Abstract
Concentrations and environmental indices of 18 elements(Al, Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, U, and Zn) in 15 top soil samples (0–20 cm) at Dashkasan epithermal gold mining area, Kurdistan Province, Iran indicated high Ag, Au, As, Hg, Sb and Pb pollution reflecting natural mineralization and mining activity. Also the leaves of two indigenous medicinal plant species, Ephedra major subsp. procera and Achilleaaleppica, were sampled and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the mean concentration of Au, Cd, and Sb in Ephedra and Achillea is higher than the averages in natural plants in other parts of the world. Calculated biological concentration factors (BCF) revealed that Ephedra species is a cadmium accumulator, while Achillea efficiently accumulates cadmium and molybdenum. High metals affinity for sulfur in soil, low BCF values and relatively low total metals content in plants confirmed that most chalcophile metals in the analyzed plant species exhibit low bioavailability and hence pose no immediate health risk. However, continuous consumption of Ephedra and Achillea is a potential health threat to livestock and local population.
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