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.
Keywords: Thallium; mineralization; heavy metals; correlation.

Thallium; mineralization; heavy metals; correlation.