Determination of Heavy Metal Contamination with Soil and Plant Samples (Pinus sylvestris) on roadside and intersections in Erzurum/Turkey

Abstract

In this research, heavy metal contamination of both soil and plant samples collected from 11 different locations where Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) was grown on was determined. The soil and plant samples were obtained both during January and August 2008 year and then heavy metal contents were analyzed in the labarotory. Heavy metal contens of plant and soil samples were compared by using standard values. The results showed that there were statistical differences among all elements considering both locations and sampling points. The soils sampled from 11 different locations analysed and the results indicated that some heavy metals were over critical levels. Fe and Cu in 100.yıl park, Cu in all 11 locations and Zn in 100. yıl park, Yenişehir and Havuzbaşı ıntersection were over critical level. On the other hand, Pb, Cd and Ni were within the normal limits in all sampling areas. In plant samples, Fe and Cu in all the sampling areas during both January and August, Cu during January and August only in the Migros ıntersection and Station ıntersection , Mn in January in all the locations, Zn in January in between Havuz Basi and Universite Roundabout were found over the limit value. Pb was found higher over the limit values in Havuzbaşı ıntersection, Tebrizkapı ıntersection, Migros ıntersection and Kayak road in January. Ni found over the limit value in Gez ıntersection, Yenisehir ıntersection and Kayak road ıntersection during January.