This study is the third in a series of investigations conducted by the authors, and certainly the most comprehensive research regarding the former uranium, copper, and charcoal mines from a particular geographical area of Romania. In this respect, the present scientific incursion focused on two areas containing former extraction uranium ore sites, Ciudanovita and Lisava, as well as copper ore from Moldova Noua and charcoal mines from Anina, Banat Region, Romania. It highlighted that, for the first time, the heavy metal concentration was correlated with the values of physicochemical indicators of water (i.e., EC, DO, pH, resistivity, salinity, and ORP), by using multivariate analysis, to shape a regional based model on spatial distributions and the variability of toxic contaminants from the hydrographic basin of Banat, Romania, as a consequence of former uranium, copper, and charcoal mines. In this regard, 11 metals including Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, Sr, Cd, and Pb from different water samples (well, spring, river, and lake), collected from three mining areas (uranium, copper, and coal mines) were investigated. Non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks of seven heavy metals were assessed using the EDI, DIM, and THQ. The obtained THQ values were within the acceptable limits for cancer risks for adults, but as regards children, eight samples out of 18 proved toxic. However, the HRI and THQ average values for Cd (0.265 adults/0.996 children) and Pb (0.025 adults/0.095 children) for children were 3–4 times higher than those for adults. This is a source of concern as their prevalence in well water exposes children and residents in the Banat Region to the risk of various types of cancers.

IPCC climate forecast models, applicable to the Maghreb countries (Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia), predict a decrease in atmospheric precipitation, greater variability, and an increase in aridity. In recent years, the entire region has been experiencing unprecedented climate upheavals. Climatic droughts have become increasingly severe and recurrent (drastically reducing water stocks). We are also witnessing a remarkable increase in temperatures and a greater frequency of heat waves. Faced with these new provisions, this territory (long considered an area of water stress) is now subject to very strong tensions, which have led to a greater demand for water and a decrease in supply. To understand the intensity of this “climate–water” crisis, we propose an analysis of this priority issue based on the evolution of precipitation over more than half a century of records. To determine precipitation trends and define rainfall cycles in these three countries, the graphical chronological method of information processing (MGCTI) of the “BERTIN Matrix” type is used. Annual precipitation totals from 29 stations were used for the MGCTI (chronological graphic method of information processing) for the period 1970–2023. These data come from the national meteorological networks of the National Meteorological Office (ONM) for Algeria, National Institute of Meteorology (NIM) for Tunisia, and National Directorate of Meteorology (DMN) for Morocco, and the from the websites of the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) and “TuTiempo Network”. Monthly pluviometric totals from three stations, Dar El Beida (Algeria), Casablanca (Morocco), and Tunis (Tunisia), as well as the monthly NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation) and MOI (Mediterranean Oscillation Index) were used for the wavelet coherence method for the period 1970–2022. Data analysis shows that the entire region is subject to four extreme precipitation cycles (dry and wet). The last dry period was remarkably intense and led to a sharp increase in water stress throughout the region. An analysis of monthly precipitation from three stations (Casablanca, Dar El Beida, and Tunis) using the wavelet coherence method also highlighted a close relationship with the “NAO” and “MOI” circulation.

The last few decades have recorded a high frequency of the meteorological drought phenomenon. Southern and south-eastern Romania make no exception, with such phenomena often occurring from July to November 2011, which brought about an agrometerological drought that lasted from the third decade of July to early December, with a slight improvement in October. This situation led to a decrease in soil water reserves, mainly in the first 20 cm, with a negative impact on agricultural crops and the following agricultural year as well. The methodology was based on a correlative analysis between the decadal rainfall quantities and the existing soil water reserve, during the interval between June and November 2011, for eight weather stations. The statistico-mathematical data analysis showed an intensification of the pedological drought phenomenon in September, with a slight improvement in October and an increase in November.