Economic non Metallic Mineral Resources in Quaternary Sediments of Tehran and its Environmental Effects

Abstract

Air pollution in Tehran is widely recognized as a serious environmental challenge, posing significant threats to the health of the resident population. As one of the most evident natural hazards and significant environmental issues, the dust phenomenon has raised significant concern within the research community. In light of the negative effect of dust mass in urban areas, robust and effective early warning systems are necessary; continuously enhanced monitoring of dust aerosols are a critical step in developing such systems. Tehran plain in general is of alluvial fan accumulation. The Quaternary of Tehran plain has up to 1100 m of sediments belongs to four lithostratigraphic units. They contain both non-metallic resources. Non-metallic resources of Quaternary strata include construction aggregates for the residential, industrial and transportation segments of the population, ceramic clays and laterites. Tehran region can be divided into 4 geological units as follows: Hezardareh F., Kahrizak F., Tehran alluvial F. and Holocene alluvium. The quaternary sand and gravel mines of Tehran have been exploited widely and this exploration is one of the causes of the environmental pollution. The over-exploitation of construction material mines in southern Tehran has become a source of dust particles, adding to air pollution problems in the Iranian capital.