Soil Contamination Pattern Affected by Coal Mining Activities in a Deciduous Temperate Forest

Aims: The present investigation aimed to study the effect of traditionalcoalmining on the spatial distribution pattern of soil properties in the LavijForest located in the western part of the Hyrcanian areaNorth Iran. Materials Methods: After selecting a mine area, 16 plots (20 ×20m) were established by systematicrandomly (60 ×60m) in an area of 4 ha (200 ×200mmine entrance placed at center) which was affected by coalmining. An area adjacent to the mine (same site conditions) that was not affected by the mining activity considered as the controlarea. In order to investigate soil Physiochemical properties one sample was taken from the 010cm depth in each plot. To study the spatialpattern of soil properties and lead and cadmium concentrations in the mining area, an area of 80 ×80m (the mine at the center) was considered and 80 soil samples were systematicrandomly taken (10m intervals). Geostatistical analysis was performed via Kriging method and GS+ software. Findings: Results showed that mining had led to a significant decrease in soil moisture, pH, EC, nitrogen, and potassium level. Lead and cadmium concentrations were significantly higher in mine area (Pb: 10.97 ±0.30, Cd: 184.47 ±6.26mg.Kg1) in comparison to controlarea (Pb: 9.42 ±0.17, Cd: 131.71 ±15.77mg.Kg1). The range value calculated for variograms of cadmium and lead was 210m. The kriged maps showed that the concentration of cadmium and lead near the mine crater was considerably higher in comparison with adjacent points. Conclusion: The findings showed that coal mining activity had negative effects on the forest soil and it is necessary to consider reclamation of contaminated soil in these areas.