Lead contamination in soil and vegetation of areas surrounding different mining activity zones in Kerman Province of Iran

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is a toxic element that was used for many years in products found in our environment. One of The most serious sources that Pb can be emitted into the environment is industrial and mining activities. A study was carried out, samples collections from soil and wastewater in Ghanat Marvan lead mine, Tarz lead mine, Shahid Bahonar Copper Industries Company (CSP), Industrial zone No.1 and Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex in Kerman province. The results show that Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex soil sample had Pb content less than other sites. Lead concentration in industrial wastewater in Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex and CSP did not show significantly different with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard. Positive correlation was shown between the Pb in wastewater and plant concentration. The results show significant negative correlation between waste pH and Pb in industrial waste, plant and soil. Also the results show that Acantholimon sp. and Astragalus glancanthus were dominant plant in two mines upon floristic quantities assay. Lead concentration was 15.8 mg/kg DW and 1.61 mg/kg DW in Ghanat Marvan and Tarz soil respectively. According to these finding we recognized that these plant were the best hyper accumulator in lead mines.

Keywords: Acantholimon sp., Astragalus glancanthus, hyperaccumulators, Kerman province, lead