ORIGINAL ARTICLE Influence of Sungun copper mine on groundwater quality, NW Iran T. Nasrabadi Æ G. R. Nabi Bidhendi Æ A. R. Karbassi Æ H. Hoveidi Æ I. Nasrabadi Æ H. Pezeshk Æ F. Rashidinejad Received: 2 January 2008 / Accepted: 3 September 2008 / Published online: 18 September 2008 Ó Springer-Verlag 2008 Abstract Sungun mine is the largest open-cast copper mine in northwest of Iran and is in the primary stages of extraction. The influence of mining activity on the quality of regional groundwater has been taken in to consideration in this study. Accordingly, sampling was done from 22 springs in the study area. The concentrations of major anions and cations as well as Al, Cu, Cd, Cr, Fe, Mn, and Zn were determined for all 22 spring samples in mid- August 2005. The results showed that the concentrations of most of these elements were below the USA Environ- mental Protection Agency (EPA) limits; however, Al and Fe concentrations are considered to be more than limits in a couple of samples. Despite the fact that geological formations are highly weathered and fractured, the disso- lution of minerals within the study area is low. This may be justified by the relatively high alkalinity of local underground water which keeps metals in solid phase and does not let them enter dissolved phase. Additionally, this may be attributed to the high velocity of groundwater flows, which do not give enough time for minerals to dissolve. Correlation coefficients among water chemistry components were determined and the weighted-pair group method was chosen for cluster analysis. Accordingly, high correlation among Al, Fe and Cr, Cd ,and Cu, sodium absorption ratio (SAR) and Na as well as total hardness (TH), Ca, and Mg were observed. The chemical charac- teristics of water compositions on the basis of major ion concentrations were evaluated on a Schoeller and Piper diagram. Accordingly, the dominant type of water in the region is considered to be Ca-HCO 3 (calcium-bicarbonate type). However, this type of water is also rich in Na, K, and especially Mg. Regarding Schoeller diagram, the current status of local underground water is good for drinking purposes. By commencing mining excavation with designed capacity in near future, the minerals will come into contact with air and water resulting in disso- lution, especially in ponds, which, in turn, will increase the concentration of toxic metals in groundwater. Con- sidering future uses of this water including for drinking, irrigation, industrial purposes, etc., precautions must be taken in to consideration. Keywords Sungun copper mine Á Iran Á Groundwater T. Nasrabadi (&) Á G. R. Nabi Bidhendi Á A. R. Karbassi Á H. Hoveidi Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, #25, Azin Avenue, Ghods Street, Enghelab Square, 1417853111 Tehran, Iran e-mail: tnasrabadi@gmail.com G. R. Nabi Bidhendi e-mail: ghhendi@ut.ac.ir A. R. Karbassi e-mail: arkarbassi738@yahoo.com H. Hoveidi e-mail: hoveidi10@yahoo.com I. Nasrabadi Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University of Mashhad, Ahmadabad, Rahnamaie St., Mashhad, Iran e-mail: inasrabadi@yahoo.com H. Pezeshk School of Mathematics, College of Science, University of Tehran, Enghelab Square, Tehran, Iran e-mail: pezeshk@khayam.ut.ac.ir F. Rashidinejad Department of Mining Engineering, Technical and Engineering Faculty, Islamic Azad University, Sciences and Research Campus, Pounak, Hesarak, Tehran, Iran e-mail: frashidinejad@hotmail.com 123 Environ Geol (2009) 58:693–700 DOI 10.1007/s00254-008-1543-2