Abstract

Hossein Atashi¹, Nargess Rahimi² and Farrokh Akbari Espaili³

Mercury contamination in drinking water is a potential risk on human health and environment. This article explains the status of mercury in Zahedan aquifer that lies in southeastern of Iran. We have measured the mercury concentration of 10 random wells by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy method. The minimum and maximum concentration of mercury was 0.39 and 2.32 ppb in these samples. Standard limit of mercury in water is 1 ppb, so we conclude the magnitude of mercury in some regions are more than the standard limit. Isoconcentration contours were drowning on geological map of the area to find out the sources of this contamination. We have defined the origin of ground water pollution by comparing information about industrial, geological, geochemistry and other pollution factor.

Groundwater; contamination; mercury; Zahedan

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