Speciation and phytoavailability of heavy metals in contaminated soils in Sarcheshmeh area, Kerman Province, Iran.

Heavy metal content in soil and the most abundant indigenous plant species (Artemisia sieberi) in Sarcheshmeh area is investigated. Sequential extraction analysis is carried out and phytoavailable fractions of selected heavy metals are also determined. The results show that heavy metals in the study area are potentially bioavailable. Calculated transfer factor (mean value for Cu: 5.7; As: 8.9; Pb: 4.1; Mo: 7.2; Cd: 1.9; and Zn: 1.8) and heavy metal concentration in plant species indicate that metal contamination is already transferred to Artemisia sieberi which proved to behave like an accumulator plant and hence poses a serious threat to local population. Contamination is mostly the result of three decades of ore smelting at the Sarcheshmeh copper complex.