Distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in tailings, soils, and plants around Gol-E-Gohar iron mine, a case study in Iran

Abstract

This study investigated the concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) including Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, V, and Zn in 102 soils (in the Near and Far areas of the mine), 7 tailings, and 60 plant samples (shoots and roots of Artemisia sieberi and Zygophylum species) collected at the Gol-E-Gohar iron ore mine in Iran. The elemental concentrations in tailings and soil samples (in Near and Far areas) varied between 7.4 and 35.8 mg kg−1 for As (with a mean of 25.39 mg kg−1 for tailings), 7.9 and 261.5 mg kg−1 (mean 189.83 mg kg−1 for tailings) for Co, 17.7 and 885.03 mg kg−1 (mean 472.77 mg kg−1 for tailings) for Cu, 12,500 and 400,000 mg kg−1 (mean 120,642.86 mg kg−1 for tailings) for Fe, and 28.1 and 278.1 mg kg−1 (mean 150.29 mg kg−1 for tailings) for Ni. A number of physicochemical parameters and pollution index for soils were determined around the mine. Sequential extractions of tailings and soil samples indicated that Fe, Cr, and Co were the least mobile and that Mn, Zn, Cu, and As were potentially available for plants uptake. Similar to soil, the concentration of Al, As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Zn in plant samples decreased with the distance from the mining/processing areas. Data on plants showed that metal concentrations in shoots usually exceeded those in roots and varied significantly between the two investigated species (Artemisia sieberi > Zygophylum). All the reported results suggest that the soil and plants near the iron ore mine are contaminated with PTEs and that they can be potentially dispersed in the environment via aerosol transport and deposition.

Concentrations, Distribution, Sources and Ecological Risk Assessment of Trace Elements in Soils from Wuhan, Central China

“…However, the individual result of each site indicated that the concentration of Cu at Dujiatian site exceeded the permissible limit of FAO/ISRIC (2004), WHO/FAO (2001) and USEPA (1983). As compared to the other studies the mean concentration value of Cu (60.73 mg/kg)was less than the finding in Brazil (111.54 mg/kg) [62], Wuhan, China (60.85 mg/kg) [33], Hubei Province, China (386mg/kg), Democratic Republic of Congo (10,320 mg/kg) [67], Iran (100.84 mg/kg) [64], but the result was higher than the findings in soil from Cuba (43.10 mg/kg) [59], Bangladesh (20.6 mg/kg) [11], India (52.72 mg/kg) [61], Tanzania (5.62 mg/kg) [10], Pakistan (18.12 mg/kg) [63], Northern Pakistan (35.28 mg/kg) [66] and in soil along the Chao River in China (46.5 mg/kg) [65].…”

“…The mean concentration value of Co (22,656.94 mg/kg) was above the permissible limit of FAO/ISRIC (2004) and WHO/FAO (2001) (Table 2). Compared to other findings the mean concentration of Co was higher than the study in Cuba (9.16 mg/kg) [59], Brazil (7.44 mg/kg) [62], Pakistan (7.56 mg/kg) [63], Wuhan (China) (16 mg/kg) [32] and (16.37 mg/kg) [33], Iran (38.5, 16.51 mg/kg) [64], Chao River China (17.5 mg/kg) [65] and Northern Pakistan (36.76 mg/kg) [66].…”

“…As compared to the other findings in Wuhan, the obtained mean value of Cr for this study was higher than the finding of [32] (85 mg/kg), but less than the finding by [33] (152.78 mg/kg). In comparison to the other studies from other places, the mean concentration of Cr for this study was higher than the findings from Cuba (85.9 mg/kg) [59], Bangladesh (53.7, 34.2 mg/kg) [60], India (8.01 mg/kg) [61], Tanzania (7.68 mg/kg) [10], Brazil (20.61 mg/kg) [62], Pakistan (5.86 mg/kg) [63], Iran (48.08, 53.21 mg/kg) [64], along Chao River in China (118 mg/kg) [65] and Northern Pakistan (29.94 mg/kg) [66].…”

Potentially Toxic Elements Contamination of Soils in O’Kiep, an Arid Region of Namaqualand, South Africa

“…Clifford and Barton [39] reported that O'Kiep's soil is rich in bornite Cu₅FeS₄; as evidenced by the high concentration values of S and Cu. From the literature reviewed, it was reported that distance from the pollution source and weather-related matters, play significant roles in the exposure to metalloids and metals [40]. PTE concentrations in the upstream showed that contaminant concentrations were higher near the close metalliferous mine than downstream.…”

Influence of Mining and Vegetation Restoration on Soil Properties in the Eastern Margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

“…Most trace metals pose serious environmental and health risks because they are toxic and could become labile when the normal threshold is exceeded and they are exposed to the environment [12]. Both heavy metals and metalloids are contaminants in mining and smelting areas as they accumulate in soils, plants, and water streams, posing serious threats to the ecosystem health and nearby habitats, including fauna, flora, and microfauna [13][14][15]. Most of these effects persist over large expanses of land, even long after mining activities have ceased [2,16].…”