Pollution of Anar Plain with Respect to Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead and Nitrate

This paper deals with the concentration variation of Cd, As, Pb and NO3- in groundwater of Anar Plain located in SW Iran (west of Kerman Province). For this purpose, 21 samples were taken in April 2009 from discharging wells across the plain and after analysis and control of their results, isoconcentration maps and related graphs were prepared and interpreted. Accordingly, the concentration of Cd in south and southeastern parts of the plain, near several cupper mines are high and in one sample near the MCL limit. Arsenic concentration in southeastern parts (near the cupper mines) and west of Biaz village is above MCL level for drinking. The level of Pb in the majority of medial parts of the plain is high and in some of them is above MCL level for drinking (10 ppb). The source of lead in this part of plain is assumed to be the main road of region (Kerman- Yazd road). Also the high levels of As, Pb and Cd in one sample located at west of Biaz village was attributed to hydrothermal activity. High temperature, low pH and lying on the active Anar fault zone attest to this claim. The source of Cd, as and Pb in southeast of the plain appear to be the sulfide mineralization. NO3- concentration, near the Anar town in two samples is 64 and 97 ppm which are higher than MCL for drinking. Urban wastewaters are considered as its source. Congregation of agricultural activities and residential areas in the medial part of the plain led to increase the NO3- concentration in this part.