Investigation of Arsenic Anomalies and Its Probable Origins in Maragheh Plain

Subject Areas : Water and Environment

shahram baikpour ¹ , Zahra Arghavan ²

1 - Assistant Professor, Natural Resources and Environment Faculty, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran. *(Corresponding Author)
2 - M.Sc., Environmental Geology, Natural Resources and Environment Faculty, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2017-12-20 Accepted : 2019-01-09 Published : 2020-05-21

Keywords: Factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, Arsenic, Groundwater pollution,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: The objective of this study is evaluating hydrochemical properties of groundwater in Maragheh area, including: Cations, Anions, Total Dissolved Solids, Electrical Conductivity, pH and Heavy metals (As, Fe, Mn) and investigating the statistical relations between these parameters and Probable Origins of contamination. Methods: In order to carry out ground water quality monitoring, and evaluate the controlling processes and to determine cations and anions sources of the groundwater, 34 wells were selected for sampling from July 2014 and April 2015and water quality parameters were measured and sent to the Laboratory Applied Research Center of Geological Survey & Mineral Explorations of Iran (Elburz).  Data analysis was performed through SPSS software and Factor Analysis & Pearson correlation coefficient test. Results: The chemical composition of the surface and groundwater is controlled by several processes such as mineral dissolution, increasing evaporation from the aquifer, irrigation return flow, saline water intrusion in the Ajbashir Plain, geological status of the area, anthropogenic inputs. Discussion and Conclusion: The concentration of arsenic based on WHO standard is 10μg/L, while the maximum arsenic concentration in the study area is 308.5μg/L and the mean concentration is 44μg/L. According to the results, it relies that arsenic probable sources can be concerned to industrial waste water in Maragheh and Bonab industrial complex, agricultural activities (using pesticides and insecticides) and geological factors (existence of Shemshak formation), rocks and sediments derived from the erosion of these rocks and coal mines (Khormazard).

References:

1. Asghari moghadam, A., Jalali, L., Investigation of Arsenic Anomaly and its Possible Source in Groundwater of Khoy Plain, Geosciences Journal, No: 94, P: 147 – 154. (In Persian)


2. Asghari moghadam, A., Principal of understanding Groundwater, Tabriz University Publications, P: 368. (In Persian)


3. Kumar, R., (2013), Basic Pathology (General), Mirmah Publications, Tehran, Iran, P: 454. (In Persian)


4. Hashtjian Rajabi, M., (1394), Report on the Nourishment of the Urmia Lake due to Drought and Threats. (In Persian)


5. Aghanabati, A. (1383), Geology of Iran, Tehran University Publication, p. 708 (In Persian)


6. WHO, (2017), Guideline for Drinking Water Quality, 4^ed, World Health Organization, 631


7. Asghari moghadam, A. Barzegar, R, (1393), investigating the Factors Affecting High Arsenic Concentration in Groundwater of Tabriz Plain Aquifers.  Geosciences Journal, No: 94, P:  177- 190. (In Persian)


8. Fakhri, M., Asghari moghadam, A., Barzegar, R., Kazemian, N., Najib, M., (1395), Investigation of the Origin of Some Heavy Metals in Groundwater of Marand Plain Aquifer Using Multivariate Statistical Methods, Water and Soil Science Journal, Vol. 26, No: 2/2, P: 237- 253. (In Persian)


9. Devi Onim J,Ramanathan AL,Singh G, (2012),Geochemical and Statistical evaluation of groundwater in Imphal and Thoubal district of Manipur, India. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 48:136-149.


10. Javanmard, Z., Asghari moghadam, A., (1395), Using statistical and hydrochemical models in qualitative analysis of groundwater resources (Case Study: Mehrban Plan, Eastern Azarbaijan), Water and Soil Science Journal, Vol. 25, No: 3.3. P: 31- 50. (In Persian)


11. Suk, H. and Lee, K. (1999), Characterization of groundwater hydrochemical system through multivariate analysis: Clustering into groundwater zone, Groundwater , Vol: 37, No: 3, p: 358-366.


12. Nadiri, A., Asghari Moghadam, A., (1389), Using Multivariate Statistical Methods in the Study of Hydrochemical Processes of Aquifers (Case Study: Tasooj plain), 4^th Conference of Geological Society, 25 – 27 Shahrivar, Uremia University. (In Persian)