Environmental pollutants enrichment in Soil, surface sediments and water resources by Mining activities, a case study; Zarshuran mine, NW Iran

Contamination of soil and water environment by heavy metals in a mining area and their effect on the soil and water characteristics were determined. Despite the ever-increasing development in mining activities in Iran, a little attention has been given to the environmental impacts in some cases. In this study, distribution of pollutants (As, Sb, Ag, and Zn) in natural resources such as surface soil, sediments and water, in addition to adjacent rock of river bed has been investigated. Correlations between these elements, sizes of sedimentary grains, and the reasons of solution and precipitation of minerals have also been studied and compared. Additionally the effects of some of the natural geochemical barriers on transferring elements have been introduced. Distribution of pollutant elements from distances far from sources of pollution can be traced in the regional plants. Finally, while presenting environmental and health problems, some practical solutions for the prevention of pollution distribution is cited.

کلیدواژه ها:

Zarshuran ، Pollution Arsenic ، sediment and geochemistry