Subjects: Geology; Weather; Fauna and Flora; and General

Chapter II Present Environmental Status

2.0. Introduction ...... 33

2.1. Physical environment ...... 33

2.2. Natural environment ...... 58

2.3. Economic, social and cultural environment ...... 81

2.4. Developmental plans and land use ...... 88

2.5. Résumé ...... 93

Chapter II Present Environmental Status

2.0. Introduction

The background of the present study has been given in the last chapter. The present chapter mainly deals with environmental profile of the study area under consideration to carry out EIA. It is the prerequisite for any EIA study to find out environmental status of the region before the implementation of any project. As the proposed project has not been started yet, the present physiography and socio- economic study could be considered as the baseline profile. The probable changes may be considered as the impact of the various activities selected included in the project. Thus, the chapter attempts to document the present environmental status.

2.1. Physical environment

In this section of study parameters selected for study are Geology, Pedology, Climate and Water reserves.

2.1.1. General geology

The formations which have exposures in the area of study in the order of old to new ones are Jahrom, Asmari, Champeh and Mool parts of Gachsaran formation, Mishan, Aghajari and Bakhtiari. Below are given a number of them.

A) Cenozoic Era Goori section of Mishan formation: The lithology of this sedimentary unit includes thick lime layers in gray, light brown and cream. Its weathered form occurs in brown and reddish brown due to iron oxide.

- Lower Miocene Epoch Gachsaran formation: It includes two parts: Mool and Champeh The Mool alternately comprises grey and green marls and gypsiferous marly. The Champeh includes argillaceous grey, white and buff limes.

- Lower Miocene Epoch Asmari formation: Includes limes in cream, buff, dark brown and porous ones. The upper part of this formation is formed by dolomitic limes and is base comprises limes of greenstone type.

- Oligocene Tamiocene Jahrom formation includes microcrystalline to phanerocrystalline dolomites in cream, dark brown, grey, brown and buff, with average to weak exo-fossil porosity.

- Lower-upper Eocene Epoch Pabdeh formation: Includes argillaceous limes in grey with a buff ting.

- Pliocene to Lower Eocene

B) Mesozoic Era Cretaceous Period Goorpey formation: Includes brown limes with clay content, which is seen on the vertex and base of Gluocnite formation.

- Campanion Ilam formation: Includes cream and grey limes of packstone type of weak porosity. - Santonin Daryan formation: Includes buff and cream limes of the wackstone to packstone type of average to weak porosity.

- Aptin

C) Jurassic Period Hith anhydritic formation: Layers of soft white anhydrite and hard, transparent anhydrides, alternately with layers of brown and buff dolomite.

- Higher Jurassic Sormeh formation: It is generally made of fine to coarse dolomite. Tabriz formation: It is made of shale and thin layers of dolomite.

- Lias 34

Period: Triassic Period Dashtak formation: Includes shale in the early evaporite and dolomite of Sefidar. Kangan formation: A shale unit about 100 meters in the formation‟s base occupies half of its thickness. These shale units are referred to as Kangan Base Shale. The upper part of Kangan formation is made of white lime of marlstone and grey dolomite.

- Lower Triassic Period Dalan formation: It comprises three major parts of upper gallery carbonates of Nar and the lower gallery carbonates. Fahlian formation: From top to bottom, it is made of beige porous crystalline lime, beige bioclastic crystalline lime, beige dolomitic lime with a little biotin content. The formation is 110 meter long.

Fig. 2. 1. Simplified Geological map of Fars Province

Source: Ministry of Industries and Mines, Geological Survey of Iran.

2.1.1.1. Structural geology (Tectonics)

a) The structural geology of Zagros Mountains: The Zagros Mountains are located in southwest Iran, extending northwest-southeast. In respect of tectonics, they are located at the intersection of the Iranian and Saudi Arabian plates and the stages of the intersection from the lower Cretaceous up to the present in each of their structural sections have been recorded. On this basis, Hanynes and Mc Quillan have set the following division from northeast to southwest respectively:

1. Stable block 2. Crushed zone 3. Abyssal zone (trench) 4. Embracing faults zone 5. Simple folded zone

The folded belt of Zagros in the Iranian part of the area is on average 250 km wide on the southeast to 120 km wide on the northwest, and is 1375 km long.

b) The structural geology of Fars: Fars lies within the Zagros folded belt. There is no consensus as to the frontiers of this structural zone. The western boundary of Fars zone is limited by Kazeroon fault. The eastern limit is a hypothetical boundary which separates Fars from the folded area of Bandar Abbas. The northern boundary abuts on Terasenha zone and the southern boundary on the Persian Gulf coastline, and more or less coincides with the appearance limit of Zagros anticlines. Of the most important characters of Fars area is a bedrock ridge which has extended from Qatar to under the Zagros, resulting in Gavbandi uplift. In fact, this ridge has caused a platform status in Fars. On the west and east sides of Gavbandi, multiple faults are seen along which salt domes have appeared. No domes are on the very uplift. The anticlines in Fars have an east- west to northwest-southeast, which follows the general trend of Zagros anticlines. Kashfi (1983) has separated the northwest and southeast parts on the basis of the change in folding pattern along the Zagros folded belt, and considered Kazeroon fault as the borer of such separation. Fars area coincides the eastern part.

c) Structure: An obvious exposure of this anticline is the Goori part of Sazandishan. The structure on the land surface in the horizon of Goori is about 32 km long and 8 km wide. The anticline shanol is almost symmetrical. The northern and southern flank dips are almost equal and in the lowest part of lime exposure of Goori is about 18-20 degrees. In some points of line layers of Goori its dip is up to 80 degrees, which results from surface landslides and is ineffective in deep structure. The area of study is a sinusoidal mountain feature whose uppermost point is higher than the adjacent plain by 1150 meter and the average altitude of its peak is some 1600 meter from sea level. The youngest formation is Bakhtiari formation, with an exposure on the northeast flank of Varavi Anticline. In tectonic respects, Varavi anticline has a box folcl shape. The whole length of the anticline has fractures on the northeast-southwest trend which are almost perpendicular to the fold axis and the existing streams (waterways) have been formed in these fractures.

2.1.1.2. Seismicity

Zendan north-west fault on the east of the area, and Kazeroon Fault on the west. The thrust faults have been formed by compression forces. Normal faults formed by the movement of bedrock (southeast of Zagros) Major faults: There is a strike-slip fault with a dextral movement and north- south trend, which passes the northwest of Varavi anticline. The other is a smaller fault with an almost northeast-southwest trend, which intersects the former one. In addition, there are smaller faults in the vicinity of these two faults in a north- south trend. A comparison of the exposures of the northeast flank of Tabnak anticline and southwest flank of Varavi shows that a northwest-southeast fault pass through the syncline of these two anticlines which has made Tabnak anticline depressed relative to Varavi anticline. Figure 2.2 shows seismicity throughout Iran on the basis of the data in 2005. According to the Iranian Bylaw of Earthquake Resistant Design of Buildings (Standard 2800, third edition), as can be seen, the area is regarded highly seismic in terms of seismic zoning. Also, Figure 2.3 shows the faults zoning of Fars. According to the figure, the (immediate) area of study lacks any faults.

Fig. 2. 2. Seismicity map of Fars Province

Source: Ministry of Housing and Urban, 2005.

Fig. 2. 3. Faults of Fars

Source: Ministry of Industries and Mines, Geological Survey of Iran.

2.1.2.Topography

The area of study is located at 53º 10' and 53º 15' eastern longitude and 27º 20' to 27º 22' northern latitude. About 60 percent of the area comprises mountains and the rest is covered with slope plains, river plains, sedimentary plains, and flood plains. The highest point is located in the drainage basin of Roodmand, the sub basin of Ghare- aghaj River, where the mounts of Khankehdan, Bonrood, and Chehelcheshmeh are over 4000 meter high from sea level. The least high point is located in the sub basin of Jahrom saline river, and only 5% of the lands are over 2000 meter from sea level. 39

2.1.3. Pedology and Soil erosion

The soil of the plains in the area of study is of the saline, alkaline type, and does not have a big depth and expanse due to the mountainous nature of the region (57 percent of the area is mountainous). The soils of the area may be categorized into the light soil of dry areas and the brown soils which form the plains of the study area, and mainly occur in the plateaus, upper sheets and sedimentary plains. In this way, the categorization of the soils in the study area is as follows: (Agriculture Ministry, Soil, Vol 5, 2001)  Stratiplied alluvial  Alluvial The soils in the area of study are classified into two major categories: 1. The soils of plains and valleys which have not been created by crushed local stones but have been transferred here by water and/or wind. In a number of plains of this area which do not have limitations in salinity and alkalinity, the sedimentary soils without limitation, or with low limitation, have been formed. In the central and southern parts of this area, most of soils are saline, alkaline or saline sedimentary ones, which have been formed due to the existence of limestone and gypsum atoll marls. 2. The second category comprises the soils of hills and mountains which are shallow and have rocky properties and have been formed on rock beds, without profile evolution. In these lands, there are narrow valleys scarcely covered with soil, with rapid surface water flow, low water permeation, and severe soil erosion.

The study area has four different types of morphological units. 1. Mountain: Low to relatively high mountains, in braided form, and eroded, composed of lime, gypsum, salt and sand marls, with a slope of 50 to 70 percent, and 600 to 2200 meter from sea level. These lands are scarcely covered with soil, or are covered with very shallow layer of soil up to shallow soil mixed with gravels. Lithic leptosols, gypsic rogosolos, and in some parts on the mountain slope shallow soil mixed with gravel, and very shallow layer of soil up to shallow soil mixed with gravels. Because of the steep slope, these lands are liable to severe erosion and the soil depth is limited.

2. Gentle sloping land: The mountain slope lands have a gentle slope and little relief, with 1 to 3 percent gravels. The soil of these lands is deep, with a generally average to heavy texture, with a lime concentration layer (calcaric cambisols, Haplic calcisols), which is rather saline in some parts and average amount of gravels. Due to the relief and erosion, these lands are limited in soil depth. 3. Plains: The lands of plains are almost flat, with gentle slope, and average to high salinity, with a slope of 1 to 2 percent. The soil in these lands include deep soils with a heavy texture and average to high salinity (calcic solonchanks, calcaric cambisols); in some parts, the ground waters (aquifers) are elevated and the drainage conditions are unsuitable. Due to the salinity and heavy texture the soil the drainage conditions are unsuitable. 4. Sloping ground: The gravelly fan-like slumping, with little to average relief, and plenty of gravel content in the upper layer, and mixed with soil, with a slope of 2 to 8 percent. The soil in these lands is very shallow with an average to heavy texture and plenty of gravel (calcaric regosols, lithic lepotsols); in some parts, plains with gentle slope are seen on the mountain slope. Due to harsh, random floods in these lands and relief in some parts, erosion by water and limited soil depth is seen. Pedology of the study area shows in chapter 5.

Irrigation Potential: The lands of Lamerd town, with 573,096 hectares of area, which is located in the southernmost point of Fars Province and covers 4.68 percent of its area, have been considered as lying within the area directly influenced by the project. In general, by summing up the pedological studies of Lamard town we come to the conclusion that the lands capable of irrigation in this town (classes I, II and III) comprise an area of over 56,983 hectares, of which 88.45 is located in the plains and the rest outside the plains. Also, the study of the lands classes shows that this town lacks classes I and VI; however, class V has the maximum area among all the classes. Below are given the definitions of capabilities of each class: (Agriculture Ministry, Erosion and Soil Conservation, Vol 8, 2001).  First degree lands: Lands with good capacity for irrigative farming  Second degree lands: Lands with average capacity for irrigative farming  Third degree lands: Lands with capacity for irrigative farming

 Fourth degree lands: Lands which have irrigation capacity under special conditions  Fifth degree lands: Lands whose irrigation capacity has not been determined.  Sixth degree lands: Lands with no irrigation capacity.

2.1.3.1. Soil contamination and major sources of it in the area

Among the soil contaminants in the area of study are the wastewater and wastes of the cities and the industries. The chemicals used in agriculture contribute a lot to the soil contamination. Progressive methods and warning the farmers are among the applied policies to decrease the consumption of chemicals. Soil contamination is also connected with water due to its fluid character. In general, the heavy metals disposed by the industries, especially plating workshops, the urban wastewater and the wastes water all lead to soil contamination. Heavy metals incorporated in the soil enter the food chain through the livestock swallowing the soil and pollutants absorption by the plants and leave undesirable effects (Agriculture Ministry, Soil, Vol 5, 2001).

2.1.4. Climate

The climate is the result of combination of various weather elements including temperature, precipitation, moisture, evaporation, wind, etc. In general, multiple factors contribute to the formation of the climate of a locality, the most important of which are referred to as “structure factors of climate”. Among the major structure factors of climate are latitude and altitude. Latitude has a decisive role in increasing the temperature of the locality (Mohamadi, 2006). Fars Province is approximately located between the latitudes of 27 - 02 to 31-41 north, and its altitude varies from zero to 4000 meters from sea level. The closeness of certain southern points of the Province to Persian Gulf influences the climate to a certain degree and entails increased moisture and less temperature fluctuation in the area. The altitude of the locality acts as a temperature adjustment factor. In addition, the annual precipitation increases with the altitude along these highlands (Agriculture Ministry, Air and Climate Science, Volume 1, 2001).

Domarten method This division is carried out on the basis of the amounts of aridity index (Ai), which is given by the equation: Ai = P/ T + 10, where P stands for average annual precipitation in mm, T for annual normal temperature in ºC (Kamali, 2009). Most of station samples occur in the desert and semiarid grouping.

Amberje Method This is a well known climatologic method of classification and has been introduced as a bio climatologic system. This classification is conducted on the basis of the calculated moisture coefficient Q and by use of an empirical climograph. The moisture coefficient is given by the following relation:

100P Q  M 2  m2

where P stands for annual precipitation in mm, M for average daily maximum amounts of temperature in the warmest month of the year, and m for average daily minimum amounts of temperature in the coldest month of the year in ºC (Kamali, 2009). In Fars province, the expanse of the temperate arid and cold arid climates is greater than other climates, followed by hot desert climate; cold, semi arid climate; cold, semi moist climate; and temperate semi arid climate.

Figure 2.4, presents the climatological classification of Fars Province.

2.1.5. weather

The identification of the weather and climate contributes to many of human activities and is one of the phenomena influencing the development of environmental processes. Therefore, in any developmental planning the maximum potentials of the nature should be benefited from. In order to achieve the best economic output from any climatic regime, an accurate study should be made of the precipitation, scope of changes in the temperature, air moisture, evaporation, perspiration (condensation) and other climatic factors, so that a suitable use may be made of the nature by the application of an appropriate environmental management (Agriculture Ministry, Air and Climate Science, Vol 1, 2001). 43

Fig. 2. 4. climatological classification of Fars Province

2.1.5.1. Temperature

The mean annual temperature, that is the mean daily temperature for the whole year, is the most important climatic parameter. The nearest meteorological station to the area of study is that of Lamerd. Table 2.1, shows the average daily and monthly temperature, average maximum monthly temperature, average minimum monthly temperature, in different months from 1995 - 2005 as reported by Lamerd station (IRIMO, 2008).

Table 2. 1. Average temperatures from 1995 to 2005 in Lamerd station (ºC)

Average Average Max Min Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature (Daily) (Montly) (Montly) (Montly) JAN 13.9 14.9 20.3 7.6 FEB 16.2 17.3 23.0 9.4 MAR 19.2 20.7 26.4 11.9 APR 25.2 27.7 34.3 16.2 MAY 31.1 34.6 40.9 21.2 JUN 33.8 37.4 44.2 23.2 JUL 35.6 38.2 44.6 26.6 AUG 34.9 37.2 43.9 25.8 SEP 31.4 33.8 41.0 21.8 OCT 26.7 29.0 36.4 17.0 NOV 20.1 21.7 28.5 11.6 DES 16.1 17.2 23.2 8.9 Yearly 25.3 27.5 33.9 16.8

Source: IRIMO, 2008.

According to the above table, the highest average monthly temperature is in the month of July, i.e. 38.2 degrees, and the lowest is in the month of January, i.e. 14.9 Celsius degrees. Also, the highest average maximum monthly temperature in Lamerd station is in the month of July, i.e. 44.6 degrees, and the lowest average minimum monthly average is in the month of January, i.e. 7.6 Celsius degrees. Figure 2.5, shows the isotherms of Fars Province. As one can see, the said project is located on the isothermal lines of 22 to 24 Celsius degrees. 45

Fig. 2. 5. Isotermal Map of Fars Province

2.1.5.2. Precipitation

Rain can be known at the most important parameter that directly affects the hydrology cycle. The data of precipitation as reported by Lamerd station as the selected station in the period between the years 1995 and 2005 has been studied. The following table shows the average monthly precipitation reported by the stations based in Lamerd (IRIMO, 2008).

Table 2. 2. Average precipitation From 1995 - 2005 in the Lamerd station (mm)

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DES Yearly 77.0 28.3 63.2 7.7 0.0 2.0 2.5 9.2 0.4 2.5 7.4 45.1 245.3

Source: IRIMO, 2008.

Also Figure 2.6, shows the isohyetal of Fars Province. As can be seen, the subject project is located on the isohyetal lines of 200 - 215 mm.

2.1.5.3. Relative moisture

About 70 percent of the surface of the globe is covered by the oceans, seas and lakes. Part of them is constantly evaporated by sunshine. In this way, part of the water vapor is constantly dispersed in the air by evaporation and perspiration on plants and live organisms and evaporation from the earth surface. All these form the earth‟s atmosphere. The wind transfers the air moisture to different parts on the globe. Therefore, the atmosphere is never void of moisture and always contains some water vapor. The water vapor content varies in the atmosphere and may be more in the tropical coasts than other places. However, low amounts of water vapor can give rise to major changes in the weather conditions of a certain place. The water vapor contained in the atmosphere returns to the earth through various processes in the form of rain, snow, hail and dew. The data of air moisture is generally expressed as an average index of relative moisture (Agriculture Ministry, Air and Climate Science, Vol 1, 2001). Table 2.3, shows the annual relative moisture reported by the stations based in the cities of Lamerd.

Fig. 2. 6. Isohyetal Map of Fars Province

Table 2. 3. Average Relative Humidity in the Lamerd station (1995 - 2005)

Relative Humidity Relative Humidity Relative Humidity (Average %) (Max. %) (Min. %) JAN 64 85 46 FEB 56 79 38 MAR 52 75 36 APR 34 59 21 MAY 22 39 14 JUN 22 38 14 JUL 30 48 20 AUG 33 55 21 SEP 37 59 22 OCT 38 60 22 NOV 46 67 30 DES 60 81 43 Yearly 41 62 27

Source: IRIMO, 2008.

2.1.5.4. Frost

By a frost day it is meant a 24 hour period during which the air temperature reaches down to zero Celsius degrees or less. The number of frost days is specially important for performing industrial and agricultural activities. According to the data reported by the meteorological station of Lamerd, the frost never occurs in this station (Agriculture Ministry, Air and Climate Science, Vol 1, 2001).

2.1.5.5. Wind

Any air flow which occurs in the vicinity of the earth surface is referred to as „wind‟. Therefore, the horizontal movement of air at earth surface is called wind. Wind is a vector quantity which has direction and velocity (Agriculture Ministry, Air and Climate Science, Vol 1, 2001). A study of the Lamerd station shows that the prevailing wind direction is in the northwestern direction in all the months of a year.

The velocity of prevailing wind as been varying from 6.6 knots in December to 11 knots in May in Lamerd station, and the average yearly velocity of prevailing wind is 9.1 knots (IRIMO, 2008).

Figure 2.7, presents the annual wind rose of Lamerd between the years 1995 to 2005.

2.1.5.6. Air pollution and its major sources in the area

In general, the major sources of air pollution are motor vehicles, furnaces and large industrial plants of bricks, gypsum and lime. The huge amounts of fuel oil which is consumed in the furnaces is a major source of pollution. Nonmetallic mineral industries also contribute a lot to the air pollution. The fuel oil used in the furnaces causes local pollution. In addition to the industries, the fossil fuels consumed in the urban, residential areas are a major source of pollution. In order to determine the exact amount of the pollution, pollution assessment stations should be established in the towns of the Province.

2.1.5.7. Noise pollution and its major sources in the area

The noise pollution, mostly in big cities, are produced by many sources, such as industries, motor vehicles and building construction activity. In some industries, transport of materials generates much noise. Also, industrial units which work outdoors affect their surroundings. The major sources of noise in the region are:

1) Motor vehicles, both air and land 2) airports 3) certain factories 4) power plants and oil refineries 5) loudspeakers in public place 6) military training fields

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL

MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Fig. 2. 7. Annual Wind Rose of Lamerd (1995- 2005)

2.1.6. Water reserves

The basin of coast rivers is part of the basin of Persian Gulf, located between 21-51 to 45-55 degrees of longitude and 26-30 to 28-154 degrees northern latitude. The area of this basin is 18,614 sq km and covers parts of Bushehr, Fars and Hormozgan Province. About 2784 sq km, i.e. 20.33 percent, of the said basin is located in Fars Province. In the basin of Persian Gulf, the only perennial river is Shoor Mehran River and the other rivers are mostly dispersed flood ways which, at the time of rainfall, discharge the streams arising from rainfall from the basin and lead directly to Persian Gulf. This basin is divided into two sub basins of Shoor Mehran and the coast rivers. Parts of the two sub basins are located in Fars Province. The area of study is located in Lamerd-Varavi-Ashkenan plain, measuring 125,600 hectares in Mehran sub basin of the coast basin of Persian Gulf. The average annual precipitation in the plain is 220 mm; the average annual evaporation is 3600 mm; and the average annual temperature is 26.4 Celsius degrees (Agriculture Ministry, Surface water, Vol 2, 2001). Table 2.4, shows the particulars of hydrologic unit of the area of study. Figure 2.8, shows the hydrology of the area of study in order to specify the location of the project relative to the related hydrologic unit.

Table 2. 4. Particulars of hydrologic unit of the study area

Name & Name & sub- Name & Extent of Geographic position Extent of Extent of basin basin code hydrologic unit hydrolog hydrologic hydrologic length From- width From- code code ic unit unit (field) unit to to (hectar) (out field) Coastal- Mehran Lamerd-varavi- 265526 51 52 06 27 125479 140048 Persian 1-4-4 ashkenan 02 54 35 27 Gulf Jenah-bostak- 2463 47 53 04 06 - 2463 4-3 harang 53 53 27 27 Coastal 2-4-4 Bojir-gavbandi 28598 33 53 03 27 - 28598 50 53 12 27

Source: Agriculture Ministry, Surface water, 2001.

Fig. 2. 8. Hydrology of the study area

2.1.6.1. Surface waters

There are no perennial streams and rivers in Lamerd-Varavi-Ashkenan plain, apart from the extreme of plain of Mehran River as the major drainage of the area, which discharges the regional flood plain and has seasonal stream in most months of the year. The average perennial stream of the river is about 0.1 to 0.2 cubic meters per second. The annual alluvium of Mehran river in the extreme of Lamerd-Ashkenan Plain has been estimated as 70 million cubic meters per year.

The water of Mehran river is saline, and therefore unusable. According to the tests conducted on the seasonal stream of Mehran river in Lamard-Ashkenan Plain in the non-seasonal times of spring, the electrical conductance has been varying from 28000 to 52000 mM/cm, and the chlorine content of the river‟s surface water varied between 237 to 585 mEq/l. There is less content amount of salt in the flood streams of the river and that for the floods caused by 24 hour rainfall for 2 and 5 year return periods is estimated as 10,000 and 6000 mM/cm.

The sweet stream of flood plains of Lamerd plain is used for 8500 hectares of dry farming lands and date palms. The volume of water to be used annually is estimated to be some 6 million cubic meters per year. The total volume of sweet surface water formed by the streams floods is estimated about 25 million cubic meters per year.

The electrical conductance of the surface waters generated by the floods on Lamard-Ashkenan plain varies between 820 to 3500 mM/cm; and the suspended material between 548 to 2350 mg/l; and the S.AR between 0.87 and 6.6. Table 2.5, shows the amount of withdrawal from the surface water resources in the hydrologic units (Agriculture Ministry, Surface water, Vol 2, 2001).

Table 2. 5. Amount of withdrawal from the surface water resources in the hydrologic units of study area

Basin Sub hydrologic unit Code withdrawal from the surface water (M.C.M)

basin Dams Pomp Reserve & Other Total & station deviational amounts amount tradition dams & M.C.M canals modern subststion Coastal Mehr-Ardavan 1-1-4-4 - - - - - basin – Mehran Lamerd-Varavi- 1-1-4-4 - - - - - Persian Ashkenan Gulf Bojir-Gavbandi 2-1-4-4 - - - - -

Sorce: Agriculture Ministry, Surface water, 2001.

2.1.6.2. Groundwater

Particular: The vastness of lime formations of Gachsaran and Asmari- Jahrom in the area has caused it to absorb a big part of the annual precipitation and lead along the valleys and faults toward the plain. In the margin of highlands, especially in the south of plain, where several alluvial cones have been formed along the valleys, a surficial perched watertable has formed. In this marginal belt, an aquifer of the type of unconfined aquifers has formed. The alluvium layer is 50 m thick maximum, part of which is probably embedded in the conglomerate bedrock and the alluvium is 20 to 30 meter thick on average. In the margin of the plain, the maximum interface with water is at the depth of 35 meter and the minimum is at 6 meter. In the central plate, where the ground water is saline and is not capable of utilization, the aquifer is closer to the ground surface and the depth of intersection with it reaches less than 2 meter.

Utilization: According to the existing statistics, through the 375 semi deep wells, 24.3 million cubic meters of water is exploited per year. There are four qanats in this plain, which have the total discharge of 4 million cubic meters per year. There are no springs in this plain. Therefore, there is an annual discharge of 28.3 million cubic meters from the groundwater resources through the wells and qanats. Table 2.6,

55 shows the rate of groundwater discharge from this plain (Agriculture Ministry, groundwater, Vol 3, 2001).

Table 2. 6. Groundwater Quantity

Sub hydrologic Basin Groundwater Sources basin unit semi-deep Total Qanat Spring Coastal Lamerd- wells (yearly) basin – Mehran varavi- Discharge Discharge Discharge Discharge No. No. No. Persian ashkenan (106 m3) (106 m3) (106 m3) (106 m3) Gulf

375 24.3 4 4 Millon m3 - - 28.3

Source: Agriculture Ministry, Groundwater, 2001.

Development Facilities: According to the existing data and in consideration of the assumptions for the flow permeation, and in consideration of the precipitation in the plains and highlands, the hydrologic budget of groundwater of the basin has been estimated. On this basis and in consideration of the current rate of withdrawal, there are possibilities of development (expansion) up to 7 million cubic meters. Evidently, the progressive increase in the salt content and the rush of saline water of the central part into the alluvial aquifer of the plain‟s margin must not be disregarded in the expansion of withdrawal.

Quality: The vast expanse of the formations of Fars group causes deterioration of the chemical quality of groundwater in the area. The minimum electrical conductance has reported to be 650 mM/cm; minimum chlorine content 22 mg/l; maximum electrical conductance 15,850 mM/cm; and maximum chlorine content 3090 mg/l. The type of groundwater is generally chlororidic, and in respect of water categorization according to the Vilkuks diagram, it falls in the group C4S1, C4S2. A large number of waters fall outside the table. Table 2.7, shows the quantity of the groundwater in the area of study (Agriculture Ministry, groundwater, Vol 3, 2001). 56

Table 2. 7. Groundwater reserves and annual rate of discharge in the hydrologic unit for Lamerd-Varavi-Ashkenan

Type of groundwater Number Annual Amount of Amount of Amount of reserve discharge withdrawal withdrawal withdrawal MCM for farming for drinking for other use MCM purposes Deep - - - - - semi-deep 370 24.3 24.3 - - Well piezometric - - - - - exploration - - - - - Active 4 4 2 2 - Qanat arid - - - - - Spring - - - - - Total 374 28.3 26.3 2 -

Source: Agriculture Ministry, Groundwater, 2001.

2.2. Natural environment

In this section of study, the natural environment of Lamerd Plain (as the area of study) is given, including the fauna and flora, species of wildlife, and terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

2.2.1. Vegetation

The vegetation of the area of study includes forest and grassland. Due to the geographical and ecological conditions of the area, the diversity of plant types depends on multiple factors and the extent to which they can be influential. The difference in altitude between plains and mountains, and the influence of hot, arid climates, has given rise to diversity in plants. The plain mostly includes annual plants, whose growing period is very short due to the too hot weather. In the mountainous area, the grassland and forest vegetations are different in status due to different air temperatures. For example, in Hava mountain highlands (where hunting is prohibited) the vegetation is completely different from Ala Plain in Marvdasht and other adjacent areas.

2.2.1.1. Forest vegetation According to the Zohary‟s classification, the vegetation of the area of study includes many of plants which grow only in a certain place, such as the Irano- Touranian, Mediterranean, and tropical-subtropical plants. However, most of the vegetation consists of the plants of Irani-Tourani class and are considered among the originally Iranian herbs (Agriculture Ministry, forest and prairie grove, Vol 7, 2001). Figure 2.9, shows the forest canopy of Fars Province.

In general, the prevailing species of forest trees in the area of study are: Persian turpentine tree (Pistacia atlantica), amygdale (almond) or Amygdalus scoparia, honeysuckle, oriental almond tree (Amygdalus reuteri), spurge-olive (Daphne oleoides Schreb), East Indian mastiche (Pistacia khinjuk Stocks.), nabk tree (Ziziphus Spina Christi), tropical almond (Terminalia Catapa L.), Camel thorn (Ziziphus nummularia Burm.f.), and Spiny Hopsage (Atriplex spinosa L.), with different distribution (Karimi, 2002).

Table 2.8, presents the percentage of prevailing forest species in the study area. 58

Fig. 2. 9. Forest canopy of Fars Province

Table 2. 8. Percentage of forest species in the study area

Conquering Species PERCENT Pistacia atlantica 1.5 Pistacia khinjuk 0.6 Amygdalus reuteri 2.9 Amygdalus scoparia 1.8 Afforest 0.2 nabk tree – Ziziphus Spina christi 32.7 Garom (Persian name) 36.5 Ziziphus nummularia 10.7 Kutur (Persian name) 10.7

Source: Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000.

2.2.1.2. Pastureland The pastureland is influenced by the climatologic conditions and type of soil. In the plains, the shrubs and prickly plants (mainly in the northern parts of the area of study) have been adapted to tropical conditions, and the gravelly lands which are influenced by the saline, alkaline or soil conditions, contain species of grasses, along with species of milk vetch (Astragalus sp). In the semi pastureland area, species of sagebrush, along with milk vetch, form the vegetation. In the highlands and in the mountain slope, the type of pastureland has been influenced by the climatic conditions, and in the areas of Mianband, species of milk vetch and other pasture bushes grow (Agriculture Ministry, pastureland, Vol 6, 2001).

Figure 2.10, shows the vegetation of Fars Province. Also Table 2.9, shows the list of plants and their biological characteristics

Fig. 2. 10. Vegetation of Fars Province

Table 2. 9. List of plants and their biological characteristics

2.2.2. Animals

Iran can be considered as a melting pot of the animals of north Africa, Central Asia, Europe and South Asia. This characteristic distinguishes Iran from other places in the world. There are multiple animal habitats which vary according to the diverse vegetation. Therefore, a diversity of wildlife can be created according to the geographical location or depending on the natural vegetation. For this reason, Iran can be regarded as the origin of many genetic sources of the world. Persian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus onager), Persian Fallow Deer (Dama mesopotamica), and Asian cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) are examples of this genetic characteristic.

 Mammals In general, mammals comprise 55.1 percent of the animals in Iran, which are of the paleoarctic species; 18.1 percent are endemic; and 14.1 percent are of various species. Therefore, a considerable part of the mammals of the Province may be traced back to Tertiary Period. One of the species of paleoarctic origin is brown bear (Ursus arctos), which is among the distinguishing marks of this area. However, there are such genera as Jerd and Jerbil of the family Muridac which play an important part in the fauna of the region and their existence in this climate can hardly be justified (Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000). Due to the geographic and climatic diversity, Iran is specially rich in animals, which is matchless in the northern hemisphere. In general, 188 species of mammals in 10 orders live in this country; the largest number of the species (69 species) lies in the order of rodents, after which bats with 43 species, carnivores with 31 species, insectivores, whales, artiodactyls, rabbits, perissodactyls, and sirenians comprise the biggest population of mammals up to monotypic (Table 2.10) (Ziaie, 2008). The area of study is not void of such diversity and accommodates many animal species (Table 2.11). The tables hereto list the animal species and their biological characteristics.

Table 2. 10. Diversity of mammals in terms of order in Iran

Orders (scientific Name) English Name Species Rodentia Rodents 69 Chiroptera Bats 43 Carnivora Carnivores 31 Soricomorpha Insectivores 15 Artiodactyla Artiodactyls 9 Lagomorpha Rabits 3 Perrisodactyla Perissodactyls 1 Cetacea Whales 18 Erinaceomorpha Hedgehog 4 Sirenia Sirenians 1

Source: Ziaie, 2008.

Table 2. 11. Some of mammals in the area of study in terms of family

Orders family scientific Name Chiroptera Bats Vespertilionidae Carnivora Cats Felidae Carnivora Dogs Canidae Rodentia Rats Muridae Rodentia Indian Crested Porcupine Hystricidae lagomorpha Cape hare Leporidae Artiodactyla Hogs Suidae

Source: Ziaie, 2008; Firouz, 2000.

Table 2. 12. List of mammals and their biological characters

 Birds Considering the climatic and tectonic conditions and the type of habitats, various birds live in Lamerd in different seasons of a year, some of which like falcon and bustard (houbara bustard) are specially important. In addition to the endemic birds such as partridge, see-see partridge, passerines, and other birds, the area of study every year is host to two major groups of birds in summer and winter which migrate to this area from remote lands, for different reasons, such as for the purpose of breeding, wintering and nutrition. Therefore, the habitats in the area of study, especially those in Tangkhor, Hava mountain, Lamerd Plain, and Ala plain in Marvdasht are important in this respect (Agriculture Ministry, Environment, Vol 19, 2001- Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000). The tables list the names and biological status of the birds in the area of study.

 Reptiles The endemic reptile species of the country include the Mediterranean, desert Indus, Oriental and Aral-Caspian (Toora), which occur in the three orders crocodiles, turtles, and squamata. The order of squamata is subdivided into three suborders of lizards, snakes and wormlike lizards (Firouz, 2000), which are listed in the tables with their biological status.

Table 2. 13. List of birds and their biological characteristics

Table 2. 14. List of reptiles and their biological characteristics

Aquatics Of the 28,000 species of fish living in the world waters (Nelson, 2006), close to 1120 species and subspecies of fish in 158 families and 26 orders are found in Iran, which are 592 species most probably. In the domestic waters of the country, including lakes, ponds, and rivers, 141 species and subspecies of fish in 12 families have been identified. 8 species of fish have been found in Fars Province, where has less diversity relative to many other points in Iran. The reason is that the waters of the Province are not related to the sea and there is hardly any perennial river in the Fars Province (Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000). Table 2.15, contains the list and values of the fishes in the area.

Table 2. 15. List of names and values of fishes in the area of study

scientific Name Economic Value Ecological Value Carasobarbus luteus Low yes Barbus tuteus Low yes Maslambis haplipensis Low yes Copeata trutta Medium yes

Sorce: Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000.

2.2.3. Natural habitats in the area of study

 Terrestrial habitats Due to the vast area of Fars Province and the pasturelands and dispersed forests in plains, mountain slopes and mountain highlands, there is a diversity of ecosystems whose great richness and sensitivity and the prevalence of land in the environment, setting up human accommodation and developmental activities in the region will be of critical importance. According to the statistics in 1997, about 223 hectares of Lamerd town consists of natural forest parks, that is 4.2 percent of the whole natural forest parks of the Province. Also, of the 408,340 hectares pasturelands in Lamerd, 95 percent is in poor conditions. The major types of pasturelands of Lamerd include nabk tree, Shoor (Persian name), and hastate orach. The amount of forage which may be harvested from the

77 pastures of Lamerd has been estimated to be 69,515 tons per year (Agriculture Ministry, Environment, Vol 19, 2001).

 Aquatic habitats The aquatic habitats of the Province include still and running waters, in which the share of running waters is not considerable and still water ecosystems are of more importance. Most of aquatic ecosystems of the Province are in the form of ponds and accommodate multiple aquatic habitats. The most important aquatic ecosystems of the Province are Parishan Lake, Tashak Lake, Bakhtegan Lake, Maharloo Lake, Kafter Lake, Haft Barm Lake, Arjan Pond and several perennial rivers. The only habitat in the area of study which is controlled by Environment Protection Organization is the terrestrial-mountain ecosystem of Hava Tang Khor, which embraces subtropical species including Ziziphus Spina christi, Calotropis procera, Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia khinjuk, Amygdalus scoparia, maple and milk vetch. The animal species of the habitat include antelope )Wild Goat( , Mouflon, wolf, panther, fox and Golden jackal (Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000).

2.2.3.1. The four districts in the study area

In Fars Province, the total of 25 districts are controlled by Environment Protection Directorate General of Fars Province, of which only one is located in the area of study.

Fig. 2.11, Shows The four districts in the Fars Province.

Fig. 2. 11. Four Districts in the Fars Province

 Nun-hunting region district of Hava mountain and Tang Khor The only controlled by the Environment Protection Organization located in the area of study is the no-hunt district of Hava mountain and Tang Khor measuring 80,000 hectares in area located in Lamerd town. The district is located 85 km north of Lamerd and 65 km southwest of Khonj, in the eastern longitude of 52º 41' to 53º 21', and the northern latitude of 27º 40' to 27º 56'. The no-hunt district of Hava mountain is limited on the north by the slope of mountain commanding Jermosht Village alongside the driftway through Zangoobeh and Mahmeleh to Shanaez Farm and the slope of Siah Mount, from which eastward alongside the driftway, toward Tang Kor to Khalili Village; on the south, it is limited by Khalili Village on the mountain slope up to Kheshti and Bardivardan Villages up to Katubieh Fork, from which westward up to the mountain slope commanding the said village. This no-hunt district comprises Hava and Tang Khor mountains which is divided by a road. The area is mainly mountainous and has good habitats for wildlife such as Wild Goat and Mouflon. The area has a tropical flora including nabk tree, bow string hemp, maple, and such species as Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia khinjuk, Amygdalus scoparia, different types of milk vetch (Astragalus sp) and pasture plants. The said habitat formerly enjoyed a significant wildlife population, although at present it has certain animal species such as panther, wolf, fox, golden jackal, partridge, see-see partridge, and prey birds of the same family as hawks and eagles, and different reptiles. The area can be regarded as having protection and research potentials. These lands are not in farming conditions, although its pasturelands are used by the indigenous and migrating livestock breeders in the seasons allowed for grazing, which is not contrary to the hunting restriction (Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000).

2.3. Economic, social and cultural environment

The general economic, social and cultural face of societies reflect to a great extent the characteristics of the terrain where a project is to be implemented and shows its potentiality to meet the needs and demands of the residents. For this reason, the investigation of any positive or negative influence of any developmental activity on the individual constituting elements of the economic, social and cultural resources is of special importance. Designing and implementing production projects are mainly intended to improve the living standards of the residents and ultimately raising the welfare level at national level. Such projects, however, entail changes in the structure and functioning of the societies and residences falling within the scope of the project. The scope and intensity of such changes vary with the economic, social, cultural, administrative and political conditions. Considering the foregoing, this part is concerned with depicting the economic and cultural status of Lamerd Town (the urban and rural parts). Study area of Fars Province and its center is Lamerd and mohr, with 7 counties, including the 6 towns, 15 villages, and 224 small villages (Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006).

2.3.1. Population and Emigration

In November 2006, the population of the study area was 133105, of which 42.51 resided in urban and 57.37 in rural areas and the rest was not resided by people. The area‟s population comprised 66694 men and 66411 women, giving the sexual ratio of 100; the ratio in the urban parts was 102 and 99 in rural parts. 27.11 percent of the population is below 15 years old, 68.60 percent is 15 to 64 years of age, and 4.29 percent is 65 years and more (Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006).

Fig 2.12, shows the age pyramid of study area population.

Between 1996 and 2006, 13272 people entered the town or were relocated within it. A comparison of the previous residence of migrants with the place where they were censused shows that over the ten years before the census taken in November 2006, 42.33 percent migrated from the village to the city, 18.67 percent from city to city, 27.39 from village to village, and 23.90 percent from city to village.

Fig 2.13, shows the immigrants into the urban parts of study area over the 10 years before the census in 2006 and Fig 2.14, shows that for rural parts, in terms of age and sex.

The distribution of migrants into the town from 1996 to 2006 in terms of length of residence shows that the largest number of migrants coming into the town. Is about 20.24 percent, for less than one year before the census, and about 1.56 percent, related to the nine year‟s period before the census. The largest number of immigrants, including both urban and rural, relates to less than one year before the census. This ratio for the urban places is 24.67 percent and for rural areas is 16.43 percent.

Fig. 2. 12. The Age and Sex Pyramid

85 & more 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 Male 45-49 Female

Age 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14. 5-9. 0-4

10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000

Persons

Source: Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006.

Fig. 2. 13. The immigrants into the urban parts of study area over the 10 years before the census in 2006, in terms of age and sex.

1200

1000

800 Male Femaile

600 person 400

200

Age

Source: Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006.

Fig. 2. 14. The immigrants into the rural parts, of study area over the 10 years before the census in 2006, in terms of age and sex.

700

600

500

400 Male Femaile

300 person 200

100

Age

Source: Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006.

2.3.2. Employment

In November 2006, persons with a job and job hunters accounted for 33.66 percent of the ten year old population and above. This ratio was 33.84 percent in urban points and 33.52 percent in urban points. Of the active population of the town, 92.84 percent were male and 7.16 percent were female. Also, of the population of 10 years of age and above who had a job, 10.04 percent served in major groups of agriculture, hunting, forestry; 46.64 percent was engaged in service; 9.78 percent in the grand industrial sector (manufacture); and 30.62 percent in other major businesses (Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006). Fig 2.15, shows the relative distribution of employed persons of 10 year‟s age and above in terms of major sectors of business. As one can see, the major service sector accommodates the largest number of employed persons both in urban and rural parts. The largest amount of activity relates to the group aged between 20 to 24 years, with 19.79 percent, and the smallest amount relates to the group aged 10 to 14 years, with 0.69 percent. The highest amount of activity in men relates to the group aged 20 to 24 years, with 19.09 percent, and that in women relates to the group aged 25 to 29 years, with 32.07 percent. Fig 2.16, shows the amount of activity of the employed population of study area aged 10 years and above in terms of age for both sexes.

Fig. 2. 15. Relative distribution of employed persons of 10 years age and above in terms of major sectors of business

2.91% 2.34% Agricultural 10.04% 9.78% Industrial

Mining 28.28% 46.64% Construction Social service

Indeterminate

Lamerd City

3.75% 3.61% 2.27% 2.14% 15.01% 2.50% 9.78% Agricultural 9.77% Agricultural Industrial Industrial 21.57% Mining Mining 36.97% 33.48% 59.15% Construction Construction Social service Social service Indeterminate Indeterminate

Urban Rural

Fig. 2. 16. Amount of activity of the employed population of study area aged 10 years and above in terms of age for both sexes.

Persent 15 Male

10 Female

Age

Source: Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006.

2.3.3. Education

In November 2006, of the 119,524 people aged 6 years and above 84.94 percent were literate. In this area, the ratio of literacy in men is 88.96 percent and that in women is 80.92 percent. The ratio in the urban parts was 90.55 and 84.26 percent for men and women, respectively, and that in rural parts was 87.81 and 78.53 percent for men and women, respectively (Statistical Centre of Iran, 2006).

2.3.4. Religious and cultural beliefs

In November 2006, Moslems accounted for 99.86 percent of the population. The ratio was 99.93 percent in urban parts and 99.84 percent in rural parts. Also, 0.14 percent of the population are Zoroastrian, of which 0.04 percent reside in the urban parts and 0.03 percent in the rural parts, and the rest have not been measured.

Fig. 2. 17. Literacy

15.06%

Literate

84.94% lliterate

Lamerd City

16.86% 12.57% Literate Literate 83.14% Illiterate 87.43% Illiterate

Rural Urban

2.3.5. Connecting roads

The role of connecting roads in the formation of economic activities and relation between production and distribution sectors, and their contribution to the cost price of goods and services is of more interest. The length of the roads lying within the jurisdiction of Road and Transportation Department in Lamerd in the early 2000 as 387.50 km, including 99.4 km asphalted road, 42.1 km graveled road, and 246 km access road (Environmental protection of Fars Province, 2000).

Connecting roads are: 1) Lamerd / Khonj with the length with the lenght of 140 Km, this road will end to Firozabad - Lar - Jahrom. 2) Lamerd / Taheri port approximately 58 Km connecting Boshehr to Fars province.

2.4. Developmental plans and land use

2.4.1. Land use in the area

Considering the location of the Southern Aluminum Plant, Lamerd Town has been regarded as an area indirectly influenced by the project. Due to the geomorphologic diversity and variety of soil types, there is not homogenous vegetation in the area, so that some parts are void of any vegetation. In Lamerd, about 25.5 to 30 percent of the farming lands are cultivated by irrigation farming and the rest by dry farming. About 18,000 hectares (i.e. 1.8 percent of the irrigating farming lands of the Province) is cultivated by irrigating farming. The pasturelands of Lamerd amount to 267,000 hectares, which is 47 percent of the total area of the town; only 0.3 percent of the pasturelands are in poor conditions and 99.7 percent do not have grazing conditions. In 1995-96, the lands cultivated with permanent crops constituted 88.7 percent of all the cultivated lands, and the permanent crops comprised 11.3 percent of the cultivated lands. Among the permanent crops, date comprises 96.4 percent of the cultivated lands, i.e. the biggest proportion among all crops.

Considering the way of formation of neighbors in the town, which were villages in fact, and according to the common social beliefs prevailing the villages, this town has many dispersed villages. The land use in the area of study and in Fars Province is shown by Figures 2.18 and 2.19. Table 2.16, shows the distances of various land uses from the aluminum plant.

Table 2. 16. Distance of various land uses from the aluminum plant

Type of land use Distance (Meter) Airport 3000 Lamerd 6000 power transmission line 50 Varavi Road 800 Lamerd, Alla, Marvdasht road 890 Khelifeha Village 1000 Mirhasani Village 1000

It is to be noted the project is located North of Lamerd, far from urban land uses.

Fig. 2. 18. Landuse of Lamerd City

2.4.2. Future developmental plan

The following goals are intended in the development plan of Lamerd: - Projects which fall directly within the developmental area of the town and their budget is supplied by the Municipality; - Projects which will greatly contribute to the development and expansion of scope of services, such as administrative centers, shopping centers, etc. which will be created in the town by the related agencies and are responsible for offering services; - Projects which will play a significant role in the development and construction, and the most efficient institution responsible for it is Ministry of Jahad-e-keshavarzi (Agriculture Crusade), which is a highly efficient institution due to having specialized manpower, long history of executive works, and considerable financial resources.

On the basis of the conducted studies, in the present conditions the following order of priority is recommended for the proposed projects: - Supply of wholesome drinking water - Improvement of the transport network and its expansion - Removing the basic deficiencies, such as establishment of cooperatives, schools, clinics, etc. - Also, in consideration of the general principles proposed, and the existing problems, the top priority in the planning is job creation in manufacture fields and providing the services which are needed to achieve reasonable amenities in a modern society. The following actions are recommended for achieving this goal in the general development plan:

i. Conducting hydrological and geohydrological studies to examine the need for water and remove water deficiencies; ii. Creation of the installations needed by villages, such as healthcare centers, vocational education centers, etc. iii. Creation of sources of economic income in the rural parts through creating job opportunities by optimal use of the local resources and equal distribution of the income of developmental enterprises.

Considering the goals and plans made for the development of this town, the implementation and operation of the said project seems to be in line with the goals of the future development plans.

2.5. Résumé

This chapter presents the current status of environment, including physical environment (geology, topography, pedology, climate and water resource), natural environment (vegetation, animals and natural habitats), together with economical, social and cultural environment (population and emigration, employment, education etc). There are a number of parameters which play important role in the assessment of ecological capability, such as geology, pedology, vegetation, laduse, meteorology, etc. Investigation of the social environment, including population parameters for the assessment of social-economical situation, together with study of the physical and ecological environment, before the project implementation, would be very helpful for monitoring and comparison of the situation before and after the exploitation. Aluminum production process and the potential pollution will be discussed in the next chapter.