Volume 20, Issue 1 (4-2026)
مرتع 2026, 20(1): 84-96 |
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Abditazik S, Sepehri A, Farzam M, sadat azimi M. The impact of mining activities on biological and chemical properties of the soil of pastures adjacent to the West Asia Cement Factory in Torbat-e Jam. مرتع 2026; 20 (1) :84-96
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1294-en.html
URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-1294-en.html
Department of Rangeland Management, Faculty of Range and Watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan
Abstract: (879 Views)
Background and Objective: Environmental pollution caused by industrial activities has become a major threat to natural ecosystems, particularly through the contamination of water, soil, and air. Among these activities, cement production and the exploitation of associated limestone and marl mines have substantial environmental impacts. Mining and cement manufacturing contribute to the degradation of natural ecosystems, including rangelands, forests, and agricultural lands, while also threatening surface and groundwater quality. These activities endanger plant and animal biodiversity, particularly medicinal plant species, disrupt agricultural and livestock production, and ultimately reduce the quality of life for local communities. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate selected soil chemical and biological properties in mining-disturbed lands surrounding the Torbat-e Jam Cement Factory.
Methodology: This study was conducted in 2022 in rangelands and mining-disturbed areas adjacent to the Torbat-e Jam Cement Factory in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Four mining-disturbed sites were selected: Mountain Fall, Warizeh Sangi, Road Construction, and a marl mining area. An undisturbed rangeland served as the control site. Within each area, five sampling sites were established, and three randomly located transects were laid out at each site, resulting in a total of 45 transects. Along each transect, 1 m² quadrats were placed at 10-m intervals. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm) to determine soil chemical properties, biological activity, and macronutrient concentrations.
Results: Soil potassium concentration at the 20–40 cm depth was significantly higher (4.86%) than at the 0–20 cm depth, whereas soil electrical conductivity was significantly lower (3.37%) at the deeper layer. The abundance of soil microorganisms, including mycorrhizal fungi and both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, was significantly greater in the control area than in the mining-disturbed sites. Soil organic matter and available phosphorus declined significantly in response to mining activities. Although soil pH varied only slightly (less than one pH unit) across the study sites, the highest pH values were recorded in the Warizeh Sangi site at both sampling depths and in the Road Construction site at the 20–40 cm depth, indicating a shift toward more alkaline conditions. In contrast, the lowest soil pH was observed in the control area at the 20–40 cm depth, where the pH remained below 7.4.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that soil depth had only a limited influence on the measured soil properties, whereas mining disturbance significantly affected most of the evaluated variables. The control site supported substantially higher populations of soil microorganisms than the mining-disturbed areas, while soil organic matter and available phosphorus were markedly reduced as a consequence of mining activities. These results highlight the detrimental effects of mining on soil quality and biological functioning. Accordingly, implementing effective soil reclamation and ecological restoration programs in mined lands is strongly recommended. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks should require mining operators and cement companies to rehabilitate and restore disturbed areas following the completion of mining operations.
Methodology: This study was conducted in 2022 in rangelands and mining-disturbed areas adjacent to the Torbat-e Jam Cement Factory in Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. Four mining-disturbed sites were selected: Mountain Fall, Warizeh Sangi, Road Construction, and a marl mining area. An undisturbed rangeland served as the control site. Within each area, five sampling sites were established, and three randomly located transects were laid out at each site, resulting in a total of 45 transects. Along each transect, 1 m² quadrats were placed at 10-m intervals. Soil samples were collected from two depths (0–20 cm and 20–40 cm) to determine soil chemical properties, biological activity, and macronutrient concentrations.
Results: Soil potassium concentration at the 20–40 cm depth was significantly higher (4.86%) than at the 0–20 cm depth, whereas soil electrical conductivity was significantly lower (3.37%) at the deeper layer. The abundance of soil microorganisms, including mycorrhizal fungi and both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, was significantly greater in the control area than in the mining-disturbed sites. Soil organic matter and available phosphorus declined significantly in response to mining activities. Although soil pH varied only slightly (less than one pH unit) across the study sites, the highest pH values were recorded in the Warizeh Sangi site at both sampling depths and in the Road Construction site at the 20–40 cm depth, indicating a shift toward more alkaline conditions. In contrast, the lowest soil pH was observed in the control area at the 20–40 cm depth, where the pH remained below 7.4.
Conclusion: The findings indicate that soil depth had only a limited influence on the measured soil properties, whereas mining disturbance significantly affected most of the evaluated variables. The control site supported substantially higher populations of soil microorganisms than the mining-disturbed areas, while soil organic matter and available phosphorus were markedly reduced as a consequence of mining activities. These results highlight the detrimental effects of mining on soil quality and biological functioning. Accordingly, implementing effective soil reclamation and ecological restoration programs in mined lands is strongly recommended. Furthermore, regulatory frameworks should require mining operators and cement companies to rehabilitate and restore disturbed areas following the completion of mining operations.
Type of Study: Applicable |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/10/28 | Accepted: 2025/08/5 | Published: 2026/04/4
Received: 2024/10/28 | Accepted: 2025/08/5 | Published: 2026/04/4
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