In this study, heavy metal/trace element accumulation was investigated in soils along the road passing through Gümüshane city center and shoots of 1-2 years of acacia trees (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) grown in these soils. Heavy metal contents in soils and plants were analyzed by Enrichment Factor (EF), Geo-accumulation index (I geo ) parameters, and by Bio Accumulation Factor (BAF), respectively. According to geo-accumulation index (I geo ) data, it is seen that the soil was unpolluted in terms of Cr, Co, Cu, Rb, Sr; unpolluted to moderately polluted in terms of V, Ni and Zn; moderate to excessively polluted in terms of As, and moderate to excessively polluted in terms of Pb. According to EF parameters, on the other hand, it is observed that the soil was non to slightly enriched in terms of Cr, Co, Sr and Ba; non to moderately enriched in terms of Ni and Cu; slightly to significantly enriched in terms of Zn; significant to very highly enriched in terms of As and slightly to over excessively enriched in terms of Pb. Although trace/heavy metal contents of acacia shoots were usually within normal values for acacia, it was determined that Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Sr and Zn concentrations were within and/or above upper limits of normal values in certain sampling points. Bulletin of the Mineral Research and Explorationhttp://bulletin.mta.gov.tr

The objective of this study was to determine the potential environmental risks associated with the Kirkpavli (Old Gümüşhane in northern Turkey) alteration area by quantifying pollution in soil. The Kirkpavli (Old Gümüşhane) alteration area is situated at the south of the deposit with the same name of gold-silver-bearing lead, zinc, and copper in the southern part of the Black Sea Tectonic Unit (Eastern Pontides). In this study, 28 soil samples acquired from the alteration area were analyzed for contents of some main elements including lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As). Contents of the elements in the area were determined, and high values were obtained such as 1,171 mg/kg for As, 12.4 mg/kg for Cd, 77.3 mg/kg for Co, 341 mg/kg for Cu, 1,172 mg/kg for Mn, 51.9 mg/kg for Ni, 3,725 mg/kg for Pb, and 880 mg/kg for Zn. Soil contamination was appraised on the basis of Geoaccumulation Index (I geo), Enrichment Factor (EF), Pollution Index, and Integrated Pollution Index. The calculated results of I geo, EF, and PI of the elements can be shown in descending order of parameters as As > Pb > Cd > Zn > Cu > Co > Mn. The parameters for some of these elements indicated extremely high contamination (I geo > 5), extremely high enrichment (EF > 40), and high pollution (PI > 3). High I geo, EF, and PI values of As, Pb, and Cd in the soil samples mean that soil pollution is typically associated with alteration area. Considering its location and the results of this study, the Kirkpavli alteration area is a significant source of pollution and may have ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial, groundwater, and aquatic ecosystems in the region.

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Soil samples collected from Demirören Alteration area, Gümüshane NE Turkey were analyzed for heavy metals by using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and the contamination level of heavy metals was assessed on the basis of Geoaccumulation Index, Enrichment Factor, Pollution Index and Integrated Pollution Index. The results indicated that, in comparison with background value of upper crust, soil samples in Demirören alteration area have elevated levels of metal concentrations as a whole. High Geoaccumulation Indexes and Enrichment Factors for molybdenum, lead, selenium, bismuth, cadmium and copper in alteration area indicated that there is a considerable amount of especially molybdenum, lead and copper pollution, which mainly originate from alteration in the area.

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