The effect of coal mining on the accumulation of Pb and Zn and their spatial distribution in the surface soil of Komarzd

Although the exploitation of mineral resources is very useful for the country, it has a negative impact on human and plant life with its destructive effects. These destructive effects appear as pollution in the soil, which can lead to the imbalance of ecosystems and ultimately endanger human health. In addition, economic development and the expansion of industrial areas, especially coal mining mines, cause heavy metal contamination of the soil to become more severe and cause the destruction of soil resources and the deterioration of ecosystems in different regions of the world. The present study was conducted to investigate the contamination of the two elements Pb and Zn in the surface soil of the Komarzd mining area in Mazandaran province (Iran) due to coal mining.

Komarzd mines in Mazandaran province are one of the largest and oldest coal-producing areas in the central Alborz coal field. Komarzd mines are located 48 km from the southern district of Qaemshahr and 25 km from Alasht. Four indices, including CF, mCF, RI, and Igeo were calculated for 110 samples from surface soil prepared at a depth of 5-15 cm. After separating the rubble, the collected soils were kept in closed plastic bags with a unique code, and a GPS device recorded their location. The samples prepared in a dry environment were transferred to the laboratory. The ICP-MS method at 75 microns was used to analyze and measure the concentration of heavy elements in the collected samples. According to the presence of different elements measured in the region's soil and the compounds in it, two metals Zn and Pb were selected for evaluation and analysis. Sampling was randomly selected based on saved points and drilling tunnels. PCA statistical test is a type of multivariate analysis widely used in sediment, water, and soil pollution studies. Varimax Rotation is one of the most common types of PCA tests to interpret the results and contamination components of the method. This statistical method can be calculated using R and SPSS softwares.

The results showed that the ordinary kriging model is the most suitable model to show the region's concentration distribution of the two metals, PB and Zn. Also, the statistical status of the elements showed that the lowest amount of Zn for the Igeo index is equal to -0.53 and the highest value for the CF index is equal to 0.72. The amount of Pb concentration measured based on Igeo, CF, mCF, and RI indices equals 0.08, 1.03, and 213 mg/kg, respectively (RI<CF<Igeo). The results of the CF and mCF showed that the region has a low or moderate pollution status in terms of the concentration of the two determining elements; in other words, the value of this factor for Zn is less than 1 (CF<1) and the amount for Pb is (3 > CF> 1). The Igeo index showed that Zn with a concentration lower than zero is not polluted, but Pb with a value (0< Igo <1) has a non-polluted to slightly polluted state. The RI also showed that the concentration of the two elements is less than 150 mg/kg, so this index is also in the low-risk category of contamination (RI ≤ 150). By evaluating the graphs obtained from the PCA analysis, it was found that the two elements Zn and Pb in the correlation analysis graph have a good correlation and distribution, and the changes in the two axes show 47.9% and 24%, respectively, for the Igeo. This indicates the presence of environmental factors in the distribution of this element in the environment. The CF also showed that their distribution in region three negatively correlated with environmental factors. Its value for the two axes is 32.5 and 21.9 %, respectively. The correlation of the Zn element is less than -0.5, but the Pb element is more than -0.5. In general, the value of this variable is 8 and 20, respectively, based on the diagram of two minimum and maximum values. The mCF and RI indices showed that environmental factors influence the distribution of the two elements PB and Zn, and among the two elements, the distribution of the Pb element in the mCF and RI, results of 32.8 and 34.4 has the most influence from the distribution of the drilling tunnel and had environmental factors and has a lower correlation than Zn. The effect percentage of these two elements is 32.8 and 23.2%, respectively, and the two elements Zn and Pb have a good correlation and distribution with environmental changes and human factors.

According to the measurements and the results of four indices, the area is uncontaminated or has low contamination in terms of the concentration of two elements, PB and Zn. Therefore, mineral tailings and coal exploitation do not significantly affect the distribution of the mentioned elements. To improve the research results, other indices can be used to determine the role of environmental factors. Also, considering the agricultural lands and water resources of Talar River, it is better to use other elements that directly affect human health and analyze the region's conditions in terms of environmental pollution to achieve better results and accuracy. One of the main disadvantages of measuring the sources of pollution is the many problems in laboratory work and the preparation of laboratory materials. Still, with this research, it is possible to determine the existing doubts in the field of soil pollution for residents and show the impact of mining on the spread of pollutants. A suggestion to improve this research is to consider elements other than Pb and Zn in different environments such as water sources; In general, for a more detailed investigation, other elements that play a role in human health should be investigated.