Heavy Metal Pollution Around International Hatay Airport

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to determine the heavy metal pollution in the agricultural lands around Hatay airport and travel possible alteration in the amount of heavy metal on the land in accordance with the distance to the airport. For this purpose, the airport was chosen as the center and 27 soil samples were obtained around the airport at 2 km intervals in depth ranging from 0 to 30 cm. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chrome (Cr), cobalt (Co), aluminium (Al), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) elements in soil samples were analysed using MP-AES instrument by DTPA method. (3 repetition for each sample). As a result of the analysis, heavy metal concentrations were found as Pb 0-1.45 mg/kg, Cd 0-0.220 mg/kg, Ni 0-3.95 mg/kg, Cr 0-0.780 mg/kg, Co 0-0.270 mg/kg, Al 0-0.700 mg/kg, Fe 1.47-16.2 mg/kg, Cu 0.400-5.35 mg/kg, Mn 0-19 mg/kg and Zn 0.050-3.14 mg/kg. When comparing the obtained data through this study with allowable concentrations of heavy metals in soil of Environment and Forest Directorates Guidance, it was determined that the heavy metal concentration of the soil does not pose any problems in terms of heavy metal pollution. Besides, iron concentration was decreased when the distance to the airport is increased. Introduction Environment is an important factor for human health. Human made activities and natural interactions usually cause negative effects on human health. Metals and heavy metal contaminations due to increase in agricultural activities and technological development have occupied our agenda for the last centuries (Kadir, 2009).