Heavy metal contents of barley (Hordeum SP.) plants at areas around the main roads

This study was conducted to analyze concentrations of heavy metals in plants and soils of barley fields standing along main roads of Konya city (Central Anatolia, Turkey). The samples of plants and soils were collected from different areas of two distances (0 and 1 km) of main roads and analyzed for heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni) measured by ICP-OES. The samples of soils were also analyzed for basic chemical properties (pH, humus and carbonate contents). The results revealed a large variability within the nearness and direction of main roads for heavy metal contents of both plant and soil samples. Generally, higher amounts of heavy metals in samples taken near (0 km) the main roads were observed. © SGEM2010 All Rights Reserved by the International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM Published by STEF92 Technology Ltd.