Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization and chemical fractionation of potentially toxic elements in soils of a pre-mining mineralized area; an evaluation of mobility and environmental risk

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Environmental Geochemistry and Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The environmental geochemical characterization of mineralized areas prior to mining does not receive adequate attention. This study shows trace element distribution in soils of two unexploited porphyry copper deposits located in Darreh-Zereshk and Ali-Abad in central Iran. The study was carried out using a compositional data analysis (CoDa) approach and combination of multivariate statistics and clustering techniques, which made it possible to identify the geochemical associations representing the different areas of the mineral deposits. The results of the chemical analyses, performed by ICP-MS, revealed high concentrations of those elements typically associated with porphyry deposits (As, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The typical zonal pattern with an anomaly of Cu in central parts of the system and the prevalence of epithermal elements (Ag, Cd, Pb, and Zn) toward the peripheral propylitic alteration zone were recognized. The XRD analysis of selected soil samples allowed us to determine the distribution of elements within the different carrier minerals. Afterward, geochemical speciation patterns were investigated by a four-step sequential extraction procedure based on BCR protocol. The residual fraction consisting of primary resistant minerals was found to be the main host for As (73–93.4%), Cr (65.1–79.6%), Cu (54.3–81.4%), Ni (58.9–80.6%), V (75.9–88%), and Zn (56.5–60.5%) in the studied soils. Even though these elements are not readily leachable, their behavior and distribution could be largely affected by the mining operation and consequent changes in the physicochemical properties of the soil. The soluble–exchangeable phase was only less than 15% of the total extractions for all elements, except for Cd. With respect to the mobility factor (MF), Cd was the most mobile element followed by Sb and Pb. The measured risk assessment code (RAC) presented the following risk order: Cd > Sb > Ni > Co > Pb > Cr > As > Zn > Cu > V. This study reveals that the acquisition of pre-mining geo-environmental data of trace elements is very important to establish pre-mining backgrounds and baselines for evaluating post-mining or post-reclamation geochemical signatures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

The data will be provided upon request to corresponding author.

References

  • Aitchison, J. (1982). The statistical analysis of compositional data. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series B (methodological), 44, 139–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aitchison, J., & Greenacre, M. (2002). Biplots of compositional data. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series C (applied Statistics), 51(4), 375–392. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9876.00275

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alan, M., & Kara, D. (2019). Comparison of a new sequential extraction method and the BCR sequential extraction method for mobility assessment of elements around boron mines in Turkey. Talanta, 194, 189–198.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alavi, M. (2004). Regional stratigraphy of the Zagros fold-thrust belt of Iran and its proforeland evolution. American Journal of Science, 304, 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alloway, B. J. (2012) Heavy metals in soils: trace metals and metalloids in soils and their bioavailability, Springer Science & Business Media.

  • Anju, M., & Banerjee, D. (2010). Comparison of two sequential extraction procedures for heavy metal partitioning in mine tailings. Chemosphere, 78, 1393–1402.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asr, E. T., Kakaie, R., Ataei, M., & Mohammadi, M. R. T. (2019). A review of studies on sustainable development in mining life cycle. Journal of Cleaner Production, 229, 213–231.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atapour, H., & Aftabi, A. (2007). The geochemistry of gossans associated with Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper deposit, Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran: Implications for exploration and the environment. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 93(1), 47–65.

  • Audétat, A., & Edmonds, M. (2020). Magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. Elements: An International Magazine of Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Petrology, 16(6), 401–406.

  • Ayati, F., Yavuz, F., Asadi, H. H., Richards, J. P., & Jourdan, F. (2013). Petrology and geochemistry of calc-alkaline volcanic and subvolcanic rocks, Dalli porphyry copper–gold deposit, Markazi Province. Iran. International Geology RevIew, 55, 158–184.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bao, Z., Al, T., Bain, J., Shrimpton, H. K., Finfrock, Y. Z., Ptacek, C. J., & Blowes, D. W. (2022). Sphalerite weathering and controls on Zn and Cd migration in mine waste rock: an integrated study from the molecular scale to the field scale. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 318, 1–18.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baran, A., Mierzwa-Hersztek, M., Gondek, K., Tarnawski, M., Szara, M., Gorczyca, O., & Koniarz, T. (2019). The influence of the quantity and quality of sediment organic matter on the potential mobility and toxicity of trace elements in bottom sediment. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 41, 2893–2910.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bari, A. F., Lamb, D., Choppala, G., Bolan, N., Seshadri, B., Rahman, M. A., & Rahman, M. M. (2020). Geochemical fractionation and mineralogy of metal (loid) s in abandoned mine soils: Insights into arsenic behaviour and implications to remediation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 399, 123029.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berberian, M., & King, G. (1981). Towards a paleogeography and tectonic evolution of Iran. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 18, 210–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger, B. R., Ayuso, R. A., Wynn, J. C., & Seal, R. R. (2008). Preliminary model of porphyry copper deposits. US Geological Survey Open-file Report, 1321, 55.

  • Buccianti, A., Mateu-Figueras, G., & Pawlowsky-Glahn, V. (2006). Compositional data analysis in the geosciences: from theory to practice. Geological Society of London.

  • Buccianti, A., & Grunsky, E. (2014). Compositional data analysis in geochemistry: Are we sure to see what really occurs during natural processes?. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 141, 1–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buch, A. C., Niemeyer, J. C., Marques, E. D., & Silva-Filho, E. V. (2021). Ecological risk assessment of trace metals in soils affected by mine tailings. Journal of Hazardardous Materials, 403, 123852.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Burt, R., Wilson, M. A., Keck, T. J., Dougherty, B. D., Strom, D. E., & Lindahl, J. A. (2003). Trace element speciation in selected smelter-contaminated soils in Anaconda and Deer Lodge Valley, Montana, USA. Advances in Environmental Research, 8(1), 51–67.

  • Calagari, A. A. (2003). Stable isotope (S, O, H and C) studies of the phyllic and potassic–phyllic alteration zones of the porphyry copper deposit at Sungun, East Azarbaidjan. Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Science, 21, 767–780.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charrad, M., Ghazzali, N., Boiteau, V., & Niknafs, A. (2014). Nbclust An R package for determining the relevant number of clusters in a data set. Journal of Statistica Software. https://doi.org/10.18637/jss.v061.i06

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cicchella, D., Ambrosino, M., Gramazio, A., Coraggio, F., Assunta, M., Caputi, A., Avagliano, D., & Albanese, S. (2022). Using multivariate compositional data analysis (CoDA ) and clustering to establish geochemical backgrounds in stream sediments of an onshore oil deposits area The Agri River basin case study. Journal of Geochemical Exploration., 238, 107012.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cipullo, S., Snapir, B., Tardif, S., Campo, P., Prpich, G., & Coulon, F. (2018). Insights into mixed contaminants interactions and its implication for heavy metals and metalloids mobility, bioavailability and risk assessment. Science of the Total Environment, 645, 662–673.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cox, D. P., & Singer, D. A. (1986). Mineral deposit models. U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin, 1693, 379.

  • Da Silveira Pereira, W. V., Teixeira, R. A., De Souza, E. S., De Moraes, A. L. F., Campos, W. E. O., Do Amarante, C. B., Martins, G. C., & Fernandes, A. R. (2020). Chemical fractionation and bioaccessibility of potentially toxic elements in area of artisanal gold mining in the Amazon. Journal of Environmental Management, 267, 110644.

    Google Scholar 

  • Darnley, A., Bjorklund, A., Bolviken, B., Gustavsson, N., Koval, P., Uk, J. P., Steenfelt, A., Tauchid, M. & Xuejing, X. (1995). A global geochemical database. Recommendations for international geochemical mapping. Final report of IGCP project, 259.

  • Davidson, C. M., Urquhart, G. J., Ajmone-Marsan, F., Biasioli, M., da Costa Duarte, A., Díaz-Barrientos, E., Grčman, H., Hossack, I., Hursthouse, A. S., Madrid, L., Rodrigues, S., & Zupan, M. (2006). Fractionation of potentially toxic elements in urban soils from five European cities by means of a harmonised sequential extraction procedure. Analytica Chimica Acta, 565(1), 63–72.

  • de Caritat, P., Reimann, C., Team, N. P. & Team, G. P. (2012). Comparing results from two continental geochemical surveys to world soil composition and deriving Predicted Empirical Global Soil (PEGS2) reference values. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 319, 269-276

  • Dean, J. R. (2007). Bioavailability, bioaccessibility and mobility of environmental contaminants. John Wiley & Sons.

  • Di Bonito, M., Lofts, S., & Groenenberg, J. E. (2018). Models of geochemical speciation: Structure and applications. In Environmental geochemistry (pp. 237–305). Elsevier.

  • Dikinya, O. (2015). Heavy metals and radionuclide status and characterisation of pre-mined soils in Serule, North East Botswana. Environmental Earth Sciences, 73(9), 5405–5413.

  • Ding, Z., Li, Y., Sun, Q., & Zhang, H. (2018). Trace elements in soils and selected agricultural plants in the Tongling mining area of China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15, 202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dold, B., & Fontboté, L. (2001). Element cycling and secondary mineralogy in porphyry copper tailings as a function of climate, primary mineralogy, and mineral processing. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 74(1–3), 3–55.

  • Du, X., Gao, L., Xun, Y., & Feng, L. (2020). Comparison of different sequential extraction procedures to identify and estimate bioavailability of arsenic fractions in soil. Journal of Soils Sediments, 20, 3656–3668.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebrahimi, P., Albanese, S., Esposito, L., Zuzolo, D., & Cicchella, D. (2021). Coupling compositional data analysis (CoDA) with hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) for preliminary understanding of the dynamics of a complex water distribution system: the Naples (South Italy) case study. Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology, 7, 1060–1077. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0ew01123a

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Favas, P. J., Pratas, J., Gomes, M. E. P., & Cala, V. (2011). Selective chemical extraction of heavy metals in tailings and soils contaminated by mining activity: Environmental implications. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 111, 160–171.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fernández-Ondoño, E., Bacchetta, G., Lallena, A. M., Navarro, F. B., Ortiz, I., & Jiménez, M. N. (2017). Use of BCR sequential extraction procedures for soils and plant metal transfer predictions in contaminated mine tailings in Sardinia. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 172, 133–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Filippelli, G. M., Morrison, D., & Cicchella, D. (2012). Urban Geochemistry and Human Health. Elements, 8(6), 439–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Filzmoser, P., Hron, K., & Reimann, C. (2009). Principal component analysis for compositional data with outliers. Environmetrics. https://doi.org/10.1002/env.966

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forghani, G., Mokhtari, A. R., Kazemi, G. A., & Fard, M. D. (2015). Total concentration, speciation and mobility of potentially toxic elements in soils around a mining area in central Iran. Geochemistry, 75, 323–334.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Förster, H. (1978). Mesozoic–cenozoic metallogenesis in Iran. Journal of the Geological Society, 135, 443–455.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabarrón, M., Zornoza, R., Martínez-Martínez, S., Muñoz, V. A., Faz, Á., & Acosta, J. A. (2019). Effect of land use and soil properties in the feasibility of two sequential extraction procedures for metals fractionation. Chemosphere, 218, 266–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galán, E., Romero-Baena, A. J., Aparicio, P., & González, I. (2019). A methodological approach for the evaluation of soil pollution by potentially toxic trace elements. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 203, 96–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gall, J. E., Boyd, R. S., & Rajakaruna, N. (2015). Transfer of heavy metals through terrestrial food webs: A review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187, 1–21.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gankhurel, B., Fukushi, K., Akehi, A., Takahashi, Y., Zhao, X., & Kawasaki, K. (2020). Comparison of chemical speciation of lead, arsenic, and cadmium in contaminated soils from a historical mining site: implications for different mobilities of heavy metals. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, 4, 1064–1077.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • García-Carmona, M., García-Robles, H., Torrano, C. T., Ondoño, E. F., Moreno, J. L., Aragón, M. S., & Peinado, F. M. (2019). Residual pollution and vegetation distribution in amended soils 20 years after a pyrite mine tailings spill (Aznalcóllar, Spain). Science of the Total Environment, 650, 933–940.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrett, R., Reimann, C., Smith, D., & Xie, X. (2008). From geochemical prospecting to international geochemical mapping: A historical overview. Geochemistry, Exploration, Environment and Analysis, 8, 205–217.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghrefat, H. A., Yusuf, N., Jamarh, A., & Nazzal, J. (2012). Fractionation and risk assessment of heavy metals in soil samples collected along Zerqa River, Jordan. Environmental Earth Sciences, 66, 199–208.

  • Gleyzes, C., Tellier, S., & Astruc, M. (2002). Fractionation studies of trace elements in contaminated soils and sediments: A review of sequential extraction procedures. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 21, 451–467.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guagliardi, I., Zuzolo, D., Albanese, S., Lima, A., Cerino, P., Pizzolante, A., Thiombane, M., De Vivo, B., & Cicchella, D. (2020). Uranium, thorium and potassium insights on Campania region (Italy) soils: Sources patterns based on compositional data analysis and fractal model. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2020.106508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S. K., & Chen, K. Y. (1975). Partitioning of trace metals in selective chemical fractions of nearshore sediments. Environmental Letters, 10(2), 129–158.

  • Hasan, M., Kausar, D., Akhter, G., & Shah, M. H. (2018). Evaluation of the mobility and pollution index of selected essential/toxic metals in paddy soil by sequential extraction method. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 147, 283–291.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hass, A., & Fine, P. (2010). Sequential selective extraction procedures for the study of heavy metals in soils, sediments, and waste materials—a critical review. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 40, 365–399.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helser, J., & Cappuyns, V. (2021). Trace elements leaching from Pb-Zn mine waste (plombières, belgium) and environmental implications. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 220, 106659.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hooda, P. (2010). Trace elements in soils. John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabala, C., & Singh, B. R. (2001). Fractionation and mobility of copper, lead, and zinc in soil profiles in the vicinity of a copper smelter. Journal of Environmental Quality, 30, 485–492.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kabata-Pendias, A. (2010). Trace elements in soils and plants. CRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khelifi, F., Melki, A., Hamed, Y., Adamo, P., & Caporale, A. G. (2020). Environmental and human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in soil, sediments, and ore-processing wastes from a mining area of southwestern Tunisia. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 42(12), 4125–4139.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khorasanipour, M. (2015). Environmental mineralogy of Cu-porphyry mine tailings, a case study of semi-arid climate conditions, Sarcheshmeh mine, SE Iran. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 153, 40–52.

  • Khorasanipour, M., & Aftabi, A. (2011). Environmental geochemistry of toxic heavy metals in soils around Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper mine smelter plant, Rafsanjan, Kerman, Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences, 62, 449–465.

  • Khorasanipour, M., & Esmaeilzadeh, E. (2015). Geo-genic arsenic contamination in the Kerman Cenozoic Magmatic Arc, Kerman, Iran: Implications for the source identification and regional analysis. Applied Geochemistry, 63, 610–622.

  • Król, A., Mizerna, K., & Bożym, M. (2020). An assessment of pH-dependent release and mobility of heavy metals from metallurgical slag. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 384, 121502.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., & Thornton, I. (2001). Chemical partitioning of trace and major elements in soils contaminated by mining and smelting activities. Applied Geochemistry, 16(15), 1693–1706.

  • Li, Z., Ma, Z., Van Der Kuijp, T. J., Yuan, Z., & Huang, L. (2014). A review of soil heavy metal pollution from mines in China: Pollution and health risk assessment. Science of the Total Environment, 468, 843–853.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehta, N., Cocerva, T., Cipullo, S., Padoan, E., Dino, G. A., Ajmone-Marsan, F., Cox, S. F., Coulon, F., & De Luca, D. A. (2019). Linking oral bioaccessibility and solid phase distribution of potentially toxic elements in extractive waste and soil from an abandoned mine site: Case study in Campello Monti, NW Italy. Science of the Total Environment, 651, 2799–2810.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza, C. J., Garrido, R. T., Quilodrán, R. C., Segovia, C. M., & Parada, A. J. (2017). Evaluation of the bioaccessible gastric and intestinal fractions of heavy metals in contaminated soils by means of a simple bioaccessibility extraction test. Chemosphere, 176, 81–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mngadi, S., Sihlahla, M., Lekoadu, S., Moja, S., & Nomngongo, P. N. (2020). Evaluation of mobility, fractionation, and potential environmental risk of trace metals present in soils from Struibult gold mine dumps. Journal of African Earth Science, 172, 104008.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Modabberi, S., & Jahromi Yekta, S. S. (2014). Environmental geochemistry and sources of potentially toxic elements in thermal springs in the Sabalan volcanic field, NW Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences, 71, 2821–2835.

  • Nannoni, F., Protano, G., & Riccobono, F. (2011). Fractionation and geochemical mobility of heavy elements in soils of a mining area in northern Kosovo. Geoderma, 161, 63–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nedimovic, R. (1973). Exploration for ore deposits in Kerman region. Report No. 53, Geological Survey of Iran Publication, Tehran.

  • Nordstrom, D. K. (2015). Baseline and premining geochemical characterization of mined sites. Applied Geochemistry, 57, 17–34.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pawlowsky-Glahn, V., & Buccianti, A. (2011). Compositional data analysis: Theory and applications. John Wiley & Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Perin, G., Craboledda, L., Lucchese, M., Cirillo, R., Dotta, L., Zanette, M. L., & Orio, A. A. (1985). Heavy metal speciation in the sediments of northern Adriatic Sea. A new approach for environmental toxicity determination. Heavy Metals in the Environment, 2(1), 454–456.

  • Pickering, W. (1986). Metal ion speciation—soils and sediments (a review). Ore Geology Reviews, 1, 83–146.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pirajno, F. (2009). Hydrothermal Processes and Mineral Systems. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Plumlee, G. S. (1999). The environmental geology of mineral deposits. The environmental geochemistry of mineral deposits. Society of Economic Geologists. Part A, 71–116.

  • Qiao, D., Wang, G., Li, X., Wang, S., & Zhao, Y. (2020). Pollution, sources and environmental risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface AMD water, sediments and surface soils around unexploited Rona Cu deposit, Tibet. China. Chemosphere, 248, 125988.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rauret, G., Rubio, R., & Lopez-Sanchez, J. F. (1989). Optimization of Tessier procedure for metal solid speciation in river sediments. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 36(2), 69–83.

  • Richards, J. P. (2015). Tectonic, magmatic, and metallogenic evolution of the Tethyan orogen: From subduction to collision. Ore Geology Reviews, 70, 323–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, J. P., & Sholeh, A. (2016). The Tethyan tectonic history and Cu-Au metallogeny of Iran. Economic Geology Special Publication, 19, 193–212.

  • Rodríguez, L., Ruiz, E., Alonso-Azcárate, J., & Rincón, J. (2009). Heavy metal distribution and chemical speciation in tailings and soils around a Pb–Zn mine in Spain. Journal of Environmental Management, 90(2), 1106–1116.

  • Romero-Baena, A. J., Barba-Brioso, C., Ross, A., González, I., & Aparicio, P. (2021). Mobility of potentially toxic elements in family garden soils of the Riotinto mining area. Applied Clay Science, 203, 105999.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Runnells, D. D., Shepherd, T. A., & Angino, E. E. (1992). Metals in water. Determining natural background concentrations in mineralized areas. Environmental Science and Technology, 26, 2316–2323.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schulten, H.-R., & Leinweber, P. (2000). New insights into organic-mineral particles: Composition, properties and models of molecular structure. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 30, 399–432.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Selinus, O., & Esbensen, K. (1995). Separating anthropogenic from natural anomalies in environmental geochemistry. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 55, 55–66.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shafiei, B., Haschke, M., & Shahabpour, J. (2009). Recycling of orogenic arc crust triggers porphyry Cu mineralization in Kerman Cenozoic arc rocks, southeastern Iran. Mineralium Deposita, 44, 265.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shuman, L. M. (1985). Fractionation method for soil microelements. Soil Science, 140(1), 11–22.

  • Siegel, F. R. (2002). Environmental geochemistry of potentially toxic metals. Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sungur, A., Soylak, M., & Ozcan, H. (2014). Investigation of heavy metal mobility and availability by the BCR sequential extraction procedure: Relationship between soil properties and heavy metals availability. Chemical Speciation and Bioavailability, 26, 219–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tack, F., & Verloo, M. G. (1995). Chemical speciation and fractionation in soil and sediment heavy metal analysis: A review. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 59, 225–238.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tashakor, M., Hochwimmer, B., & Brearley, F. Q. (2017). Geochemical assessment of metal transfer from rock and soil to water in serpentine areas of Sabah (Malaysia). Environmental Earth Sciences, 76, 281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tashakor, M., Modabberi, S., Van Der Ent, A., & Echevarria, G. (2018). Impacts of ultramafic outcrops in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah on soil and water quality. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 190, 1–19.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Templ, M., Hron, K., & Filzmoser, P. (2011). robCompositions: An R‐package for robust statistical analysis of compositional data. Compositional Data Analysis: Theory and Applications, 341–355.

  • Tepanosyan, G., Sahakyan, L., Maghakyan, N., & Saghatelyan, A. (2020). Combination of compositional data analysis and machine learning approaches to identify sources and geochemical associations of potentially toxic elements in soil and assess the associated human health risk in a mining city. Environmental Pollution. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tessier, A. P. G. C., Campbell, P. G., & Bisson, M. J. A. C. (1979). Sequential extraction procedure for the speciation of particulate trace metals. Analytical Chemistry, 51(7), 844–851.

  • Thiombane, M., Zuzolo, D., Cicchella, D., Albanese, S., Lima, A., Cavaliere, M., & De Vivo, B. (2018). Soil geochemical follow-up in the Cilento World Heritage Park (Campania, Italy) through exploratory compositional data analysis and C-A fractal model. Journal of Geochemical Exploration. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.06.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). (2003). National Soil Survey handbook. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. [Online] Available: http://soils.usda.gov/technical/handbook/

  • Ure, A. M., Quevauviller, P. H., Muntau, H., & Griepink, B. (1993). Speciation of heavy metals in soils and sediments. An account of the improvement and harmonization of extraction techniques undertaken under the auspices of the BCR of the Commission of the European Communities. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 51(1–4), 135–151.

  • Vijver, M. G., Van Gestel, C. A., Lanno, R. P., Van Straalen, N. M., & Peijnenburg, W. J. (2004). Internal metal sequestration and its ecotoxicological relevance: A review. Environmental Science and Technology, 38, 4705–4712.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vollprecht, D., Riegler, C., Ahr, F., Stuhlpfarrer, S., & Wellacher, M. (2020). Sequential chemical extraction and mineralogical bonding of metals from Styrian soils. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 17, 3663–3676.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Walkley, A., & Black, I. A. (1934). An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science, 37, 29–38.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, X., Tang, C., Mahony, S., Baldock, J., & Butterly, C. (2015). Factors affecting the measurement of soil pH buffer capacity: Approaches to optimize the methods. European Journal of Soil Science, 66, 53–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Welte, B., Bles, N., & Montiel, A. (1983). Study of different methods of speciation of heavy metals in sediments 1. A review. Environmental Technology Letters, 4(2), 79–88.

  • Xu, D., Zhou, P., Zhan, J., Gao, Y., Dou, C., & Sun, Q. (2013). Assessment of trace metal bioavailability in garden soils and health risks via consumption of vegetables in the vicinity of Tongling mining area, China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 90, 103–111.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zarasvandi, A., Liaghat, S., Lentz, D., & Hossaini, M. (2013). Characteristics of mineralizing fluids of the darreh-zerreshk and ali-abad porphyry copper deposits, central iran, determined by fluid inclusion microthermometry. Resource Geology, 63, 188–209.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zarasvandi, A., Rezaei, M., Sadeghi, M., Lentz, D., Adelpour, M., & Pourkaseb, H. (2015). Rare earth element signatures of economic and sub-economic porphyry copper systems in Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Arc (UDMA). Iran. Ore Geology Reviews, 70, 407–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • Žibret, G., Gosar, M., Miler, M., & Alijagić, J. (2018). Impacts of mining and smelting activities on environment and landscape degradation—Slovenian case studies. Land Degradadation and Development, 29, 4457–4470.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank National Iranian Copper Industries Co. for supporting this research. Thanks also to Elnaz Geravandi for her helpful contributions in producing the map. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the anonymous reviewers for their time and efforts to read this manuscript and improve its quality by their insightful comments and suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

    Soroush Modabberi, Mahsa Tashakor & Najmeh Rajabian

  2. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

    Mehdi Khorasanipour

  3. Research and Development Division, Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, Kerman, Iran

    Esmat Esmaeilzadeh

  4. Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, 82100, Benevento, Italy

    Maurizio Ambrosino & Domenico Cicchella

Authors
  1. Soroush Modabberi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mahsa Tashakor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Najmeh Rajabian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mehdi Khorasanipour
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Esmat Esmaeilzadeh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Maurizio Ambrosino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Domenico Cicchella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

SM was involved in conceptualization; funding acquisition; methodology; project administration; supervision; validation; writing—original draft; writing—review & editing. MT helped in data curation; formal analysis; methodology; software; validation; visualization; writing—original draft; writing—review & editing. NR contributed to data curation; formal analysis; investigation; methodology; validation; visualization; writing—original draft. MK was involved in conceptualization; funding acquisition; investigation; methodology; validation; visualization; writing—review & editing. EE helped in conceptualization; funding acquisition; project administration; resources. MA contributed to data curation; formal analysis; methodology; software; validation; writing—review & editing. DC helped in methodology; validation; visualization; writing—review & editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Soroush Modabberi.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Consent to participate

All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Consent to publish

All authors approved this for publication.

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 173 kb)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Modabberi, S., Tashakor, M., Rajabian, N. et al. Characterization and chemical fractionation of potentially toxic elements in soils of a pre-mining mineralized area; an evaluation of mobility and environmental risk. Environ Geochem Health 45, 4795–4815 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01537-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-023-01537-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation