Assessing heavy metal pollution in the surface soils of central anatolia region of Turkey

Konya is the largest city of Turkey and has been the capital of many civilizations. The current study intends to determine the geochemical characteristics and the distribution of trace elements of soils in an area of approximately 600 km 2 around Konya. Many different types of rocks and younger detricious units are exposed in Konya, formed from the Paleozoic period to the present day. Abandoned Sizma (Konya) mercury deposits and small-sized Pb-Zn-Au enrichments, as well as magnesite, Cr, Fe and Ni enrichments and associated ophiolitic rocks are found in the area. In addition, sites of household wastes, industrial sites, agricultural areas and major highways are in the area. Major components of soils include Al, Fe, Mg, Ca and S, which are 4.43%, 2.43%, 2.44%, 15.56% and 0.20%, respectively. Trace elements include As, Ba, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, U, V and Zn, and are 22.31, 400.78, 0.21, 109.97, 20.79, 0.08, 130.68, 21.22, 1.96, 595.41, 2.20, 62.93 and 56.60 ppm respectively. The amounts of As, Cr and Ni in the soils exceed the maximum permissible levels with respect to Turkey, and a majority of other countries. Co, Mo, Pb, Sb and Sr are a health risk in some areas, and essential measures have to be taken to reduce pollution.