Probing the lethal agent in the hot spring of the Death Valley in Tashan, south of Iran
2018
Motlagh, R.F. | Valiallahi, J. | Baghdadi, M.
Death Valley located in the Zagros Mountains, Khuzestan Province, Iran, along the Bangeston Fault line is a unique landscape. Water flows from a hot headstream through a colorful bed into the valley for about 2 km down-run and disappears through the alluvial deposits. This spring and its surrounding area were found to be deadly for both animals and humans. In the last decade, it has been reported that five persons and many animals have died. The reason for the toxicity of this water has not yet been specified. Attempts have been made to find out the secret behind death. The purpose of this paper is to study the Death Valley, which is located in the south of Iran (Tashan), as well as the lethal agent and other index mineral compounds in its water. Air analysis was performed near the headstream to find more about the fatal gas in the area. The results showed that the concentration of hydrogen sulfide was as high as 400 ppm near the spring during hot season, which could lead to pulmonary edema and death. Water in the area contains a high concentration of sulfide (1780 mg/L), which is a characteristic of thermal or hot spring waters. This gas is available along the stream and also far from the spring. The amount of spring water is high enough to be exploited for remedial purposes.
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