Investigation of Chemical Compositions of Urban, Industrial, Agricultural, and Rural Top‐soils in Izmir, Turkey

Abstract

The top-soil samples were collected from urban, industrial, agricultural, and rural sites to investigate the modification in the elemental composition due to anthropogenic influence in one of the biggest city of Turkey, namely Izmir. The elemental profiles were dominated by lithophilic elements such as Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, K, and sea salt element, Na, which is typical for Mediterranean region. The trace elemental concentrations showed significant variation with higher concentrations in the industrial sites, particularly in the vicinity of iron-steel producers from scrap materials (EAF-Steels). Lead, Zn, and Cd around EAF-Steels were found to be higher than other sites. Comparison to universal upper crusts and local reference soil has shown that Izmir top-soils were contaminated in terms of many trace elements, most probably due to anthropogenic activities. Correlation matrix, crustal enrichment factors, and factor analysis were applied to investigate the extent of soil modification and possible sources. The results indicated that the elemental profiles of top-soils were mainly determined by parent materials; however, anthropogenic activities were found to be factor effective on the profile.

Investigation of Soil Concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants, Trace Elements, and Anions Due to Iron–Steel Plant Emissions in an Industrial Region in Turkey

“…All elemental and anionic concentrations measured in the industrial region were 1.4 (F − )-4.7 (Pb) times higher than those measured at urban/suburban sites with the exception of nitrate (Table 3). SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , and Cl − concentrations measured in Izmir area were highly variable, and their spatial distribution could not be related to the influence of industrial sources (Table 3; Yatkin et al 2008). Sulfate, nitrate, and chloride concentrations measured in the present study were significantly lower from those measured at several sites in Izmir while fluoride concentrations were comparable.…”

“…Soil concentrations (milligram per kilogram dry weight) of selected anions and trace elements AVG average, SD standard deviation, GM geometric mean a This study bYatkin et al (2008), industrial sites in Aliaga region…”

Soil Contamination by Metals/Metalloids around an Industrial Region and Associated Human Health Risk Assessment

“…People living in regions near anthropogenic metal(loid) sources are more prone to exposure [13]. Under the influence of heavy industrial activities and traffic, the metal(loid) composition of soils has been shown to be altered compared to background soils [14][15][16]. Aliağa industrial region is an example of such industrial regions in Türkiye.…”

Measuring Landscape Connectivity in a Urban Area for Biological Conservation

“…Habitat loss and fragmentation have changed community structures and have potentially or significantly changed important ecological processes, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, seed dispersal, and predation relationships, and are therefore important reasons for the loss of biodiversity and the decline in the quality of regional environments. On the local scale, urbanization is considered to be the greatest pressure on biodiversity . In most urban areas, biodiversity is maintained only within a small portion of the isolated and discontinuous vegetation patches that were set aside during the development of the areas .…”