ABSTRACT
Background: Contamination of water and soil through non-point sources such as road runoff causes environmental concern. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Zanjan - Chavarzagh road on the total organic carbon [TOC] content of sediments in tributaries and the river that lead to Taham Lake
Methods: In tributaries and the river 69 soil and sediment samples were taken and the Total organic carbon [TOC] was measured according to Walkely-Black method. Also, Taham Dam Basin area and its hydrologic properties were calculated by Global Information System [GIS] software
Results: Results showed that, TOC concentration has a significant negative relationship with the distance from the lake. TOC in soil samples taken from hillside of the road had significantly lower mean and median concentration [ median= 3262 , mean = 4083 +/- 3461 mg/kg] than the valley side [ median = 5324 , mean = 6178 +/- 3980 mg/kg]. The check dams across the tributaries and the river have not been effective in the reduction of TOC in sediments
Conclusion: Roads in the Taham Dam Basin, increases TOC content of soil and sediments in Taham dam basin. TOC moves toward Taham dam lake