H. Ghasemi; Mojtaba. Garavand; N. Hafezi Moghddas
Abstract
In this paper, the role of Gorgan metamorphic complex, as a geogenic source of the heavy metals has been investigated in the soils of south Kordkoy and Gorgan areas. For this, some important soil chemical parameters such as pH, EC, CEC, and concentrations of the heavy metals in 14 soil samples and 6 ...
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In this paper, the role of Gorgan metamorphic complex, as a geogenic source of the heavy metals has been investigated in the soils of south Kordkoy and Gorgan areas. For this, some important soil chemical parameters such as pH, EC, CEC, and concentrations of the heavy metals in 14 soil samples and 6 rock samples have been determined and interpreted. The enrichment factor, geo-accumulation index, contamination factor and degree of soil contamination for the elements of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Mo, Pb, V and Fe, have been studied. Multivariant Statistical methods including Pearson correlation, cluster analysis and principal component analysis were done to study the correlations and paragenetic relations. The results shown that the average concentration of Fe (80502.86 ppm) is higher than maximum allowable concentration (70000 ppm) and located near the threshold (100000 ppm). Also, average values of V (165.09ppm) is higher than maximum allowable concentration (150 ppm) but is very lower than its threshold (450 ppm). Average values of Cr, Ni, Co and Cu are in the range of the background concentration and those for Pb, As, Mo and Cd are lower than background. Calculation of the enrichment factor indicates the low enrichment of As and Fe in these soils. Iron, with the geo-accumulation index of 0.14, is uncontaminant to slightly contaminant. Also, contamination factors of iron, cobalt and vanadium are low and overaly, in the sense of environmental quality, the soil of this area classified among uncontaminated or very low contaminated areas. The results of the statistical analysis of the heavy metal data indicate the lowest concentrations of these elements in the soils derived from pelitic schists, especially in Tuskestan valley, and the highest values of them in the soils derived from the basic igneous rocks, such as Naharkhoran valley. These results show a natural geogenic origin for the heavy metals and the role of chemical composition of the Gorgan metamorphic complex in the entrance of them in the soils of this area.
