Evaluation of environmental and ecological risks caused by metals in agricultural areas: an example in the Amik Plain of South Turkey

ABSTRACT

The works of literature evaluating the eco-environmental risks posed by metals in agricultural areas in developing countries remains limited. This study sought to evaluate the environmental and ecological risks posed by metals in the intensively cultivated areas of the Amik Plain as well as to determine the origins of the metals. For this purpose, 137 soil samples were taken from agricultural production areas of the Amik Plain, and 11 metals (Al, Fe, Ni, Pb, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cd and As) were examined in the samples. As Ni had the highest average enrichment factor (EF) value (8.04) when compared with the other metals, the soils were found to be significantly enriched with Ni. The Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that the Zn concentration was controlled by lithogenic sources, while the Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr and Cu concentrations were controlled by both anthropogenic and lithogenic sources.

KEYWORDS:

• Geoaccumulation index
• principal component analysis
• pollution indices
• soil contamination

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data will be available on reasonable request.

Statements and declarations

Halil AYTOP: Conceptualization, Methodology,Formal analysis, Original draft preparation and Writing.

Additional information

Funding

The data of this study was obtained from the project numbered “2015.30.06.20.002” supported by the National Boron Research Institute (BOREN).