Heavy metal content in soil and the most abundant indigenous plant species (Artemisia sieberi) in Sarcheshmeh area is investigated. Sequential extraction analysis is carried out and phytoavailable fractions of selected heavy metals are also determined. The results show that heavy metals in the study area are potentially bioavailable. Calculated transfer factor (mean value for Cu: 5.7; As: 8.9; Pb: 4.1; Mo: 7.2; Cd: 1.9; and Zn: 1.8) and heavy metal concentration in plant species indicate that metal contamination is already transferred to Artemisia sieberi which proved to behave like an accumulator plant and hence poses a serious threat to local population. Contamination is mostly the result of three decades of ore smelting at the Sarcheshmeh copper complex.
Copper smelting and toxic emissions in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex have resulted in soil pollution especially in the vicinity of the smelting plant. Calculated geoaccumulation index, contamination factor (C f ), and contamination degree (C deg ) indicate surface soil enrichment in potentially toxic metals (As, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mo, and Cd). The results also indicate that most contaminated areas are located in the prevailing wind directions (N and NE). However, continuous copper smelting can result in extensive pollution in the study area. This is especially alarming for adjacent townships. Since, the sampled sites are also used as grazing land, the soils are likely to become phytotoxic and provide a potential pathway for the toxic elements to enter the food chain. C f based on distance and direction give more reasonable results; that is, the decrease of contamination degree with distance. This is in agreement with I geo and also statistical analysis, which show a decreasing trend of metal loadings of soil with distance from the smelter. Statistical analysis reaffirms the polluting role of the smelting plant.
Endemic dental fluorosis has been observed in most inhabitants of three villages of Muteh area, located in northwest of Isfahan province, with mottled enamel related to high levels of fluoride in drinking water (1.8-2.2 ppm). Forty-seven groundwater samples from six villages were collected and fluoride concentrations along with physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Fluoride concentration in this area varies from 0.2 to 9.2 mg/l with highest fluoride level at Muteh gold mine (Chahkhatun mine). Fluoride concentration positively correlates with pH and HCO 3 -indicating that alkaline pH provides a suitable condition for leaching of fluoride from surrounding rocks. The district is mainly covered by three lithological units, namely, metamorphic and granite rocks, alluvial sediments, and carbonate rocks. Factor analysis shows that parameters can be classified into four components: electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), Cl -, Na ? and K ? , pH and F -, SO 4 2-and Mg 2? , HCO 3 -and Ca 2 ? . The groundwaters from the three geological units were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. The order of median fluoride concentration is: metamorphic and granite rocks [ alluvial sediments [ carbonate rocks. Hence, the fluoride content is most probably related to fluoride-bearing minerals such as amphibole and mica group minerals in metamorphic and granitic rocks. The concentration of fluoride in drinking water wells located near the metamorphic complex in Muteh area is above 2 ppm.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.