&nbsp;Hoda R. Saad ,&nbsp;Haytham Sehsah ,&nbsp;El Sayed I. Selim ,&nbsp;Ahmed Elbahrawy","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105796","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105796","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The emplacement of small, compositionally zoned, arc-related, gabbro-diorite plutons is controversial, particularly where voluminous older batholiths are emplaced in volcanic arc settings. The Um Rus zoned pluton (URZP) features a zone of hybrid quartz diorite at its outer margin, containing abundant mafic xenoliths, and a core that grades inward from tonalite to granodiorite. New U–Pb geochronologic data indicate that the URZP was emplaced at 675.6 ± 5.1 Ma. Magnetic data shows a curved contact zone for the gabbroic intrusion that hosts the URZP at shallow depths. The URZP and the host rocks were emplaced entirely within the wadi Mubarak shear zone (WMSZ), but lack penetrative deformation at shallower depths, with regional structural trends related to the Najd fault system (NFS). Moreover, the intensity of the WMSZ structural framework increases at greater depths in relation to the NFS, and their distribution pattern suggests the transition from the NFS structural framework at shallower depths to the WMSZ framework at deeper crustal levels. The small gabbro-diorite arc magmas show a gradual increase in SiO₂ content with time but exhibit an abrupt change in MgO, K₂O, and Na₂O contents, suggesting successive intrusive pulses from a single parental magma with distinctive crustal assimilation. The gradual increase in crustal assimilation northward in the URZP is consistent with increasing arc maturity northward, away from the Allaqi-Heiani suture zone. The URZP is the most fractionated pluton, displaying a peraluminous and felsic nature. The compositional zoning in younger arc plutons, marked by a distinctive gap, led to their bimodal tectonic affinity. The magma chamber was emplaced in a pre-collision setting, predating the transition to a syn-collision setting at approximately 650 Ma.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 105796"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145268209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Magnetic signatures and modeling of the Late Ediacaran dyke swarm in the central Saghro massif (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)","authors":"Ahmed Baamar ,&nbsp;Ezzoura Errami ,&nbsp;Brahim Karaoui ,&nbsp;Mourad Essalhi ,&nbsp;Mostapha Bouzekraoui ,&nbsp;Mourad Guernouche ,&nbsp;Said Haidatte ,&nbsp;Abderrahman Ben Ichou ,&nbsp;Zakarya Yajioui ,&nbsp;Hasna Er-raqqady","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105937","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105937","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Central Part of the Saghro massif (CPSM), located in the Eastern Anti-Atlas, is characterized by a significant dyke swarm. These dykes remain insufficiently characterized from a geophysical perspective. The aim of this study is to apply a geophysical approach based on the ground magnetic method in order to better understanding the CPSM dyke swarm, as well as their host rocks. To achieve this objective, the magnetic data were subjected to a series of processing operations, including various filters and transformations. The qualitative analysis of the pole-reduced data reveals a strong correlation between the observed magnetic anomalies and the distribution of outcropping dykes in the metasedimentary basement of the Saghro Group and the volcano-sedimentary series of the Ouarzazate Supergroup. These anomalies are manifested by variations in magnetic intensity that follow the orientation of the dyke swarm mapped on surface, confirming their distinct magnetic signature. Complementary analysis of the magnetic data identified magnetic lineaments consistent with the surface mapped dykes. These lineaments appear as elongated anomalies reflecting the presence of continuous magnetic structures in the subsurface. In addition, the estimated depths of anomalous sources, obtained by Euler deconvolution from ground magnetic data, reveal values of up to 1000 m. Complementing the qualitative data analysis, a quantitative interpretation using 2D and 3D modeling was applied to the high-amplitude anomalies associated with the dyke's zones. The results obtained indicate that dykes correspond to sub-vertical structures, deeply rooted beyond 3 km.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 105937"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577571","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of structural legacy in the compartmentalization of the Témara aquifer, Morocco: Insight from electrical resistivity tomography and field geological data","authors":"Abdessamia El Alaoui ,&nbsp;Nawal Bouya ,&nbsp;Bennacer Moussaid ,&nbsp;Said Ou Moua ,&nbsp;Lahssen Baidder ,&nbsp;Ahmed Fadili ,&nbsp;Imane Haidara ,&nbsp;Mohammed Slimani","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105935","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105935","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 105935"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145577572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Late Kimmeridgian–? Early Tithonian carbonate platform of the southwestern Tethys margin (central Saharan Atlas; Algeria): microfacies, stable isotopes, and paleogeographic context","authors":"Chikh Younes Mahboubi ,&nbsp;Matthias López Correa ,&nbsp;Abdelkrim Nemra ,&nbsp;Abdelkader Ouali Mehadji ,&nbsp;Mohammed Nadir Naimi ,&nbsp;Axel Munnecke","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105905","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105905","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents an integrated sedimentological and geochemical investigation of the Upper Jurassic (Late Kimmeridgian-? Early Tithonian) Sfissifa Formation in the Central Saharan Atlas, Algeria. Through detailed stratigraphic logging, microfacies analysis, and stable isotope measurements (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) of bulk rock and macrofossils, we reconstruct the depositional dynamics and diagenetic overprints of a mid-ramp carbonate system. Our results reveal that episodic high-energy depositional events (eventites) controlled sedimentation and fossil preservation, whereas broader patterns were driven by long-term sea-level changes. Preliminary geochemical analyses of a limited selection of macrofossils, which have not yet been assessed for potential diagenetic alteration, suggest warm tropical seabed paleotemperatures. This study provides a refined depositional model for the Kimmeridgian carbonate platforms and offers a methodological framework for disentangling primary environmental signals from diagenetic noise in ancient shallow marine settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 105905"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145416922","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mineralogical and morphological characteristics of Mn oxide phases in terrestrial ferromanganese deposits: A case study of wad and nodules from the Highveld region, North-West Province of South Africa","authors":"Benedict Kinshasa Pharoe ,&nbsp;Irina Mikhailovna Gembitskaya ,&nbsp;Alexandr Nikolaevich Evdokimov ,&nbsp;Natalia Ivanovna Vorontsova ,&nbsp;Christopher Baiyegunhi ,&nbsp;Sergei Alexandrovich Voropaev","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105945","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105945","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fe-Mn nodules and crusts in terrestrial environments are predominantly associated with well-developed lateritic soil profiles. In this study, we report on the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of terrestrial Fe-Mn nodules from the North-West Manganese Deposit in South Africa. The primary objective is to characterize mineral associations, ore paragenetic sequences, morphologies, formation conditions, and chemical composition, with particular emphasis on the composition of Mn and strategic metals (i.e., Ni, Co, Cu, Ba, etc.). The distribution of these metals and their respective Mn oxide host phases was evaluated. To achieve the study's objectives, an integrated analytical approach using optical microscopy, High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy, X-ray Powder Diffraction, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry was used to investigate the ore micro-morphologies, microstructural textures, and modes of mineral occurrences and associations. Based on microscopic examinations and analytical data, Fe–Mn nodules display characteristic ore textures and morphologies, including botryoidal, colloform banding, and dendritic to radial-acicular forms, typical of cryptomelane, romanechite, hollandite, and lithiophorite. The gangue assemblage comprises detrital quartz and clay mica, which are mainly associated with early Mn oxide phases, whereas detrital zircon and ilmenite are confined to the clay-rich matrix. Lithiophorite was identified as the main host for Ni, Cu, and Co. Ba enrichment is associated with romanechite, while Nb and Ti are associated with ilmenite grains. The ore mineral paragenetic sequence revealed manganite and vernadite as the early phases to precipitate, followed by pyrolusite, cryptomelane, and romanechite, with lithiophorite representing the latest stage of mineragenesis. The presence of distinct Ce and Eu anomalies suggests that Fe-Mn nodules were formed through hydrogenetic processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 105945"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145621211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation and selection of ground motion prediction equations for seismic hazard analysis in Northern Egypt","authors":"Samar Ghareeb ,&nbsp;Rami Ibrahim ,&nbsp;Toshiaki Yokoi ,&nbsp;Mahmoud El-Hadidy ,&nbsp;Mohsen M. Attia ,&nbsp;Amr El-Sharkawy ,&nbsp;Abdelbaset M. Abudeif","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105918","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105918","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Northern Egypt is a vital region for investment, tourism, and oil and gas production, hosting critical infrastructure and high-rise buildings. Despite its low-to-moderate seismic activity, assessing seismic hazard is challenging due to limited strong motion records. Ground Motion Prediction Equations (GMPEs) from tectonically similar regions are often adopted for such studies, but their predictive accuracy remains unverified for this area. This study employs theoretical rejection criteria to filter unsuitable GMPEs and evaluates 184 earthquake records from local and regional seismological networks. The GMPEs of Akkar–Sandıkkaya–Bommer (ASB14), Zhao (Zea06), and Abrahamson–Silva–Kamai (ASK14) models were selected because of the theoretical tests. The first version of Synthetic waveforms was generated and compared with the observed records by the empirical simulation methods stands for Time Series Processing Programs (TSSP), with residual analysis conducted to refine GMPE coefficients. A second version of the synthetic waveforms was obtained using the modified GMPEs. A comparison between the observed waveforms, first synthetics, and second synthetics was undertaken. The analysis determined that the Zea06 model is unsuitable for future seismic hazard assessments in Northern Egypt. However, the modified ASK14 model demonstrated superior performance in estimating seismic hazards for source-to-site distances ≤50 km, while the modified ASB14 model proved most effective for distances greater than 50 km.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 105918"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145475978","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An overview of the Co-Ni-Fe arsenide ore zoning in the Bou Azzer mining district (Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco)","authors":"Zaineb Hajjar ,&nbsp;Isabel Fanlo ,&nbsp;Said Ilmen ,&nbsp;Rachida Bendaoud ,&nbsp;Fernando Gervilla","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105915","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105915","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Co-Ni-Fe-bearing arsenide ores in the Bou Azzer district (Anti-Atlas, Morocco) occur alongside serpentinite and are mainly found as contact-type ores or serpentinite-hosted ores. There is a clear zoning pattern in the contact-type ores, evolving from Ni-Co ores and Co-Ni ores filling fault-related open spaces at the serpentinite contact to Fe-Co types within the serpentinite itself. This trend is supported by drill core geochemistry. In serpentinite-hosted orebodies, the arsenide minerals are primarily Fe-Co ores, which preserve cores of Co-Fe ores.</div><div>Our key contribution is to identify the chemical evolution of the ore-forming fluid. Co and Fe enrichment facilitated the progressive transition from Ni-Co to Co-Fe ores, while subsequent Ni depletion and Fe enrichment generated the disseminated Co-Fe ores (i.e., contact-type ores). Further circulation of these ore-forming fluids through intra-serpentinite weak fault zones tends to precipitate Fe-Co ores surrounding Co-Fe ores (i.e., serpentinite-hosted ores). Critically, we show that the established west-to-east district zoning (decreasing Co, increasing Ni) is specific to contact-type ores and may be influenced by the composition of the adjacent country rock (high Ni content is related to mafic layer in the contact. Serpentinite-hosted ores in the Ait Ahmane area appear to follow this west-east zoning process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"234 ","pages":"Article 105915"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145527434","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geospatial analysis and predictive modeling of Hofmeister ions in relation to chronic kidney disease risk in South Sinai, Egypt","authors":"Eltaher M. Shams ,&nbsp;Ahmed A. Asmoay ,&nbsp;Sahar N.E. Tawfik ,&nbsp;Rashad Sawires","doi":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105834","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105834","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the first integrated geographic and predictive modeling assessment of Hofmeister ions in groundwater and their potential link to chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in South Sinai, Egypt. A total of 25 groundwater samples were collected from Wadi Feiran and Wadi El Sheikh and analyzed for major ions, nutrients, and key physicochemical parameters. The results revealed alarmingly high levels of nitrate (mean = 478.1 ppm) and total dissolved solids (TDS, mean = 2093 ppm), far exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards, and pointing to substantial potential risks to public health in these arid communities. Although the weighted arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI) classified all samples as “good” to “excellent,” detailed hydrochemical assessment showed that concentrations of Hofmeister ions—particularly calcium and sodium—surpassed safe average daily intake thresholds in many samples (21 and 16, respectively). Such exceedances raise concerns over the potential development of hypercalcemia, hypertension, and the progression of CKDu, particularly among populations with limited access to alternative drinking water sources. Hydrochemical interpretations suggest that rock–water interactions, evaporation, and anthropogenic inputs are likely contributors to the observed ion levels. Predictive modeling using multiple linear regression (MLR) demonstrated excellent performance (R² = 99.71 % for nitrate), highlighting its value in forecasting contamination trends and identifying groundwater vulnerability hotspots in data-scarce arid regions. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted groundwater quality monitoring, the integration of predictive risk modeling into management frameworks, and the implementation of preventive public health measures. By bridging geochemical data with health risk metrics, this research provides a scientific basis for developing evidence-based policies to safeguard communities and promote the sustainable use of groundwater resources in arid environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":14874,"journal":{"name":"Journal of African Earth Sciences","volume":"233 ","pages":"Article 105834"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145100076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}