Assessment of Pollution by Ba, Co, Mo, Ni, and Va in Surface Soils Surrounding the Tailings Dam of the Chahar Gonbad Copper Mine: An Analysis of Pollution Indices

Moosavirad, Seyed Morteza; Saffari, Mahboub

doi:10.48306/jumee.2024.494892.1061

Assessment of Pollution by Ba, Co, Mo, Ni, and Va in Surface Soils Surrounding the Tailings Dam of the Chahar Gonbad Copper Mine: An Analysis of Pollution Indices

Authors

Seyed Morteza moosavirad

mahboub saffari

Department of Environment, Institute of Science and High Technology and Environmental Sciences, Graduate University of Advanced Technology, kerman

https://doi.org/10.48306/jumee.2024.494892.1061

Abstract

This study investigates the pollution and sources of heavy metals in the soils and sediments of the tailings dam at the Chah-Gonbad copper mine. For this purpose, six sediment samples from the tailings dam and nine soil samples from its surroundings were collected and analyzed. The concentrations of pollutants including barium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium were measured using a four-acid digestion method and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results showed that the average concentrations of barium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, and vanadium in the tailings sediments were 585, 22, 3.7, 30.1, and 79.8 mg/kg, respectively, and in the surrounding soils were 244.8, 17, 0.63, 30.6, and 124.7 mg/kg, respectively. In contrast, cobalt was classified into classes 0 and 1, indicating either no pollution or slight pollution. Furthermore, vanadium and nickel were categorized in classes 1 and 2, suggesting slight to moderate pollution of these elements in some parts of the area. The findings of this study revealed that the weathering of parent rocks is the primary source of heavy metal concentrations in the area, but mining activities, particularly in the tailings sediments, have contributed to localized increases in the concentrations of some elements, including vanadium and nickel. These results emphasize the importance of continuous pollution monitoring and environmental management, including sediment stabilization and the use of pollution-reduction methods in the region.

Keywords

Soil pollution

Heavy metals

Tailings dam

Chahar Gonbad copper mine

Pollution index

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