N. Shafiee, H. Shirani,
Volume 17, Issue 66 (2-2014)
Abstract
Copper is considered as one of the most important nutrient elements for plants. If its contents are concentrated higher than the standard value it can be considered as a pollutant element. The content of absorbable copper in the area around Sarcheshmeh copper mine can be significantly high. In this study, samples of soil were collected in summer through a particular sampling method with chimneys of Sarcheshmeh plant as the center of sampling area within a radius of 6km, in three different directions (Rafsanjan, Sarcheshmeh City and Sarcheshmeh mine) and. The total concentration of absorbable copper and some chemical properties of soil (i.e. pH and EC) were measured for 122 surface samples (depth of 0 to 35 cm). There was a significant negative regression between pH and total absorbable copper content, and a significant negative regression was observed between EC and total absorbable copper content. The best fitted model was spherical model, and Ordinary Kriging was applied to map the absorbable copper content. Results showed that most concentration of copper occurred in the Rafsanjan direction. Also, regarding wind orientation which blows towards Rafsanjan, the chimneys probably have a significant effect on increasing copper content in Rafsanjan moreover, the copper content is substantially higher around chimneys than other areas. Also, transition of copper elements from chimneys by wind can be significant up to 4 km from Sarcheshmeh plant.
