Multivariate statistical assessment of heavy metal pollution sources of groundwater around a lead and zinc plant

Abstract

The contamination of groundwater by heavy metal ions around a lead and zinc plant has been studied. As a case study groundwater contamination in Bonab Industrial Estate (Zanjan-Iran) for iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead content was investigated using differential pulse polarography (DPP). Although, cobalt, copper and zinc were found correspondingly in 47.8%, 100.0%, and 100.0% of the samples, they did not contain these metals above their maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Cadmium was detected in 65.2% of the samples and 17.4% of them were polluted by this metal. All samples contained detectable levels of lead and iron with 8.7% and 13.0% of the samples higher than their MCLs. Nickel was also found in 78.3% of the samples, out of which 8.7% were polluted. In general, the results revealed the contamination of groundwater sources in the studied zone. The higher health risks are related to lead, nickel, and cadmium ions. Multivariate statistical techniques were applied for interpreting the experimental data and giving a description for the sources. The data analysis showed correlations and similarities between investigated heavy metals and helps to classify these ion groups. Cluster analysis identified five clusters among the studied heavy metals. Cluster 1 consisted of Pb, Cu, and cluster 3 included Cd, Fe; also each of the elements Zn, Co and Ni was located in groups with single member. The same results were obtained by factor analysis. Statistical investigations revealed that anthropogenic factors and notably lead and zinc plant and pedo-geochemical pollution sources are influencing water quality in the studied area.

Sources and spatial distribution of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in saline soils and sediments of Mighan Playa (Iran)

“…Lakes are very sensitive to anthropogenic impacts and natural pollution agents (Forghani, Moore, Lee, & Qishlaqi, ). Many researchers have studied pollution and its negative consequences on the quality of soil, water and air, and it is amply clear that environmental pollution increases with increased industrialization, urbanization and expanded transportation (Chen et al., ; Li, Poon, & Liu, ; Zamani, Yaftian, & Parizanganeh, ). Accordingly, protection of soil is necessary for sustainable development and the conservation of ecosystems and species diversity.…”

Real and simulated bioavailability of lead in contaminated and uncontaminated soils

“…Soils in the areas surrounding mining exploitations and ore processing facilities are affected by the increased content of toxic elements, which can enter in the food chain through plants uptake [3-5]. In north-western Romania, Pb was one of the most heavily exploited metals, causing elevated levels of Pb in soils from the vicinity of mining and ore processing sites [6].…”

Tracking pollution and its sources in the catchment‐lake system of major waterbodies in Kazakhstan

“…Complex analysis methods, such as multidimensional statistical methods, are typically used to assess the contribution of anthropogenic sources to the overall pollution levels of natural ecosystems (Esakkimuthu, Vinod Kumar, & Ponram, ; Zamani, Yaftian, & Parizanganeh, ), in combination with GIS technologies (Ahmed et al, ) and modelling (Zhang & Xin, ). The results of the present study, however, suggest a simpler means of solving a main ecology; namely, identification of the potential sources of pollution, and how the pollutants enter the aquatic ecosystems.…”