Cumhur Aydinalp

Heavy Metal Pollution in Some Soil and Water Resources of Bursa Province, Turkey

Abstract Bursa, the fourth most densely populated province in Turkey, is important to the national economy for agricultural and industrial production. During the past two decades, substantial migration into the region has increased drastically the risk of soil degradation. Urbanization and industrial development in the province have mainly occurred on soil types with land capability Class 1 and 2 and produce large amounts of nonbiodegradable urban and industrial waste, much of which is disposed of in the Nilufer River, the Ayvali Canal, and on agricultural land. Regulation of effluent quality disposed of to surface waters has been limited, so it was decided to conduct a preliminary survey of selected potentially toxic element (PTE) concentrations in agricultural soils and the PTEs in irrigation waters in the area to determine what potential pollution and health risk may exist. The pH and concentrations of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and heavy metals were determined in water samples from along the Nilufer River, above and below the industrialized area, and one of its tributaries, the Ayvali Canal. The results indicated considerable pollution from industry and city sewage in the surface waters, which are used directly by local farmers for irrigation of adjacent fields. Total heavy metal contents of the Fluvisols and Vertisols showed that these agricultural soils were polluted with iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb). The DTPA‐extractable Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in irrigated Fluvisols and Vertisols indicated that the practice caused the accumulation of the Cd and Cu in the upper parts of the soil profiles. In the longer term, irrigation of the soils with the polluted waters may damage soil, crop, and human health.

Heavy Metal Contamination in Peach Trees Irrigated with Water from a Heavily Polluted Creek

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to characterize the heavy metal contamination in the soils of peach orchards irrigated with water from Nilüfer creek, which is heavily polluted by industrial and municipal wastes. Twenty-one peach orchards with 3 different cultivars in 7 orchards each located along Nilüfer creek were monitored in the experiment. To determine levels of pollution, soils and aboveground parts of the trees were sampled and analyzed for iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd). Total amounts of Ni and Cr were found to be at the excessive levels in soils. Extractable Ni concentration decreased with increasing pH and CaCO3 content in soils. Leaf metal contents were generally at tolerable levels, but Ni and Pb accumulated to toxic levels in different parts of the fruit (flesh and peel). Except for Fe and Ni, plant concentrations of the metals did not correlate with their total and DTPA-extractable concentrations in the soils. There was no significant difference among the cultivars in accumulation of heavy metals.

Iron and Zinc Status in Soils, Water, and Plant Samples from a Densely Populated and Industrialized Region of Turkey

Abstract Concentrations of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) were quantitatively determined in the soil, water, and various plants in the Bursa province of Turkey, the countrys fourth-most industrialized and populated region. The research was conducted to establish a baseline pollution index for Fe and Zn in the Bursa environment and to evaluate the role of foods as an exogenous source of these metals among the provinces inhabitants. Exceedingly high levels of both metals characterized the staple food cultivars in the research area.

Nature and Properties of Some Cultivated Entisols Under Peach Orchards

Abstract Entisols have developed from Quaternary deposits in northwestern Turkey under xeric moisture and thermic temperature regimes. The morphological features and physico-chemical properties of ten soil profiles representing the major Entisols under Mediterranean climate in northwestern Turkey were studied. These soils show a similar variation in morphological, physical, and chemical properties as a result of similar parent material, topography, climate, and vegetation. Entisols were developed in the 700 mm precipitation zone. These soils occur in nearly flat areas and are characterized by being dry in summers and moist in winter months. It is believed that present agricultural practices are degrading Entisols in this area.