Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences

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Background and Aims: Heavy metals pollution is a worldwide problem due to the chemical stability and accumulation properties in living things. High levels of these metals increased mortality, morphological abnormalities, growth retardation and genetic effects in humans. This study investigated the concentration of heavy metals in SIRJAN plain groundwater resources and compared the results with current standards. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in Environmental Health Engineering Research Center of Kerman University of Medical Science from April to June 2014.Samples were collected from 40 deep wells, in the middle of each month. EC, TDS, pH and temperature were measured at the sampling site. Heavy metals were measured using ICP. Sampling, sample storage and laboratory tests were done according to Standard Methods for Water and Wastewater Examinations. Results: According to results, the mean concentration of Zinc, Chromium and Cadmium in samples were not exceeded 0.8, 1 and 0.5μg/l, respectively. The average concentrations of Pb and Cu were 2.842 and 26.743 μg/l, respectively. Average amount of electrical conductivity (EC) was 6820.575μs/cm. Mean concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) was 3891.57mg/l. pH mean was 7.5 and mean of temperature was 21.95OC. Conclusion: The results show that studied resources are reliable for drinking and agricultural purposes in terms of Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Zinc, Lead and pH. In addition, these resources are not exposed to pollution due to the various reasons such as geological compositions, limited industries in the region, reduction or absence of municipal and industrial sewage infiltration into water supplies and the geographical conditions. But the recent drought, reduced rainfall and indiscriminate withdrawal of ground water resources, has led to TDS and EC exceed national, USEPA and FAO standards and WHO guidelines for drinking and agricultural purposes.

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Background & Aim: Leachate and gas emissions from solid waste landfill are two causes of groundwater pollution. Leachate contains large quantities of organic and inorganic matters, and microorganisms which have high potential to contaminate groundwater. The aim of this study is the comparison of the chemical quality of water wells around the Mashhad's old landfill site in 2014.

Methods: This is a descriptive/cross-sectional study in which four wells (3 wells downstream and 1 well upstream the landfill as a control) were selected. Groundwater samples were collected throughout a year in 2014. Samples were transferred to the laboratory and analyzed in terms of parameters including pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), chloride (Cl-), nitrate (NO3-), hardness, alkalinity, turbidity, phosphates and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The obtained data were compared with national standards for drinking water. Data were analyzed through SPSS software using T-test and Mann-Whitney.

Results: The results of this study showed that there is a significant difference between case and control wells in terms of EC, hardness, chloride, TDS and NO3¯. However, in most cases, chemical parameters were in the allowable range comparing to the national standards.

Conclusion: Since most measured chemical parameters in water wells were within the allowable range, the water is potable in the studied area. However, continuous and systematic monitoring of groundwater in this area is necessary to prevent soil and water resources from contamination.