Geological Environment and Engineering
Farah Rahmani; Abdolreza Jafarian; Razieh Lak; Javad Esmaeili
Abstract
The present study aims to determine the concentration of heavy metals and toxic metalloids in rice of Sari paddy fields in the Mazandaran province of Iran. In this study, sampling was performed from 32 stations of the rice seed section. The soil-plant relationship was investigated in 6 stations using ...
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The present study aims to determine the concentration of heavy metals and toxic metalloids in rice of Sari paddy fields in the Mazandaran province of Iran. In this study, sampling was performed from 32 stations of the rice seed section. The soil-plant relationship was investigated in 6 stations using samples taken from rice soil and other plant parts such as roots, stems, leaves, and bran. Soil and plant samples were prepared using ICP-OES and ICP-MS methods, respectively, and then analyzed chemically. The results of the chemical analysis of rice samples showed that the mercury (Hg) concentration is usually about 0.07 ppm. However, it reaches about 0.09 ppm in some points (30% of the samples). The mean concentration of lead (Pb) is 0.91 ppm, which is close to its allowable limit. In some samples, elements arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) are different from normal concentrations. The study results attribute the origin of lead elements to the use of chemical zinc fertilizer in rice fields and paddy fields, as Pb concentration in areas with zinc (Zn) fertilizer consumption is about 3.99 ppm. The as concentration in Isa Khandagh is 1.15 ppm, suggesting a high deviation from the normal level. In addition, the concentration of trace elements in rice crops in different regions of Sari city compared with rice crops in some foreign cities shows a high correlation for chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), Arsenic (As), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), and Zinc (Zn).
Hydrology
Shahrokh Norallahi; A. Asghari Moghaddam; Fijani Elham; Rahim Barzegar
Abstract
In recent decades, due to growth of population and qancequently increasing demand for drinking, agriculture and industry purposes has led to consider the groundwater as the most important resource of water in the area. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the groundwater in the ...
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In recent decades, due to growth of population and qancequently increasing demand for drinking, agriculture and industry purposes has led to consider the groundwater as the most important resource of water in the area. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the quality of the groundwater in the area, along with its quantity. The objectives of this study are to investigate the possible origin of some heavy metals in the groundwater of Mashgin-Shahr plain using multivariate statistical methods including cluster analysis and factor analysis along with correlation coefficient as well as identification of factors affecting groundwater quality in the area. For this purpose, 25 groundwater samples were collected in October 2016, and measured with respect to pH, electrical conductivity, major (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, carbonate, and bicarbonate) and minor (nitrate, fluoride and silica) ions and some heavy metals/metalloid such as iron, manganese, aluminum, zinc, chromium, copper, cadmium, lead and arsenic. The analyzes show that processes such as weathering and dissolution of evaporatic and silicate formations, ion exchange and agricultural activities are effective on the groundwater quality of the area. The results of multivariate analysis show that most of the heavy are originated from volcanic formations in the area and salinity and acidity play an important role in releasing them into the groundwater. Factor analysis indicates that geogenic processes with a total of 79.9 % of variance and anthropogenic factors with a total of 6.6 % of variance control the groundwater chemistry.
F Behravesh; M.H Mahmudy Gharaie; F Ghassemzadeh; S Avaz Moghaddam
Abstract
Traffic dust often contains high concentrations of heavy metals and can influence on environment and human health. In this study, we tried to measure heavy metals in street dusts and soil in the city of Mashhad and sample collections were carried out at the time and location of high traffic. For the ...
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Traffic dust often contains high concentrations of heavy metals and can influence on environment and human health. In this study, we tried to measure heavy metals in street dusts and soil in the city of Mashhad and sample collections were carried out at the time and location of high traffic. For the purpose of this study, twenty three samples were collected from three main paths that cover the entire city and total concentrations of five heavy metals (Ni, Zn, Pb, Cr, and Cu) were measured. The index of geo-accumulation (Igeo), Pollution index (PI) and integrated pollution index (IPI) were also calculated for the contamination levels of the metals in the city of Mashhad,. The pollution index represent that all samples are highly polluted by Pb (3.688-74.16) and most of the samples are highly polluted by Zn (1.484-7.23). However, Cu (0.678-1.945) and Ni show medium level of pollution in the samples (1.01-1.935). Chromium in all samples show low levels of contamination (0.246-0.772). Possible sources of the pollutants were assessed using Pearson correlation and principal components analysis. The results of this analysis show high concentrations of metals such as lead, copper, zinc and nickel in the soil samples as compared to UCC (Upper Continental Crust). There is a positive correlation between heavy metals of zinc and copper as well as lead and zinc, which indicate the source of these metals, can be fuels as well as powder of shoe brake of vehicles. The results of the sequential extraction procedure also imply that the elements of Ni, Zn and Pb has occurred in unstable phases (F1+F2+F3+F4), indicating their human origin. But the elements such as Cr and Cu are mainly on stable phases (F5), which represents natural origin for these two elements.
S Bahrami; E Raese
Abstract
The Karstic Asmari & Jahrom Formations extensively outcrop in the Darab city region. The current Darab landfill site is located on sandy gravel alluvium, a few meters above the karstic Asmari Formation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the landfill on groundwater quality. ...
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The Karstic Asmari & Jahrom Formations extensively outcrop in the Darab city region. The current Darab landfill site is located on sandy gravel alluvium, a few meters above the karstic Asmari Formation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the landfill on groundwater quality. Ten karstic and alluvial exploitation wells and downstream of the landfill site were sampled to measure the concentrations of major ions, nitrates, heavy metals, trace elements, total coliform and fecal coliform. The major ions and nitrate concentrations are below the EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL). The fecal coliform exceeds the EPA MCL in most of the wells. There is no contaminant source to justify the high levels of fecal coliform in the exploitation wells. Fecal coliform is naturally present in the soil based on recent researches. The concentrations of Sb and Se are more than the EPA and WHO MCL in some of the wells. The source of these contaminants is not the Darab landfill, because no general flow direction and concentration trends are observed from the landsite towards the contaminated wells. In addition, there is no anthropogenic source of these elements in the study area. The sources of Sb and Se are most probably geogenic from limestone and shale. The volume of aquifer dynamic storage has been significantly reduced due to overexploitation and drought. Therefore, Sb and Se were dissolved in ever-decreasing volumes of water, and consequently, their concentrations increased.
A Maghsoudi; M Vanaei; M Vanaei
Abstract
The NekaRiver is located at 21km in east of Sari, center city of the Mazanderan province, north of Iran. 51 stream sediment samples were collected from 4 sample sites. The samples were digested by HF+HClO4+HNO3 and analyzed by AAS in laboratory of Geological Survey of Iran. The results of analysis show ...
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The NekaRiver is located at 21km in east of Sari, center city of the Mazanderan province, north of Iran. 51 stream sediment samples were collected from 4 sample sites. The samples were digested by HF+HClO4+HNO3 and analyzed by AAS in laboratory of Geological Survey of Iran. The results of analysis show that the enrichment ratio and Geo-accumulation index are too high for Ag, Cd and Sn in the whole sediments of the NekaRiver. Zn shows very high enrichment in the sites of Boz Mil and Lajan Lateh Sofla sample sites and Pb shows very high enrichment in the site of Boz Mil. Degrees of Geo-accumulation Index are very high for Ag-Cd in the 4 sites but for Zn are high to medium and for other elements are medium. In the Neka Choob and Mola Khil sample sites, the Co and Ag are too high because of anthropogenic contamination and Fe and Ni are low relatively. In the Boz Mil and Lajan Lateh Sofla sample sites, the Pb and Ag are too high because of anthropogenic contamination and V, Ni, Cu and Zn are low relatively. Coal mining and coal deposition in the upper part of the NekaRiver, urban and wood industry sewage are the main sources of the pollution.
B Dahrazma; A Azarpeykan; S Modabberi; A Sayyareh
Abstract
Soil, as one of the important elements of lithosphere and a part of ecosystem plays a crucial role in the life cycle. The goal of the present research was to assess the influence of mineralization and abandoned Ay-ghalasi lead-zinc mine on the distribution of heavy metals and pollution in soil throughout ...
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Soil, as one of the important elements of lithosphere and a part of ecosystem plays a crucial role in the life cycle. The goal of the present research was to assess the influence of mineralization and abandoned Ay-ghalasi lead-zinc mine on the distribution of heavy metals and pollution in soil throughout the region. In this regard, 4 soil samples from tailing around the mine and 23 residual soil samples from whole basin, 5 to 20 cm depth, considering the stratigraphy of the region and the distance to the mine were taken. The ICP-OES techniques were employed to determine the concentration of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, As, Cd, Cu, and Ag) in tailing and residual soil samples. The results show that the mean concentration of the heavy metals namely Pb, Zn, As, Cd, Cu, and Ag are 9187.2, 9392.3, 630.8, 0.2, 1005.9 and 61.1 respectively (all in mg/kg), which all are higher than the mean of world soil (MWs) except for the Cd, and also higher than the Dutch standard except for the Ag. In the vicinity of the mine, the concentrations of the metals are high, decreasing with the distance from the mine and the mineral vein. The concentration of Pb, Zn, As, and Ag in the control samples were higher than the MWs and the Dutch standard that is an indication of high background concentration of these elements in the region. In terms of Geo-accumulation Index, Enrichment Factor, Contamination Factor, Contamination Degree, and Pollution Load Index, the soil of the mine area shows high to infinite level of contamination. The elements Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ag have a high Pearson correlation factor.
A Sarhangi; S Modabberi; S.R Mousavi Harami; M Zibayi
Abstract
The anthropogenic and natural contaminants are considered as the main factors threatening water resources and they are in direct connection to the public health and also threaten the development of water resources. The Latyan Dam reservoir is the main source of drinking water of Tehran metropolitan ...
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The anthropogenic and natural contaminants are considered as the main factors threatening water resources and they are in direct connection to the public health and also threaten the development of water resources. The Latyan Dam reservoir is the main source of drinking water of Tehran metropolitan area. In this paper, the environmental geochemistry of water and sediments have been studied. Eight sampling stations were selected in the lake and water samples were taken for measurement of trace elements in dissolved and particulate phases. In addition, sediment samples were taken at the same points by using a grab. The geochemical analysis performed by ICP-OES method showed that the concentration of potentially toxic metals were measured below the detection limit of the instrument and fall in the ranges of safe drinking water guidelines. The sediment samples showed concentrations within the quality guideline values except for As and Pb. The enrichment factor and Igeo were calculated for the sediment samples indicating that the sediments are not contaminated. Metal enrichment in sediments is however very strong compared to water samples and it is suggested that the adsorption processes have important role in sorption of metal contaminants onto the surface of sediment particles and it could be regarded as a potential for contamination if they return to water column in case of change in sediment physicochemical conditions.
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.
