Geostatistical Assessment of Pb, Zn and Cd Contamination in Near-Surface Soils of the Urban-Mining Transitional Region of Isfahan, Iran

Abstract Due to the lack of regulation and environmental education and awareness, Sepahanshahr located in vicinity of Isfahan City, central Iran, is now a rapid growing residential area suffering from the considerable consequences of poorly regulated mining activities operating in its vicinity. A survey was carried out on soil Pb, Zn and Cd concentrations around Sepahanshahr Town to explore the spatial structure of Pb, Zn and Cd distribution and to map their concentrations using geostatistical techniques. 100 near-surface soil samples were collected and analyzed for Pb, Zn and Cd and some related soil physical and chemical variables such as pH, organic matter content, electrical conductivity, and clay, silt and sand contents. The variography results showed a strong spatial dependency in heavy metals concentration due to the dilution effects of natural factors including atmospheric dispersion and precipitation. The almost same range values calculated for both ln-transformed Pb and sand data suggested presence of spatial co-regionalization. However, ln-transformed Zn data showed a shorter spatial dependency among the three tested heavy metals. Kriged maps of all three heavy metals showed a strong gradient of contamination around the three mining sites activating in the area. The results of this study provide insight into identification of the extent and spatial variability of Pb, Zn and Cd pollution in the mining sites and surrounding urban areas.

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