Article: Distribution of chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead in agricultural soils collected from Kazanli-Mersin, Turkey Journal: International Journal of Environment and Pollution (IJEP) 2005 Vol.23 No.4 pp.409 - 416 Abstract: This study reports total levels of chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead in the agricultural land adjacent a factory producing chromate compounds in Kazanli-Mersin. Surface soil samples were collected from fields around the factory as well as from fields farther away to measure contamination due to aerial transportation and deposition of dust produced in the industrial process. Heavy metals in soil were extracted using wet digestion, and concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations were compared with Turkish maximum allowable concentration values. The metal concentrations averaged 80, 0.14, 228 and 431mg1kg<SUP align="right"><SMALL>-1</SMALL></SUP> for chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead, respectively. Soil samples contaminated with chromium were mainly found 500–20001m from the factory and decreased with increasing distance from the factory. Elevated chromium and nickel concentrations were determined in the soils around the factory, especially to the northwest (prevailing wind) and west. Lead concentrations exceeded the limit in only roadside soils (4000 and 50001m to the west), but tended to increase in the vicinity of industrial activity (especially in the west, the northwest and the north). The cadmium concentration did not exceed the limit and was within the normal range for soils. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Distribution of chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead in agricultural soils collected from Kazanli-Mersin, Turkey

Authors: Nurcan Koleli, Bulent Halisdemir

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Engineering, Mersin University, 33343 Mersin, Turkey. ' Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Engineering, Mersin University, 33343 Mersin, Turkey

Abstract: This study reports total levels of chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead in the agricultural land adjacent a factory producing chromate compounds in Kazanli-Mersin. Surface soil samples were collected from fields around the factory as well as from fields farther away to measure contamination due to aerial transportation and deposition of dust produced in the industrial process. Heavy metals in soil were extracted using wet digestion, and concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations were compared with Turkish maximum allowable concentration values. The metal concentrations averaged 80, 0.14, 228 and 431mg1kg^-1 for chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead, respectively. Soil samples contaminated with chromium were mainly found 500–20001m from the factory and decreased with increasing distance from the factory. Elevated chromium and nickel concentrations were determined in the soils around the factory, especially to the northwest (prevailing wind) and west. Lead concentrations exceeded the limit in only roadside soils (4000 and 50001m to the west), but tended to increase in the vicinity of industrial activity (especially in the west, the northwest and the north). The cadmium concentration did not exceed the limit and was within the normal range for soils.

Keywords: chromium; cadmium; nickel; lead; soil contamination; Turkey; environmental pollution; agricultural soils; heavy metals.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2005.007603

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2005 Vol.23 No.4, pp.409 - 416

Published online: 19 Aug 2005 *

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Title: Distribution of chromium, cadmium, nickel and lead in agricultural soils collected from Kazanli-Mersin, Turkey

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