Assessment of Contaminations Caused by Mining Activities Using Stream Sediment Geochemical Studies

Exploration and exploitation of mineral deposits could increase heavy metal contents in the environment around the deposits. In mining areas, water flow facilitates dispersion of the metal contamination. Thus, due to the toxic effect of heavy metals on environment and human, it is important to recognize sources of the contamination for the possible fixing of such problems. In this study to investigate the contaminations caused by heavy metals, element contents of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As in 911 stream sediment samples, which were taken from Baft area, Kerman province, were used. Pollution load index, Ecological risk index, Geo-accumulation index, Contamination Factor, and Modify Contamination Degree were applied to delineate contaminated areas. Outcome demonstrated that there are moderate to intense contamination of Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, and As in some parts of the area. Inspection of upstream of the contaminated samples illustrated that sources of the contamination are mainly mining and anthropogenic activities. Due to the proximity of the pollution sources to residential areas and its negative effect on the catchment watershed and basins, continuous monitoring of the pollution, caused by mineral activity, is recommended to modulate the negative influence of the contamination.